After six years with WWE, Ricochet left the promotion in June 2024 and wasted little time in joining AEW. Now, the One & Only can be found appearing on Dynamite and Collision, but that doesn’t mean the door has been closed with his former employer.
On The Ringer Wrestling Show, Ricochet reflected on his final days as a WWE Superstar. The inaugural WWE Speed Champion was pleased to end his tenure on good terms, so much so that a return to WWE isn’t out of the question.
“Triple H had a little talk and he was just like, ‘Anytime…’ I think they were just trying to give me a good out that made me, you know, something that was open-ended.”
– Ricochet
Ricochet explained that WWE was aware that he didn’t intend to re-sign before his exit from the promotion was confirmed. Ironically, reports of Ricochet’s departure created a ‘buzz’ among fans before he actually left, so much so that WWE reportedly pitched him making a final appearance before he left. That ultimately didn’t happen, but the high-flyer was wisely able to leave WWE on positive terms, meaning that a return is not out of the question.
Last week, Atem Chigvintsev, the husband of WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia, was arrested and charged with domestic violence. Now, TMZ reports that Garcia, known to WWE fans as Nikki Bella, has been actively searching for a divorce lawyer since the day after the arrest, and intends to file for a divorce from Chigvintsev.
It’s further reported that Chigvintsev is no longer staying at the family’s home but is instead living with a friend. The couple’s son Matteo is remaining with his mother in their family home, the report adds.
Artem Chigvintsev’s Arrest
At 8:30 AM on August 29, 2024, a call went out to emergency services from the Garcia-Chigvintsev home, stating that a “medical emergency” had occurred. While paramedics and the fire department were en route, Chigvinstev called 911 again to cancel the request though did not explain why.
At 10 AM that same day, Chigvintsev was arrested for felony corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant. In this particular felony, the injury must be visible and officers observed injuries on the victim’s body, an earlier TMZ report notes. Since the incident, Garcia has not worn her wedding ring in public, including at Netflix’s recent competitive Hot Dog eating special. Chigvintsev was released shortly after his arrest after posting a $25,000 bail.
Photo: TMZ
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev
Garcia and Chigvintsev first met during the WWE legend’s appearance on Dancing With The Stars in 2017. In January 2019, less than a year after Garcia’s engagement with John Cena ended, she and Chigvintsev began dating and got engaged on January 3, 2020.
That July, Garcia would give birth to Matteo. This already joyous occasion was even more special for Garcia, whose relationship with John Cena had seen the pair at odds over whether to have children. The couple tied the knot in 2022 and marked their second anniversary just days before Chigvintsev’s arrest.
At Bash In Berlin, CM Punk scored his first televised win on WWE programming in over a decade with his Strap Match win over Drew McIntyre. Not only did Punk get the win at Germany’s first PLE, but he dominated the much larger McIntyre for a good portion of the bout.
Punk not only made McIntyre tap out but also hit four GTS finishers on the man who has goaded him since January. The finish of the match saw Punk touch all four turnbuckles without any issue from McIntyre, a sign of just how truly beaten Scottish Warrior had become.
But why did Punk win this match in such a decisive manner? WWE reportedly felt that Punk needed a big win, Dave Meltzer reports, as he’d yet to have one since returning to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames in November 2023. Before Berlin, Punk’s only wins for WWE post-return had been live event victories over ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio.
The reported belief within WWE was that McIntyre could handle getting so thoroughly beaten by CM Punk. It’s added that those in charge will have been aware that McIntyre would be getting his ‘heat’ back mere days later.
Not Over Yet
On RAW, Punk said that his feud with McIntyre is behind him and set his sights on the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Moving on will prove easier said than done as Drew McIntyre ambushed Punk mid-promo and destroyed the fan-made bracelet gifted to Punk that has been pivotal in their feud.
McIntyre’s destruction of Punk in Denver, CO has left many believing that a third rubber match will take place at a future PLE, potentially next month’s Bad Blood show. Some have suggested that such a match would take place in Hell in a Cell, a match-type used at every Bad Blood PLE so far.
RAW also saw Sami Zayn come face to face with GUNTHER and make his own case to challenge the World Heavyweight Champion. With the WrestleMania 40 enemies on track for a rematch with a much richer prize, Punk will have to wait before he steps in the ring with the Austrian, giving him time to have one final showdown with Drew McIntyre.
Injuries are a workplace hazard of being a professional wrestler and all in-ring talent have to deal with them at one point or another. On the latest WWE Monday Night RAW, Kairi Sane was in action and suffered a gruesome injury to her eye during a match with some very high stakes.
Sane teamed with IYO SKY to take on the Unholy Union for a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. With new champions Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair at ringside, both teams held nothing back to get the win. During one spot in the match, Sane dove to the outside and hit Bianca Belair, but her face also hit the edge of the announce table.
Sane’s painful landing resulted in her bleeding from the eye but the Pirate Princess would not stay down. In the end though, it’d be the Unholy Union who got the win, earning another shot at the titles they lost at WWE Bash in Berlin. Post-match, Belair and Cargill stared down Damage CTRL, insinuating that the issues between the two teams are only getting started.
The excitement didn’t end after this week’s episode of WWE RAW went off the air from the Bell Arena in Denver, Colorado. In the main event of the show, Jey Uso and Damian Priest defeated WWE World Tag Team Champions Finn Balor & JD McDonagh in non-title action. While Liv Morgan tried to aid her Judgment Day allies, Rhea Ripley, who’d been attacked earlier in the night, neutralized the Women’s World Champion.
After RAW, Jey, Ripley, and Priest celebrated in the ring. Despite her ankle injury, Rhea joined in with a ‘Yeet’ and after some convincing, Priest joined her and Jey for a three-person ‘Yeet.’
JEY USO AND RHEA RIPLEY AFTER #WWERaw WENT OFF AIR GOT DAMIAN PRIEST TO FINALLY YEET ?
This week’s RAW dealt with the fallout from last Saturday’s Bash in Berlin, the first WWE PLE to ever take place in Germany. On RAW, CM Punk set his sights on the World Heavyweight Championship, only to be ambushed by Drew McIntyre and have his bracelet destroyed. Sami Zayn also confronted World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER who declined the challenge of the man who beat him at WrestleMania 40.
The late Andre the Giant was a true legend of wrestling and in 1993 became the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. Instantly recognizable for his trademark singlet, a much different piece of Andre’s in-ring attire has received a spotlight this week.
At the Sports Immortals collection, Jim Platt revealed quite possibly the most unique piece of Andre memorabilia; his jockstrap. With a size 60 waistband, the item fits eight grown men, Platt explained to Gabby Gonzalez. The jockstrap is fittingly colored red, white, and blue, the colors of the flag of Andre’s native France.
Remembering Andre the Giant
Fans may be hesitant to come face-to-gusset with Andre the Giant’s jock-strap and thankfully, there is plenty more memorabilia of the Eighth Wonder of the World. In August 2023, Andre was celebrated for a weekend in Ellerbe, North Carolina, where the legendary wrestler lived while working in the United States. These days, Andre’s ranch is a museum featuring several personal effects of the wrestler.
It’s been over 30 years since the death of Andre the Giant but the memory of the legendary wrestler lives on to this day. Andre’s giant physique is matched only by the giant legacy he has had on the wrestling business, as fans still remember the iconic French wrestler.
The September 2, episode of WWE RAW marked the commentary debut of Joe Tessitore, whose arrival was confirmed earlier this year. Tessitore has been thrown in at the deep end as the lead announcer on WWE’s flagship show, but how does he think he did?
In a WWE RAW Digital Exclusive, Tessitore said that he felt the passion and intensity of the WWE Universe in Denver, Colorado at his first ever RAW as a commentator.
“I was very into them, it was a great reception. It meant a lot to me. I brought out the little kid in me tonight.”
Assessing his performance on Raw, Tessitore said that he feels he wasn’t at his best, but is optimistic for his future on the red brand.
“I wasn’t great tonight, I wasn’t great tonight, but I was a passionate fan tonight.”
Tessitore also spoke about the show bringing out “the little kid in me” and recalled buying a bunch of merchandise from the show. Tessitore is pleased that “Night One [is] in the books” and is excited to have many more.
Joe Tessitore
Tessitore may be a fresh face to the WWE Universe but he’s no stranger to high-profile sports broadcasting. Tessistore also works with ABC and ESPN and leads the latter’s world championship fight broadcasts as the blow-by-blow broadcaster for Top Rank Boxing.
Tessitore has also provided play-by-play for Monday Night Football, preparing him nicely for calling the intense action of WWE. While Tessitore will be kept plenty busy as a WWE RAW commentator, his role with the promotion will allow him to remain working with ESPN and ABC.
Since TKO Group Holdings launched in September 2023, several names associated with WWE have parted ways with the promotion, either willingly or via termination. Now, another longtime employee of the wrestling promotion has reportedly been shown the door.
Michele Carlucci, WWE’s Director of Production Travel, has been “let go” from the company, the Wrestling Observer’s Daily Update reports. Carlucci had been with WWE since 1988 and had spent 14 years as Director of the Freelance Crew, Travel & Special Projects. She was elevated to the position of Director of Production Travel in 2019.
WWE Departures
WWE has seen several longtime figures in the company part ways, including Kevin Dunn who had been the promotion’s director of production. While WWE reportedly hoped for Dunn to stay on as far as WrestleMania 40, he left WWE in December 2023 and has since been replaced by Lee Fitting. Fitting’s work, including more dynamic camerawork compared to Dunn’s incessant cuts, has earned praise by fans.
In September 2023, shortly after the launch of TKO, over 100 people were cut from WWE’s offices in effort to create synchronicity with UFC. These layoffs included veterans of the company as well as Dana Warrior, wife of the Ultimate Warrior. Dana had previously worked as part of WWE’s creative team.
The biggest exit WWE has seen over the past year is, of course, that of Vince McMahon. Not only has McMahon stepped down from WWE, but he was scrubbed from WWE 2K24 archival footage as part of the game’s 40 Years of WrestleMania mode.
In recent months, CM Punk and Drew McIntyre’s feud has grown increasingly personal, with a bracelet of Punk’s playing a pivotal role in their beef. The bracelet, which bears the names of Punk’s wife and dog, was gifted to him by a fan, but it seemingly met a grisly fate on this week’s WWE RAW.
Punk appeared to address his Bash In Berlin victory over Drew McIntyre and shared his plan to challenge World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER. That match will have to wait as McIntyre ambushed the AEW alum, leveling Punk with three Claymores. McIntyre destroyed the bracelet Punk was wearing before shoving the beads in his mouth.
Victoria, the fan who created the bracelet, watched what transpired on RAW and took to Twitter to thank WWE for “the craziest 5 months ever.” Victoria was grateful to have played a part in WWE programming and warned Drew McIntyre to watch his back.
welp since the bracelet is broken i would like to thank @WWE and @CMPunk for the craziest 5 months ever. i have been a fan of wwe for over half of my life and i never would have imagined anything like this happening to me i am so grateful <3 (@DMcIntyreWWE watch your back) pic.twitter.com/Mki0IJgeJi
While this week’s RAW may have been shocking, some fans were skeptical that Punk would allow such a personal gift from a fan to be destroyed as part of a storyline. On his Instagram Stories, Punk shared that the bracelet broken on RAW was a replica that had been constructed for the segment, and he still has the real thing.
What’s Next?
Punk may have his sights set on the World Heavyweight Championship but it’s clear his feud with Drew McIntyre isn’t over just yet. Many have predicted a tie-breaking match at WWE Bad Blood, potentially inside Hell in a Cell. WWE’s first Bad Blood event in 20 years will take place next month and the PLE has always featured a Hell in a Cell match in the past. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, and their increasingly personal feud.
History was made in the Netflix Hot Dog special and Nikki Garcia, Rey Mysterio and Omos had a front row seat to witness the gluttony.
Famed competitive eaters Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut took part in a live Labor Day special on Netflix where the two went head-to-head in eating hot dogs and one man broke the record. Chestnut came out the victor eating an unprecedented 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes to defeat his longstanding rival who could only down 67 dogs, and there were two WWE Hall of Famers on hand in Bella and Mysterio to be apart of the prestigious face-stuffing.
Along with comedian Rob Riggle, Garcia was the host to the event while Rey Mysterio presented Chestnut with the championship title after out-eating Kobayashi. Chestnut got his own WWE gold courtesy of Mysterio, who was the presenter for Chestnut while Omos was “Team Kobayashi.”
The event had to have felt like a breath of fresh air for Garcia after the unfortunate week she had as her husband Artem Chigvintsev was arrested on a felony corporal injury charge Thursday. Chigvintsev was released on $25,000 bail and through her representative, Garcia requested privacy after the incident. Garcia was noted to not be wearing her wedding ring during the Netflix special as she was photographed boarding a private jet with her son Matteo over the weekend.
Chigvintsev called 911 following the domestic dispute along with claiming that Garcia threw shoes at him. Police noticed injuries to Garcia and then took Chigvintsev into custody.
This week’s WWE RAWfrom the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado featured the ongoing tournament to determine Bron Breakker’s next challenger and the fallout from Bash in Berlin. We also saw the debut of Joe Tessitore, the veteran sports broadcaster who is the show’s new announcer alongside Wade Barrett.
Michael Cole, who had previously been on RAW, has been moved to WWE SmackDown where he’ll call the action alongside Corey Graves starting next Friday when the show returns to the USA Network.
Joe Tessitore Joins WWE
Tessitore’s signing was confirmed back in July and while he’ll soon be debuting in WWE, he’s no stranger to broadcasting. Tessistore also works with ABC and ESPN, and leads the latter’s world championship fight broadcasts as the blow-by-blow broadcaster for Top Rank Boxing. Tessitore has also provided play-by-play for Monday Night Football, preparing him nicely for calling the intense action of WWE. Joe’s deal with WWE will allow him to remain employed with ABC & ESPN.
Tessitore’s passionate announcing was documented in a 2012 feature from Sports Illustrated. In the feature, College Football Live producer Nick Sciallo described Tessitore’s calls as the work of “a hyper, hyper-intense guy who’s passionate about what he does.” Gifted with an encyclopedia-like mind that’ll come in handy every Monday night, Tessitore can recite Heisman winners as if he’s rattling off the alphabet, the feature adds.
Tessitore has been praised for his ability to deliver unique calls, for better and for worse. In 2016, Tessitore declared “Texas is back, folks!” at the end of a Longhorns overtime victory over Notre Dame. The line became something of a meme among football fans as the Longhorns experienced its fair share of struggles after the call.
Raw’s Revolving Door
Joe Tessitore will certainly hope to do better than those who’ve joined WWE’s commentary teams only to fall flat. In May 2021, Adnan Virk was cut by WWE mere weeks after his signing was announced. Many at the time felt that Virk failed to demonstrate the skills needed for a lead WWE announcer and lacked chemistry with Corey Graves and Byron Saxton.
Jimmy Smith replaced Adnan Virk in 2021 though he too was not long for WWE and would leave in October 2022. In 2008, WWE did all they could to make Mike Adamle succeed on TV, including giving him roles as an interviewer, as RAW General Manager, and as a commentator. He was gone by July of that year.
In wrestling, plans are always subject to change and plenty of stars have fallen victim to stop-start pushes. Odyssey Jones, who recently seemed poised for a significant role on WWE RAW, is now facing uncertainty about his future with the company.
This week, Jones’ profile was removed from WWE.com in a worrying sign for the 30-year-old Superstar. This change comes mere weeks after Jones was brought to RAW to aid the New Day in their ongoing feud with the Final Testament. Jones’ arrival has also played a part in a teased split in the New Day, with Xavier Woods concerned that Kofi Kingston has brought Jones in to replace Big E.
Jones’ removal from the site does not confirm he has left WWE, but in the past has been an indication of a departing talent. Earlier this month, Beth Phoenix’s profile was removed from WWE’s active roster. Mere days later, the former WWE Women’s Champion confirmed that she is not under contract with WWE. Similarly, Ricochet had his profiles scrubbed from WWE’s roster earlier this year and joined AEW at the All In: London 2024 pay-per-view.
Jones tried out for WWE in June 2018 and was hired by the promotion the following February. At WWE’s Performance Center, he would set a trap bar deadlift of 800lb in May 2019, besting the previous record of 775lb held by Otis. Jones has competed 70 times for WWE since his arrival and boasts a 38-30-2 win/loss/draw record.
Jones was a huge talking point among fans just one month ago but now his future remains uncertain. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Odyssey Jones as more is made known.
The wrestling world is once again in mourning as another legend of the squared circle has passed away. This time, it is Sonny King, real name Larry Johnson, a trailblazing performer of his era, who has died at the age of 79.
News of King’s passing was shared on Facebook by his son John Tighe who described his late father “the most remarkable man I’ve ever encountered.” King was shown respect wherever he went according to Tighe, which “spoke volumes to the type of man he truly was.”
Sonny King in Wrestling
After beginning his career as a boxer, King turned to wrestling after befriendly Ernie Ladd. In 1972, King and Chief Jay Strongbow dethroned Baron Mikel Scicluna and King Curtis Iaukea to become the fourth-ever WWWF Tag Team Champions. The win made Sonny WWE’s first African-American Tag Team Champion, beginning a path that’d be followed by the likes of the New Day, Rocky Johnson, D-Von Dudley, and others. King and Strongbow held the titles for a month before losing the gold to Professor Tanaka and Mr. Fuji.
Away from the future WWE, King held gold in the NWA, including the Alabama Heavyweight Championship one time and the Gulf Coast Tag Team Titles with Eddie Sullivan. During his career, he’d share the ring with some huge names including Ric Flair and Terry Boulder, who’d burst onto screens years later as Hulk Hogan.
After exiting the squared circle in the early 1980s, King earned a living running a junkyard in South Florida, buying cars and selling parts. While King stepped away from the ring to lead a more conventional life, the legacy he made will never be forgotten by his fans.
We here at SEScoops would like to send our condolences to King’s family and friends at this sad time.
With a roster of premiere talent across its brands, Cody Rhodes has emerged as the leader WWE can champion in any capacity. Saturday’s Bash In Berlin post-show was the perfect example of that.
Rhodes had to make the EVP hot tag for Triple H by providing the attendance figures for Berlin. That alone is a testament to the confidence they have in Cody as their Atlas, and he excelled in several ways. Rhodes has the ability to walk the tightrope of keeping the company in mind while also being forthright in a press conference where he doesn’t necessarily have to be. The trust is there, and for good reason.
Cody navigated a Randy Orton question that in all likelihood played spoiler to a major storyline planned, but that was just the warm-up to the crossfire he was about to get in. Rhodes got the double-barrel aimed his way when he was asked outright about the Netflix Vince McMahon docu-series, a question that deserved to be asked, but there were two more add-ons: “Why has the locker room been so silent” and “do you believe Janel Grant?”
Handling Difficult Situations
Both questions were more sensational than professional. 1) Many prominent figures had addressed the situation when the story initially broke, and 2) Cody shouldn’t be put in a position to play judge. It was clearly a question designed to generate headlines, and it succeeded, but Rhodes navigated the waters beautifully, saying, “I don’t know enough about the information to give you a good enough answer. I’m sorry.”
Regarding the perceived silence in the locker room, Rhodes noted, “I don’t think that’s a matter of belief versus non-belief. I think, strictly speaking, we want to be doing what we were doing out there.” He mentioned that the locker room learned about the documentary just as the rest of the world did.
He handled the questions with such skill that even a seasoned White House press secretary would be impressed.
Cody Rhodes always makes a grand entrance (WWE)
Cody’s position at the forefront of WWE’s brand is a testament to both his individual efforts and the company’s support. His merchandise sales are booming, a clear indication of his popularity and the fans’ embrace of his genuine babyface persona, a sentiment that had seemed absent since the Hulkamania era.
The First Cody Rhodes
Cody’s revival of this classic persona has been a welcome addition to the new era of WWE. CM Punk and Damian Priest effectively fill those alternative roles on RAW, but Cody, as the modern-day Babe Ruth, provides WWE (and pro wrestling as a whole) with a sense of positive nostalgia, reimagined for today’s audience.
Fans are concerned with Cody getting overshadowed by a Roman Reigns babyface run, but Reigns feels like he’ll basically have the schedule he’s used to. The consistency is what will keep Rhodes the guy the company can lean on. The presence of both feels like they’ll enhance rather than hinder one another. That table was already set with Roman helping Cody retain at SummerSlam. Adversaries becoming allies always creates intrigue, and the two may have a “Final Boss” to deal with during WrestleMania season.
Cody’s rise also coincides with John Cena’s retirement tour in 2025. Cena held that role for years when the crowd wasn’t willing to embrace it, but Cena stayed the course through the “Cena sucks” chants and fans ultimately appreciated him for it. Cody’s mentioned how he’s learned a lot about merchandise sales from John, but Cena undoubtedly laid the groundwork by showing staying steady in that role ultimately pays off.
For all of the talk of the next John Cena, Cody Rhodes is forging his own path in this new modern era. It’s all about playing the long-game, and Rhodes is WWE’s new marathon man.
Since 2015, Asuka has dominated on WWE programming as part of RAW, SmackDown, and WWE NXT. Though she’s currently out of action, fans should expect to see more of the Empress for years to come as PW Insider reports that Asuka has signed a new deal.
Asuka is a former RAW, SmackDown, and NXT Women’s Champion, in addition to being a Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank winner. The 42-year-old Superstar is a four-time Women’s Tag Team Champion and boasts the record for the most reigns with the titles.
Asuka hasn’t competed since WWE Backlash: France in May of this year, where she and Kairi Sane lost the Women’s Tag Team Titles to Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair. That same month, Asuka underwent knee surgery which has kept her out of the ring ever since. During WWE’s recent tour of Japan, Asuka appeared sans crutches in support of her Damage CTRL allies.
WWE Talent Signing New Contracts
The ‘new era’ of WWE has proven its immense popularity and success, with several top Superstars re-signing with the company in 2024.
That same month, Drew McIntyre also re-signed with WWE, quashing rumors of an ‘Elite’ move ahead of a show at Wembley Stadium. The Scottish Warrior, who received a ceremonial sword from TKO’s Dwayne Johnson, has since established himself as a top heel on WWE RAW throughout 2024.
Mandy Rose hints at a pro wrestling comeback, reflects on her WWE release and its positive outcomes.
She’s open to a WWE return and wants to make a bigger impact on the main roster, but emphasizes WWE is not the only path to success in wrestling.
Whether it’s fitness competitions or WWE Tough Enough, Mandy Sacs (Mandy Rose) is no stranger to healthy competition. A background that made her perfect for the Wrestler’s Combine happening on September 4. The event is run in collaboration with Black Label Pro Wrestling and its card of matches as part of the Crowning Glory event in Chicago.
Fellow former WWE superstar Mojo will co-host the festivities along with “Tough Enough” winner Maven and Emmy-winning interviewer Chris Van Vliet. The show is actually streaming on Vilet’s YouTube channel. Others competing include Moose, Jordynne Grace, Parker Boudreaux, Ash by Elegance, Xia Li (Zhao Xia), Riddick Moss (Mike Rallis), and Jake Hager.
“I love competitions,” Sacs said. “I thought this one specifically was cool and unique. I think it’s cool that nobody has ever thought of a Wrestler’s Combine before. Immediately, I was like, ‘Why not? This sounds like fun.’”
“…I think the competition is pretty stacked, I must say. When I found out Jordynne Grace was going to be in it, I was like oh sh*t. I’m not afraid of everyone though. I think my confidence is top-tier. We have a lot of great competition. A good variety of women, and men of course. Xia Li, I used to work with her in WWE, as well as Ashe by Elegance. We used to be a tag team in WWE. We definitely have some history with her. I think it’s going to be really interesting. I think we all bring something different to the table.”
There are four women and four men competing in the combine itself. The participants will be put through four events.
This includes who can run the ropes the fastest, arm wrestling, a wrestler’s twist on tug-of-war, and a shoot collar and elbow tie-up. For Sacs, running the ropes is something she hasn’t done for the last year-and-a-half.
“That’s going to be interesting. I feel like once I get back in there it’s like I never left,” she said. “I have so much confidence in that, I’ll be just fine.”
When it comes to physical condition, Sacs stays ready. In fact she just got off a 12-week bodybuilding prep and will be leaner than normal when fans see her in the Wrestler’s Combine. The bombshell being back in the pro wrestling space certainly begs the question if it’s the start of a comeback.
“For sure. I think this event specifically will kind of light up a spark,” Sacs said. “I’ve done a lot of appearances, autograph signings, and stuff like that, but I haven’t done in-ring appearances. I’m not going to say exactly how all this will go down because we’re going to keep some stuff a surprise. I’m definitely excited for this in-ring appearance. It has definitely created some buzz out there. I think a lot of people are wanting a Mandy Rose comeback. So we shall see what I feel like after this Wrestler’s Combine.”
Looking Back on WWE Release & What Has Happened Since
Sacs was in the biggest run of her career on NXT before WWE blindsided her with a release at the end of 2022. The record-breaking NXT Champion ended up banking big bucks to the tune of seven figures thanks to a FanTime account. Looking back, the popular performer has no hard feelings because of how things turned out since then.
“Time has flown by. I’ve been blessed with a lot of amazing opportunities during this time. A lot of things have happened in my life,” she said. “Triumph and tragedy, there have been a lot of lows and highs. I think that’s with everyone, but through it all, I think I’ve learned a lot and evolved a lot as a woman, and am proud and blessed. I practice gratitude every day. I think that’s really important. When one door closes, another opens. I think everything is meant to be. I think if there is a wrestling comeback for me in the future, we shall see.”
The 34-year-old appreciates helping to push the point that a WWE release doesn’t have to be the end. It can also be a beginning.
“You’re not going to be in WWE forever or wrestling forever,” Sacs said. “I think it’s such a great place for wrestling as a whole because there is so much opportunity out there. You see people like Ashe by Elegance and other women, even Mercedes Mone. Different people have expanded and gone to other federations and are successful.
“…I have nothing but positive things to say about WWE. I’m grateful for the platform they presented me with. I just think there are other opportunities out there as well where you can flourish. It doesn’t have to be there. I think what other women are doing is awesome. I think I am a good example to show you have a brand and you can do a lot of different things with that brand. You don’t have to be subject to just that one company per se.”
Mandy’s Assessing Pro Wrestling Future
Sacs has been admittedly torn about her pro wrestling future. She is very family-oriented, and happy spending quality time with them. You may even find her at the Arthur Avenue Deli in New York these days lending a hand. The consummate businesswoman has even putting the finishing touches on an energy drink with fiancé Tino Sabbatelli.
“It is kind of like a relationship. In the last year and a half, I have been able to do a lot of different things,” she said. “…The years and holidays I’ve missed. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t regret it. It is the grind. We’re here for a reason. I got to do great things. This lifestyle is great, and I am able to make money and enjoy the beautiful things in life. It’s one of those things where do I want to leave the lifestyle I’m in right now? Then there are certain days I miss the adrenaline rush and the camaraderie. It is a hard thing to balance.”
Looking Back on ‘Tough Enough’
It’s hard to believe next year will mark a decade since she started her pro wrestling journey through Tough Enough. Despite not winning, Sacs took the opportunity and the rest is history. The alum would welcome the show’s return given the life-changer it was for her and others.
“It’s crazy to reflect that was 10 years ago. I had no idea what I was doing stepping on a Skype interview for the Tough Enough interview,” she said. “I gave it my all and said what I knew. I didn’t know much. I didn’t come from a wrestling background. I wasn’t a huge fan. I wasn’t a huge fan. Something just clicked. I fell in love with the business. I fell in love with the world of wrestling. The stars aligned.”
Thoughts on The Fatal Influence
Sacs remains booked and busy these days. She doesn’t watch the pro wrestling shows religiously, but stays updated on her good friends. Seeing the impact her group Toxic Attraction made brings a smile to her face. Since then, other girl groups have come into the fold including a new one featuring Sacs’ former tag partner Jacy Jayne called The Fatal Influence.
“I love to see Jacy work in a new dynamic. It’s cool,” she said. “Those groups are always fun to watch. It’s cool to see the different talents get together and different personalities. With Jacy, Gigi [Dolin], and myself, it was like three very different women getting together. We didn’t know what we were getting out of this. It ended up just working. It’s cool to see that. I’m excited to see where it all goes.”
Goals For In-Ring Return
If she does return the ring, Sacs has some goals. Even if it were in WWE. She wants to leave an even bigger mark.
“Making that statement whether it was on Monday Night Raw or Friday night SmackDown because I did make such a big statement on NXT,” Sacs explained. “I felt it was my time to then get to Monday or Friday and do it on the big screen. NXT is great and it’s so amazing what they’ve built, but obviously, the end goal is to be in front of thousands of people and big crowds and be on TV every week. I was with NXT but in a smaller situation. I think that would be the ultimate goal if I wanted to get back. Whether it’s with a group or by myself, that new Mandy Rose mentality of not really giving a damn and going out there and kicking butt. That would be cool.”
Tonight’s WWE Raw broadcasts live on the USA Network at 8pm ET from the Ball Arena City in Denver, Colorado.
Raw will deal with the fallout of last weekend’s Bash in Berlin PLE, the ongoing tournament to determine Bron Breakker’s next challenger and much more.
Here are the confirmed matches and segments for the show, as WWE begins its build to its next premium live event, Bad Blood:
IC Tournament: Sheamus vs. Bronson Reed vs. Ludwig Kaiser
IC Tournament: Ilja Dragunov vs. Dragon Lee vs. Dominik Mysterio
Zelina Vega vs. Shayna Baszler
American Made (Julius Creed, Brutus Creed, and Ivy Nile) vs. Alpha Academy (Otis, Akira Tozawa, and Maxxine Dupri)
Women’s Tag Titles Contenders: Unholy Union (Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn) vs. Damage CTRL (IYO SKY and Kairi Sane)
New WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair will celebrate their title win at Bash in Berlin
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest WWE News and coverage of WWE Raw.
What Happened Last Week
Catch up on the Top 10 moments from last week’s show:
Ricky Starks’ recent absence from AEW programming has fueled speculation, but the wrestler is setting the record straight. He vehemently denies rumors that he’s been difficult or uncooperative, stating he’s “never turned down anything.”
“Enough is enough. Usually I don’t even speak on this but it’s tired. I never turned down anything, EVER. Just stop.”
– Ricky Starks
This comes on the heels of a social media discussion sparked by Kate from Fightful, who shared a clip of Starks’ strap match against Bryan Danielson. While praising AEW’s approach to the stipulation, the conversation took a turn when a fan accused Starks of self-sabotage.
Starks has been off-screen for months since a concerning DDT spot on Collision. Though initially feared injured, he’s reportedly healthy. AEW President Tony Khan, while acknowledging Starks’ talent and past matches, remained silent on his future with the company during the ALL IN media call.
This silence has only fueled speculation. Starks’ close friendships with WWE stars Cody Rhodes and Jade Cargill, coupled with reported WWE interest, have fans wondering if a move is imminent. Despite the swirling rumors, Starks seems to be enjoying his time away from the ring, sharing photos of vacations and time with friends on social media.
Whether his future lies in AEW, WWE, or elsewhere, one thing is clear: Ricky Starks is ready to wrestle, and fans are eager to see what’s next for the ‘Absolute’ one.
Enough is enough. Usually I don’t even speak on this but it’s tired
WWE officials had been optimistic that Giulia would recover for the NXT Heatwave event in July but that didn’t happen. The former STARDOM Champion had been competing in Rossy Ogawa’s Marigold promotion before arriving in WWE. She has finally made her way into NXT and has her sights set on the top prize in the women’s division as expected.
Being a part of WWE’s roster is no easy feat, as you’re expected to make shows around the world, often making the trip out of your own pocket. It’s not just the in-ring talent who have to deal with this demanding schedule, and one ex-WWE name allegedly got in trouble for choosing family over the company.
In the run-up to WWE Bash In Berlin 2024, Randy Orton spoke with Michael Cole and said he feels WWE is 100% now than it has been before. Orton shared that locker room morale has skyrocketed, thanks in part to WWE letting talent time off to be with their families.
One person who’s especially pleased to see this change is Jonathan Coachman. On Twitter, Coachman recalled being punished for not going to a Tribute to the Troops event in Afghanistan as his pregnant wife wanted him to stay.
Damn is Randy right. In my 10 years I missed ONE Monday night which was for my honeymoon. I was punished for not going to Afghanistan because my daughter was due and my wife didn’t want me to go. I also believe it’s the reason a lot of wrestlers are not here today because of the… https://t.co/e0MhsbuKHN
Coachman was with WWE full-time from 1999 to 2008 and returned as a RAW commentator and pre-show host from 2016 to 2018. Despite the positive changes Coachman is pleased to see though, fans should not expect to see him on WWE programming again. In November 2023, Coachman said he would never return to WWE due to how he was treated during his second run with the promotion.
WWE NXT No Mercy 2024 saw the gold brand’s tag team championships change hands as Chase U lost the gold to Nathan Frazer and Axiom. Now, the high-flyers once again hold the richest prize in NXT’s tag division, but the champions are already garnering interest from outside WWE.
WWE NXT’s camera crew also caught up with Frazer and Axiom after WWE NXT No Mercy 2024. Despite the pair having issues as of late, Frazer was thrilled that their differences were put aside for the show.
“We still maybe need to work on our communication a little bit a little bit, but put it this way, we’re kicking each other in the face, and we’re still the best tag team in the world. Let’s go celebrate.”
WWE NXT No Mercy 2024 saw more TNA involvement as Joe Hendry unsuccessfully challenged NXT Champion Ethan Page. The NXT-TNA partnership has proven to be very popular and if The Rascalz are to be believed, expect to see much more of this partnership this year.
WWE NXT No Mercy 2024 is officially in the history books and proved once again to be another exciting night from WWE’s gold brand. Not only were titles on the line and the partnership with TNA Wrestling on full display, but the show also saw the long-awaited NXT arrival of Giulia!
Giulia’s arrival has had the wrestling world talking and for good reason. On Twitter, Kairi Sane, who has worked with Giulia in the past, made clear she’s keeping a close eye on WWE’s newest signing.
NXT General Manager Ava shared a photo of herself, WWE SVP of Talent Developmental Shawn Michaels, and Giulia. A single handshake emoji shows that fans can expect plenty of Giulia in NXT.
Damage CTRL’s IYO SKY is also pleased to see Giulia join WWE. The former WWE Women’s Champion shared a photo of herself and Giulia following the latter’s debut. Judging by the attires, this photo was taken at the Marigold Summer Destiny show SKY was a part of.
And Giulia herself has gotten in on the reactions. In a tweet of her own, the new signing made clear that she sees Roxanne Perez and the NXT Women’s Championship.
NXT No Mercy takes place from Denver, Colorado on Sunday, September 1st 2024, with a number of title matches confirmed for the card.
TNA star Joe Hendry was looking to win his first gold in WWE in the main event against Ethan Page. Although not a WWE contracted Superstar, Hendry is such a viral star that there was genuine belief that he could actually win the title before the show went live.
Roxanne Perez was also scheduled to defend her NXT Women’s Championship at the show against Jaida Parker, with the newer star looking like a big outside underdog to walk away with the gold.
NXT No Mercy Results
Here are the full results from NXT No Mercy 2024:
NXT Tag Team Championship Match:Nathan Frazer and Axiom b. Chase University (Andre Chase and Ridge Holland) (c) – Nathan Frazer and Axiom were able to take the titles from Chase U following a Phoenix Splash from Frazer onto Andre Chase. NEW CHAMPS!
Zachary Wentz b. Wes Lee – Wentz would take the win with the UFO after Trey Miguel appeared and distracted Wes Lee!
NXT North American Women’s Championship Match:Kelani Jordan (C) b. Wendy Choo – Jordan got the win to RETAIN her title after hitting a Split Leg Moonsault
NXT North American Championship Match:Oba Femi (C) b. Tony D’Angelo – Oba Femi would end up taking the win after hitting a seated powerbomb to D’Angelo in what was actually a decent back and forth match!
NXT Women’s Championship Match:Roxanne Perez (C) b. Jaida Parker – Roxanne would get the win after hitting a Pop Rox on the outside and then getting Parker again with it in the middle of the ring for the 1, 2, 3.
NXT Championship Match:Ethan Page (C) b. Joe Hendry – Page would hit the Ego’s Edge to retain his title against the TNA star
Video Highlights
NXT Tag Team Champions Andre Chase and Ridge Holland take on former champions Nathan Frazer and Axiom.
Former friends and MSK teammates Wes Lee and Zach Wentz battle in a one-on-one match.
Giulia has finally made her long awaited WWE debut, appearing at the NXT No Mercy 2024 event in Denver, Colorado.
The former STARDOM Champion had been over in Japan helping to get the Marigold promotion off the ground with Rossy Ogawa, but she has now made the move over to the United States to join the NXT brand officially.
Giulia would appear following the NXT Women’s Championship match between Roxanne Perez and Jaida Parker, coming out to the ring to confront Perez who had just won the match.
Here are all of the matches taking place at No Mercy tonight from Denver, which you can watch back on demand on WWE Network and Peacock.
NXT Championship Match: Ethan Page (C) vs Joe Hendry
NXT Women’s Championship Match: Roxanne Perez (C) vs Jaida Parker
NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Chase University (Andre Chase and Ridge Holland) (c) vs. Nathan Frazer and Axiom
NXT North American Championship Match: Oba Femi (C) vs Tony D’Angelo
NXT North American Women’s Championship Match: Kelani Jordan (C) vs. Wendy Choo
Wes Lee vs Zachary Wentz
Whether you’re at home or on the go, here’s how you can stream No Mercy 2024 on different devices:
Streaming on Mobile Devices
WWE Network App (International viewers): Also available for iOS and Android. Ensure you have a stable internet connection for a smooth viewing experience.
Peacock App (U.S. viewers): Available for both iOS and Android devices. Simply download the app, sign in with your subscription details, and start streaming.
Roxanne Perez retained her NXT Women’s Championship at the NXT No Mercy 2024 Premium Live Event tonight from Denver, Colorado.
Perez put her title on the line against Jaida Parker, and she was the overwhelming favorite going into the contest.
Roxanne would get the win after hitting a Pop Rox on the outside and then getting Parker again with it in the middle of the ring for the 1, 2, 3.
NXT No Mercy Matches
Here are all of the matches taking place at No Mercy tonight from Denver, which you can watch back on demand on WWE Network and Peacock.
NXT Championship Match: Ethan Page (C) vs Joe Hendry
NXT Women’s Championship Match: Roxanne Perez (C) vs Jaida Parker
NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Chase University (Andre Chase and Ridge Holland) (c) vs. Nathan Frazer and Axiom
NXT North American Championship Match: Oba Femi (C) vs Tony D’Angelo
NXT North American Women’s Championship Match: Kelani Jordan (C) vs. Wendy Choo
Wes Lee vs Zachary Wentz
Whether you’re at home or on the go, here’s how you can stream No Mercy 2024 on different devices:
Streaming on Mobile Devices
WWE Network App (International viewers): Also available for iOS and Android. Ensure you have a stable internet connection for a smooth viewing experience.
Peacock App (U.S. viewers): Available for both iOS and Android devices. Simply download the app, sign in with your subscription details, and start streaming.
