Michael Sharrer, a wrestler who was once signed to a developmental contract with WWE, has passed away at the age of 47. Sharrer’s passing was shared publicly by former WWE star Mike Mondo, who stated the following on Facebook.
“This one isn’t easy. Still doing my best to process this. Mike Taylor was the first friend I made in OVW which carried over into a close friendship/brotherhood for the next 20+ years. We were just texting a couple weeks ago. You always looked and treated me like your younger brother. You’ve always had a huge heart. I’m grateful for all the great times we had in Louisville & of course the countless shoots on the west coast doing mocap. Those memories will last forever. I pray for Mikes family during this difficult time especially his kids Isaiah & Mina. I love you Big Mike. A-team for life. RIP buddy.”
A former marine, Sharrer joined the world of wrestling in 2003 and signed a developmental contract with WWE in 2006. Assigned to OVW and Deep South Wrestling, Sharrer was named Micah Taylor and worked with future big names including MVP and Jake Hager. The peak of this run came in May 2006 when he and Tony Santarelli captured the DSW Tag Team Championships. Their five-month reign ended with them losing the gold to Deuce and Domino.
On-screen, Sharrer competed on the October 21, 2003, edition of WWE Velocity where he teamed with Rob Begley in a losing effort to Paul London and Brian ‘Spanky’ Kendrick. He also lost a tag-team match in a dark match before the February 6, 2006, edition of WWE Heat.
On Twitter, WWE Raw General Manager paid tribute to Sharrer and recalled performing motion capture with him for WWE video games.
I’m at a loss. Micah Taylor was my friend. So many mocap days and nights. Hawaiian BBQ. Brothering in small towns. THANK YOU. For your service to our country and for the good times. For all of the memories.
MVP’s tenure with WWE came to an end earlier this year and the Hurt Business alum has made clear he doesn’t plan on going back. While the former United States Champion is no longer a part of WWE’s roster, he is not ready to retire just yet.
On Instagram, MVP shared a video of his first bump in “a long time” with Shelton Benjamin giving feedback from behind the camera. In the caption, MVP admitted that his days in the ring are numbered but he’s not finished wrestling.
The Ronin of professional wrestling has returned! I literally hit the ring yesterday!!! 1st bump in a while. A few more weeks of training and a bit of @justformen and I’ll be ready!!! My official in ring retirement is near. But, it’s not here yet!!!!
MVP returned to WWE in 2020, originally as a producer, but transitioned into an on-screen managerial role shortly after. Though he remained at ringside for the vast majority of his four-year run with the company, MVP competed 44 times and rocked up a 16-28 win/loss record. Earlier this year, MVP underwent Stem Cell Therapy which he hopes will extend his in-ring career.
What’s To Come?
MVP’s first post-WWE match will come this November when he takes on Josh Barnett at Bloodsport XII at the White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey. The 50-year-old confronted MVP at Bloodsport XI earlier this year, setting up a fight between the two.
The Killer’s Game is the latest Hollywood blockbuster from Dave Bautista, but WWE’s Animal isn’t the only wrestler involved. The film also marks the feature-film debut of Drew McIntyre who has addressed his relationship with his fellow former World Champion.
During a Reddit AMA, McIntyre was asked if Bautista is “the big soft sweetheart” he seems to be in interviews. Not only did the Scottish Warrior confirm this is the case, but he gave an example of how Batista’s personality led a young Drew to believe that the Animal didn’t like him.
“Yeah he is! Naturally introverted, much like myself, in fact a lot of us wrestlers are. When I first met him I thought he didn’t like me because he was so quiet, but then he started mentoring me when I was a youngster but it was more than that he really kept an eye out of me and clued me up on how to navigate the WWE. Now he’s doing the same as I step into this new world. All round great lad.”
The Killer’s Game tells the story of Joe Flood (Bautista) a hitman who puts out a hit on himself after being diagnosed with a terminal disease. After learning that this diagnosis was inaccurate, Flood must fend off several contract killers including McIntyre’s Rory McKenzie. The Animal personally put McIntyre’s name forward for the role.
The Killer’s Game marks the feature film debut for Drew McIntyre, but it may not be the last time fans see the former WWE Champion on the big screen. In July, McIntyre signed with the Paradigm Talent Agency, a group that represents other WWE names including Damian Priest, Tiffany Stratton, and most recently, Liv Morgan. McIntyre has spent years proving his screen presence in WWE and fans of the Scottish Warrior will be eager to see more of him in blockbuster movies.
The Killer’s Game hits cinemas on Friday, September 13.
The latest tapings of AEW Collision delivered plenty of high-octane action as the promotion continued to deal with the fallout from their All Out pay-per-view.
The show was taped on Thursday, September 12, from the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. This taping comes off the back of this week’s AEW Dynamite, where Jon Moxley addressed his All Out betrayal of Bryan Danielson. Moxley, calling himself the “one true king of these lands” expressed his frustration with the out-of-control attitudes in the locker room and ended by stating “I choose war.”
AEW touts itself as the place “Where the Best Wrestle,” but the company also presents plenty of glorious violence. At AEW All Out, Jon Moxley betrayed Bryan Danielson following the American Dragon’s successful AEW World Title defense, ending the Blackpool Combat Club. Moxley’s attack on his former ally, which included suffocating Bryan with a plastic bag, has spawned a debate as to whether the segment went too far in the name of entertainment.
All Out also saw Mercedes Moné retain her AEW TBS Championship against Hikaru Shida and she was among those in the NOW Arena who saw the attack on Danielson unfold. In her newsletter, the CEO admits that the attack was hard to watch and she wouldn’t want some in her family viewing this kind of wrestling content.
“Bryan’s stuff was tough to watch. I have mixed emotions. When done right, that kind of stuff can tear a roof off like Daniel’s did. However, I wouldn’t want my brother Joshua to watch stuff like that, or kids, for that matter.”
Moné went on to recall growing up without a father, and the joy she feels meeting parents and children at meet-and-greets who’ve bonded over watching wrestling that all can enjoy. On the other hand, Moné accepts that there is “an audience that loves the extreme, and you want to cater to them, too.
AEW has opted not to feature the suffocation spot on social media due to the graphic content. There is a question as to whether those in AEW feel the spot cannot be shared, or whether this tweet was posted to demonstrate just how violent All Out was.
Due to the graphic nature of the attack on Bryan Danielson, we will not be sharing the footage. AEW does not condone such actions.
Since launching in 2019, AEW has been able to push the envelope when it comes to violence compared to its competitors at WWE. While many appreciate AEW providing an alternative in that regard, there will always be a question of where the proverbial line is, and whether AEW has crossed it. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Mercedes Mone and the action from All Elite Wrestling.
TNA Wrestling presents TNA Impact tonight on AXS TV at 8/7c, marking the final build before tomorrow’s TNA Victory Road 2024 pay-per-view event. Tonight’s episode brings several interesting matchups and appearances that will set the stage for Friday night.
Here is the confirmed lineup for the show:
• Tornado Tag Match: ABC vs. First Class
• Singles Match: Ash by Elegance vs. Xia Brookside
• Singles Match: Heather Reckless vs. Gisele Shaw
• Singles Match: Steve Maclin vs. Alex Hammerstone
• Tag Team Match: The Hardys vs. The System
• Segment: Joe Hendry will address the audience.
• Segment: Jordynne Grace will also make an appearance to share her thoughts.
Head over to our TNA section for more news about TNA Impact and Victory Road ’24.
What Happened Last Week
Catch up on what went down on last week’s show, featuring Jordynne Grace’s open challenge for the Knockouts World Championship, Joe Hendry and Mike Santana vs. Moose & JDC.
Bryan Danielson will not be battling Darby Allin as originally planned at AEW Grand Slam, but will instead be taking on longtime rival Nigel McGuinness.
The fallout after AEW All Out were a little rocky after Danielson was choked out by a plastic bag courtesy of Jon Moxley and it appeared Danielson was going to be unable to compete against Allin at Grand Slam. Instead on AEW Dynamite Moxley challenged Allin to put his title shot on the line at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Allin accepted so it appeared that Danielson would indeed be unable to compete and Mox would headline against Darby.
Not so fast. Nigel McGuinness had different plans as in a backstage segment expressed his desire to speak to Tony Khan. Later on in the evening, we see Nigel standing in the ring with a piece of paper in hand. He comments on Danielson’s hatred toward him and then says the World Champion should compete at Grand Slam. He reveals that he has a contract for a match against Danielson at the event if Bryan has the guts to compete. Later on the match is confirmed with the caveat the Bryan is able to wrestle.
McGuinness may arguably be Danielson’s greatest rival of all time due to the memorable matches they had while both in Ring Of Honor. Injuries plagued Nigel’s career in the ring and made the decision to retire from in-ring action. However, McGuiness made the exception when he came out during the Casino Royale Gauntlet at ALL IN. McGuiness came out to Oasis in Wembley to a massive crowd reaction and had a great showing in the match before it was Christian Cage who captured the contract.
Nigel McGuinness lays out a challenge to #AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson for #AEWGrandSlam!
Kayla Braxton didn’t realize officials had a planned heartfelt farewell for her at her final WWE appearance until the last minute.
The former WWE personality recently spoke to Adrian Hernandez. She discussed things such as meeting Ron Pearlman, her love for Game of Thrones, and more.
Speaking about her exit from the wrestling promotion, Braxton mentioned how her responsibilities had been reduced significantly after WWE pulled The Bump off air. A number of other opportunities were knocking on her door at the same time and according to the female star she thought about the decision for a long time.
Braxton mentioned that everyone at the company was very supportive of her when she finally made the call. Discussing her last appearance for the company, Kayla revealed that she had actually planned a go away party for all her colleagues:
“I had no idea they were going to give me that kind of send-off. I was already—I keep telling people—it was my last day. I had a party planned. Peter Rosenberger helped me plan a go-away party; all the talent were coming. I was already in the last set, thinking about taking tequila shots, and I was getting ready to leave.
And they’re like, ‘Kayla, don’t leave yet.’ I’m like, ‘Why?’ They’re like, ‘Don’t leave yet.’ I’m like ‘It’s my last day—I’m about to go party.’ They’re like, [don’t] And I’m thinking there’s a plan B, which is when the show runs short, they need us to run out and fill time with an interview.’ I’m like, ‘Fine.'”
Kayla Braxton’s last WWE appearance came on the June 28th episode of SmackDown this year. The show held at the legendary Madison Square Garden saw Cody Rhodes cutting a heartfelt promo for the broadcast personality after the event went off air.
The fans made things even special with huge applause for the former NXT star. According to her, the whole thing will always be one of the pinnacles of her life:
“And then Triple H came up to me, and Nick Khan—I was like, ‘Something’s going on.’ So, I went to the gorilla, and then Cody was out there. That’s when I started realizing, ‘Oh, they’re about to do something really sweet for me.’ I was in tears.
And then hearing all of Madison Square Garden erupt with ‘Thank you, Kayla’—which is something I hear my name like that—I still get emotional thinking about it. I am very aware that most people don’t get that kind of send-off, especially people who decide to walk away on their own. That will always be one of the pinnacles of my life. It was so great.”
Brock Anderson remains dedicated to professional wrestling and continuing the legacy his dad Arn made within the industry. He has gained valuable experience teaming with veteran CW Anderson as the duo already found success as the AML World Tag Team Champions. They look to add more gold working for MLW.
The old school meets new school duo faces Bomaye Fight Club at Fightland on September 14. Anderson has only heard good things about MLW.
“A couple of guys came through and managed to turn it around for themselves,” he said of the platform the promotion provides. “Parlay that into something pretty good for themselves…I think I fell into a perfect scenario. I’m tagging with someone who has been in the business for 30 years.
“He can tell me things that my old man can’t because you can be a father or a coach. Sometimes he tips around some areas. I usually know when there is something he wants to say because of that father-son bond. CW is one who can tell me this sucked, that was good, do this, do that. That experience I’m experiencing through osmosis, I’m glad it panned out the way it did. I told him, ‘You know you’re the Ole in this. You’ve turned into Ole Anderson.’ I think he has embraced it, to be honest with you.”
Anderson gained valuable experience in AEW. However, he reached a crossroads.
“After I left AEW I didn’t know where my path was going to be,” he said.”…AEW was great. I have nothing but great things to say about the people who worked there. Tony [Khan] was great to a whole industry when nobody else was working. He kept people working. It was a trying time in the business and around the world. I appreciated the experience.
“I just didn’t think I could get better there because I didn’t know if they had plans for me. There weren’t enough reps. It came down to getting reps. So, they sent something, which was a similar deal I was on. I just said, ‘I think I’ll take my chances.’ When I go out and travel, I know I’m going to wrestle and get better. That was kind of my approach to the thing. Every time I leave the house, I know I’m going to have a match.”
The 27-year-old decided to bet on himself. A difficult decision, but one that fuels his motivation. Anderson is excited to cross another legendary venue off the bucket list in Center Stage thanks to MLW. Anderson’s dad Arn retired when he was six months old. By 1997, those Center Stage days for WCW were largely in the rearview. Though the next generation talent has since caught up on Arn’s body of work and went to WWE shows while he was a producer.
“I popped in these grainy VHS tapes and there is your dad 20 years younger wrestling,” he said. “It was kind of a trip. I started to watch more of those and realized he was pretty good at this. Then I saw how the boys in the back treated him. Things started to click.”
Anderson can trace when he knew he wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps. A milestone showdown between two Hall of Famers in Houston.
“It was WrestleMania25,” Anderson recalled. “WWE would always have their employees have their families. It was like a vacation treat for the year. We’re in the box. It was when the cards got to about six or seven hours. There was a lot of preshow and all that. It was a long night and I was already tired.
“Then all of a sudden you see the smoke come, all this white light and a guy descends from teh ceiling, white robe, white hat. You can’t see his face and all of a sudden HBK’s music hits. He was wrestling Undertaker. It was HBK and Undertaker 1. They went 40 minutes. Two legends going at it. They had the crowd in the palm of their hands with what they did. There was no wasted movement. Everything clicked. I thought, ‘This is what I want to do.’”
When Anderson told Arn about his career aspirations, the response wasn’t a flat no. Just an, “Ask your mom.” Then it was a hard no at the time. The parents wanted him to go to college and have a backup plan. He graduated on December 19, 2019, and started on the pro wrestling journey in January 2020. Then came the AEW opportunity.
“I want to be where is best for me,” Anderson answered when asked if his ultimate goal was a WWE run. “Personally, professionally, all that. I don’t have to pigeonhole it to one company. Wherever I feel is best for me.”
And right now that place is venturing through the independent scene and seeing what happens with MLW. The question is will we see Arn walk that aisle with his son, possibly at Fightland?
“He could show up at any time. But always keep it in the back of your head he might wonder into the building somehow or sneak down,” he said. “There is always that possibility. We always have that card up our sleeve.”
Watch MLW Fightland at 9 p.m. ET on September 14 on YouTube.
Ricochet doesn’t believe he will be able to revive the Prince Puma character from Lucha Underground but he definitely plans to pay tribute to that time of his career.
The newest AEW signing recently had an interview with the Battleground podcast. He discussed things such as making his debut at Wembley Stadium, a potential showdown with Will Ospreay, his exit from WWE, and more.
When asked about the potential of donning the Prince Puma mask once again in the future, Ricochet mentioned that he does plan on doing some throwback stuff. Bringing back the character for a prolonged period, however, would only be possible if AEW acquires the rights:
“People keep asking, but that’s like — they own that character guys. They own all of that—that’s not our stuff to even…I guess if they wanted to contact Lucha and try to get the rights to use the thing and do the…I guess maybe. But all their stuff, that’s all their stuff.
[I] definitely already planned on doing some throwbacks and stuff for sure. That’s always going to be tied in there, for sure. But as far as the actual stuff goes, like they own all that, so yeah, we’ll see.”
Prince Puma was one of the prominent stars of the Lucha Underground roster. The high-flying star, managed by Konnan, main evented the first-ever episode of the show.
He became the inaugural Lucha Underground champion after winning the Aztec Warfare battle royal and went on to rack up a number of other accomplishments during his three years with the brand.
Discussing the unique production style of the company, Ricochet mentioned how they were trying to be different than anything that came before. According to the former champion, the show helped make wrestling cool again:
“Well, that’s the thing—they were trying to make it different. They were trying to be a TV drama about a wrestling company, and not just another wrestling company on television. So, they were trying to really be like a television show about a wrestling company.
That was a really cool aspect, and I think it really did help wrestling become cool again as well. So, um, yeah, I was really happy with everything that all the guys were doing—you know, the Brian Cages, the Lucha Brothers, Johnny Mundos—you know, everybody was really putting in work.”
The One and Only was later asked about his experience at the company and he said that everyone was really nice to him and he had some of the most fun of his career working there.
Former WWE star Matt Riddle is not ruling out his comeback to the company despite his controversial departure. The Original Bro believes CM Punk’s homecoming proves anything is possible in wrestling.
“The chances of me going back, I think they’re extremely high. If CM Punk, who filed a lawsuit against WWE, and then raked them through the mud for a decade, then goes to the competition, I’ll tell you this, if he can do that, everything can be forgiven. I know I wasn’t the easiest to work with at times. I think the door is always open.”
– Matt Riddle, SI
Riddle shifted his career to pro wrestling in 2014. The highly talented athlete honed his craft and made a name for himself in the independent circuit before joining WWE in 2018. He was in WWE’s developmental brand, NXT for less than two years and was called up to the main roster in 2020. During his run on the main roster, he won the United States Championship and famously won the tag team gold twice with Randy Orton as RK Bro.
Since leaving WWE, Riddle has been competing in the independent circuit and also making appearances for MLW and NJPW. Matt Riddle is set to face Tom Lawlor in a No-Holds-Barred Vale Rudo match in MLW on Saturday, September 14.
Former WWE stars Bobby Lashley, MVP and Shelton Benjamin could soon reunite outside WWE, perhaps in AEW. They could soon be reunited as The Hurt Syndicate, judging by a trademark filing last month.
A trademark filing was made for the term The Hurt Syndicate for use in pro wrestling and entertainment services. Totally Harmless Concept LLC filed to trademark “The Hurt Syndicate” a couple of weeks ago, after previously filing for trademarks on other MVP-related phrases and names.
There’s been speculation that the faction might join AEW, and Fightful now reports the company has had talks with the group in recent weeks.
MVP has made it clear that he won’t return to WWE during a Bloodsport event. Since then fans have anticipated what he and Bobby Lashley have in store for them. Shelton Benjamin, who was released from WWE in September last year, has also been a free agent. However, another former Hurt Business member, Cedric Alexander is unlikely to be a part of the plan.
Cedric Alexander recently re-signed with WWE as per Fightful Select. He has inked a new multi-year deal with the company. Alexander has been teaming with Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis. His most recent match took place at the NXT Great American Bash 2024: Night One a couple of months back where he defeated Brooks Jensen.
Given the indications, Hurt Syndicate could be on its way to AEW and be a great addition to the promotion’s stacked roster. The former Hurt Business faction has had an incredible run in WWE and has won several championships. The veterans bring a lot of experience to the table which could benefit AEW. Moreover, they could even target the coveted AEW Trios Titles, currently held by the Blackpool Combat Club.
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle is set to make an appearance on an upcoming Game Change Wrestling (GCW) show.
The promotion has announced on social media that ‘The Olympic Gold Medalists’ has been booked for an appearance at the promotion’s Dream On event on Saturday, November 23. The show will take place at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tickets will go on sale this Friday at 10:00 am ET.
*AMERICAN DREAM UPDATE*
GCW comes to The American Dream Mall on Saturday, November 23rd!
Just Signed:
WWE Hall of Famer KURT ANGLE comes to GCW for the first time on 11/23 at #GCWDream!
Angle will be a part of the show which is set to feature the likes of Ricky Morton, Matt Cardona, Mance Warner, Masha Slamovich, Effy, Gringo Loco, and Sonny Kiss.
The former World Champion has not been advertised to wrestle for the event. Kurt Angle retired following his “farewell match” against Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35 in 2019. Since then he has maintained that way and has not wrestled.
Most recently, another WWE Hall of Famer John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield shocked fans when he made an appearance at GCW’s Homecoming event. Earlier this month, JBL was at AAA TripleMania XXXII: Mexico City. The former World Champion was accompanied by fellow former WWE star Nic Nemeth for his AAA Mega Championship match against Alberto El Patron.
Earlier this year, Angle revealed that he was still under contract to WWE. It is not clear whether that is still the case given the GCW booking. However, a handful of WWE stars who are under their contract have stepped through the ‘forbidden door.’ It includes Shayna Baszler and WWE NXT’s Charlie Dempsey who competed at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X. This possibly indicates that WWE might have also allowed Kurt Angle to step through the ‘forbidden door.’
AEW star Blade has revealed that he recently underwent a back fusion surgery
The 44-year-old has been out of action most of this year with not a lot of updates on where he has been or what’s the reason behind his absence.
The wrestling veteran then took on his Instagram earlier on Wednesday. He shared some photos of himself in the hospital revealing that he underwent a successful surgery recently:
Blade, real name Jesse Guilmette made his in-ring debut way back in 2000. He had some early matches for WWE under his real name but was never signed to a long-term deal by the company.
Despite the struggles, he continued competing in the independent circuit and had stints with companies such as CZW, ROH and TNA.
The wrestling star alongside his tag team partner The Butcher and wife Allie made his debut for All Elite Wrestling during the November 27, 2019 episode of Dynamite.
The duo have been a regular on AEW programming ever since, having wrestled over a hundred matches for the promotion since their first appearance.
The Blade has not been seen in the ring since February when he worked at an indie event in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. His partner Butcher has continued making occasional appearances on AEW programming in his absence.
AJ Lee says she has no idea what’s going on with CM Punk and Drew McIntyre.
The retired wrestling star has been mentioned a number of times during the feud between the two current WWE stars. The bracelet featuring her name and the name of her and Punk’s dog Larry has been the anchor of the whole storyline.
The former Divas Champion spoke to ComicBook recently to promote her new comic release with Scrappy Hearts Production partner Aimee Garcia, Day of the Dead Girl.
When asked for her thoughts on the ongoing WWE storyline between her husband and McIntyre, Lee claimed that she has no idea what’s going on:
“I mean this in the most loving way, I have no idea what’s going on [laughs]. I’m weird about like — I don’t want to watch my husband wrestle live because I’m scared. It’s like a weird juju thing.”
My Dog Is Famous All of A Sudden: AJ Lee
The former WWE star, real name April Mendez mentioned how she is focused on her own projects and doesn’t keep up with the product. While Punk still gives her some updates, she is not really immersed in it as people would think:
“I kind of don’t know what’s happening in the storyline. I know that my dog is famous all of a sudden! He’s got some surprise merch coming. I’ve been privy to that. But it’s cool. I’m happy that he’s happy and healthy and just killing it. I’m proud.”
Fans have been rooting for an AJ Lee return for a long time. NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez who has become a protege of Punk has expressed the desire to wrestle the former champion many times.
The wrestling veteran, however, has been busy with outside projects. Punk himself has said that AJ knows there are options for her but he doesn’t want to give fans false hopes of her return.
Former WWE star Nikki ‘Bella’ Garcia has filed for divorce from husband Artem Chigvintsev after the latter’s domestic violence arrest late last month.
This doesn’t come as a huge shock as the WWE Hall of Famer had been spotted without her wedding ring after the incident and she had reportedly been in the hunt for a divorce lawyer since then.
According to TMZ, the retired wrestling star has hired lawyer Evan Craig Itzkowitz and she officially filed her petition after 2 years of marriage on Wednesday this week.
Artem was briefly arrested in Napa, California back on Thursday, August 29 on a felony charge. This came after deputies responded to a domestic violence call and observed visible injuries on the alleged victim. Though he posted bail for $25,000 the same day.
The couple have one child together, 4-year-old Matteo. Nikki has continued living in their family home in Napa Valley through this time while Artem has been staying over at a friend’s place.
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev’s Relationship
Nikki Garcia and Artem first became friends when they were paired on the 2017 season of the Dancing With Stars reality show. Garcia was still dating John Cena at the time.
After the WWE couple broke up, Nikki reconnected with Chigvintsev. The two announced their engagement in late 2019 and the celebrity duo welcomed their son in August 2020.
They officially got married in Paris back in August 2022 and the unfortunate incident took place very close to their second marriage anniversary.
Natalya recently revealed that she had been busy with different projects which led to her absence from WWE for several months. “The Queen of Harts” returned on the latest edition of WWE Raw. This marked the season premiere of WWE’s flagship show, where she was revealed as the mystery partner of Lyra Valkyria and Zelina Vega.
Neidhart had a triumphant return as her team defeated the Pure Fusion Collective trio of Zoey Stark, Shayna Baszler, & Sonya Deville. Making an appearance on Growing Up Von Erichs, she reflected on her return to her hometown, Calagary, Alberta, Canada. She then revealed that she had been working on a couple of projects which kept her away from the programming:
“Yesterday, Monday Night Raw, I made my return back to the ring. I took the summer off, I was working on a couple of projects. We were back in Calgary, and that’s where my family started. It was so cool to make my re-debut in WWE back in Calgary. My whole family was there, Bret (Hart) was on Raw. I was able to win my match for my team. It was cool. It’s always nice to be back home.”
She also revealed that she underwent eye surgery and how WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H granted her the time off.
“I took a little time off this summer and the company was so great about it. They were like, ‘Take as much time as you need.’ It’s really changing so much in the best way and the culture is so different now. Our boss, Triple H, he is such a cool boss. I just recently got eye surgery to correct astigmatism in my eye and I needed a little bit more time off to get that done. He’s like, ‘Go get your eyes fixed.’ He’s like, ‘Don’t even worry about it.’ He’s like, ‘Take care of yourself’ and it was like, it’s just so cool to have a boss that’s human.”
‘Mental reset’
During the conversation Natalya revealed that she took time off for her mental health as well. This marked Natalya’s first match since the June 4th edition of NXT where she faced Izzi Dame. Nattie explained that she wanted a little break to refocus as mental health is as important as physical health. She said:
Even for me, just taking this break from WWE… I had my last match in June, so it was like, not even three months but, I took a little break because I was like, ‘I need a little mental reset.’ Or I just need some time to regroup, recalibrate, refocus… Again, it’s for my mental health because it’s one thing to be healthy and fit, like on a treadmill or you look great or you got abs but, if you’re not right up here, if your head isn’t right, you can’t do any of the fun stuff… And I always try to take the experiences that I’ve gone through and try to be there for the other girls in the locker room that may need guidance or help because life, whether you’re wrestling in WWE or you’re a mom or you’re a teacher or whatever it is that you’re doing, it’s hard. It’s day-to-day. Everything for me is just day-to-day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrt5jip3mpw
The former WWE Women’s Champion’s return on Raw was quite emotional and a ‘full circle moment’ for her. This week’s Raw emanated from the Scotiabank Saddledome in her hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and it also featured an appearance by her uncle and WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart.
It’s worth noting that the venue was where Natalya first stepped inside a WWE ring when she joined the celebration of The Hart Foundation’s victory at 1997’s In Your House: Canadian Stampede.
My very first time in a @wwe ring was in 1997 at the IN YOUR HOUSE Canadian Stampede PPV in Calgary. It was the last time my whole family was together. Last night was a full circle moment, being back in that same building, with @BretHart, The Hart family and my @wwe family.… pic.twitter.com/NheGt6W4rj
During her absence, there has been speculation that the third-generation wrestler might be jumping ship to AEW when her contract expires. However, she is not leaving WWE anytime soon. It has been reported that Natalya re-signed with WWE. She received a new deal from WWE in late June and it is reportedly a multi-year deal.
Natalya has been with WWE for more than a decade and she holds a key place on the high-talented Women’s division. The veteran is in the later stages of her pro wrestling career and also exploring different avenues.
AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam from Arthur Ashe Stadium is just weeks away and Ricochet has taken a shot at former rival Will Ospreay. The duo has continued to tease fans for a match and it seems they could be sharing the ring at the aforementioned show on September 25th.
As we move closer to the show, AEW International Champion Will Ospreay has expressed his excitement on social media. He said that he wanted to perform on the show since he witnessed the classic between Bryan Danielson and Kenny Omega at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam 2021.
Ricochet, who is set to return to Japan, noticed the post and replied with a brief message. He told Ospreay that he would see him there and called him “little bro.”
Ospreay recently confronted Ricochet on the latter’s first night on AEW Dynamite. However, before ‘The Aerial Assassin’ could go face to face, Pac attacked him. At AEW All Out, Ospreay went face to face Ricochet in a backstage segment. The Brit told Ricochet to start racking some wins and the latter responded by saying that he would see him soon.
Ospreay and Ricochet are two of the most incredibly talented wrestlers. They have a fair share of history together as they had some classic matches across NJPW, RevPro, WCPW, and EVOLVE before Ricochet signed with WWE in 2018.
The two high-flyers showcased some memorable matches which put them on the map in 2016. Their last match took place in August 2017 when they competed in WhatCulture Pro Wrestling. After going separate ways, the duo is back together in the same promotion which opens the door for yet another encounter.
A few months back the possibility of Ricochet and Will Ospreay going head-to-head looked slim. However, fast forward to today, ‘the human highlight reel’ is signed with AEW and a match with Will Ospreay is on the horizon. This comes after Ospreay candidly expressed his interest in facing Ricochet again in AEW.
Trick Williams has got a step closer to reclaiming the NXT Championship after earning a shot at the coveted title against Ethan Page.
Last week, NXT Champion Ethan Page, fresh off his victory over Joe Hendry, said that he wanted to defend his title on NXT’s debut episode on CW. After Pete Dunne’s assault on Williams set up a match between the two which resulted in a double count-out. NXT GM Ava announced a Last Man Standing rematch for last night’s show.
Williams defeated Dunne in a Last Man Standing match on the September 10th episode of NXT. The final moments of the match saw both men going through tables after a Russian Leg Sweep off the platform in the audience. Williams managed to make it to his feet and hit a backbody drop on NXT Champion Ethan Page through the announce table. Williams managed to beat the 10-count and won the match.
Trick Williams had all the momentum by his side when he put an end to Ilja Dragunov’s 206-day reign at NXT Spring Breakin’. He became the 30th man to capture the coveted title. During his title reign, he even successfully retained the title against Ethan Page. However, it was also ‘All Ego’ who dethroned Williams at NXT Heatwave.
In his reign, Page has successfully defended his title against the likes of Dante Chen, Oro Mensah, and TNA Wrestling’s Joe Hendry. On the other hand, Williams has been in pursuit of the NXT title for several months. He has now earned an opportunity to reclaim his title and become a two-time NXT Champion when NXT moves to CW on October 1. The first two weeks of the show on CW are lining up to be massive as CM Punk and Randy Orton are also scheduled to make appearances.
On the September 10, edition of WWE NXT, Giulia made her WWE in-ring debut with a victory over Chelsea Green. The Japanese sensation has caught the attention of fans, as well as CM Punk, who has something in store for the newest addition to the NXT roster.
On Instagram, WWE shared footage of Giulia’s in-ring victory over Green that caught the attention of CM Punk. In the comments, Punk was impressed by the Marigold alum and had an idea for Giulia to run by NXT General Manager Ava.
“impressive debut. @avawwe_ I have an idea, going to call and run it by you”
Whatever Punk has in mind, fans may not have to wait long to hear it as the Best in the World will have a special announcement to share on next week’s episode of WWE NXT.
CM Punk will also be part of the debut episode of WWE NXT on The CW which will take place from Punk’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois. During her WWE NXT debut last week, Giulia made clear she wants to face Roxanne Perez when the gold brand moves to its new home on October 1. Punk has made his presence felt at WWE NXT since his return to WWE last November and has shown interest in a role at the WWE Performance Center.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on CM Punk ahead of the Best in the World’s announcement next week on WWE NXT.
The replica bracelet is virtually identical to the one created by Victoria, a CM Punk fan who gifted him the bracelet over WrestleMania 40 week. In a lengthy statement shared on Twitter, Victoria made clear that while she has no issue with WWE for selling the $9.99 replica, some recognition would have been appreciated.
hi everyone – thanks again for all the nice words and support. i won’t be asking for compensation from wwe since they have every right to make bracelets. all i kind of was hoping for was maybe a mention in the description of the product (i.e. inspired by a fan). (1/5)
for those replying to my initial post about me not getting a heads up and saying wwe didn’t need to, i 100% agree they didn’t need to. legally they had no obligation to reach out to me regarding this, but it just would have been nice to have heard it from them beforehand. (3/5)
wwe did reach out to me last week as a thank you from punk and invited me to a show next month but to my knowledge that invitation had no correlation to them selling bracelets and wasn’t offered as compensation but i am still grateful for them contacting me at all. (5/5)
Many Twitter/X users weighed in sharing their problem with WWE selling replica bracelets, believing that Victoria should be receiving a cut of the profits or at the very least some recognition. The bracelet has already been considered one of the worst pieces of WWE merchandise due to both the ethical implications, as well as the concept of paying $10 to buy yourself a friendship bracelet with another man’s family featured.
Now, the bracelet has been pulled from WWEShop.com without any explanation being given by the website. Though this bracelet is gone, WWE is also selling bracelet three-packs for talent including Bianca Belair and The Rock.
Drew McIntyre Comments
It wasn’t just fans who shared their two cents about the bracelet as Drew McIntyre once again flexed his heel muscles on social media. Responding to an earlier post by Victoria, the Scottish Warrior suggested that Victoria has a bit too much in common with her hero.
All this bitching and moaning and crying, no wonder CM Punk is your hero ?? https://t.co/e7ot0e8cu9
McIntyre’s war with CM Punk will see the two enter Hell in a Cell at WWE Bad Blood on October 5. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on WWE Bad Blood including breaking news and live results from Atlanta, Georgia.
In recent weeks, Tony D’Angelo’s family has hit a proverbial brick wall in the form of Oba Femi, who has overcome all the Don has done, including besting D’Angelo at No Mercy. On this week’s WWE NXT, D’Angelo turned to some outside help, resulting in an epic crossover from a star of TNA Wrestling.
In the run-up to this week’s show, it was confirmed that the reigning NXT North American Champion, was set to face a mystery opponent, sparking speculation about who would step up to challenge him. To the surprise of fans, TNA’s Hammerstone answered the call. Despite a strong showing, he too fell short against the dominant Nigerian Superstar.
With Hammerstone unable to secure the win, the spotlight remains on Oba Femi and his reign as NXT North American Champion. The question now is who will step up next to challenge the seemingly unstoppable champion.
Hammerstone wasn’t the only TNA name on last night’s show, as TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace was back in WWE NXT. The Juggernaut saw better fortunes than her TNA counterpart as she retained her title in an open challenge against Sol Ruca.
Former WWE star Mandy Rose opened up about her potential return to the ring on her Power Alphas with Mandy and Sabby podcast. Rose gives her fans reason to be optimistic, stating that she does get the itch and knows there’s unfinished business waiting for her in wrestling.
She spoke about her appearance at the recent BLP Wrestlers Combine event, where she had an injury scare with her knee. Thankfully, an MRI ruled out anything serious:
“I was asked to do a little run-in. I was iffy about it since I haven’t made an in-ring appearance yet. It was literally two seconds, and I was feeling under the weather. As I went to give my knee to Shazza, my other leg gave out. Thankfully, you wouldn’t be able to tell, but the back of my knee has been bothering me.
I had an MRI and nothing alarming came up. It’s just weird movements; it happened at the gym one day too. It’s not anything scary, but it did make me wonder if my time in the ring is done.”
Despite the scare, Rose confessed that the experience stirred something in her:
“I miss wrestling, the camaraderie, the fans, and the adrenaline rush.”
As for her potential return to the ring, Rose remains unsure. She explained that while she still feels the “itch” to compete, other aspects of her life need to be considered:
“I do have the itch a little bit, but I have a lot going on. For me, it has to make sense—emotionally, physically, not just financially. I love my current life—spending time with family, planning my wedding. Do I want to jump back into the physical toll and constant traveling? I know there’s unfinished business for me, but I’m just not sure if now is the time.”
Mandy Rose established herself as one of the most popular performers of her era, and she has a lot of fans eagerly awaiting her return to the bright lights of pro wrestling.
Later this week, The Killer’s Game will be released in cinemas, featuring an all-star cast including Terry Crews, Pom Klementieff, Ben Kingsley, and Dave Bautista. Drew McIntyre is also attached to the film, but this may not have happened if not for the Animal.
Speaking to Chris Van Vliet of Insight, Bautista recalled speaking with director J.J. Perry about casting. When Perry needed a tough-as-nails Scotsman for a role, Bautista had the perfect name in mind.
“I was having a conversation with JJ, and he said ‘I need a great big guy who’s almost intimidating to you. A guy who would dwarf you. And I also need him to be able to pull of a Scottish accent.’ He asks ‘Do you know anybody?’ ‘Man, I’ve got the perfect guy!'”
The Killer’s Game tells the story of Joe Flood (Bautista) a hitman who puts out a hit on himself after being diagnosed with a terminal disease. After learning that this diagnosis was inaccurate, Flood must fend off several contract killers including Rory Mackenzie (McIntyre.)
The Reviews Are In
While The Killer’s Game won’t be released to the public until September 13, some have been lucky enough to already catch the film and McIntyre’s performance.
THE KILLER’S GAME cracked me up! ? Such a blast! One of this year’s most wildly entertaining action comedies. Dave Bautista was badass. Pom Klementieff was sexy AF. Sofia Boutella was gorgeous. Drew McIntyre was hilarious! ? Oh and so many goddamn grenades! ??#TheKillersGamepic.twitter.com/fqV0QwIaWV
#TheKillersGame is a delightful Looney Tunes cartoon of an action flick. Non-stop bone-crunching beat-downs and over-the-top bloodletting galore! Pure jolly chaos. Plus, you get to see true-blue action stars like Daniel Bernhardt and Scott Adkins doing what they do best: kicking. pic.twitter.com/nfyM1wRYat
The Killer’s Game marks the feature film debut for Drew McIntyre, but it may not be the last time fans see the former WWE Champion on the big screen. In July, McIntyre signed with the Paradigm Talent Agency, a group that represents other WWE names including Damian Priest, Tiffany Stratton, and most recently, Liv Morgan. McIntyre has spent years proving his screen presence in WWE and fans of the Scottish Warrior will be eager to see more of him in blockbuster movies.
WWE has produced countless pieces of merchandise over the years, ranging from iconic t-shirts to questionable promotional items. While some have become timeless classics, others have left fans scratching their heads in disbelief. Let’s dive into some of the worst WWE merchandise ever created and determine if the ‘CM Punk bracelet’ deserves a spot on this infamous list.
T-Shirts That Missed The Mark
The $9.99 WWE Network Shirt
One of the most egregious examples of poor merchandise decisions is the $9.99 WWE Network shirt. This shirt was nothing more than a walking advertisement for WWE’s streaming service, lacking any creativity or appeal. It’s baffling that WWE thought fans would pay to wear a shirt promoting a service they were already paying for. Pitiful.
Carlito’s “Spit or Swallow” Shirt
Another contender for worst merchandise is Carlito’s “Spit or Swallow” t-shirt. This shirt, released during the tail end of the Ruthless Aggression Era, attempted to capitalize on Carlito’s apple-spitting gimmick with a crude sexual innuendo. The design was not only in poor taste but also failed to capture the essence of Carlito’s character. Woeful.
John Morrison’s “Jo Mo Sapien” Shirt
John Morrison, known for his cool and stylish persona, was unfortunately saddled with the “Jo Mo Sapien” t-shirt. This bizarre design featured Morrison’s face plastered on a Bigfoot body, surrounded by monkeys. The shirt failed to align with Morrison’s character and left fans confused rather than excited. Pure, unadulterated crap.
Accessories and Promotional Items
The CM Punk Ice Cream Bar T-Shirt
While not as notorious as some other entries on this list, the CM Punk Ice Cream Bar t-shirt deserves mention. This shirt, which featured a cartoon ice cream bar with Punk’s logo, was an attempt to capitalize on Punk’s famous pipe bomb promo where he mentioned bringing back WWE ice cream bars.
However, the execution fell flat, and the shirt ended up looking more like a cheap promotional item than a must-have piece of merchandise.
The Miz’s “I’m Awesome” Rubber Bracelet
The Miz’s “I’m Awesome” rubber bracelet is another example of WWE missing the mark with accessories. While rubber bracelets were popular at the time, this particular item failed to capture the essence of The Miz’s character and came across as a lazy attempt to cash in on a trend.
What is the CM Punk Bracelet?
The CM Punk friendship bracelet has sparked considerable discussion among wrestling fans since WWE began selling it. Originally created as a gift for CM Punk by a fan named Victoria, the bracelet features the names “AJ” and “Larry,” referring to Punk’s wife, AJ Lee, and their dog. This seemingly innocent piece of merchandise has raised eyebrows and ignited debates about ownership, originality, and the ethics of WWE’s merchandising practices.
Fan Reactions
The fanbase’s response has been largely critical. Some fans have humorously pointed out the awkwardness of wearing a bracelet associated with Punk’s personal life. One user quipped about the potential for misunderstandings with significant others, while others questioned the appeal of such a product. The general consensus seems to be that the bracelet is an odd choice for merchandise, with many feeling it lacks the charm or significance typically associated with wrestling collectibles.
Ethical Concerns
The ethical implications of WWE selling the bracelet have also been a hot topic. Critics argue that the company should have sought permission from Victoria before commercializing her creation. Many believe that she deserves recognition or compensation for her design, especially since it has become part of a larger storyline in WWE programming. The lack of acknowledgment for her contribution has led to accusations of exploitation, with fans calling for WWE to treat creators with more respect.
So does the CM Punk bracelet deserve to be on the list of the worst WWE merchandise ever? Yes, but more for the fact that you shouldn’t be buying YOURSELF a friendship bracelet.
