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Tony Khan: ‘ROH Would Have A Lot More Value As AEW: Ring of Honor’

Thomas Lowson
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A name change could be in store for Ring of Honor to benefit the brand, according to AEW President Tony Khan. Speaking on the post-Death Before Dishonor 2024 press conference, Khan was asked about the possibility of cohesion between the two entities. Khan said that AEW is “the very top of pro wrestling” and that ROH would benefit from being associated with the All-Elite company.

“I don’t think it’s out of the question to say or sacrilegious to say. I think it would only help grow the ROH brand if I were to license it, sublicense, if it were AEW ROH. I don’t think that’s a crazy thing or sacrilegious or bad. I think it would be good for everybody.”

Later on, Khan discussed the possibility of Ring of Honor being aired on a WBD network channel. Khan reiterated that ROH would “frankly have a lot more value” if a branding change took place.

Tony Khan and Ring of Honor

Khan was among those who launched AEW in 2019 while his acquisition of Ring of Honor was publicly confirmed on the March 2, 2022, edition of AEW Dynamite. Khan’s efforts successfully relaunched Ring of Honor which had gone on hiatus in late 2021 after its Final Battle pay-per-view.

Unlike AEW Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision, Ring of Honor does not have a presence on syndicated television. Instead, it was announced in late 2022 that ROH shows would air on the relaunched Honor Club streaming platform.

While Khan is to credit for allowing ROH to not finish for good in 2021, many feel that his handling of the promotion has been sub-par. Ex-ROH Owner Cary Silkin has said that Khan has not treated the promotion well. Eric Bischoff, never shy of making his views on Khan clear, has said that buying the company was a bad investment and that ROH was “insignificant” in the eyes of most fans.

If people are unhappy with Khan’s handling of ROH so far, the stance that the company would do better by being known as an AEW division may do little to win back favor. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on AEW, Ring of Honor, and potential synergy between the two sides.

The Young Bucks On Jack Perry Chair Shot, AEW Blood & Guts 2024

Thomas Lowson
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The Young Bucks recently sat down with The Takedown on SI to discuss this year’s Blood & Guts match. The fourth-ever bout in the violent double-cage structure saw Team AEW (Swerve Strickland, Darby Allin, Mark Briscoe & The Acclaimed) defeat Team Elite (The Bucks, Kazuchika Okada, Jack Perry, and ‘Hangman’ Adam Page.)

On The Chair Shot To Jack Perry

In one of the most shocking moments of the match, Jack Perry was struck in the head with a steel chair. Though once commonplace in wrestling, shots like these have been phased out given what is known today about long-term effects. In the interview, Nick Jackson said that Perry, like any AEW talent, is aware of the risks involved in being a wrestler.

Nick: “All I know is Jack is fine, and that’s all that matters. We know the risk we’re taking in the ring and it wouldn’t have happened if he wasn’t prepared for it.”

On The Backstage Feedback to the Match

Blood & Guts 4 certainly delivered the violence that fans have come to expect since the bout was introduced in 2021. Matt Jackson was pleased to share that this reception reflects how those felt backstage.

Matt: “I heard a lot of people in the back saying it was the best Blood & Guts ever, so that’s a huge compliment to the men who participated.”

On Facing Mark Briscoe

This year’s Blood & Guts match was hardly the first time that the Young Bucks worked with Mark Briscoe as the tag team’s wars with The Briscoes are well-documented. Matt explained that while Jay is no longer with us, the chemistry of the Bucks and the Briscoes continued to shine in Blood & Guts.

Matt: I was reminded of the amazing chemistry we have. It’s like lightning in a bottle, a type of magic you only have with a very few select opponents.”

Matt was reminded of Jay Briscoe throughout the match and reflected on his passing while sitting in his hotel room after the show.

Matt: “I felt Jay out there with us. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. It was such an overpowering feeling.”

On Coming Up With Ideas

Blood & Guts 4 was always going to be violent and the Bucks, like all involved, paid the toll with their bodies in the name of entertainment. In the interview, Nick explained how the thought process came about for the match.

Nick: “At this point, coming up with the ideas is a lot more fun than executing them. It’s a really intense match.”

On Working with Kazuchika Okada

The match saw the Young Bucks once again team with AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada, who has replaced Kenny Omega in the Elite. Both Matt and Nick are thrilled to have the ‘Rainmaker’ on their side.

Matt: “I couldn’t be prouder to see him trying new things and learning a new style. He’s a movie star with perfect timing, an unbelievable sense of humor, and he just so happens to be the greatest wrestler alive.”

Nick: “He is performing so great and adapting to new matches he’s never been in as well as I’ve seen anyone be able to do it on the fly. It’s been so much fun working with him these last several months. There’s no one better.”

Raj Dhesi Wins Championship In First Match Since WWE Release

Thomas Lowson
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Former WWE World Champion Raj Dhesi once again has title gold around his waist after winning at Black Label Pro’s Old Habits event. Dhesi, who entered free agency earlier this month, defeated Dominic Garrini in the show’s main event to win the title in Dhesi’s first match since his release from WWE. Garrini defended the title in place of his Violence is Forever tag team partner Kevin Ku who has been out of action with an injury.

Dhesi, better known to WWE fans as Jinder Mahal, was among those released in April 2024 though that setback has done little to slow his momentum. Dhesi has since shared his ‘Unhindered’ tour dates, a play on the meme of ‘Don’t Hinder Jinder’ that followed him in WWE. Dhesi has also debuted for GCW and will make his in-ring debut for the promotion next month against Effy.

Much like Matt Cardona four years earlier, Dhesi appears poised to make an impact on the independent scene. Following his release, it was reported that promotions were eager to work with Dhesi, especially given that there is a gap for indie wrestling’s top heel since Cardona is out with an injury.

In WWE, Dhesi worked with top names such as Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Drew McIntyre, and The Rock. While the independents don’t often quite the same names in terms of star power, Dhesi now has a much wider field of potential opponents to work with.

Fans may have been part of the ‘Don’t Hinder Jinder’ movement, but now the message is ‘Don’t Messi with Dhesi.’ Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on Raj Dhesi’s journey outside the world of WWE.

Meiko Satomura To Retire in April 2025, Will Compete Outside WWE

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Superstar Meiko Satomura will hang up her boots for good in April 2025 in a journey that will see her compete outside the promotion.

In a press conference, Satomura confirmed her retirement plans, which will mark the 30th anniversary of her professional debut. Satomura’s final match will take place at the historic Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

Despite being a WWE-contracted performer, Satomura said at the press event that she will compete in a number of Sendai Girls matches, starting this September. Sendai Girls, also known as Senjo, is a Joshi puroresu promotion founded in 2005 by Satomura and Kensuke Shinzaki, also known to WWE fans as Hakushi.

Satomura’s career in the ring has seen her work with some of wrestling’s biggest promotions including New Japan Pro Wrestling, WCW, STARDOM and others. In 2020, the ‘Final Boss’ joined WWE and competed in NXT UK and would win the NXT UK Women’s Championship. She would hold the title until WWE NXT UK’s demise in September 2022 and lost the title to Mandy Rose at that year’s Worlds Collide. After a lengthy hiatus, Satomura has returned to action as part of WWE’s tour of Japan.

WWE allowing Meiko Satomura the chance to compete for Senjo not only shows the company’s respect for her, but is the latest example of WWE working with another promotion. 2024 has already seen WWE work with TNA, Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, Marigold Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH. Hopefully, the 44-year-old Satomura receives a fitting send-off to mark the end of a legendary career in the ring.

Joe Hendry Appears At WWE NXT Live Event After TNA Star’s Name Is Said

Thomas Lowson
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The utterance of Joe Hendry’s name in Davenport, Florida this week resulted in the TNA Wrestling star making an appearance at a WWE NXT live event. In the hours leading up to the July 26, event, Hendry had suggested that he’d be at the show.

True to his word, Hendry appeared at the event to the surprise of the Davenport crowd after Mark Coffey inadvertently said his name. Hendry teamed with Je’Von Evans and Shiloh Hill to take on Gallus. Despite Hendry having Gallus’ number on WWE NXT TV in recent weeks, it was the heels who got the win.

Hendry has been a central part of the ongoing NXT-TNA crossover. After debuting as part of a battle royal, the viral TNA star has since headlined WWE NXT and worked alongside former NXT Champion Trick Williams. Much like the NXT-TNA partnership as a whole, Hendry’s work with the gold brand has proven exceptionally popular, leaving fans eager to see more of this working relationship.

Joe’s next NXT appearance will be this coming Tuesday when he performs a concert at Night One of the NXT Great American Bash. Hendry made sure fans at this week’s show were well aware of the upcoming performance as he gifted signed flyers promoting his segment in the parking lot. If Hendry’s previous concerts are any indicator, fans can expect another viral segment from the Scottish star who’ll have some choice barbs for those on the WWE NXT roster.

Related: Joe Hendry Fan Gets Tattoo of Viral TNA Wrestling Star

Latest On Beth Phoenix: WWE Status, Potential AEW Involvement

Thomas Lowson
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More has come to light about Beth Phoenix’s status with WWE after her profile was changed on the company’s official website. Fans noticed this week that Beth’s profile was removed from the ‘active’ talent section and now is exclusive to the ‘Hall of Fame’ portion of the site.

The Glamazon’s time with WWE has come to an end, PW Insider reports. Despite only recently being pulled from the ‘active’ portion of WWE.com, Phoenix hadn’t wrestled for WWE since February 2023. At the Elimination Chamber PLE in Montreal, Beth and her husband Edge (now AEW’s Adam Copeland) defeated The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley.

Phoenix parted ways with WWE in 2012 but returned in 2017 to be inducted into that year’s Hall of Fame. The induction marked the shortest period of time for a female wrestler to be inducted after her retirement. It’s not just WWE’s Hall of Fame that recognizes the Glamazon’s achievements as in 2019, she became the first woman to be inducted in the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. In addition to being a wrestler, Phoenix was a commentator for WWE NXT from May 2019 to December 2021.

Beth Phoenix And AEW

Beth has been backstage at several AEW shows ever since her husband joined the promotion in October 2023. The topic of Phoenix appearing for the company has been broached backstage, Fightful Select reports. Sources indicated that Phoenix is in amazing condition and could likely compete in an AEW ring if she chose to. Phoenix has already made a cameo for AEW, as the ‘You Think You Know Him?’ lyric from Copeland’s entrance theme is provided by his wife.

Signing Beth Phoenix would be a huge score for Tony Khan who has brought in Mercedes Mone, Kamille, and Mariah May in 2024 alone. Keep tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on Beth Phoenix’s future in the world of professional wrestling.

CM Punk On AJ Lee’s Wrestling Return: She Knows There’s Options

Anutosh Bajpai
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CM Punk says AJ Lee is well aware of the options she has in terms of a potential wrestling return but it’s not something he is pushing her to do.

The potential return of the former Divas Champion continues to be a topic of discussion among fans as WWE has incorporated her name in Punk’s ongoing storyline with Drew McIntyre. NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez most recently said that the former World Champion himself is also trying to convince AJ to make a return.

When asked about it during a recent interview with Ringside Collectibles at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, Punk said that he is not pushing AJ in any way. According to him if a discussion was to take place about Lee returning under a legends deal or even signing up for a new action figure, he would like to stay out of that conversation:

“I’m the wrong guy to ask those questions about. My stance—I know there’s a lot out there of that—but I certainly am not pushing her to do anything. I think she knows that there’s options. I think she sees how happy I am and how things are different.

But if the right situation presented itself, it would have to be a discussion between her and certain people. I don’t necessarily want to be in the middle of that; just because it could get kind of weird. Selfishly, yes, I would love to make out with my wife on television again.”

While fans are hoping to see AJ Lee return to the ring as an active competitor, the chances of that are slim considering all the other projects the former wrestling star is involved in.

Though you can never say never in wrestling and the ongoing intense personal rivalry between Punk and McIntyre seems to be the perfect opportunity to reintroduce the former champion on WWE TV.

Apart from this, CM Punk also reflected on the Straight Edge Society faction and commented on potentially leading a new group with NXT stars. You can check out his full interview below:

Blair Davenport & Chase U’s Riley Osborne Get Married

Thomas Lowson
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SmackDown Superstar Blair Davenport and Chase U’s Riley Osborne have tied the knot after two years of dating, the couple confirmed this week. On Instagram, Davenport shared some photos from the couple’s special day. Several names from the world of wrestling took to the comments to share their excitement about the news.

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Davenport and Osborne began dating in 2022 and in August, Davenport would comment on an Instagram post of her future husband, saying she’d “Met the love of my life.” Davenport announced on her Instagram page in December 2023 that she and Osborne were engaged.

The wedding of Osborne and Davenport comes during a landmark week for Riley’s allies in Chase U. At the ongoing San Diego Comic-Con, fans have caught their first glimpse of Chase U action figures from Mattel. The three figures include faction leader Andre Chase as well as Thea Hail.

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Wrestling Couples

Love has certainly been in the air in 2024, with several wrestling couples taking massive leaps in their respective relationships. In May, AEW’s Ruby Soho and Angelo Parker tied the knot. Soho is currently out of action after sharing at an AEW event that she is pregnant. The following month, WWE and AEW collided as Rhea Ripley and Buddy Matthews in a black wedding. This month, Angelo Dawkins married his wife Grace in a ceremony officiated by none other than Montez Ford.

We here at SE Scoops would like to offer our congratulations to the happy couple.

2 Former WWE Stars Debuting for AEW on 7/27 Collison

Thomas Lowson
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Former WWE Superstars Mason Madden and Mansoor will make their All-Elite debut on tonight’s AEW Collision to face FTR. The news was shared on Twitter by AEW President Tony Khan.

The AEW debut of Madden and Mansoor, collectively known as the MxM Collection, comes after the pair debuted for Ring of Honor at Death Before Dishonor 2024. At ROH’s latest pay-per-view, MxM defeated the Spanish Announce Project (Serpentico and Angelico) on the kick-off show.

Earlier this month, the pair’s arrival was teased during an episode of ROH Wrestling. Madden was described as the “mahogany hunk” and the “height of fashion.” Meanwhile, Mansoor was deemed the “sultan of suave” and “the man who will make you sore.” During their arrival at Death Before Dishonor, Mansoor was also called the ‘Iron Chiq.’

AEW Collision – 7/27/2024

Tonight’s AEW Collision will take place at the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as part of a multi-week deal to host AEW events at the venue. Here is what has been confirmed for tonight’s AEW Collision:

  • FTR Vs. MxM (Mason Madden & Mansoor)
  • Orange Cassidy Vs. Johnny TV
  • The Beast Mortos Vs. Hologram

Immediately after AEW Collision, AEW will host its eleventh Battle of the Belts show. Matches announced include

  • ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm (c) Vs. Taya Valkyrie (AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminatior Match)
  • The Undisputed Kingdom (Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, and Mike Bennett) vs. Dustin Rhodes and The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich and Ross Von Erich) (ROH World Six-Man Tag-Team Championship)
  • Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo (CMLL Women’s World Championship Eliminator Match)

Keep tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest from tonight’s episode of AEW Collision as well as AEW Battle of the Belts XI.

The Bloodline Become #1 Contenders After Winning Tag Team Gauntlet On SmackDown

Joey Galizia
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The next challengers for the WWE tag team titles have been determined.

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown included a massive tag team gauntlet, a matchup that featured Apollo Crews & Baron Corbin, Legado del Fantasma, The Street Profits, Pretty Deadly, The OC, and The Bloodline. Whoever emerged victorious would earn a shot at DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) at a future date, perhaps even at SummerSlam on August 3rd.

The action began with Corbin & Crews scoring a victory over Legado De Fantasma. Unfortunately, the unlikely duo’s run didn’t last long as The Street Profits would knock them off, with the former tag champs then running through Pretty Deadly and The OC. However, The Bloodline, represented by Tama Tonga and the Samoan Werewolf Jacob Fatu, was the final team in the gauntlet and put on a dominant display on their way to victory. Fatu scored the win after hitting a pop-up Samoan drop, followed by his signature top rope moonsault.

Fatu has quickly risen as one of the WWE’s biggest threats ever since he debuted on the June 21st episode of SmackDown. He led The Bloodline to victory over Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Kevin Owens at Money In The Bank, and now has a change to capture his first gold since signing with the company earlier this year.

WWE later confirmed The Bloodline will get their opportunity at the tag team on the August 2nd SmackDown.

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WWE released this video of the champions reacting to the news that The Bloodline will be their opponents next week.

Meanwhile, The Bloodline’s new leader, Solo Sikoa, has his own chance for glory when he challenges Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam next weekend.

Cody Rhodes Gifted His Father’s Robe At WWE Live Event in Tokyo

Thomas Lowson
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Cody Rhodes’ connection to his father is no secret, and the Undisputed WWE Champion was given a heartwarming gift at a recent event in Japan. On WWE’s second night of their ongoing tour, their first in Japan since 2019, Rhodes defeated AJ Styles in the show’s main event. Not only did Cody get the win, but he was gifted a robe and hat worn by his legendary father Dusty.

The robe had previously been on display at the ‘Super Inoki Exhibition‘ a public exhibition celebrating the life and career of Antonio Inoki. Dusty and Inoki met NJPW Toukon Series 1979 in a match for the NWF Heavyweight Championship that Inoki retained by disqualification.

This robe has great sentimental value to Cody, whose relationship with his father has proven to be pivotal to his WWE run. It was Cody’s desire to win a WWE World Championship (an accolade his father got close to but never achieved) that resulted in Rhodes returning to WWE at WrestleMania 38.

Cody’s ‘story’ would finish with his victory over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. Following his victory, Rhodes received a different, but equally sentimental gift: the watch his father had sold to help pay for Rhodes to take acting lessons.

Though Cody’s story may have finished, his late father remains a driving force in his role as WWE’s leading man. Last month, Rhodes celebrated his father after an episode of SmackDown by holding the WWWF Championship in MSG, the same title that Dusty nearly won in the very same arena.

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Rhodes will be part of tomorrow’s live event, also in Tokyo, where he will defend against LA Knight, AJ Styles, and Shinsuke Nakamura. With a title match set for SummerSlam against Solo Sikoa, the American Nightmare continues to keep the spirit of his father alive as WWE’s very top Superstar.

Related: More from WWE in Japan, Meiko Satomura Returns to Action

WWE WrestleMania London: Everything We Know Right Now

Jake Skudder
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WWE WrestleMania might soon grace the iconic city of London. Recent discussions between Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, have sparked excitement and anticipation among wrestling fans.

Here’s a comprehensive look at everything we know about the potential for WrestleMania to be held in London.

WWE WrestleMania London: Sadiq Khan’s Ambitious Vision

Mayor Sadiq Khan has been vocal about his ambition to make London the “sporting capital of the world.” This vision includes hosting a variety of major international sporting events, from the Super Bowl to the Olympics, and now, WWE’s WrestleMania.

Khan’s commitment to this vision was evident in his recent meeting with Triple H, where they discussed the logistics and possibilities of bringing WWE’s flagship event to London.

In an interview with the PA news agency, Khan expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m really excited to have begun conversations about bringing international WrestleMania to London. I know there are many fans in London and across the UK and Europe who are desperate to see WrestleMania live.”

WWE’s Global Expansion

WrestleMania has of course traditionally been held in North America, with 40 of the iconic shows having taken place across the United States and two in Canada.

However, WWE has been expanding its global footprint, hosting premium live events in various countries in recent years.

Recent events have taken place in Cardiff, Glasgow, Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica, and France. This trend indicates WWE’s willingness to explore international venues for its marquee events, making London a plausible candidate for a future WrestleMania.

Read More – John Cena Stands By The Idea of London Hosting WrestleMania

WrestleMania’s Economic Impact

Hosting WrestleMania could bring significant economic benefits to London. Past events have demonstrated substantial economic impact for host cities.

For example, the Royal Rumble in St. Petersburg, Florida, generated over $47 million in economic impact, including $28 million in direct spending and nearly $3 million in taxes. Local businesses saw increases in revenue ranging from 10% to 700% compared to a typical day.

Similarly, the Clash at the Castle event in Cardiff brought over £21 million to the Welsh economy.

Given WrestleMania’s status as WWE’s largest event, it could potentially bring even greater economic benefits to London, attracting fans from across the globe and boosting local businesses.

Challenges and Considerations

While the prospects are exciting, there are challenges to consider. WWE events are typically scheduled years in advance, and the earliest available date for a London WrestleMania might be as late as 2026.

Additionally, hosting such a large-scale event requires significant financial investment, which could be a point of contention given the current economic climate.

However, the potential economic returns and the boost to London’s global profile might justify the expenditure.

Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor 2024 Live Stream: How to Watch

Jake Skudder
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Tony Khan’s Ring of Honor will be hosting Death Before Dishonor this weekend, but how can you watch the PPV on streaming?

How to Watch ROH Death Before Dishonor 2024 Live Stream

U.S. Live Stream

In the United States, ROH premium events, including Death Before Dishonor 2024, are streamed exclusively on HonorClub.

You can access the live stream by subscribing to HonorClub at WatchROH.com for $9.99 per month.

This subscription not only gives you access to live events but also a vast library of past ROH events, including the weekly Ring of Honor Wrestling series and select shows from previous years.

International Streams

For fans outside the U.S., HonorClub is also available through various platforms such as smart TVs, Roku, and Apple TV. However, availability might vary by region.

Read More: Ex-ROH Owner Cary Silkin: Tony Khan Does Not Treat The Promotion Well

ROH Death Before Dishonor 2024 Card

The event promises an electrifying lineup featuring top talent from ROH, AEW, and Japan’s Stardom. Here are some of the highlight matches:

  • Mark Briscoe (c) vs. Roderick Strong – ROH World Championship Match
  • Athena (c) vs. Queen Aminata – ROH Women’s World Championship Match
  • Wheeler Yuta (c) vs. Lee Moriarty – ROH Pure Championship Match
  • Billie Starkz (c) vs. Red Velvet – ROH Women’s World Television Championship Match
  • Atlantis Jr. (c) vs. Lio Rush vs. Shane Taylor vs. Johnny TV vs. Kyle Fletcher – ROH World Television Championship Match
  • Diamanté vs. Leyla Hirsch – Texas Deathmatch
  • Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs vs. The Dark Order

WWE SmackDown Preview (7/26): Tag Team Gauntlet

Michael Reichlin
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WWE SmackDown returns to FOX tonight at 8/7c. It’s a rare taped episode, filmed after last week’s show from Ohama, Nebraska at the CHI Health Center.

(Check out what happened after last week’s SmackDown tapings with Cody Rhodes.)

Why is SmackDown taped this week?

WWE taped tonight’s SmackDown due to the ongoing live events tour of Japan. The ‘SuperShow Summer Tour’ visits Tokyo’sRy?goku Kokugikan on Friday and Saturday night.

SmackDown Matches & Segments

Here are the matches and segments we’ll see tonight:

  • Tag Team Gauntlet Match: The winners will become the #1 contenders to DIY’s World Tag Team Championships. Participating teams include: The Street Profits, Legado Del Fantasma, The Bloodline, The OC , Baron Corbin & Apollo Crews and Pretty Deadly.
  • Tag Team Match: Tiffany Stratton & Nia Jax vs. Bayley & Michin
  • Singles Match: LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar

Plus, A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory & Grayson Waller) will host a segment with undefeated boxing champion Terrence Crawford. Crawford Crawford got physically involved on SmackDown last week by handing Cody Rhodes a chair, which he later used on Theory & Waller. No spoilers, but .. “could things get physical again?”

What happened last week?

Catch up on the Top 10 Moments from last week’s WWE SmackDown:

Trevor Lee Talks About Wanting to Wrestle for AEW

Bishal Roy
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Trevor Lee (formerly Cameron Grimes) has expressed his interest in every promotion after being released from WWE in April. However, he has specifically mentioned AEW as his possible future destination.

During K&S WrestleFest virtual signing, Lee discussed his exit from WWE. The former NXT North American Champion stated that it was all about the timing. While he believes it was unfortunate, he knows that pro wrestling never ceases. He highlighted the fact that wrestling shows take place all around the year. The former Cameron Grimes made it clear that he will be back on TV shortly.

A handful of WWE wrestlers have jumped ship to AEW in the past. There has been speculation that Lee might follow suit. He recognized how AEW has made an impact on the wrestling world since its inception in 2019 and wouldn’t rule out signing with the promotion. He said:

“I have interest in absolutely every company. But, I do have interest in AEW. Why wouldn’t I? It’s doing what they’re supposed to do and it’s shocking the culture and it’s stirring up a firestorm that is the new era of wrestling so, of course.”

What’s next for Trevor Lee?

Lee is scheduled to appear in Black Label Pro promotion for the first time. He will be making his debut for the Indiana-based promotion at BLP Old Habits Die Screaming at the Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago, Illinois on July 26. This will mark his first appearance for any promotion since his release from WWE.

Meanwhile, Elevation Pro Wrestling has also announced that Lee will appear at the promotion’s Homecoming event on July 27. 

John Cena Stands By The Idea of London Hosting WrestleMania

Bishal Roy
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WWE legend John Cena has yet again endorsed the idea of WrestleMania taking place in London.

WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque and WWE President Nick Khan recently met London Mayor Sadiq Khan at London’s City Hall. This has increased the chances of WrestleMania possibly taking place in the UK in the future. Sadiq Khan, who won re-election earlier this year, confirmed the meeting. He shared his excitement that WrestleMania could be headed to London.

Now John Cena took to his X account and weighed-in on the matter. He has backed the idea of WrestleMania coming to London and believes the city deserves to host ‘The Shows of Shows.’ The 16-time World Champion is retiring in 2025 and he said won’t be able to compete when WrestleMania goes London. However, he assured that he will attend the show as a fan. He wrote:

The city of London, and all of the UK has supported WWE thru thick and thin. I try to minimize using the word “deserve” so I will use more appropriate terms.

I’ve said it before and stand by it. In my mind London has EARNED a chance to host WrestleMania. I won’t get to compete when it happens but I will BE THERE as a fan for sure!

After waiting for several years, the UK crowd could be getting what they want. They have been vocal about hosting WrestleMania for years and the interest peaked especially after WWE Money in the Bank 2023. The London crowd were surprised when John Cena made an appearance and floated the idea of WrestleMania coming to London.

The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has also endorsed WrestleMania in the UK. Mayor Khan previously said that the city is ready to host ‘The Show of Shows. This led to Triple H wanting to meet Khan. Hunter later said that everything was on the table for future host cities of WrestleMania.

Meanwhile, John Cena announced his farewell tour before hanging up his boots. He didn’t mention when and where he would compete in his final match. However, he made it clear that next year will be his last time competing in the WWE PLEs.

Raj Dhesi (f.k.a Jinder Mahal) Doesn’t Believe ‘WWE Dropped The Ball On Him’

Bishal Roy
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Raj Dhesi (formerly Jinder Mahal in WWE) doesn’t agree with the critics who believe that WWE missed an opportunity with the wrestler.

In a TikTok video clip, the former WWE Champion reacted to a fan who said WWE “dropped the ball” on him. He explained that during his 12-year career with WWE, he was able to make the most of the opportunities. He also got to travel the world, build valuable relationships, become financially independent, and have multiple in-ring achievements.

During his time in the company, he held the WWE Championship once and won the United States Championship at WrestleMania. ‘The Modern Day Maharaja’ said that he had a great time in WWE and thanked his fans for their support. Now, he is eyeing to make a mark on the indie circuit. He said:

“So I see this comment a lot and I wanna kinda share my opinion on it. ‘WWE dropped the ball on me’ – I would say that’s not true.

“Had a very long career, 12 years in WWE. WWE Champion, won the United States Championship at WrestleMania, made a great living, really set myself up for the future, for the rest of my life. Given me a sense of financial independence where now I can just do whatever I wanna do. Freedom, flexibility, got to travel the world, build amazing relationships, a lot of good memories. And it’s gonna continue now on the independents, just doing things my way.

So WWE did not drop the ball, I had a great career, a great time, and, yeah, thank you for all the fans tuning in for all these years.”

Dhesi was released from WWE back in April and he candidly spoke about his release. The former United States Champion was one of seven former WWE wrestlers who became free agents recently. After his non-compete clause expired, Dhesi immediately made an impact on the indie scene by making a surprise appearance in GCW.

What’s next for Raj Dhesi?

Dhesi will make his in-ring debut for GCW next month. The promotion announced that Dhesi will face Effy in a singles match on August 2 at GCW Now and Forever event in Cleveland, Ohio. “The Maharaja” has also revealed the tour dates for his ‘Unhindered Tour.’ He is scheduled to make a handful of appearances in several locations across North America. Check out the schedule below.

CEO vs DMD Official for AEW All In After SDCC Altercation

Tyriece Simon
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AEW President Tony Khan has officially announced that AEW TBS Championship Mercedes Moné will defend Dr. Britt Baker, DMD, at All In on August 25. The event will occur at Wembley Stadium in London, England. While the card is still being finalized, adding Moné vs. Baker has created more anticipation for the upcoming pay-per-view.

The matchup was made after the champion and Kamille confronted Baker during an AEW panel at the San Diego Comic-Con on July 25. Baker talked about the champion and how her issues with Moné had become personal, which led to the “CEO” coming on stage to talk down to her. The “Heel” mentioned that she was surprised Baker was there because of how Kamille attacked her on the July 24 episode of Dynamite.

Baker had enough after a few more disrespectful comments and got into a shoving match with her rival. Will Ospreay and Orange Cassidy would pull them apart, and Khan announced to the fans that they would compete at the PPV.

History Of Mercedes Moné vs. Dr. Britt Baker, DMD

Since she signed with the company, AEW fans have wanted to see a dream match between Moné and Baker. The match was first teased when Baker returned to AEWxNew Japan Pro Wrestling Forbidden Door on June 30 to confront the champion. The former AEW women’s champion would have a segment on the July 3 episode of Dynamite where she would challenge the “CEO” to a title match, which Moné declined.

Moné would continue to decline a title opportunity to Baker for the next two weeks while still disrespecting her. Their feud would take a turn when Kamille debuted to attack the “Doctor” on the champion’s behalf on the July 24 episode. Khan’s decision to make the title match official finally puts the two superstars on a collision course to settle their differences at AEW’s biggest event of the year.

AEW All in 2024 Poster

Updated AEW All In Card

  • AEW World Heavyweight Championship: (C) Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson
  • AEW International Championship: (C) MJF vs. Will Ospreay
  • AEW Women’s World Championship: (C) Toni Storm vs. Mariah May
  • AEW TNT Championship: (C) Jack Perry vs. Darby Allin
  • AEW TBS Championship: (C) Mercedes Moné vs. Dr. Britt Baker, DMD

Jeff Hardy Reflects On His Past Mistakes: “I still have so much guilt and shame”

Nick Lombardi
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The last several years of former WWE Champion Jeff Hardy’s life can be described as turbulent at best and downright disastrous at worst.

While fans were delighted to see The Charismatic Enigma make a surprise return to in-ring late last month, it’s fair to say that the hardships of the last 2-3 years still weigh heavily on Jeff’s mind.

On a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, Jeff Hardy expressed shame and guilt for how his tenure at AEW turned out. Hardy had signed with the company shortly following a messy release from WWE in early 2022, but a DUI arrest in June of that year led to his indefinite suspension until his return in April 2023.

“I still have so much guilt and shame from AEW giving me an opportunity, and even Matt, to me breaking trust with my personal issues and real life.’

At the same time, Jeff Hardy also made it clear that he’s looking at his new opportunity in TNA as a chance to both redeem himself, hut also make things up to his always supportive brother Matt Hardy. The former world champion noted that he would not “break TNA’s trust”

“I want to make that up to Matt. I will say right here that I will not break TNA’s trust. That is in my past. It feels good to have somewhat of a clean slate with that stuff and start fresh instead of having that guilt and shame about what I did in a certain world of pro wrestling”.

Jeff Hardy made his official return to in-ring action when he and his brother competed on TNA IMPACT! to try and the TNA Tag Team Championships from Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards.

Prior to that, Hardy’s last previous match took place way back in February, when he went one-on-one with Sammy Guevara in a No Disqualification match. Hardy would suffer a broken nose during the match following a botched splash from Guevara, who has eventually suspended himself following the incident for “following concussion protocol.”

Drew McIntyre Deletes Photo With AEW’s Jack Perry

Dominic DeAngelo
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Drew McIntyre’s heel work has no boundaries when it comes to furthering his feud with CM Punk. The Scottish Warrior continued to wage mental war against his upcoming opponent for SummerSlam, bringing the actual Jack Perry into the mix.

Both AEW and WWE have a presence at the San Diego Comic Con this year and WWE’s side actually includes both McInytre and CM Punk. Drew sure had some cruel intentions in mind as he happened to cross paths with Perry who is just fresh off of nearly getting lit aflame at Blood & Guts the day before.

McIntyre made sure he didn’t miss getting a Kodak moment with Perry. To add further salt to the wound, Drew dipped into the words Perry had for Punk during ALL IN 2023 in his match against HOOK.

RELATED: CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre is the Only Choice to Haedline WWE Bad Blood – Inside Hell In A Cell

“It’s a real photo, cry us a river,” McIntyre wrote as he shared the photo. However, McIntyre either reconsidered his post or got word to take it down because he has removed it from his socials.

The history between Punk and Perry isn’t one of good nature as their is infamous footage behind the scenes where Punk scuffled with Perry after Jack decided to use real glass in his street fight battle with HOOK. AEW ALL IN 2023 ended up being Punk’s final appearance with the company as Tony Khan fired him the following weekend.

McIntyre will face CM Punk at SummerSlam but not without some added moderation as Seth Rollins will be the special guest referee.

RELATED: CM Punk Reportedly Looking To Restructure WWE Deal

CM Punk Reveals Vince McMahon’s Departure “Illuminated The Way” For His Return

Bishal Roy
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CM Punk has revealed that former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon’s departure from the company paved the way for his return.

‘The Second City Savior’ spoke to Denise Salcedo at San Diego Comic Con and said that Vince McMahon being out of the picture was one of the factors for his comeback to the company after a decade.

“No, because it was never a thing that I was yearning to do. There were a lot of things that had to happen for the pathway to kind of clear. The stars had to align. There had to be a full moon. A lot of dominoes fell in order for us to get here. There was a never a, ‘Man, I’d really like to go back.’

He added:

“Vince (McMahon) being out of the picture probably illuminated the way. That might have been one of the biggest things. That’s both ways, for everybody who is going to sensationalize a headline. It wasn’t me, it wasn’t him, there’s just a lot of history there. All of a sudden, one of us is removed from the equation, and I think it changed a lot of things.”

Vince McMahon had stepped down from his roles in June 2022 after it came to light that he was involved in a hush-money scandal with former WWE employees. He returned the following year as executive chairman of the TKO Group Holdings. However, he left WWE yet again earlier this year due to Janel Grant’s lawsuit which alleged abuse and trafficking.

Meanwhile, CM Punk returned to WWE last year at WWE Survivor Series and shocked the pro wrestling fraternity. During the interview, Punk also stated that he knew his surprise return would be a big deal. The former WWE Champion competed in his first WWE match in almost ten years at the 2024 Royal Rumble. Unfortunately, he suffered torn tricep during the match and has been on the shelf ever since.

The former WWE Champion is set to make his comeback at next month’s SummerSlam where he will face his arch-rival Drew McIntyre. It was also recently announced that Seth Rollins will serve as the Special Guest Referee.

London Mayor Meets With Triple H & Nick Khan to Discuss UK WrestleMania

Thomas Lowson
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A surprise meeting between WWE higher-ups and London Mayor Sadiq Khan has renewed hopes that WrestleMania could be hosted in the UK. Khan, who won re-election earlier this year, met with WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque and WWE President Nick Khan at London’s City Hall, the Daily Star reports. Mayor Khan confirmed the meeting and shared his excitement at WrestleMania coming to London.

“It’s exciting to be working with the WWE team. The meeting was really productive, and talks will continue about how we could turn our ambition into a reality.”

During his re-election campaign, Mayor Khan pledged to create a task force to encourage more international sports to the UK capital. Nick Khan added that it was “great to hear” about Khan’s “vision” for how WWE can support his plans for London.

WrestleMania in London

Fans in the UK have been rallying for a WrestleMania of their own for years, but interest in the idea skyrocketed following WWE Money in the Bank 2023. At the event, which took place in London, John Cena made a surprise appearance at the event and shared his goal to bring the Showcase of the Immortals to the city.

At a live event in Birmingham, England earlier this year, Cody Rhodes also advocated for a WrestleMania in the UK. Mere days later, Mayor Khan said the city is ready to host the WWE’s biggest annual event. This caught the attention of Levesque who told Khan “Let’s talk” and that has now happened. The Game later said that everything is on the table for future host cities of WrestleMania.

Despite WWE bringing more events overseas in recent years, WrestleMania could remain in the good ol’ U-S-of-A despite the wishes of fans. WWE President Nick Khan has stated that the company’s big four events (WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and Royal Rumble) will remain in North America for the foreseeable future. 

Vince McMahon lawyers say Janel Grant violated court order with state discovery complaint, want sanctions

BJ Bethel
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Counsel for Vince McMahon filed a four-page motion in federal district court in Connecticut on Thursday accusing Janel Grant of violating the stay in her civil suit against McMahon, World Wrestling Entertainment and John Laurinaitis.

On July 16, counsel for Grant filed a bill of discovery complaint against Peak Wellness and Dr. Carlon Colker in Connecticut. The complaint asked for medical records and other information regarding Grant when she was a patient at the clinic. The complaint accused Peak Wellness of refusing to provide Grant with electronic information, sending only paper copies of records that were incomplete.

The complaint said Peak Wellness denied Grant access to her records and had failed to provide discovery in her federal case twice during the spring. The filing claimed Grant visited the clinic under McMahon’s discretion over 60 times in a year and a half.

The Department of Justice asked the judge to stay the case in June because it could interfere with a federal grand jury investigation of McMahon that’s ongoing in the Southern District of New York.

Both McMahon and Grant’s counsel agreed to the stay, which expires in December.

“Today’s motion is in response to Ms. Grant’s flagrant violation of the federal stay order,” Jesica Taub Rosenberg, a lawyer for McMahon, said in a statement provided to SEScoops.

“After telling the federal court she would pause her lawsuit, Ms. Grant immediately violated the stay order by seeking one-sided discovery for her benefit. Her lawyer told the media that the information in the new Connecticut state action is to ‘assist in our claims in the federal action.’ We are asking the federal court to ensure the plaintiff abides by the court’s order and if she does not, that civil contempt and financial sanctions may result.”

In a statement to B.J. Bethel last week, Grant counsel Ann Callis said the filing didn’t violate the stay.

“We did not violate a federal stay by filing a state action against a non-defendant,” Callis said.

Sources familiar with the case said there was no violation since Peak Wellness and Colker aren’t defendants in the federal suit, and it was a state court action.

McMahon’s counsel is asking the federal court to temporarily lift the stay so it can file a motion accusing Grant of violating the order.

In Grant’s civil complaint, filed in January, she accused McMahon and a Peak Wellness employee of sexually assaulting her.

Pro Wrestling Fan’s Guide to the 2024 Olympics

Michael Reichlin
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The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are finally here, athletes who have been training their whole lives are about to test themselves on the world’s grandest stage. Despite pro wrestling’s staggering popularity around the globe, it’s is somehow NOT currently recognized as a sanctioned Olympic sport. Crazy. However, there are enough parallels that we think our readers who love pro wrestling can find a lot to enjoy about this year’s games.

New U.S. team: The U.S. Olympic Trials produced several first-time Olympians who will be eager to prove themselves in Paris.

Helen Maroulis going for history: The American wrestler is attempting to become the first U.S. woman to win three Olympic medals in wrestling.

New champions emerging: None of the three U.S. gold medalists from Tokyo are returning, opening up opportunities for new wrestlers to claim Olympic glory.

Hassan Yazdani’s quest for gold: The Iranian wrestler nicknamed “The Greatest” will be aiming for another gold medal in the 86kg freestyle division, with his rival David Taylor not competing.

Young stars emerging: Wrestlers like 20-year-old Kennedy Blades of the U.S. will be looking to make their mark on the Olympic stage.

Intense competition schedule: Wrestling events will run from August 5-11, featuring daily medal matches across various weight classes and styles.

Venue atmosphere: The wrestling events will take place at the Champ de Mars Arena, with the iconic Eiffel Tower as a backdrop.

Arena Champ-de-Mars
Arena Champ-de-Mars

Open heavyweight division: With 2021 champion Gable Steveson not returning, the men’s freestyle 125kg class is wide open for a new champion.

Taha Akgul’s comeback: The Turkish heavyweight who lost to Steveson in Tokyo will be looking to reclaim gold in the 125kg category.

Zhan Beleniuk’s title defense: The Ukrainian wrestler, who is also a member of Ukraine’s parliament, will attempt to defend his gold medal from Tokyo.

Team USA Paris 2024 Olympic Wrestling Team

Schedule

Mon, 8/5 through Sun, 8/11. Every single event streams live on Peacock, while select events will broadcast on the USA Network and CNBC. (Full Schedule)

Meet the Team

  • Payton Jacobson: Olympian 2024, Northern Michigan, Elkhorn, WI
  • Spencer Lee: Olympian 2024, University of Iowa, Murrysville, PA
  • Helen Maroulis: Olympian 2016, 2020, Simon Fraser University, Rockville, MD (1 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze)
  • Kayla Miracle: Olympian 2020, 2024, Campbellsville University, Bloomington, IN
  • Mason Parris: Olympian 2024, University of Michigan, Lawrenceburg, IN
  • Dominique Parrish: Olympian 2024, Simon Fraser University, Scotts Valley, CA
  • Josef Rau: Olympian 2024, Elmhurst College, Chicago, IL
  • Kamel Bey: Olympian 2024, Bellwood, IL
  • Kennedy Blades: Olympian 2024, Arizona State University, Chicago, IL
  • Aaron Brooks: Olympian 2024, Penn State University, Hagerstown, MD
  • Adam Coon: Olympian 2024, University of Michigan, Fowlerville, MI
  • Kyle Dake: Olympian 2020, Cornell University, Cornell University, NY (0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze)
  • Amit Elor: Olympian 2024, Diablo Valley College, Walnut Creek, CA
  • Sarah Hildebrandt: Olympian 2020, 2024, King University, Granger, IN (0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze)
  • Zain Retherford: Olympian 2024, Pennsylvania State University, Benton, PA
  • Kyle Snyder: Olympian 2016, 2020, Ohio State University, Silver Spring, MD

For more information, visit TeamUSA.com.

Ronda Rousey Pregnant With Second Child, Reveals Baby Bump at SDCC

Thomas Lowson
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Ronda Rousey and her husband Travis Browne are celebrating after the ex-WWE star shared that the couple is expecting their second child. Rousey shared the joyous news while attending a panel at San Diego Comic-Con hosted by fellow WWE alum Dave Bautista.

Rousey’s appearance at SDCC was to promote her graphic novel debut ‘Expecting the Unexpected.’ Ironically, the protagonist, who bears a striking resemblance of the Rousey is codenamed ‘Mom’ and uses a fake pregnancy belly to carry weapons and other tools for her role as a hitman. The new comic is penned by Rousey, edited by Axel Alonso of AWA Comics, and has art from Mike Deodato, Jr. (Avengers, Not All Robots, The Flash.) A Kickstarter to support the project has already reached over $6,000 in donations.

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The Baddest Mom On The Planet

Rousey and Browne, also a UFC alum, married in 2017 and welcomed their first child La’akea Makalapuaokalanip? into the world in September 2021. Rousey is also a stepmom to two of Browne’s sons from a previous marriage.

The former WWE Raw & SmackDown Women’s Champion has made no secret of her desire to be a mom. Following her loss at WrestleMania 35 in 2019, Rousey embarked on a multi-year hiatus from wrestling, during which she gave birth to La’akea. She returned as part of the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble match mere months after giving birth and won the 30-woman contest.

More recently, Rousey has shared her desire to have a large family. When asked by Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated about a potential UFC return, Rousey made clear her family plans take precedence.

“I want to have a whole basketball team full of kids, I can’t take any more detours. I’ve always wanted to be a mom with a lot of kids.

Rousey may still be a few players short of a basketball team, but the Baddest Woman On The Planet will soon become a mother yet again. We here at SE Scoops would like to offer our congratulations to Ronda and her family at this joyous time.

Related: Ronda Rousey Memoir Coming to Netflix, Fighter To Write Screenplay

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