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AEW WrestleDream: 6 Matches, Updated Card for 10/12

Michael Reichlin
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Here’s the updated match card for next weekend’s second annual AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view event:

1. AEW World Championship: Bryan Danielson (c) vs. Jon Moxley.

2. AEW International Championship: Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay (c) vs. Konosuke Takeshita.

3. TNT Championship: Jack Perry (c) vs. Katsuyori Shibata.

4. Open Challenge by Darby Allin.

5. ROH World Championship: Mark Briscoe (c) vs. Chris Jericho.

6. ROH World TV Championship: Atlantis (c) vs. Brian Cage.

AEW Wrestledream 2024 will be held on Saturday, October 12, and broadcast live on pay-per-view.

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WWE’s Tiffany Stratton Wants To Tag Team With Sabrina Carpenter

Thomas Lowson
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With Nia Jax by her side, Tiffany Stratton has proven to be a force to be reckoned with ever since she joined WWE’s main roster earlier this year. As Miss Money in the Bank, Stratton’s future in WWE already looks incredibly bright, and could that future see her team with Sabrina Carpenter?

Speaking on the Sore Losers podcast, Stratton shared that she wants to team with Carpenter, given that many people think they look so much alike.

“I’m trying to hit up my girl Sabrina Carpenter, apparently everyone thinks that we look alike so, I would love to meet her and hangout with her. [If she wants to wrestle her] No, I think we’d be more of a tag team.”

In August, Carpenter’s Short ‘n Sweet album produced Espresso and Please, Please, Please, two of the 25-year-old’s most popular hit songs. Carpenter recently appeared at the VMAs, where she descended to the stage atop a glittery swing and sang Please, Please, Please.

Musicians And Wrestling

Sabrina Carpenter hasn’t competed for WWE yet, but if she does step into the ring, she couldn’t be the first to get physical. In the 1980s, Cyndi Lauper’s involvement with the WWF helped launch the ‘Rock ‘n Wrestling Connection’ and she would hit Fabulous Moolah with a purse during a match during 1984’s Brawl to End It All on MTV.

In 2002, Toby Keith suplexed Jeff Jarrett during the debut edition of NWA: TNA, in a huge moment for the new company. More recently, Bad Bunny wowed fans with his skills in the ring which saw him compete in the 2022 Men’s Royal Rumble and defeat Damian Priest at WWE Backlash in 2023. With those stars in mind, Carpenter has some big shoes to fill if she does team with Stratton, and stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from Miss Money in the Bank.

Spoilers: Inaugural WWE Women’s Speed Champion Crowned

Anutosh Bajpai
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WWE began a tournament to crown the new Speed Women’s Champion last month and now the name that becomes the inaugural champion has been revealed.

The company taped the finals of the Speed Women’s tournament alongside this week’s episode of SmackDown from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

They first taped the Semifinal match between Kairi Sane and Candice LeRae in which the latter picked up the victory and made her way into the finals for the match against IYO SKY.

The former member of The Way faction was able to defeat SKY as well and she was crowned the first-ever Women’s Speed Champion:

WWE Speed On X

The concept of WWE Speed was introduced back in April this year in partnership with X. The program airing on the social media platform sees stars from all three brands competing against each other in matches that have a 5-minute time limit.

The inaugural Speed champion was determined with a tournament that ran from April 3 to May 3. Former WWE star Ricochet was crowned the inaugural champion on the men’s side after he defeated Johnny Gargano in the finals.

The Women’s Speed championship was first announced by Triple H in early August. A tournament featuring names such as Naomi, Lyra Valkyria, Blair Davenport, Piper Niven and more began on September 4.

The speed title is the first singles championship for Candice LeRae in WWE. The only other championship she has held in the company is the NXT Women’s Tag Team title with Indi Hartwell.

AEW Talent Misclassification Lawsuit Reveals $60MM in Talent Payments and Potential Reclassification Costs

Michael Reichlin
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New reporting from POST Wrestling’s John Pollack and Brandon Thurston (Wrestlenomics) on the independent contractor misclassification lawsuit against AEW provide a rare look into AEW’s talent expenditures and the significant financial implications of potentially reclassifying their wrestling and non-wrestling talent as employees.

The Lawsuit

Former AEW announcer Kevin Kelly and The Tate Twins have filed a lawsuit against All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and others, alleging defamation and breach of contract following their departures from the company. Central to the case is a challenge to AEW’s classification of its talent as independent contractors rather than employees. The plaintiffs aim to void the arbitration clauses in their contracts and seek class-action certification for the lawsuit. Kevin Kelly’s attorney, Stephen P. New, has been outspoken in advocating for reform in the pro wrestling industry regarding talent classification.

AEW’s Response and Legal Maneuvers

AEW is actively working to move the case to federal court. As the legal battle unfolds, the lawsuit brings to light previously undisclosed details about AEW’s talent compensation and the financial burdens the company would face if forced to reclassify its talent as employees.

Talent Compensation and Financial Insights

Over a two-year period, AEW paid 290 individuals, including both wrestlers and non-wrestling talent, more than $60 million under independent contractor agreements. This breaks down to an average of $207,000 per individual, though compensation likely varies widely, with top stars commanding multi-million-dollar contracts.

If AEW were required to reclassify its talent as employees, the company would face significant financial obligations beyond current payouts. AEW would be liable for a 9.95% tax, totaling over $5.97 million, and would incur additional employee benefits costs of $18,125 per individual annually—resulting in approximately $5.26 million in yearly expenses.

Legal and Financial Implications

Beyond taxes and benefits, AEW would also need to cover legal fees, estimated at about 30%, leading to projected expenses of $14.59 million. This sum substantially exceeds the $5 million threshold established by the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA), which allows for federal jurisdiction, which may be perceived as more favorable to defendants.

For further analysis of the AEW misclassification lawsuit:

AJ Styles Returns on SmackDown, ‘Hospitalized’ With Ankle Injury

Michael Reichlin
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AJ Styles returns to WWE SmackDown, his first appearance since saying the words “I Quit” in his match against Cody Rhodes at Clash at the Castle back in June. Styles said that we may never see him again if he quit, but he’s back and received a warm reception from the crowd.

The multi-time World Champion said he missed the fans so much, and it’s only fitting that he returned in Nashville, where it all started for him in the business. He regrets a lot of his conduct, but he’s here to rebuild his legacy. Styles declared that SmackDown is still “The house that AJ Styles Built” and was interrupted by Carmelo Hayes.

Hayes said he’s a big fan of old-timers like Styles, but said he’s better suited for a Legends contract at this stage in his career. Hayes continued talking himself up and said he deserves a shot at the United States Championship, held by one LA Knight. Styles said he’s familiar with the champ. Styles challenged Hayes, but it wasn’t accepted. They continued talking trash back-and-forth until LA Knight’s music hit and he hit the stage.

Knight acknowledged his history with Styles, and said he made a liar of himself by teasing a retirement and then showing up in Nashville. Knight will grant MELO a shot at the title if he can get through AJ Styles on SmackDown.

AJ Styles vs. Carmelo Hayes

Styles and Hayes had a competitive match that was stopped due to injury after Styles appeared to land awkwardly on his leg after a backflip off the ropes. Styles sold the injury as he left the ringside area. While Carmelo Hayes was in the ring watching his opponent hobble off, he was blindsided and laid out by LA Knight.

AJ Styles Injury Update

Later in the show, AJ Styles was shown in a pre-recorded segment getting checked out by a doctor. Michael Cole said that Styes has been transported to a local medical facility for further evaluation. We’ll provide an update when it becomes clear if this is a legitimate injury or not.

Found Footage From WWE Bad Blood ’97 and the First ‘Hell In a Cell’

Andrew Ravens
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WWE is bringing back the Bad Blood event for an upcoming PLE this Saturday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA, and has now released lost footage of the inaugural event. 

WWE is reintroducing this theme to celebrate the anniversary of the very first Hell in a Cell match, which took place on October 5, 1997. The match featured The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, marking Kane’s debut.

Kane made his way down to the ring after multiple week teases of his impending arrival on television by Paul Bauer. Kane laid out his brother after a long staredown with a tombstone, allowing Michaels to go over. 

WWE Vault released footage of welders putting together the structure, an infamous promo by The Undertaker, and clips of Kane’s arrival. This match changed the course of history and served as the launching pad for the Kane character, who went on to have a 20+ year career. 

There is also footage of when WWE revived Bad Blood in 2003 for a Hell in a Cell match between Triple H and Kevin Nash, with Mick Foley as the special guest referee for the World Heavyweight Championship main event. The event also saw Goldberg take on Chris Jericho. 

The previous time it was used was the following year when Triple H faced Shawn Michaels in another Hell in a Cell match as the main event. You can check it out below: 

Artem Chigvintsev Seeking Protective Order Against Nikki Garcia

Thomas Lowson
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On August 29, 2024, Artem Chigvintsev was arrested over alleged felony corporal injury, but the Napa County District Attorney later decided that he would not face charges. In September, Garcia filed for divorce, ending the couple’s two-year marriage, and now Chigvintsev has filed a protective order against the WWE Hall of Famer.

In a statement shared with The New York Post, Chigvintsev denies being the “primary aggressor” on the day of his arrest. Instead, he claims that he was arrested after Garcia lied to the authorities in an act that seriously harmed his public standing.

“As a result of his wife’s self-serving statement, Mr. Chigvintsev’s career suffered, with numerous opportunities being canceled due to these false allegations. Men can also be victims of domestic violence; Mr. Chigvintsev’s case highlights this reality. He was not the primary aggressor.”

Chigvintsev also included photos in his complaint, which allegedly show some of the physical harm he experienced by Garcia.

Chigvintsev 3 1
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Incident at Breakfast

Both Garcia and Chigvintsev acknowledge that an incident happened over breakfast during the morning of August 29, though each side tells a different story. In his complaint, Chigvingsev claims that Garcia criticized him for not having their child’s breakfast and packed lunch prepared and complained that their son’s muffin was not toasted enough.

“She continued saying that she does everything, and I don’t help, which is absolutely false… [Garcia] completely lost it and started screaming ‘get the f**k out of my house, I am sick of all of it, I had enough.'”

In Garcia’s telling of things, Chigvintsev had become “increasingly angry, snapping at me, and yelling” after discovering he would not be returning for Dancing With The Stars‘ 33rd season. Chigvintsev got angry at Garcia over how their son Matteo’s English Muffin was toasted, claiming she had turned the four-year-old into a “picky eater.”

The former WWE Superstar has claimed that Chigvintsev “tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present” in court documents viewed by TMZ. She adds that she grabbed at Chigvintsev’s neck to get him off her. Garcia has said that she was holding Matteo before Artem grabbed the child and barricaded himself in a room, a claim Chigvintsev called “a complete LIE.”

What’s to Come?

Per the court order granting Chigvintsev’s restraining order request, the couple will share joint custody of their son with “reasonable daily FaceTime contact between the child and non-custodial parent.” A judge has also declared that “neither parent shall make negative statements about the other in the presence of hearing of the child.” Similarly, neither Garcia nor Chigvintsev can question Matteo about the other parent. Both parties will be in court on October 21, for a hearing to consider their requests.

WWE Bad Blood 2024 Rumors: The Rock, Bloodline and more

Jake Skudder
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WWE Bad Blood 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated wrestling events of the year. Set to take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia, this revival of a classic pay-per-view has fans buzzing with excitement and speculation. 

As we approach the big night, let’s dive into the swirling rumors and what fans can expect from this electrifying event.

The Rock’s Potential Return

One of the hottest rumors surrounding WWE Bad Blood 2024 is the potential return of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Speculation has reached fever pitch after a conversation between Cody Rhodes and Pat McAfee hinted at a “big guy” making a comeback at the event.

Implications for The Bloodline

If The Rock does make his grand return, it could have massive implications for The Bloodline storyline. Fans are eagerly anticipating how his presence might shake up the ongoing civil war within the faction. 

Could we see The Rock aligning with Roman Reigns, or will he stand against his cousin? It’s very much more likely that he’ll be going against Reigns and we’ll be getting something major at either Crown Jewel or Survivor Series.

Main Event Shakeup

The main event for WWE Bad Blood 2024 seemingly undergone a last-minute change, adding to the intrigue surrounding the show.

Originally slated to feature a Hell in a Cell match between Drew McIntyre and CM Punk, the headline bout will now see Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns teaming up against members of The Bloodline.

Read More – WWE Bad Blood 2024 Match Order Leaked: The latest rumors

Surprise Appearances

WWE has a history of delivering shocking moments at its premium live events, and Bad Blood 2024 is expected to be no exception. Several WWE legends are rumored to be in Atlanta for the event, including Scott Steiner, Rick Steiner, Diamond Dallas Page, and members of the original Four Horsemen.

Looking Ahead: Crown Jewel Implications

Cody Rhodes has hinted that events at Bad Blood 2024 will have significant implications for the upcoming Crown Jewel event.

A mysterious video package or vignette is set to play during the show, potentially setting up major title matches for the future.

Mercedes Moné Praises “Crazy Genius” Vince McMahon

Andrew Ravens
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Mercedes Mone was just one of many who watched the Vince McMahon docuseries on Netflix. The top AEW star did so through with a blunt and wine. 

A week after the docuseries’s release, Mone has seen all six episodes of the widely discussed series and gave her thoughts about them in the latest edition of the Mone Mag. While excited to watch it, she felt a little disappointed and didn’t feel like there was too much new for her to learn about McMahon. She then proceeded to look back on her time working for McMahon. 

“I’ll say this, as I watched, I couldn’t believe that I got to work for Vince, what a crazy genius he is, and how he really elevated wrestling to a whole stratosphere. He created a universe fans have enjoyed for decades and still do. He made wrestling larger than life. He did it all, and he tried it all. And he failed so many times, too. Where the business is at today is all because of him and his ideas. And that’s what I really liked it.”

Mone proceeded to tell a behind-the-scenes story about her former boss and noted that he admitted he was wrong in one instance. 

“This should probably be a Moné Memory, but while we’re on the subject of TV tapings, behind the scenes, and Vince McMahon, I remember one time I had a storyline and match with Nia Jax. During the match, Vince accidentally called over the headset for the referee to ring the bell. And it was way too early. We were confused, but we played along.”

She continued, “When I got backstage, I remember going to Triple H and being like, what the hell just happened? Triple H explained it was an accident and, playfully, told me to go and confront Vince. So I did. Vince admitted he was wrong and then shared a laugh about it.”

Due to a creative disagreement with McMahon, Mercedes left WWE in May 2022 and later got her release before going to NJPW. She signed with AEW this past March. 

Kayla Braxton: WWE Got Way Better When Triple H Took Over

Bishal Roy
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Kayla Becker (formerly Kayla Braxton in WWE) recently shared her working experience with WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H.

Becker recently parted ways with WWE and her last appearance took place at the iconic Madison Square Garden. This ended her eight-year run with the company. She also worked with the company when Vince McMahon was at the helm.

Speaking with Denise Salcedo of Instinct Culture, Kayla drew a comparison of working under the regimen of Vince McMahon and Triple H. She even labeled Triple H brilliant and detailed how it was different working under him. She said:

“It was very different working under Triple H. I’m so glad I got to work under him the way I did before I left because that was like he changed things for the best in so many ways. It was just a more pleasant place to come to work. People were just less stressed and high-strung, and you were having a lot of fun because he was having a lot of fun with us. But anytime there’s change, and there’s different management, it’s not easy either because I had worked so long under Vince, and Vince was the person I had to go to for everything. So I learned to do things a very specific way. So all of that did really change.”

Kayla further said that under Triple H, WWE will continue to grow. She praised how the product has been modernizing and how people from different fields are eager to be a part of the company. She said:

“It was hard. I mean, as you know, the broadcast team kind of shifted around, and none of us really knew where we were supposed to be. I stopped doing the kickoff shows towards the end of my time in WWE. So I think with a lot of that figuring it out and growing pains — Triple H is just a brilliant mind, and I have no doubts things are going to continue escalating in the best way, and modernizing the product, making it more something that people who may not know about WWE, now want to be a part of WWE because it doesn’t look like it’s from 1984.”

Kayla recently landed her first movie project, ‘Stranglehold,’ a comedy-thriller from filmmaker Clark Duke and Yale Productions. The cast includes Ashley Benson, Jake Lacy, Justin Long, and Ron Perlman.

Martha Hart Weighs In On Netflix’s McMahon Docuseries

Bishal Roy
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Martha Hart, widow of WWE legend Owen Hart recently claimed that she was not contacted for Vince McMahon’s six-part docuseries, ‘Mr. McMahon’ and she has criticized Vince’s remarks on Owen’s death.

The docuseries captured the life and career of the former WWE Chairman. During the series, Owen Hart’s tragic death at WWE Over The Edge 1999 was discussed. Hart’s rappel malfunctioned and he fell 78 ft. He landed chest-first on the top rope and passed away. Vince McMahon had infamously continued the show despite the tragic accident which drew massive flak. During the documentary, Vince defended his decision to continue the show, saying “people came to see a show.”

Owen’s widow Martha Hart spoke to Daily Hive and criticized Vince’s comments on Owen’s death. She further revealed that she was not contacted for the documentary. She said:

“Netflix’s Mr. McMahon documentary series portrays the death of my husband, Owen Hart, as a mere accident. It also allows the disgraced former owner and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Vince McMahon, to claim that Owen’s death ‘wasn’t our fault.’ Nothing could be further from the truth.

To be clear, no one involved in the making of this documentary attempted to contact me for comment or to obtain an accurate perspective. I continue to hold WWE and its then-management responsible for Owen’s death. I refuse to let Vince McMahon or anyone else rewrite that history. Instead, I remain focused on honouring Owen’s legacy through the charitable good work of the Owen Hart Foundation and via the AEW Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.”

Martha has bashed WWE for being negligent in the tragic incident but McMahon has blamed an equipment malfunction. Owen Hart’s widow stated that WWE’s negligence and hiring of unqualified riggers led to Owen’s death.

“What the documentary fails to mention is that the equipment used was never meant for a rappelling stunt,” she said. “Instead, a harness meant for dragging stunt people behind cars on movie shoots was used with a sailboat clip meant to release on load with only six pounds of pressure. Had the WWE hired qualified riggers who followed proper protocol that included redundancy, as is typical practice, and used the correct equipment, Owen would not have died that night.”

Martha Hart runs The Owen Hart Foundation which is a Calgary-based charity that provides university/college scholarships for needy children as well as housing for low-income families. In 2021, AEW started the Owen Hart Cup tournament, honoring the legacy of Owen Hart in collaboration with The Owen Hart Foundation. Martha Hart, the founder and director of the charity, has also made a handful of appearances in the promotion.

Nia Jax: WWE Release Helped “Restore My Passion for Wrestling”

Bishal Roy
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WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax has explained why getting released from the company was the best thing that happened to her.

‘The Irresistible Force’ was let go from the company in 2021. However, she returned to the company stronger than ever as part of last year’s Women’s Royal Rumble match. Her full-time return took place in September and since then she has been thriving.

Speaking with Cathy Kelley on WWE YouTube channel, Jax talked about her release and how it helped her to restore her passion and love for the sport. She said:

“It was probably the best thing that ever happened to me At first, yes, it was difficult to sit there and realize that I won’t be out there entertaining everybody, on the road and enjoying the travels. It actually helped restore my passion and love for wrestling. I felt like I was starting to lose a little bit of the ‘why?’”

Jax has able to showcase the best version of her herself since her return and believes that she needed that time off. She explained:

“I tell people all the time it was one of the best things that happened to me. I felt like I reset Nia Jax. Now, I’m the best Nia Jax ever. I’m only getting better. I needed to take that little bit of time off and find myself again.”

Ever since Nia Jax has returned to the company, she has had quite a run. She has been involved in feuds with some top stars of the women’s division including Liv Morgan, Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley. The powerhouse won the Queen of the Ring and went on to become the WWE Women’s Championship by defeating Bayley at WWE SummerSlam. This win marked her first singles title win since 2018. She is now set to defend her title against Bayley at WWE Bad Blood which takes place on Saturday, October 5th.

WWE Bad Blood 2024 Match Order Leaked: The latest rumors

Jake Skudder
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As WWE Bad Blood 2024 approaches, wrestling fans are buzzing with excitement and speculation about the highly anticipated event. Set to take place on Saturday, October 5, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, this pay-per-view promises to deliver intense action and potentially game-changing moments ahead of the Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia this November.

Let’s dive into the latest rumors surrounding the match order and what fans can expect from this thrilling night of professional wrestling.

Read More – WWE Bad Blood 2024 Odds: Favorites Revealed Ahead of PLE

The Rumored Match Order

According to a recent rumored leak from an internal production listing, the following match order is expected for WWE Bad Blood 2024.

  1. Hell in a Cell: CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre
  2. WWE Women’s Championship: Nia Jax (c) vs. Bayley
  3. Damian Priest vs. Finn Bálor
  4. Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley (with Dominik Mysterio in a Shark Cage)
  5. Main Event: Roman Reigns & Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu

Breaking Down the Card

Opening with a Bang: Hell in a Cell

The event is rumored to kick off with the highly anticipated Hell in a Cell match between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre. This brutal encounter is expected to set the tone for the entire night, showcasing the intense rivalry between these two superstars. With most fan predictions favoring CM Punk, fans are eagerly anticipating a potential victory for the former AEW Champion.

Title Matches in the Middle

The middle of the card features two championship bouts. First, Nia Jax defends her WWE Women’s Championship against Bayley, witg predictions leaning towards Jax retaining her title. 

Following this, Liv Morgan puts her Women’s World Championship on the line against Rhea Ripley in a match that adds an intriguing twist with Dominik Mysterio suspended above the ring in a shark cage.

Building Tension: Priest vs. Bálor

The singles match between Damian Priest and Finn Bálor is positioned strategically to build tension before the main event.

This clash between former Judgment Day allies is expected to be a hard-hitting affair, with predictions favoring Priest to emerge victorious.

Read More – WWE Bad Blood 2024 Start Time: US, Australia, Europe and more

Main Event: Unlikely Allies vs. The New Bloodline

The night is set to culminate in a tag team match featuring the unlikely pairing of Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes against Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. 

This main event is shrouded in uncertainty, as fans speculate about potential betrayals and surprises that could unfold.

Details On AEW’s Projected 2025 Profits Under New WBD Deal

Thomas Lowson
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This week, AEW confirmed a new multi-year multimedia rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, the culmination of lengthy discussions between the two sides. Starting in 2025, AEW pay-per-views will be available on Max at a discounted rate per event while Dynamite and Collision will continue to air in their current time slots on TBS and TNT.

Variety initially reported that the deal is valued at upwards of $150 million per year, though this number appears to be conservative. Dave Meltzer reports that the deal is actually worth $555 million over three years, or approximately $185 million annually, not including revenue from PPV events.

AEW is estimated to earn $95 million in additional revenue from the deal, Meltzer adds, which would leave AEW within a profit window of between $61 million to $76 million in 2025. It’s added that this window could be slightly lower if attendance, merchandise sales, or pay-per-view sales decline in the coming years.

In recent years, AEW has seen a worrying record of declining attendance figures, though has a reason for sticking with large arenas. Similarly, AEW has seen a fall in its ratings, with this week’s fifth anniversary of Dynamite seeing a drop from last week’s episode (702,000 to 680,000 according to PW Torch) despite a stacked card including multiple title matches.

It’s worth considering that these are estimated figures, and since AEW is not a publicly traded company, they are under no obligation to disclose their real numbers. Nevertheless, these figures certainly paint a bright future for AEW, Tony Khan, and the company’s roster of talented individuals.

Update On Taz Being Removed From AEW TV As Fans Consider Suspects

Thomas Lowson
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AEW Dynamite celebrated its fifth anniversary this week but while many of the company’s biggest personalities were around, Taz wasn’t among them. Mere hours before the show went live, it was reported that Taz had been attacked in a parking lot, leaving fans uncertain when he might return to his role behind the commentary desk. With the ECW legend temporarily out of commission, Nigel McGuinness stepped in to join Tony Schiavone and Excalibur.

The Human Suplex Machine was written off of TV so that he can undergo full knee replacement surgery as his knees have been bad “for years,” Dave Meltzer reports. Taz has suggested in the past that he needed the surgery but kept pushing it off to focus on his commitments. On X, Taz vowed that whoever attacked him had payback coming their way.

In another tweet, Taz said “Those guys got me good,” implying that he may have been assaulted by multiple assailants.

During Dynamite, an angry, emotional HOOK also vowed to get vengeance for his father.

It hasn’t taken long for fans to point the finger of suspicion at potential attackers. Suspects so far include Christian Cage, who’s segment aired immediately after HOOK, Nigel McGuinness, who was able to commentate in Taz’s absence, and even HOOK himself.

https://twitter.com/TJArcherMN/status/1841653132863971510

The AEW fanbase has a new mystery on their hands as it remains to be seen which person or persons is revealed to have attacked Taz. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the Human Suplex Machine and the search for his assailant.

Will Ospreay & Ricochet Respond To Backlash To Their Dynamite Match

Thomas Lowson
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On the fifth anniversary of AEW Dynamite, International Champion Will Ospreay faced Ricochet, eight years on from their NJPW Best of the Super Juniors showdown. With expectations astronomically high given their previous encounter, Ricochet and Ospreay held nothing back this week, but this match has come under serious criticism.

On Twitter/X, some fans lambasted the match, arguing that their highly athletic, choreographed spots don’t equate to real pro wrestling. Responding on social media, Ospreay, who’s been eager for the match for months, said that all the feedback the match has received only helps himself and Ricochet grow.

Will Ospreay’s Reaction

Ricochet’s Reaction

Ricochet had a more direct approach to dealing with critics of the match.

While the match had its detractors, countless fans loved seeing the two high-flyers back in the ring, proving that there’s more than one form of wrestling that fans can enjoy. Part of AEW’s appeal is that it has various types of wrestling, from the violent brawling of Jon Moxley to the technical wizardry of Bryan Danielson. In the company, Ospreay and Ricochet provide some of the most impressive high-flying maneuvers, with both men earning massive fanbases because of it.

Those who did enjoy the match will get to see Ospreay and Rack back in action again next week. As their match was cut short by Konosuke Takeshita, a triple threat for the title was announced for AEW WrestleDream on October 12.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from AEW WrestleDream, including live results and breaking news.

Austin Theory Reveals Viral Jelly Roll Moment Was His Idea

Anutosh Bajpai
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Austin Theory has revealed that his viral SummerSlam 2024 moment with Jelly Roll was part of his own idea.

The former US Champion recently had an interview with Battleground podcast. He talked about things such as his partnership with Greyson Waller, how the creative approach has changed in Triple H regime, and more.

During the interview, Theory was asked about the company trusting him with celebrity moments such as the segment with The Rock or his SummerSlam encounter with Jelly Roll. Talking about the latter, Austin Theory revealed that it was actually his idea for the rap star to give him a chokeslam during their interaction:

“Speaking of the Jelly Roll situation, it wasn’t going to be a choke slam. I heard little ideas of—maybe a choke slam or this—but I think a scoop slam was actually gonna be what it was. I remember being in the ring with everybody and going to Triple H, being like, ‘Hey, just trust me on this. Let him give me a choke slam; I’ll make it look amazing. All he has to do is put his arm up.’ Sure enough man, we went out there, and it looked amazing. It trended like crazy; it was all over the place.”

Not One Other Place I’d Ever Go: Austin Theory

While some other people would take being booked in spots like these negatively, Austin Theory keeps a positive mindset. According to him, his focus is always on what the company needs from him because it’s the place he’s always wanted to be in:

“But it’s just understanding that job, of what you need to do that night. I think always understanding why I’m doing something—ok is this gonna help this. Is this what we’re trying to do for the company right now and the position they’re putting me in—And I’m just, I’m all in. I’m never like, ‘Ah,’ or disappointed in stuff like that.

I have a huge opportunity; I got a moment. It’s the WWE— it’s the place I’ve wanted to be my entire life. There’s not one other place I’d ever go. This is it. So, I’m locked in, man. So whatever the opportunity is at the moment, or whoever the guy is—it doesn’t matter if it’s The Rock or Jelly Roll—it doesn’t matter. I’m all in.”

Austin Theory and Greyson Waller are scheduled to compete at the upcoming October 8 episode of NXT. They will challenge Nathan Frazer & Axiom for the NXT Tag Team Championships.

Bad Blood 2024 Listed On Netflix Brazil Ahead Of WWE Raw Move

Thomas Lowson
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In January 2025, WWE Raw will begin streaming on Netflix as part of a lucrative decade-long deal estimated to be in the ballpark of $5 billion. For those outside the U.S. they will also receive SmackDown, WWE NXT, and Premium Live Events, but this weekend’s Bad Blood will be WWE’s first Netflix PLE according to a recent listing.

WWE Bad Blood 2025 is slated to air on Netflix in Brazil this Saturday at 7:00 PM Brasilia Standard Time. While this is the case for Netflix in Brazil, the show will not air on the streaming juggernaut in other countries in South America. WWE has yet to publicly promote Bad Blood for Netflix in Brazil.

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WWE Bad Blood 2024

WWE’s fourth Bad Blood event will take place on October 5, from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, and like its predecessors, will feature a Hell in a Cell match. The full card for the show is as follows:

  • CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre (Hell in a Cell Match)
  • Nia Jax (c) vs. Bayley (WWE Women’s Championship)
  • Damian Priest vs. Finn Bálor
  • Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley (WWE Women’s World Championship. Dominik Mysterio will be suspended above the ring in a shark cage)
  • Cody Rhodes & Roman Reigns vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu)

With a stacked card and the supposed return of ‘The Big Guy,’ WWE Bad Blood 2024 will be an exciting show for fans to check out around the world. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from WWE Bad Blood including breaking news and live results.

Austin Theory Says New WWE Creative Is ‘Very Hands On’

Anutosh Bajpai
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Austin Theory says the new WWE regime is allowing wrestlers to be truly creative with their characters.

A number of WWE stars have spoken positively about the creative changes from Vince McMahon to Triple H regime. Names such as Becky Lynch, Randy Orton and Sami Zayn have explained that the new regime is thinking months in advance and they have long-term plans for everything that you see on TV.

Another aspect of this conversation is allowing talent to have input in their own characters. Austin Theory spoke up about it during an interview with Battlegrounds podcast, saying that the creative process now is very hands-on:

“I would have to say, man, with the creative process now, it’s very hands-on. There’s a lot of opportunity for us superstars to make tweaks, make changes, have our own ideas and them not be shut down; them actually having the opportunity to be looking at and say, ‘Well, maybe we could go somewhere with this.’ Or, ‘Ah, that’s not really the plan, but that might have something to it.’

So, it’s very hands-on, but it’s also very, it being the creative – it’s very creative for all of us. Because we’re all being able to create. When it comes to what we do as sports entertainers, professional wrestlers, is showing our art. So, that creativity is so important for us to have in our own hands. And I feel that way now that we do have it.

Austin Theory is currently involved in a tag team with Greyson Waller. The duo known as A Town Down Under previously won the SmackDown tag team championship which was renamed to the WWE Tag Team Championship during their reign.

Waller and Theory are scheduled to compete at the upcoming October 8 episode of NXT. They will challenge Nathan Frazer & Axiom for the NXT Tag Team Championships.

Kendo Nagasaki On Beating Andre the Giant First – Hogan Came After Me

Thomas Lowson
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With his massive frame and larger-than-life personality, Andre the Giant was a true spectacle in wrestling and worked with some of the top names in wrestling. At WrestleMania 3, Hulk Hogan beat Andre the Giant, allegedly shattering a 15-year undefeated streak of the Frenchman, but Andre had already tasted defeat before.

Speaking to The Sun Sport, Peter Thornley, better known as British wrestling legend Kendo Nagasaki, spoke about his experiences working with Andre. Thorney shared that he was the first wrestler to beat the Giant long before Hogan and Andre stepped in the ring.

“I was the first wrestler to ever beat André the Giant… before any American wrestler ever beat him. All of them, like [Hulk] Hogan, came after I beat him.”

Andre was ‘green’ a term used for inexperienced wrestlers, when he first came to the United Kingdom, according to Thornley. Due to Andre’s lack of training, the pair spent much of their match in a bear hug before Thornley got the win.

“Eventually, I got out of it, body-slammed him, and pinned him. That was the end of it. We only went two and a half rounds, and that was the first time he was beaten.”

Thornley, as Nagasaki, didn’t just score an upset victory over Andre, but earned three wins over the Giant in 1969. In the interview, Thornley admitted to feeling bad about being the first man to give Andre a loss, adding that he was never billed quite the same in the United Kingdom following these defeats.

Andre the Giant would tragically die young in 1993 and became the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. Today, Andre’s legacy continues to be celebrated in WWE with the annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal that takes place on the eve of WrestleMania. While Hulk Hogan may be known as the Frenchman’s most legendary opponent, it was a wrestler very much unlike the bleach-blond bronzed Adonis who holds the distinction of handing Andre his first defeat.

Update On Sammy Guevara After Being Stretchered Out Of ROH Tapings

Anutosh Bajpai
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Both Sammy Guevara and indie wrestler Kelly Madan seem to be doing well after being stretchered out of the latest ROH tapings before the Dynamite anniversary show.

Guevara was knocked out after delivering a cutter to Serpentico during their match. There were serious concerns among colleagues and the management about his well-being after the incident.

Though PWTorch is reporting that the former TNT Champion was seen walking around on his own backstage after being treated and evaluated. Anyone who didn’t know about his match, wouldn’t have guessed about it.

Independent star Kelly Madan also found herself in a similar situation. She was knocked out during her match with Lady Frost last night in Pittsburgh.

Madan was taken to the Peterson Events Center next door after being stretchered out of the arena. Per PWinsider, the word-making round among AEW talents was that she suffered a concussion but was coherent and alert last night. She did not suffer any other injuries.

It’s worth noting that concussion symptoms can appear within a few days of the injury so it’s likely that both the stars will be kept away from action for a while for further evaluation.

Fans would remember Adam Cole dealing with some scary symptoms that developed a month after his Forbidden Door 2022 concussion that kept him out of action for almost 9 months.

SEScoops wishes a speedy recovery to both the wrestling stars.

Nikki Garcia Gets Restraining Order Against Husband Artem Chigvintsev

Anutosh Bajpai
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  • Caution – The following article contains details of a domestic violence incident

Former WWE star Nikki ‘Bella’ Garcia filed a restraining order against husband Artem Chigvintsev this past Monday after the latter’s domestic violence arrest back on August 29.

According to TMZ, Nikki submitted a sworn declaration to the court revealing details of the alleged domestic violence incident and the judge signed off on the order. Nikki explained that Artem grew ‘increasingly angry’ after learning that he won’t be part of the new season of Dancing With The Stars and he snapped at her.

On the morning of the incident, Artem snapped at Nikki over the fact that their son’s English muffin should be toasted. He screamed that the retired wrestling star had made their son a ‘picky eater.’ The incident escalated from there and according to Garcia, Chigvintsev “tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present.”

Overwhelmed by the yelling, Nikki threw their son’s toddler-sized shoes toward Artem which hit his leg. Though she argues that the light shoes could not have hurt him. Artem then grabbed Mattero and ran upstairs and when she tried to get into the room, Artem grabbed her arm and held her on the ground for about 30 seconds.

The Russian Dancer went into their son’s room again and closed the door. When the female star tried to push open the door again, Artem came out and pushed her across the hall into the couple’s bedroom. Nikki alleges that Artem then forced her to the floor in their bathroom and had his hands on her chest near her sternum. Nikki felt like she was suffocating and she grabbed his neck in an attempt to get him off. When the police came, Mettero told them that ‘Daddy hurt my hand’

Nikki Garcia also detailed a previous incident of physical violence in mid-2023. According to her, he ‘violently grabbed me around my waist’ to keep Nikki away from Mattero. There were numerous other instances of verbal abuse.

Garcia wants Artem to get the help he needs with therapy and anger management because she doesn’t want her son to grow up in a tumultuous environment. She wants her and Matteo to have enough space away from Artem until he has bettered himself.

Garcia also asked the judge if she could leave the country with her son for a filming project in London but the court denied her request. The Judge has prohibited Artem from contacting or coming within 100 yards of her, their son, or their home with the exception of visitation or exchange of the child per court-ordered visits

Prosecutors previously declined to file charges against Artem for his arrest citing a lack of evidence. In a statement from her representative, Nikki claims that she requested the Napa District Attorney not to file charges as she does not want Artem to go to jail but she wants him to be accountable for his actions. In the meantime, the former WWE star has also filed for divorce from her husband.

You can call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for Domestic Violence Hotline or text START to 88788. More details about the issues can be found at US Department of Justice website here.

Shawn Michaels Hopes For “Long-Standing Relationship” Between NXT & TNA Wrestling

Thomas Lowson
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In 2024, the partnership of WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling has provided exciting moments and matches, in addition to demonstrating how different WWE is post-Vince McMahon. TNA was once again represented on this week’s launch of WWE NXT on The CW, and this partnership could be one fans could witness for years to come, according to Shawn Michaels.

Speaking with The Ringer, Michaels gushed about NXT’s work with TNA Wrestling, and hopes that what we’ve seen is just the beginning.

“I look at this and hope it is a long-standing relationship… we’re enjoying this partnership, and we’re enjoying different matchups than we thought we’d be able to see here in just a short amount of time.”

Michaels, who officially serves WWE as the Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, added that “nothing is off the table in WWE” and that is certainly the case in NXT. He concluded by saying that when it comes to the TNA relationship, “we want to go lower as opposed to faster.”

Jordynne Grace, Hammerstone, Joe Hendry, and The Rascalz have all come to NXT from TNA, while Tatum Paxley, Wendy Choo, Sol Ruca, and the No Quarter Catch Crew have all ‘crossed the line’ into TNA Wrestling. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on the NXT-TNA Wrestling partnership, a collaboration that fans can seemingly expect for a very long time to come.

MrBeast Teases WWE Collaboration Amid New Ventures with Logan Paul and KSI

Thomas Lowson
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For decades, WWE has worked with celebrities to garner headlines in the mainstream media, from Liberace and Muhammad Ali at WrestleMania 1 to more recent names like Tyrese Haliburton and Cardi B. In recent years, fans have seen Logan Paul and KSI on their screens when tuning into WWE, and could MrBeast be next?

On the ImPaulsive podcast, MrBeast joined Paul and KSI to discuss their newly-launched Lunchly product as well as plans and projects in the works. When Paul asked “Were you going to do something with WWE?” Mr. Beast gave the intriguing response “I mean, spoilers.” The conversation quickly moved on from WWE talk after MrBeast’s reply.

With over 318 million subscribers on YouTube alone, it’s hardly a surprise that WWE would be interested in working with MrBeast, real name James Stephen Donaldson. Any appearance by MrBeast would generate a substantial buzz among his fans, just as the appearances of Paul and KSI have done with their respective fanbases.

Logan Paul & KSI in WWE

Logan Paul debuted in WWE in 2021 and made his in-ring debut the following year. From his first match, Paul was regarded as one of the most talented celebrity wrestlers, a status he has maintained with every match since then. In 2022, Paul signed a contract with WWE and captured the U.S. title at Crown Jewel 2023 from Rey Mysterio.

KSI has yet to wrestle in WWE but that hasn’t stopped the English YouTuber from getting physical in attempts to aid his PRIME co-founder. At WrestleMania 39, KSI attempted to help Paul in his match with Seth Rollins, an act that ended very painfully for both men.

MrBeast coming to WWE may seem odd on paper, but it’s a smart move by the company to forge some kind of partnership with the popular content creator. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE and MrBeast after the ‘spoiler’ shared this week.

Mercedes Moné Backs Shane McMahon In AEW, Says The Roster Is On Board

Thomas Lowson
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In July, Shane McMahon shocked fans by meeting with Tony Khan at an airport in Arlington, Texas to discuss potential plans and their mutual love for wrestling. Ever since, speculation has grown that McMahon could join AEW in due time, a possibility that TBS Champion Mercedes Moné would be all for.

In her latest newsletter, Moné shares why she is on board with McMahon possibly joining AEW and her belief that this sentiment is shared by the rest of AEW’s roster.

“Seeing Shane’s incredible heart and passion for wrestling makes me think he has a lot of unfinished business. It also makes me think is Shane coming to AEW? I’m here for it, and I’m sure our roster is too.

“If he doesn’t come back to wrestling, it will make me sad for him. “I know what it’s like to be removed from what you love and how sad it made me. I imagine he feels the same way.”

Moné has played a role in the Shane-AEW rumor buzz, as after McMahon’s meeting with Khan was leaked online, the CEO shared that she was the one who photographed the pair.

While the idea of a McMahon being ‘All Elite’ seemed preposterous just a few years ago, Shane’s meeting with Khan proves the old adage to ‘never say never’ in wrestling. After all, it was ‘impossible’ just a few years ago that Vince McMahon would leave WWE, an act that has happened not once but twice since July 2022.

Though his days as a full-time performer are in the past, McMahon has a passion and insight into wrestling, both the on-screen product and the business side, that’d make him a valuable asset to Tony Khan. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Shane McMahon and whether he is one day ‘All Elite.’

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