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Shawn Michaels On Drew Gulak & Gable Steveson Departure

Tyriece Simon
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Michaels comments on the departure of Gulak and Stevenson from WWE.

The WWE roster is going through some significant changes this year. Several notable talents featured prominently on TV have either become free agents or are getting close to their contracts expiring. One of the recent talents to depart from WWE is Ricochet, who reportedly chose not to re-sign with the company.

In the case of Drew Gulak and Gable Steveson, their departure from the company in May has left fans wondering why. The reason for the former Olympic gold medalist freestyle wrestler has been unclear, as he only had one match against Baron Corbin for NXT that fans didn’t receive well. However, it has been reported that he could’ve been let go because of the lack of progression as a talent on the roster.

For Gulak, he was let go after spending nearly eight years in WWE and was being featured on NXT. The timing was also interesting as it came after former WWE superstar Ronda Rousey shared that Gulak had inappropriately touched her pants’ drawstring in 2022. In addition, after Rousey spoke out about Gulak, he was noticeably removed from TV until his departure. However, Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque(AKA Triple H) noted during the Backlash post-conference on May 4 that Gulak’s exit from the company was due to his contract expiring.

In a media call ahead of NXT Heatwave, POST Wrestling’s John Pollock asked Shawn Michaels about the departure of both Gulak and Steveson. Michaels shared that both talent contracts were set to expire, and the company chose not to keep them on the roster.

WrestleZone has the full video of the media call:

“…From my understanding, nothing on anyone’s part other than contracts being up, certainly in the place of Drew Gulak, and from a company’s standpoint, they’re not being anything from a main roster standpoint that they were going to be using him in and that’s certainly as we, here in NXT, over the last year and a half, two years, we’ve been trying to again get into a process of really keeping it fluid,” said Michaels.

He then touched on NXT’s shift towards deciding to let go of talent they believe isn’t progressing enough to be on the main roster.

“…It’s all about getting, I guess, to the main roster when everything is said and done, and if in two or three years that doesn’t happen, we have to see, you know what I mean, either bringing other people in or see if we’re ready to move on,” said Michaels.

He also congratulated Steveson on his transition to the NFL and wished him the best. That said, he echoed the new direction WWE is taking of letting go of talent they believe doesn’t have a place on the main roster or NXT.

What’s Next For Drew Gulak?

While Steveson is set to begin his career with the Buffalo Bills, Gulak is looking for success on the independent wrestling scene. He accepts bookings and trains wrestlers at Catchpoint Philadelphia alongside All Elite Wrestling superstar Wheeler Yuta and ‘Hot Sauce’ Tracy Williams.

Gulak’s next wrestling appearance will be for Beyond Wrestling on July 4. He’ll take on Tom Lawlor in what should be a technical matchup.

WWE’s new stance may lead to more superstars being let go on the main roster and NXT, as they’ll evaluate when the talent contract expires. That said, there are still opportunities on the indie scene and from other promotions where talent can succeed.

AEW Blood & Guts 2024 Will Be Team Elite vs. Team AEW (7/24)

Staff
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AEW: Blood & Guts 2024 comes to Nashville, TN on Wednesday, July 24 at the Bridgestone Arena. The event will air live on TBS as part of a special edition of AEW Dynamite. This year, the dreaded 5-on-5 double cage match will pit Team Elite against Team AEW.

  • Team Elite will be The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada, Jack Perry and one more partner TBA.
  • ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe is the first member to declare his participation on Team AEW. The four remaining spots will be announced in the week ahead.

Blood & Guts is an annual TV special produced by All Elite Wrestling since 2021.

The Blood and Guts match is AEW’s version of the classic WarGames match. This involves two teams fighting inside a roofed cell structure surrounding two rings.

The event was originally scheduled for March 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually debuting in May 2021. It has since become an annual mid-year event, with subsequent shows held in June 2022 and July 2023.

12 Interesting Facts About WWE Money in the Bank

Michael Reichlin
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The annual WWE Money in the Bank PLE takes place this Saturday, July 6 at 7 ET / 4 PT. MITB is one of the most highly-anticipated wrestling events of the year and this will be no exception. The Money in the Bank 2024 match card is stacked, with two high-stakes championship matches and of course the Men’s and Women’s MITB matches.

Count us amongst the fans excited for this weekend. Similar to the Royal Rumble, the unpredictability stemming from the ‘stipulation’ element sets MITB apart.

Stay tuned to SEScoops all weekend for our comprehensive coverage of WWE Money in the Bank 2024 and head over to our Money in the Bank hub for much more, including the full match card, match rules, a detailed explanation of what the winners get and more.

Interesting Facts about Money in the Bank:

  1. CM Punk is the only superstar to win Money in the Bank twice consecutively (2008 and 2009).
  2. WWE Hall of Famer Edge is the only superstar to win Money in the Bank twice without winning the ladder match (he won in 2005 and then took the briefcase from Mr. Kennedy in 2007).
  3. The briefcase has changed hands without being cashed in three times: Mr. Kennedy lost it to Edge (2007), Otis lost it to The Miz (2020), and James Ellsworth retrieved it for Carmella, leading to a controversy and rematch (2017).
  4. John Cena was the first superstar to unsuccessfully cash in his contract (2012).
  5. Seth Rollins made history by cashing in during a match at WrestleMania 31, turning a singles match into a triple threat (2015).
  6. Carmella held her contract for 287 days, the longest of any superstar (2017-2018).
  7. Three superstars have cashed in on the same night they won the contract: Kane (2010), Alexa Bliss (2018), and Bayley (2019).
  8. The 2020 Money in the Bank matches were uniquely held at WWE Headquarters due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  9. Asuka’s 2020 win resulted in her being awarded the Raw Women’s Championship without a cash-in match, as Becky Lynch relinquished the title due to pregnancy.
  10. Theory became the first superstar to attempt cashing in on a non-world championship when he challenged for the United States Championship in 2022.
  11. The 2023 event was the first to be held outside the United States, taking place in London, England.
  12. There have been 30 Money in the Bank ladder matches in total since the concept’s inception in 2005 through 2023.

Money in the Bank Craziest Moments

WWE released a new video highlighting the Top 10 most devastating crash landings in Money in the Bank history. Check it out now while it lasts, because this list will almost certainly be outdated after what’s in store this weekend.

AEW Dynamite ‘Beach Break’ Preview: Bryan Danielson vs. PAC, Britt Baker & More

Michael Reichlin
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It’s Wednesday and you know what that means – AEW Dynamite will be live tonight on TNT from Chicago, Illinois at the Wintrust Arena. This will be as special Beach Break edition of Dynamite, presented by Shark Week, which is hosted by none other than John Cena.

AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door is in the history books. Swerve Strickland remains the AEW World Champion, while TNT Champion Mercedes Mone now also holds NJPW’s Strong Women’s Championship. Dr. Britt Baker is back and has sights on getting her title back.

Dynamite Preview (July 3, 2024)

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Tonight on AEW Dynamite: Beach Break 2024, the Owen Hart Foundation tournaments continue, we’ll hear Britt Baker and more:

Matches

  • Daniel Garcia challenges Will Ospreay for the AEW International Championship

Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Semifinals

  • Bryan Danielson vs. PAC
  • Jeff Jarrett vs. Wild Card (chosen by The Young Bucks)

Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Semifinals

  • Kris Statlander vs. Willow Nightingale

Segments

  • We’ll hear from Dr. Britt Baker
  • Mercedes Mone will host a Double Championship celebration. She now holds the AEW TBS Championship and the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship.

WWE Trademarks Another Classic WCW Brand PPV

Dominic DeAngelo
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WWE may be bringing back another WCW pay-per-view to give it a new paint job in the PLE era.

The company has filed for the trademark “SuperBrawl” under the United States Patent and Trademark Office and it’s not for merchandise purchases, but for broadcast media purposes.

WCW SuperBrawl became one of the company’s most notable PPVs during its run with Ric Flair battling Tatsumi Fujinami in the inaugural SuperBrawl I out of St. Petersburg, FL. SuperBrawl VIII was actually where Scott Steiner infamously turned on his brother Rick to join the NWO. Serendipituosly enough, Scott Steiner competed in main event against Kevin Nash at SuperBrawl Revenge, the final version of the event before WCW ultimately closed its doors in 2001.

RELATED: WWE Money in the Bank 2024 Card: Every match taking place

Back in 2019, Cody Rhodes attempted to secure the rights to the SuperBrawl name, but he and WWE came to an agreement on the situation.

In the past WWE has used the Starrcade name to promote live events, but it’s been the NXT brand who has really embraced the nostalgia of notable PPVs from the past. Halloween Havoc and Great American Bash has been an appointment events for NXT as has the classic WWE property In Your House.

With SuperBrawl having it’s obvious ties to “Super Bowl” WWE could be angling for a PLE around February which is also when the original SuperBrawl fell on WCW’s calender. WWE’s trademark following for “SuperBrawl” reads as follows:

“Exhibition of professional wrestling events rendered through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing wrestling news and information through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information.”

NXT Heatwave 2024 Card: Every match taking place

Jake Skudder
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WWE’s NXT Heatwave is set to take place on Money in the Bank weekend and it’s looking like a pretty decent card on paper.

We’ll be going over every match confirmed for the card in this article, including the main event Fatal Four Way match that sees Je’Von Evans get his first ever PLE main event spot (deservedly!).

NXT Heatwave Main Card Matches

NXT Championship Match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Shawn Spears

In the main event, Trick Williams will defend his NXT Championship against three opponents: Ethan Page, Je’Von Evans, and Shawn Spears.

NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Nathan Frazer & Axiom (c) vs. Chase U (Andre Chase & Duke Hudson)

The dynamic duo of Nathan Frazer and Axiom will defend their NXT Tag Team Championships against the ever-popular team of Chase U, comprised of Andre Chase and Duke Hudson.

NXT North American Championship Match: Oba Femi (c) vs. Wes Lee

Oba Femi will put his NXT North American Championship on the line against Wes Lee. Femi’s power and intensity have made him a formidable champion, but Wes Lee’s agility and in-ring prowess present a serious threat for his title reign.

NXT Women’s Championship Match: Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Lola Vice

Roxanne Perez will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against the rising star Lola Vice. Perez has shown resilience and skill in her title reign, but Vice’s recent run seems to indicate that she is ready to seize the spotlight.

NXT Women’s North American Championship Match: Kelani Jordan (c) vs. Sol Ruca

In another exciting championship match, Kelani Jordan will defend her NXT Women’s North American Championship against Sol Ruca.

Pre-Show Tag Team Match: Arianna Grace & Karmen Petrovic vs. Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx

The pre-show will feature a tag team match where Arianna Grace teams up with Karmen Petrovic to take on Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx.

Tamyra Mensah-Stock Debuts In WWE As Tyra Mae Steele

Michael Reichlin
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Olympic gold medalist Tamyra Mensah-Stock made her highly anticipated in-ring debut for WWE this evening from Orlando, FL. She competed against Wren Sinclair in a match taped for the NXT Level Up digital series.

Vic Damone Jr. was in attendance for the match and shared that Tamara Mensah-Stock is using the name Tyra Mae Steele in WWE.

Tamyra Mensah-Stock won a gold medal in wrestling for Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021). She dominated the 68kg women’s freestyle wrestling category, defeating Nigeria’s Blessing Oborududu in the final match. Her Olympic greatness caught the attention of many, including WWE.

In 2023, she signed with WWE. This move marked the beginning of her transition from amateur wrestling to the world of professional wrestling entertainment.

While fellow Olympian Gable Steveson’s WWE journey derailed (he signed with the Buffalo Bills in May), Mensah-Stock’s journey from Olympic champion to WWE prospect has excited fans eager to see how her athletic skills and charismatic personality will translate to the unique world of pro wrestling.

Mercedes Mone Talks Difficulty With WWE During Filming Of ‘The Mandalorian’

Dominic DeAngelo
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Mercedes Mone loves the WWE, but she says they were difficult to deal with when she was offered a role in The Mandalorian.

Speaking on HOT 97 in promotion for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, the former Sasha Banks talked about her time under the Star Wars banner as Koska Reeves, and how WWE wasn’t as enthused with her being in a galaxy far, far away.

“I love WWE but they tried so hard to not make me do the Mandalorian and put me on house shows when I was supposed to film.”

Mercedes noted that WWE would put her on house shows to further complicate her Mandalorian aspirations.

“It was pulling teeth just to get on that show.”

Someone who is familiar with pulling teeth is Mone’s next big rival in AEW, Britt Baker, DMD. Mone secured a solid victory against Stephanie Vacquer on Sunday before Baker walked out to make clear she has her eyes on Mercedes multiple gold.

RELATED: Mercedes Mone Unhappy With Britt Baker Stealing Her Spotlight At Forbidden Door 2024

When WWE Stars Go Hollywood

In the past, WWE garnered a reputation for not being supportive of talent outside the “WWE Universe.” Even back when Batista first got casted as Drax The Destroyer in Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy franchise, WWE didn’t do any promotion for the film despite the fact that “The Animal” made his return for WrestleMania XXX.

Another talent familiar with WWE stonewalling their silver screen aspirations was The Rock. Aside from his WWE film projects, WWE didn’t exactly herald The Rock’s initial rise stardom until he came back into the company fold. On the flip side of that, The Rock had to distance himself a little from his pro wrestling past when he tried his hand at Hollywood.

Circumstances may be greatly different in WWE without Vince McMahon at the helm. With The Rock now on the TKO Board Of Directors and Triple H being more open-minded, Mone and other modern talent could be getting the WWE support from outside ventures.

RELATED: Batista Would Choose Being a WWE Hall of Famer Over James Gunn’s DC Universe

WWE Money in the Bank 2024 Tickets: Availability, price and more

Jake Skudder
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The WWE Money in the Bank 2024 weekend is set to be one of the biggest in Canada in recent history, taking place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto from July 5 to July 7.

Here’s everything you need to know about ticket availability, prices, and additional information to ensure you don’t miss out on this exciting weekend.

Read More – WWE Money in the Bank 2024 Card: Every match taking place

Event Schedule and Ticket Availability

WWE SmackDown – Friday, July 5, 2024 – 7:45 PM

The first event of the WWE Money in the Bank weekend kicks off on Friday evening with WWE SmackDown. Tickets are available now and can be purchased directly from the Scotiabank Arena’s official website.

WWE MITB – Saturday, July 6, 2024 – 6:30 PM

The action continues on Saturday the actual WWE Money in the Bank PLE itself. Tickets for this session are also available from the official Scotiabank site.

As of writing, the cheapest available seats are in Section 306, which come to around CA $262.35 plus fees each.

The most expensive tickets currently come in at around CA $2,178, which will get you right near ringside at Section E1.

NXT Heatwave – Sunday, July 7, 2024 – 6:30 PM

The weekend culminates with the final event on Sunday evening, which is NXT Heatwave.

Ticket Prices

Ticket prices for the WWE Money in the Bank 2024 vary depending on seating location and package options.

Standard tickets and WWE Priority Pass Packages are available for all three shows this weekend.

Standard Tickets

Standard tickets are available for all three days of the event. Prices range from affordable options for general seating to premium prices for ringside seats, offering fans various choices to fit their budgets.

WWE Priority Pass Packages

For an exclusive experience, WWE Priority Pass Packages are available through On Location, the Official Fan Hospitality Provider of WWE. These packages include:

  • Ringside seating
  • Pre-show parties with WWE Superstars, including WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus
  • Unique experiences
  • Exclusive souvenir gifts

The SmackDown show Priority Pass pricing starts at $350 plus fees from the OnLocation site.

WWE MITB Priority Pass starts at around $175 per person (plus fees), and the highest available tier (Champion) comes in at around $3,750 per person plus fees.

Venue Policies

Mobile Ticketing

All tickets for events at Scotiabank Arena are now mobile-only.

Fans must download the Official Scotiabank Arena Mobile App to manage their tickets, so MAKE SURE you do so before you head to the building.

Bag Policy

A restricted bag policy is in place to ensure safety. Fans are encouraged to review the updated bag policy on the Scotiabank Arena website.

Re-Entry and Camera Policies

For security reasons, no re-entry is permitted once you exit the arena gates. The camera policy varies by event, so it’s best to check with Fan Services before arriving.

How to Purchase Tickets

As noted, tickets can be purchased through the Scotiabank Arena website or through authorized ticket sellers.

WWE Money in the Bank 2024 Start Time: US, Australia, Europe and more

Jake Skudder
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The excitement is mounting as WWE Money in the Bank 2024 approaches, with the two MITB ladder matches potentially making a massive difference to the Superstars who are able to grab them.

Here’s everything you need to know about the event’s start times from various parts of the world.

Read More – WWE Money in the Bank 2024 Live Stream: How to watch

Event Overview

WWE Money in the Bank 2024, one of WWE’s ‘Big Five’ events will take place on Saturday, July 6th.

This pay-per-view (PPV) event promises an evening of spectacular action, featuring some of WWE’s top names including Seth Rollins, Damian Priest, Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso and Drew McIntyre.

The company recently decided to change the start times of the Premium Live Event shows, with many now starting an hour earlier (which is great if you’re in the UK or Europe!).

How to Watch WWE Money in the Bank 2024

To ensure you don’t miss a moment of the action, here’s how you can catch WWE Money in the Bank 2024 live:

United States

  • Streaming: WWE Money in the Bank 2024 will be available to stream live on Peacock.
  • WWE Network: For comprehensive coverage, including match cards and in-depth analysis, download the WWE Network app.
  • Start Time: The main card begins at 7 PM ET and 5 PM PT.

United Kingdom

  • Broadcast: UK fans can catch the event live on TV via TNT Sports Box Office.
  • Streaming: The event will also be available on the WWE Network.
  • Start Time: The main card starts at midnight (Sunday).

Australia

  • Streaming: Fans in Australia can stream the event via the WWE Network.
  • Start Time: The event begins at 9 AM (Sunday) AEST.

Europe

  • Streaming: The WWE Network will broadcast the event live across Europe.
  • Start Times:
    • Central Europe: The main card starts at 2 AM (Sunday).
    • Eastern Europe: The main card begins at 3 AM (Sunday).

WWE Money in the Bank 2024 Live Stream: How to watch

Jake Skudder
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WWE Money in the Bank is regarded as one of the ‘Big Five’ PLE events behind WrestleMania, the Royal Rumble, Survivor Series and SummerSlam, but how can you watch 2024 card via live stream?

When it comes to WWE Premium Live Events, there are a couple of different ways that you can access the live streaming content, which we’ll be covering here for fans in the US and Europe.

WWE Money in the Bank 2024 Event Details

Date and Time

WWE Money in the Bank 2024 will take place on Saturday, July 6 2024. The event is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET in the United States and 1 a.m. UK time/BST (Sunday).

How to Watch WWE Money in the Bank 2024

United States

In the United States, WWE Money in the Bank 2024 can be streamed live on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service.

What is Peacock?

Peacock is a streaming platform created by NBCUniversal. It features a wide range of content, including exclusive access to NBCUniversal movies and shows such as new Universal films like “Night Swim” and classic sitcoms like “The Office.”

Peacock also offers original series including “Poker Face,” “Twisted Metal,” and “Ted,” live sports like Sunday Night Football and WWE events, as well as daily news broadcasts from NBC News and MSNBC.

Peacock Plans and Pricing

There are two main subscription plans for Peacock. The Premium plan costs $6 per month and is ad-supported, with an annual plan available for $60.

This plan includes access to Peacock’s entire content library, next-day streaming of NBC shows, select live sports, and WWE events.

The Premium Plus plan, priced at $12 per month or $120 annually, is ad-free and includes all the features of the Premium plan, plus live access to your local NBC station and download support for offline viewing.

It’s worth noting that prices will increase on July 18, 2024, to $8 per month for Premium and $14 per month for Premium Plus, so it is worth getting in on the cheaper option while you can.

Where to Sign Up and Watch

You can sign up for Peacock through the Peacock website.

The streaming app is available on various platforms including iOS and Android devices, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Google TV, Fire TV, Xbox One, PlayStation, Chromecast, Xfinity, and Flex devices.

Content Library

If you think that signing up for just WWE might not be worth it, then Peacock offers over 80,000 hours of on-demand TV and movies, including classic shows like “The Office,” “Law & Order,” and “Parks and Recreation.”

New episodes of NBC and Bravo shows are available the day after they air, offering another reason to pay the monthly charge (that comes in a lot cheaper than old school cable bills).

The service also features new Universal movies after their theatrical run and licensed content from other studios like Warner Bros. and Sony.

Peacock Originals, such as “Bel-Air,” “Bupkis,” and “Based on a True Story,” are also available. Additionally, Peacock provides live sports coverage, including NFL games, Premier League matches, and Major League Baseball.

WWE MITB Streaming for International Viewers

For fans outside the United States, the WWE Network is the go-to platform to watch WWE Money in the Bank 2024. The network offers live streaming of the event, ensuring that fans around the globe don’t miss a moment of the action.

WWE Network Signup

To sign up for the WWE Network, follow these steps:

First, visit www.wwe.com/wwenetwork and click on the “SUBSCRIBE NOW” button. You’ll need to create an account by entering your email address and a password, then clicking “CREATE ACCOUNT.”

Next, provide your first and last name, then click “NEXT.” Enter your billing address and click “NEXT” again. You’ll then select your preferred payment method, which may include credit/debit card or PayPal, depending on your location.

For credit/debit card users, enter your billing information. If using PayPal, a new window will open for PayPal authentication; sign in and follow the on-screen instructions to authorize payment.

Once you’ve completed the payment process, your subscription will be activated, and you can start enjoying WWE Network content. For existing users or former subscribers, you can upgrade or reactivate your account by signing in at https://network.wwe.com/account and selecting the appropriate option.

The Wyatt Sicks Tapes Are Filmed At A Familiar Location

Dominic DeAngelo
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The Wyatt Sicks have caught the intrigue of pro wrestling fans, and what the group has been up to hasn’t been without intent.

The 7/1 episode of WWE RAW featured the group targeting Chad Gable once again as another VHS tape was dropped off to Michael Cole. The tape featured another Bo Dallas conversation with Uncle Howdy. Dallas expressed his disgust at a “false prophet” benefitting off his “family.” That “fake prophet” was all but confirmed by Gable himself shortly after.

RELATED: Wyatt Sicks Release Another VHS Tape On WWE RAW

The “tale of the tape” took to fan discussion on social media, and some interesting discoveries were made regarding where Dallas’ conversaton with “Uncle Howdy” took place.

A screenshot of the tape shows the dark backdrop to the “interview” and it happens to have an eerie resemblance to The Firefly Funhouse.

Giving a nod back to the Funhouse makes a lot of sense considering The Wyatt Sicks members have adopted their personas off the characters who once resided there.

Unfortunately for Gable, he may not have any added protection after being hunted by The Wyatt Sicks. Otis was approached by Chad once again for help, but his friend denied Gable for help once more.

Ever since The Wyatt Sicks debuted, Gable has been their primary focus as they notoriously left him

The Wyatt Sicks Release Another VHS Tape On WWE RAW

Dominic DeAngelo
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The Wyatt Sicks seem to have a target in Chad Gable and that was all the more furthered on the July 1 episode of WWE RAW.

The opening of the episode had the Wyatt Sicks scare off a concerned Gable yet again which led Nikki Cross to once again make her way over to Michael Cole to hand him another box. In that box was another VHS tape and it wasn’t until later on in the episode when that tape was played.

This Week’s Wyatt Sicks Tape

Much like the tape from last week, this one included more footage of Uncle Howdy “sitting down” with Bo Dallas. Dallas continues to appear conflicted and full of rage as he mentions how the name of Wyatt Sicks brought all these forgotten names together.

“Special implies that others are not, that there’s others that are less than that deserves to be forgotten. We’re the ones that everybody wanted to forget about. We’re the ones that everybody abandoned. We made them notice us.”

Dallas said this bond between them all made them become a family, and he happens to take exception to a certain individual who has been taking advantage of that unity.

“Even now there’s false prophets berating, belitting their family for their own game! It’s disgusting. They must pay for their sins.”

Considering the Wyatts have consistently targeted Chad Gable, it was safe to assume that Dallas was referring to him. Gable confirmed such after a commercial break. We saw Gable approach Otis, who made clear that his issue with The Wyatt Sicks was his problem, not theirs.

Fan Theories

The Wyatt Sicks are all about mystery and cryptic clues, so fans have already been conditioned to watch everything they do very closely.

Shelton Benjamin Disgusted By Involvement Of Racist Angle In WWE

Dominic DeAngelo
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Shelton Benjamin would gladly erase one angle he was apart of in WWE as a clip from 2009 resurfaced.

Back then, ‘The Gold Standard’ was in full-heel mode for the revamped ECW and awaited a debuting opponent in Yoshi Tatsu. Tatsu was positioned as a likable babyface on the rise and to get heel heat, Benjamin was directed to go for the low hanging fruit. With Tatsu being Japanese, Benjamin mocked Yoshi with a horrible and condescending Japanese accent. It happened to be 15 years since Tatsu made his debut and so OTD_In_WWE X account posted the polarizing clip.

RELATED: Shelton Benjamin Reacts to Reports of AEW Discussions

Shelton happened to see the clip online and expressed his embarrassment at being involved in such an angle, noting how racist and offensive the bit was.

“If I could erase one thing in my career this is it. I’m completely and utterly disgusted by this racist shit. I’m glad the ending was my character getting kicked in the head and losing.”

Despite his own self-criticism, Benjamin is notoriously universally liked in the wrestling business and is held in high regard for his ability and wrestling IQ.

With Vince McMahon steering the ship, WWE would often position an Asian talent in a stereotypical role and the same trend would go to wrestlers of middle-eastern descent. Since Triple H has taken over as Chief Content Officer, that dynamic has changed as a lot of talent, no matter what their ethnic background may be puts more of a focus on the particular talent’s personality or athleticism.

During an interview back in May, Benjamin noted how he’d be a fool not to want to go back to WWE after he was released from the company in September of 2023.

RELATED: Shelton Benjamin: ‘I’d Be A Fool Not to Go Back to WWE If They Asked’

Ricochet Moved To The Alumni Section On WWE’s Website

Tyriece Simon
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0

Another sign has emerged that confirms story of Ricochet leaving WWE.

Wrestling fans have been curious about the future of the One and Only after it was reported that he was planning to leave the promotion. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson broke the news that the high-flying superstar had already notified the company of his intentions.

Fans on social media noticed over the weekend that WWE officially moved his profile to the alumni section of their website. This was a sign to the wrestling community that his departure was imminent.

Ricochet listed on WWE Alumni
Ricochet listed on WWE Alumni

Fightful Select has reported that Ricochet’s contract has expired and that he is expected to sign with All Elite Wrestling. It’s worth noting that the former WWE Intercontinental Champion has yet to comment on his status with WWE and if he is looking to test free agency.

On X, Ricochet is still promoting his merchandise on WWE, which fans can still purchase. It’s possible his profile on social media can be updated in the next few days if he hasn’t re-signed.

Ricochet’s Last Storyline In WWE?

Before his reported exit, Ricochet was in a feud with main roster newcomer Ilja Dragunov. The rivalry began when the former WWE NXT Champion defeated Ricochet on the May 6 episode of Raw. While Dragunov won their first matchup, the high-flying superstar wanted a rematch.

Dragunov and Ricochet had one final match on the May 27 episode of Raw, but it would end in a no-contest. In the back-and-forth matchup, Bron Breakker would involve himself and assault both superstars. The result would lead to Ricochet wanting revenge on the powerhouse ‘Heel.’

Breakker would defeat Ricochet in their only match on the June 3 episode of Raw, with one of the reasons being that the ‘Babyface’ superstar was injured.

WWE seemingly wrote Ricochet off TV after Bron Breakker viciously attacked him backstage on the June 10 episode of Monday Night Raw. It’s possible that the accomplished superstar can still be brought back for another show. However, it seems more likely that Ricochet has already made his final appearance for the company.

WWE Star Angelo Dawkins Gets Married In Wedding Officiated By Montez Ford

Tyriece Simon
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Angelo Dawkins is now a married man.

WWE superstar Angelo Dawkins recently had a wedding to remember. The former WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champion married the mother of his child, Grace, and shared the news on X. However, what made it more special is the involvement of his longtime tag team partner Montez Ford who officiated the wedding.

Dawkins shared a photo of himself and Grace making their vows on social media to celebrate their union. Former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Bianca Belair was also in attendance, and both couples took a group photo.

On Instagram, Belair shared a nice message about the lovely couple’s marriage.

“Dawks got a WHOLE WIFE!!!!! All those car ride talks can finally come to an end! You did it! Congrats!!!… you’re a lucky man to get @gracestephanie01 and now a smart man to wife her up! Lol,” wrote Belair.

The newlywed couple welcomed a son in 2020 and expect to welcome another boy later this year. It’s possible that Dawkins and his wife wanted to get married before their son’s arrival. Regardless, it’s surely a special moment in their lives, with Dawkins’s tag team partner being the one to make it official.

It’s unclear if Dawkins will take some time off for a honeymoon with his wife. However, he will be in action with his tag team partner to take on Pretty Deadly(Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) on the July 5 episode of Friday Night Smackdown.

Preview Of The Street Profits vs. Pretty Deadly

The upcoming tag team matchup was made on the June 28 Smackdown episode. The Street Profits spoke with Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis about wanting to take on The Bloodline. The heel faction had assaulted Dawkins, Ford, and Kevin Owens after their loss on the June 7 episode of Smackdown.

However, Pretty Deadly would interrupt their conversation, leading to The Street Profits challenging them to a match. Aldis ignored the former tag champion’s pleas to take on The Bloodline but made The Street Profits vs. Pretty Deadly official for the upcoming episode.

Dawkins and Ford will likely be motivated to defeat their opponents to send a message to The Bloodline. A win over Pretty Deadly could persuade Aldis to grant them a match against the faction led by Solo Sikoa.

Zack Sabre Jr Reveals Preferred Location For Bryan Danielson Rematch

Anutosh Bajpai
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Zack Sabre Jr. wants his re-match with Bryan Danielson to happen in England.

The NJPW star picked up a big victory at the Forbidden Door 2024 PPV. He managed to make Orange Cassidy tap out with a submission.

He took part in the post show media scrum after his big win where the former NJPW TV Champion was asked about another star who picked up a win on the same show – Bryan Danielson.

The two have shared the ring a number of times and ZSJ was asked what would be his preferred place if a rematch between the two were to take place. The English star mentioned how their first match was in England and expressed his interest in repeating that:

“Our first match was in England. We had a rematch in Germany that’s somewhat forgotten, and then we had the match at WrestleDream in Japan. I know that Bryan says he’s winding it down, but he’s a pervert so I can’t imagine. In a wrestling sense, that’s not against his character. We at least have to have one more match in England.”

I Can Never Repay The Debt: Zack Sabre Jr

Zack Sabre Jr. mentioned how his early match with Bryan Danielson helped put him on the map and he can never repay the debt of it. This is why he wants to have another match with the wrestling veteran:

“I’ve said this countless times but when I wrestled with Bryan for the first time in England, in front of a pub in front of 50 people when he had no idea who I was and he gave me so much. It kickstarted my entire career, and I can never repay the debt to him, outside of trying to break all his limbs. I’m yet to tap out Bryan Danielson so we have to have at least one more match where he lets me try.”

The 36-year-old is not the only star who is gunning for a rematch against the former world champion. During the same media scrum, AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland mentioned how his previous loss against Bryan irks him to the day and declared that Danielson is at the top of the list of talents he wants to face.

You can check out the full AEW Forbidden Door 2024 media scrum below:

Tony Khan Confirms Forbidden Door 2024 Drew $1 Million Gate For Third Straight Time

Anutosh Bajpai
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Tony Khan has confirmed that the third Forbidden Door PPV from the UBS Arena in New York was a huge success for the company.

The AEW president took part in the post Forbidden Door 2024 media scrum where he talked about things such as the upcoming Wrestle Dynasty PPV from Tokyo Dome which will be a joint show hosted by AEW, NJPW, and CMLL.

During the press conference, Khan also touted the success of the latest AEW PPV. He confirmed that the show drew a million-dollar gate for the third consecutive time:

“What a huge success this PPV has been. This is our third Forbidden Door, what a great partnership. Tonight was not only a great PPV, also a great live event here. Like we said over 11,000 fans here at UBS arena paid and over a million dollars live gate, really really, special. Third straight year with over 11,000 fans and over a million-dollar live gate, which is pretty cool too.”

Tony Khan On Super Heavyweight Championship

One interesting question Tony Khan was asked during the scrum was the potential of adding a ‘meaty super heavyweight championship’ after the match between Samoa Joe and Jeff Cobb at the PPV.

The AEW official mentioned how we’ve seen a lot of ‘meat moments’ in AEW and fans can chant ‘meat’ whenever they want to. On the potential of a title exclusive for the big men, Khan said that such matches are always exciting:

“There are a lot of championships in wrestling, but certainly any time we can get the big men fighting, I love it. Even if we’re not ready for a championship, those matches are exciting and we’ve seen people get engaged when those big guys start fighting and they love chanting ‘meat,'”

Apart from this, Tony Khan also discussed the upcoming Brodie Lee tribute shoes and more. You can check out the full Forbidden Door 2024 media scrum below:

Swerve Strickland Has Bryan Danielson At Top Of List Of Talents He Wants To Face

Anutosh Bajpai
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Bryan Danielson is at the top of Swerve Strickland’s list of opponents he wants to face.

Swerve once again defended his AEW World title successfully against Will Ospreay in the main event of Forbidden Door 2024 from UBS arena in New York.

The AEW star took part in the post-show media scrum after his victory. He was asked about Bryan Danielson competing in the Owens Hart Foundation Cup Tournament and if he was still gunning for a re-match against the American Dragon.

The winner of the Owen tournament is set to receive a world title shot at the upcoming All In PPV from Wembley Stadium. Swerve Strickland referenced this fact, saying that Bryan is in the position to gun for him now:

“I think he’s at the position to gun for me now, especially after tonight. But I still want that win back so bad. That’s something that still irks me to this day, that loss from Bryan. Because he’s someone I idolize and look up to, especially coming from the Pacific Northwest. We both share the Seattle-Tacoma native background.”

Swerve Strickland Wants His Win Back

Swerve Strickland then mentioned that he has been following Bryan’s career for a long time and he is determined to get his win back from the former world champion:

“And from his career for the last 10, 15 years I’ve been watching and studying that man. And getting in the ring with him, feeling how special he is? That’s a win that I need to mark off of my list. And I don’t have a long list really, it’s very small. But definitely, Bryan Danielson’s at the top of it.”

Strickland has shared the ring with Bryan only once. The two had a singles match at the October 10, 2023 episode of Dynamite where Danielson picked up the victory.

The former WWE star picked up another victory at the Forbidden Door PPV tonight. Bryan defeated Shingo Takagi in a quarterfinal match of The Owen Cup, getting him one step closer to a shot at Strickland’s world title.

You can check out the full Forbidden Door 2024 media scrum below:

Dijak Shares Backstage Forbidden Door Photo After Sudden WWE Exit

Thomas Lowson
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Former WWE Superstar Dominik Dijakovic has had fans speculating on his next move after being present at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door.

The third annual Forbidden Door show saw talent from AEW and New Japan converge on the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. In addition to the two titular promotions, wrestlers from STARDOM and CMLL were also involved as part of the show’s 14-match card.

Dijak At Forbidden Door

Dijakovic didn’t appear during AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door but he was at the UBS Arena. Taking to social media, the ex-Superstar shared a backstage photo of his sunglasses in front of a screen showing the event. To make his point clear, Dijakovic tagged AEW President Tony Khan as well as the company itself.

Dijakovic’s presence at the show came after he teased making an appearance and will no doubt fuel speculation that the former WWE Superstar could soon be All-Elite. Dijakovic announced his sudden exit from WWE last week after reports that his contract was set to expire in June 2024. According to the Retribution alum, WWE made no serious effort to re-sign him despite drafting him to the main roster in the 2024 WWE Supplemental Draft.

Where Else for Dijak?

AEW may not be the only option for Dijakovic now that his time with WWE has ended. Speaking last week, the former Superstar said in an interview with Joe Lowry that he is interested in appearing for TNA Wrestling and that the two sides had been in communication.

Dijak made clear however that these talks have not been contract negotiations. Ironically, TNA forged a partnership with WWE NXT this year shortly after Dijak’s call-up to the main roster.

Mercedes Mone Unhappy With Britt Baker Stealing Her Spotlight At Forbidden Door 2024

Anutosh Bajpai
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Mercedes Mone is unhappy with Britt Baker trying to steal her spotlight at Forbidden Door 2024 and she has invited the DMD for a confrontation.

The AEW TBS Champion picked up a big victory at the company’s latest PPV. She defeated Stephanie Vaquer to win the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship. Though she couldn’t celebrate for long as Britt Baker made her return and stared down the former WWE star.

The double champion took part in the post Forbidden Door media scrum where she was asked about having a double target on her back and if she had any message for someone coming after her. Mercedes Mone claimed that there is a price to pay for anyone who interrupts her:

“Well, I know a certain bitch wanted to come out and decided to steal my spotlight, right? But that’s not gonna happen, because I’m gonna party all night long and show her that I am Mercedes Mone for a reason. And there’s a price to pay when you interrupt me ok.”

Mercedes Mone Teases Britt Baker Confrontation

Mercedes then reiterated that she is the biggest free agent signing in AEW history before inviting Baker for a confrontation at this Wednesday’s Dynamite:

“Tonight was about me and my celebration. Who the hell does Britt Baker thinks that she is? She wants to show up to my show? I understand she is the first ever woman to sign here in AEW. But Tony, am I correct that I am the biggest free agent that you’ve ever signed here? So this Wednesday at Dynamite, to any woman who wants to come out here and steal my spotlight — it’s on.”

Britt Baker has been away from ring for more than 9 months. She last competed against Kris Statlander at the September 16, 2023 episode of AEW Collision. Now it’d be interesting to see what the company has planned for the former women’s champion.

You can check out the full Forbidden Door 2024 media scrum below:

Watch: What Happened With Will Ospreay After Forbidden Door 2024 Went Off Air

Anutosh Bajpai
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Will Ospreay was visibly battling with emotions after his loss to Swerve Strickland at AEW Forbidden Door 2024 from UBS Arena in New York.

The former IWGP Champion gave everything he had to dethrone the current AEW Champion in a hard fought main event of the company’s latest PPV.

At the end however, it was Ospreay’s conscience that cost him the bout. He decided against using the screwdriver handed to him by Don Callis after the referee got knocked out. The time he took to make the decision allowed Strickland to recover.

Swerve then took control of the match and delivered not one but three House Calls on his opponent to finally retain the AEW World title.

The AEW Champion took the time to show respect to an emotional Ospreay after the match before he celebrated his win to end the show.

Ospreay received a huge applause from the crowd as well when he was making his return after the Forbidden Door 2024 PPV went off air. He can be seen still battling his emotions in the video from after the show as Kyle Fletcher cheered him on:

What’s Next For Will Ospreay?

Will Ospreay already has his next rivalry set against former AEW Champion MJF after the two shared a segment on this week’s episode of Dynamite.

MJF was offering a match to Daniel Garcia at the upcoming All In London PPV before Ospreay interrupted him. The AEW International Champion offered a title shot to Garcia for next week’s episode of Dynamite instead and the match was then made official.

Both MJF and Garcia were shown to be watching tonight’s main event very closely after the Dynamite segment. The match on Wednesday should further confirm the direction for the British Star heading into the All In PPV.

Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa ‘Kiss It Out’ At Forbidden Door

Mariah May On Toni Storm-Mina Shirakawa Kiss: “I Can Take Them Both!”

Thomas Lowson
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AEW’s Mariah May is looking forward to the future after locking lips with Toni Storm and Mina Shirakawa at Forbidden Door 2024.

Storm and Shirakawa faced off at the third annual AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door event for Storm’s Women’s World Title. Going into the match there was speculation as to where Mariah May’s loyalties would lie. The British wrestler is a long-time friend and tag-team partner of Shirakawa’s but also serves as the ‘understudy of AEW’s ‘Timeless’ star.

Toni Storm On The Kiss

May stayed relatively uninvolved at ringside, leaving it to the two women in the ring to tell the story. In the end, Storm retained her title after delivering a Storm Zero finisher to Shirakawa.

After the match, May was able to bridge the gap between her two allies. The three women shared a handshake, followed by a hug and a three-way kiss before leaving the ring together as a united front.

Speaking after the match, Storm was asked if she’s been able to put aside her differences with Shirakawa.

“When I first met Mariah’s friend Mina, I was not impressed. In fact, I was quite pissed. But now, after touching those cushiony lips, I can honestly say that I feel this is the start of a very beautiful relationship.”

Toni Storm.

Mariah May Responds

This three-way kiss is a huge victory for Mariah May who has struggled to remain aligned with both women in this feud. When asked for her own comments, she said:

“I can take them both.”

Mariah May.

Shirakawa was also asked for her comments, and admitted that at first she did not rate Toni Storm. Now though, she has grown very fond of the AEW Women’s World Champion. It remains to be seen what’s next, but these three could prove to be a dominant trio, if they remain a united front.

Tetsuya Naito Regains IWGP World Heavyweight Title At Forbidden Door

Thomas Lowson
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Tetsuya Naito is once again the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion after regaining the title at AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door.

In the show’s co-main event, Naito dethroned Jon Moxley, ending his reign at 79 days. Naito was able to kick out of a Deathrider by Moxley though the AEW star was able to withstand Naito’s Destino. In the end, a second Destino clinched the win, and the title, for Tetsuya Naito.

This win makes Naito a two-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. At Wrestle Kingdom 18 in January 2024, Naito won the gold for the first time with a win over Sanada. His 99-day reign would be ended by Moxley at Windy City Riot in April. This win also makes Naito the second-ever two-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, alongside Kazuchika Okada.

What’s Next?

With Jon Moxley no longer the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, it remains to be seen when we’ll see the title next defended at an AEW event. While the next Forbidden Door is a year away, AEW and New Japan have close ties, meaning we could see the title defended far sooner than that. In the meantime, Moxley will turn his attention to AEW All In 2024, while the next major event for New Japan is the Fantastica Mania: USA show on July 13.

Swerve Strickland Retains AEW Title Over Will Ospreay At Forbidden Door 2024

Anutosh Bajpai
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AEW is still the house of Swerve Strickland.

The AEW World Champion defended his title against Will Ospreay in a hard-fought match in the main event of the Forbidden Door 2024 PPV from UBS Arena in New York.

Both the competitors got special entrances for the match. Will Ospreay entered first paying tribute to the legendary Hayabusa with a mask during his entrance.

Strickland then got a special introduction from rapper Jim Jones who came out with the AEW Title and handed it to Swerve when he appeared.

The match was every bit as brutal as expected with both the stars missing no opportunity to take things to the extreme. This included a crossbody Ospreay delivered to Swerve over the top rope very early in the bout, taking the champion outside.

The ending of the bout saw Ospreay accidentally knocking out the referee with a Hidden Blade. Don Callis then appeared at the ringside to hand his client a screwdriver, before being tackled by Prince Nana.

Ospreay thought about using the screwdriver on Nana but then threw it away. The distraction allowed Swerve to recover and he hit Will Ospreay with a House Call.

A new referee showed up to continue the match and Strickland then delivered a second and third house call to finally put Will Ospreay down.

What’s Next For Will Ospreay?

Will Ospreay appears to be moving away from the world title picture for the moment as his next feud has already been teased on AEW Programming.

After an opening segment between Ospreay, MJF and Daniel Garcia on this week’s Dynamite, both MJF and Garcia were shown to be watching tonight’s world title match very closely.

The tease at Forbidden Door only further confirms that AEW is building towards an MJF vs Will Ospreay match for the upcoming All In PPV from London, with Garcia playing a crucial part in this rivalry.

Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa ‘Kiss It Out’ At Forbidden Door
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