Home Blog Page 235

WWE Exec With 17-Year Tenure Reportedly “Let Go” This Week

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Kristen Altman, a high-ranking name with WWE, is the latest notable name cut from the company’s offices, it has been reported. PW Insider Elite notes that Altman was “let go” from the company earlier this week.

Altman’s tenure with WWE began in 2007 as a receptionist and she transitioned into Talent Relations in 2008. She would go on to become Senior Manager, then Director, and then Senior Manager before becoming WWE’s Vice President of Talent Relations Operations in August 2022. On her LinkedIn profile, Altman describes her latest role with WWE as the following:

“Develop and manage WWE Talent’s Professional Development Program to assist with our Talent’s personal and professional growth beyond the wrestling ring. Provide educational tools and resources in Money Management, Media Training, Continuing Education, Language Courses, Life Skills Seminars, Rookie Success Initiatives and more.”

Altman joined WWE shortly after graduating from the University of Vermont with a degree in Business Administration. She also served as a Student Supervisor at the University during her studies.

More On WWE Departures

Altman’s reported exit comes after several departures from WWE’s corporate side. In February 2024, John Paco, formerly EVP of Live Events, left the company, though news of his exit didn’t surface until the next month. Paco had been in several roles with the promotion since 1999.

In December 2023, Kevin Dunn ended four decades with WWE as a leading figure in production. While WWE reportedly wanted Dunn to stay on until the Royal Rumble (and potentially WrestleMania 40) Dunn felt it was better to make a clean break. He has since been replaced by Lee Fitting who’s work has received praise from fans.

Last September, WWE officially merged with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings, a merger that had been in the works since Endeavor announced its acquisition of WWE in April. That merger saw over 100 employees lose their jobs in efforts to streamline WWE’s offices under TKO and morale was said to have been hit hard by those remaining.

WWE Alum Hiroko Suzuki Set For First Match In Close to 20 Years

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Hiroko Suzuki, a name that fans of WWE’s Ruthless Aggression era may remember, is set to make her return to the ring after a near-20-year hiatus. Suzuki will be part of Southern Honor Wrestling’s RumbleJack event on August 9. This will mark her debut for the promotion.

The RumbleJack event will be headlined by the titular RumbleJack match, which this year will be the biggest its ever been as 40 participants will compete. The match will run like a WWE Royal Rumble match with the winner earning a shot at the SHW Heavyweight Champion. Suzuki will be joined by names including AEW alum QT Marshall, Alexander Lev. CT Keys, and Darian Bengston.

This will be Hiroko’s fifth match in wrestling and her first match since competing in a tag-team match for HUSTLE on Christmas Day in 2005. Hiroko is known by many for her WWE tenure from 2004 to 2005 where she served as the manager/translator of her real-life husband Kenzo Suzuki. She competed two times in WWE including in a ‘Kimono Match’ against Torrie Wilson during a February 2005 edition of SmackDown in Japan.

Hiroko After WWE

In July 2005, both Hiroko and Kenzo were released from WWE as part of cost-cutting measures, despite being drafted to Raw mere days earlier in the 2005 Draft Lottery. After WWE, the pair returned to Japan where they worked for Hustle and Hiroko would be the General Manager of the promotion by the end of the year. Outside of the ring, Hiroko has established herself in the world of politics. In 2015, the WWE alum was elected to the Funabashi city council.

Randy Orton Throws Pitch For the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Team

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Randy Orton proved his sporting skills outside of the ring this week by throwing the opening pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals team. The 14-time WWE World Champion described throwing the pitch as “one of the scariest things I’ve ever done in my life” but was pleased that the ball didn’t hit the dirt adding that “we did good.” Orton received a signed ball for his troubles and proved to be a good luck charm for the team that defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2.

With his St. Louis Cardinals appearance a runaway success for Orton, the WWE veteran’s attention will now turn to Berlin, Germany. At WWE Bash In Berlin on August 31, Orton will challenge World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER. The match will mark Orton’s first singles opportunity at a WWE World Championship since facing Bobby Lashley on the September 13, 2021, edition of RAW. GUNTHER and Orton met in the King of the Ring finals earlier this year which saw the Austrian score a controversial win, earning his World title opportunity at SummerSlam.

The Viper will be back in his hometown of St. Louis later this year as part of WWE NXT’s move to The CW Network. Orton will be part of the second show of the CW era on October 8, which will take place in St. Louis. The premiere episode of WWE NXT on The CW will see CM Punk appear in Chicago, Illinois.

After missing over a year and a half of his career due to injury, Randy Orton is back and ready to take WWE by storm once more. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on the Legend Killer.

Michael Oku Teases Appearance at AEW All In

Tyriece Simon
-
0

Independent wrestling star Michael Oku shared a cryptic tweet teasing an appearance at the All Elite Wrestling All In event on August 25.

AEW’s upcoming pay-per-view is starting to take shape as they prepare for their second All In show at Wembley Stadium in London, England, later this month. Five matches have been announced, and the company is expected to reveal more in the coming weeks. The main event will feature AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defending his title against Owen Hart Cup winner Bryan Danielson.

Although the matchups will be the main focus of the PPV, fans are also interested in what surprises AEW President Tony Khan has planned. The company had several newsworthy appearances last year, including Mercedes Moné, who was a free agent at the time.

Khan has yet to hint at a new talent or any surprise at All In. That said, Oku has fans talking with his tweet showing a compilation of wrestling interviewers asking if he will take part in the PPV. 

How Does Michael Oku Fit Into All In?

The tease is intriguing as the talented independent wrestler is from London, England, and it would surprise fans at Wembley Stadium. He is one of Revolution Pro Wrestling’s biggest stars and the reigning British heavyweight champion.

It’s also worth noting that Oku has a history with Will Ospreay. In their last match, Oku defeated the AEW superstar to retain his title at Revpro’s High Stakes event on February 18. Ospreay is already set to challenge MJF for the AEW American Championship at All In, so a potential rematch is ruled out.

Regardless, Oku’s tweet has created anticipation on whether he’ll finally get his moment at Wembley Stadium.

AEW All in 2024 Poster

AEW All In Current Match Card

(Match Card Is Subject To Change)

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

AEW Announces #1 Contender’s Matchup Will Occur at All In PPV

Joey Galizia
-
0

AEW has added one of its marquee matchups to the All In pay-per-view.

Head play-by-play man Excalibur announced on the August 7th episode of AEW Dynamite that the Casino Gauntlet matchup will be taking place at the historic event, which happens on August 25th from legendary Wembley Stadium in London, England. The winner of the match will receive a future opportunity at the AEW World Championship.

The Casino Gauntlet match blends AEW’s Casino Battle Royale concept with Lucha Underground’s Aztec Warfare. Wrestlers will continue to enter the bout until someone gets pinned or submitted. The first two incarnations were both won by former AEW International Champion, Will Ospreay.

Who will the winner face? Well that will also be determined at AEW All In as Swerve Strickland defends the world title against Bryan Danielson, who is putting his career on the line.

The August 7th episode of AEW Dynamite featured a ton of great action, including Bryan Danielson vs. Jeff Jarrett and MJF vs. Kyle Fletcher. Several AEW wrestlers were unable to make tonight’s episode, which was in North Carolina, due to severe weather storms canceling flights all around the east coast.

2nd Biggest Mall in America to host GCW Wrestling Show

Tyriece Simon
-
0

Game Changer Wrestling will host their live event, Dream On, at the American Dream Mall this fall. The mall is the second-biggest mall in the United States and will be the promotion’s debut at the location.

The popular indie wrestling company has begun revealing some live events scheduled for later this year. GCW is coming off their latest sold-out live show, Can I Trust You?, on August 4 at the House Of Independents in Asbury, New Jersey.

After the show’s success, GCW shared on X a list of dates and locations for their upcoming events until November 15. Shortly after the post, the promotion announced on X they would host Dream On at the American Dream Mall on November 23. The location is inside the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tickets for Dream On aren’t on sale, but GCW has assured us that information will be provided soon.

GCW Following In WCW Footsteps

The ambitious show at American Dream Mall isn’t the first time a company has held an event in that style of venue. WCW famously had their first Monday Night Nitro episode at The Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 4, 1995. It remains the largest shopping center in America.

WCW put a ring inside the venue as onlookers watched their favorite superstars compete or continue shopping. The episode featured Hulk Hogan successfully defending the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Big Bubba Rogers. However, it’s most notable for the episode where Lex Luger returned to the company and the official start of the Monday Night Wars with WWE.

GCW follows the legacy of producing a wrestling show inside a large mall. While they may not have the same ambition of making Dream On as impactful as the first Monday Night Nitro episode, fans should expect the promotion to create a fantastic event for the New Jersey crowd.

Rascalz Members React To Wes Lee’s Betrayal

Tyriece Simon
-
0

Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz of The Rascalz share their thoughts on Wes Lee’s shocking betrayal on the latest episode of WWE NXT.

WWE fans are still stunned after Lee turned on Miguel and Wentz on the August 6 episode of NXT. The shocking moment happened after MSK (Lee & Wentz) finally had an opportunity to reclaim the WWE NXT Tag Team Championships with Miguel at ringside from Axiom and Nathan Frazer in the main event.

Both teams gave their all in an exciting matchup to end the show. MSK came close to winning the match, but the champions proved too much to handle. The finish came when Axiom landed the Golden Ratio to get the pin on Lee. After the match, MSK and Miguel shook hands with the winners out of respect. The champions would head backstage while The Rascalz exchanged hugs in the middle ring.

Fans in attendance thought that would end the show as they began to leave the performance center. However, Lee decided to turn on his friends by landing a superkick on Miguel and a low blow on Wentz. The former WWE NXT North American Champion continued the assault on both TNA Wrestling superstars outside the ring to end the episode. 

After coming to terms with what happened, the Rascalz members finally shared their thoughts on what occurred on social media. Both expressed that they are heartbroken over what happened, with Wentz admitting that he still loves Lee.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Lee has any regrets about what he did.

Wes Lee’s Response To Betraying The Rascalz?

Since the shocking conclusion, Lee hasn’t given fans a logical reason for his betrayal. The only response he has shared was in response to a tweet from NXT General Manager Ava.

After the episode ended, Ava asked Lee on X why he attacked his friends, and “The Kardiac Kid” sent a GIF with the caption, “Because I felt like it.”

Lee may address his actions in next week’s NXT episode, but the company has yet to advertise him for the show. Whatever the reasoning, fans should expect that the Rascalz will want to confront him about it. 

Drew McIntyre Considers Himself The Simone Biles Of Tormenting CM Punk

Dominic DeAngelo
-
0

Drew McInytre could be the Kurt Angle at trolling CM Punk and ‘The Scottish Warrior’ is well-aware of that.

The 2024 Summer Olympics are well underway and the United States are bringing home its fair share of gold medals and that’s in thanks to superstar gymnast Simone Biles. Biles roped in a total of four medals in Paris. She won gold in the team final, all-around and the vault competition and also secured silver in floor exercise.

When photos surfaced of Biles holding her new hardware she resembled Ultimo Dragon holding all his titles but Drew McInytre saw some similarities in himself. He decided to share the photo of Biles and added a comment that shows his Olympian ability to push the buttons of CM Punk.

“Me if f***ing with CM Punk was an Olympic sport.”

RELATED: Drew McIntyre Says He’s Done With CM Punk After SummerSlam 2024

McIntyre has indeed been ruthless when it comes to his online prodding of Punk. Merchandise has been made off what Drew has posted online and most recently, McIntyre managed to capture a “Kodak moment” with legitimate CM Punk adversary Jack Perry before he deleted it.

McIntyre certainly has more ammunation after he defeated CM Punk at SummerSlam. Plenty of hijinks happened in his match with Seth Rollins as the special guest referee but McIntyre made the most of opportunity and got the 1-2-3. Drew added further salt to the wound when he was able regain control of CM Punk’s bracelet that has his wife and dog’s name on it.

Before SummerSlam, Drew managed even tie in his Robin Williams fandom into detest for CM Punk.

RELATED: CM Punk & Drew McIntyre Pay Tribute to Iconic WWE Match at SummerSlam 2024

Killing Gawker Movie in the Works from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon

Tyriece Simon
-
0

A new film based on the legal case of WWE Hall of Famer Terry Bollea(AKA Hulk Hogan) vs. Gawker is officially in active development. Artists Equity, Ben Affleck’s and Matt Damon’s production company, will produce the movie, which is currently titled Killing Gawker. 

“Hulkamania” will be running wild on the big screen, but not what fans have anticipated. The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit reported in 2019 that a biopic on the rise of Hogan’s fame in wrestling was in the works. Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth is expected to play the WWE Hall of Famer, with Academy Award-nominated director Todd Philips also attached to the development. However, in a recent interview with Screenrant on May 15, Hemsworth shared that nothing is official yet.

Although the biopic is in limbo, the film based on Hogan’s legal drama is starting to take shape. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson revealed on August 2 that Killing Gawker was being developed and could have Affleck playing the role of Hogan. In addition, it’s reported that the project may launch in January 2025.

Variety’s Katcy Stephan confirmed on August 5 that the film was being developed and added that Gus Van Sant is set to direct it. Van Sant has famously worked with Affleck and Damon as a director on the Academy Award-nominated movie Good Will Hunting.

Stephan reported that no casting has been made yet but acknowledged that there is an ongoing rumor that Affleck will play the WWE Hall of Famer. 

What is Bollea vs. Gawker?

The infamous legal battle came after the wrestling legend filed a lawsuit in 2012 and took the media company to trial in 2016 regarding publishing portions of a sex tape involving Hogan and his former friend Bubba The Love Sponge’s wife at the time. It was alleged that Sponge filmed the intimate moment, which Hogan claimed he didn’t know about and didn’t consent to. The incident occurred in 2006, but Gawker obtained footage of Hogan having sex and published an article about it on October 12, 2012.

On March 18, 2016, the jury ruled in favor of Hogan for $140 million, believing that Gawker violated the WWE legend’s privacy and caused emotional distress. The media company would face issues, including bankruptcy, and was sold for $135 million to Univision. Gawker and Hogan would settle for more than $31 million, and the website would eventually shut down completely.

We’ll be covering the Killing Gawker project and will provide an update when additional information becomes available.

Britt Baker Reportedly Set To Make Appearance In Netflix’s ‘Cobra Kai’

Bishal Roy
-
0

Former AEW Women’s World Champion Britt Baker has landed a role in the popular Netflix series, ‘Cobra Kai‘.

PWInsider Elite reported that Baker is set to appear on the show for its sixth and final season. The series is an extension of the popular Karate Kid film franchise. The report suggested that D.M.D will portray the character of a European fighter on one of the teams competing in an international Karate tournament known as ‘Sekai Taikai,’ which the final season has been revolving around.

Britt Baker will be featured in fight sequences and those were filmed before her AEW return, which was pushed back due to her commitments in the series.

The first set of Cobra Kai episodes for season six are currently available on Netflix and it saw the participants arriving for the tournament. Baker will be seen in the later episodes of this season. The second set of episodes for season six will drop on the platform on November 15.

Britt Baker recently returned to All Elite Wrestling at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view. She has been involved in a heated rivalry with TBS Champion and NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone.

AEW recently suspended Britt Baker after a backstage incident last month. In the incident, she was involved with the AEW American Champion MJF, and his real-life partner Alicia Atout. Reports stated that the situation dates back to unresolved issues between the two talents, as they had a “falling out” last year.

Despite the suspension, Britt Baker is scheduled to face Mercedes Mone for the AEW TBS Championship on Sunday, August 25 at AEW All In: London.

Undertaker On Possibly Having One More Match: “That Is What I Was Looking For”

Bishal Roy
-
0

WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker has revealed that he was aiming for one more match before calling it a career for good.

‘The Phenom’ recently told WWE star Logan Paul on his Impaulsive podcast that he wanted one more match. During the interview, the WWE was asked whether he was looking for one last bout to end his in-ring career. The Undertaker said that’s what he was looking for to put the exclamation point in his decorated career. While he has retired, Taker still believes he has one more battle left in the tank. He said:

“That is what I was looking for. Yeah, just to put the exclamation point on the career. I wanted to have that one match that I could hang my hat on and say goodbye. I will come to the shows and I will say hello, and I’ll talk to some of the guys. Maybe watch a couple of the matches, but then I’ve got to leave. It is still in my body, my mindset is like, ‘Dude, you should be getting ready right now.’ That part in your head that has gotten you this far says you still got one in you somewhere.You got one match and people are gonna go ‘wow'”

The Undertaker competed against AJ Styles in a cinematic Boneyard Match at WWE WrestleMania 36. He emerged victorious over ‘The Phenomenal One’ and it marked his final match in the company. After an illustrious 30-year career, he officially retired at Survivor Series PLE in November 2020. Since then he has been making sporadic appearances for the company.

‘The Phenom’ recently shocked the fans when he made an appearance during the main event of WrestleMania XL. He took out The Rock with a Chokeslam which assisted Cody Rhodes win the Undisputed WWE Championship against Roman Reigns.

You can check out the full episode of IMPAULSIVE podcast below:

The Undertaker: ‘The More I Tried To Fix Goldberg Match, the Worse it Got’

Thomas Lowson
-
0

The Undertaker’s efforts to save his infamous match with Bill Goldberg only proved to make matters worse, the Phenom of WWE shared this week. On the ImPaulsive podcast, The Undertaker recalled the ‘dream match’ with Goldberg going very wrong in 2019.

“Man it was horrible, the match that I had with Goldberg in Saudi Arabia. You know, there was never a time in my career where I didn’t feel like no matter what happened, that I couldn’t figure out a way to make it all work and make it make sense. Get it back on track and still have a decent match.

“You know he got concussed early on it’s 98 degrees at at midnight in the desert and it was just like a train wreck. The more I tried to fix it, the worse it got. I’m not pointing fingers, it’s just one of those things that happened where I just didn’t have it in me physically anymore to make things right.”

The match in question took place at Super ShowDown 2019 and marked the first-ever one-on-one match between the two wrestling legends. Unfortunately, the age of both men, in addition to Goldberg concussing himself during his entrance, resulted in a sloppy, botch-filled contest that didn’t deliver what had been promoted. The match ended with The Undertaker defeating Goldberg though neither man appeared pleased after the match.

Given the quality of this match, neither man waited long before they got back in the ring in an attempt to move on from the ordeal. Undertaker, who at this stage of his career wrestled maybe twice a year, was back in the ring the next month for WWE Extreme Rules, where he and Roman Reigns defeated Drew McIntyre and Shane McMahon. Goldberg would make an impactful return at SummerSlam in August, squashing Dolph Ziggler.

For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.

Joe Hendry Wants To Stay In NXT For A Lot Longer, Offers Match for 8/13 Show

Thomas Lowson
-
0

The WWE Universe should get used to seeing TNA Wrestling’s Joe Hendry in WWE NXT following his victory on this week’s show. At the second week of the NXT Great American Bash 2024, Hendry defeated Joe Coffey in the TNA star’s first singles match since coming to the gold brand.

After the match, Hendry said he likes it in NXT and might stay for a lot longer. The former TNA Digital Media Champion said that the roster won’t have to say his name and he’ll still appear in NXT. If anyone has a problem with that, Hendry said they can face him on next week’s show.

Joe Hendry in WWE

Hendry has been a focal point of WWE NXT’s ongoing crossover with TNA Wrestling, hardly a surprise given that he’s one of wrestling most popular performers today. Hendry headlined the July 9, episode of the gold brand and performed a concert mocking Gallus during last week’s WWE NXT Great American Bash special.

Hendry’s role in NXT has proven to be a hit with fans and the Scottish star has bigger plans in the promotion, including a possible future collision with John Cena & The Rock. In the more-near future, Hendry will be back on TNA iMPACT this week where he’ll face Gallus’ Wolfgang in another example of a crossover between that promotion and WWE. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on Joe Hendry as the viral Scottish star continues to take the wrestling world in WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling by storm.

Wes Lee Betrays MSK During WWE NXT Great American Bash Week Two

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Wes Lee turned his back on his MSK brothers this week in shocking scenes from the second week of this year’s WWE NXT Great American Bash. During the show, MSK (Lee & Zachary Wentz) failed to win the NXT Tag Team Titles from Axiom and Nathan Frazer.

After the match, Wentz and Trey Miguel tried to console Lee, but he responded by superkicking Miguel and delivering a low blow to Wentz. The former North American Champion wasn’t done, as he put Trey through the barricade before slamming Wentz into the steel steps.

Not winning the titles would have been a huge setback for Lee, whose second reign as an NXT Tag Team Champion ended without him being beaten. After he and Wentz (then Nash Carter) won the titles at Stand & Deliver 2022, the team was stripped of the gold after Wentz’s release from WWE following allegations by his ex-wife Kimber Lee. This shocking betrayal also marks Lee’s first heel turn since coming to WWE NXT.

With this betrayal, fans could be seeing more of Miguel and Wentz, both of whom are signed to TNA Wrestling, on WWE NXT programming. The ongoing crossover has seen talent be shared between the two sides and has proven especially popular with fans. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on Wes Lee and MSK after the shocking betrayal seen at WWE NXT Great American Bash 2024 (Week Two.)

CM Punk & Randy Orton Set for First 2 Weeks of NXT on The CW (Oct. 1 & 8)

Michael Reichlin
-
0
  • NXT moves to The CW Network on Tuesday, October 1, 2024
  • WWE has announced the first took weeks will take place from big arenas in Chicago and St. Louis, with Punk and Orton appearing in their respective hometowns

WWE has announced big plans for NXT’s move to The CW this October. The premiere episode on Tuesday, October 1 will take place from Chicago’s Allstate Arena with special guest CM Punk.

The following week, NXT on The CW goes head-to-head with AEW Dynamite, which is running a rare ‘Title Tuesday’ show due to a pre-emotion. WWE plans to keep the momentum going from the premiere on CW, because the October 8 episode of NXT on The CW will hail from St. Louis, with hometown superstar Randy Orton set to appear.

Last year, WWE and The CW Network announced a 5-year partnership that will bring NXT to broadcast television 52 weeks per year through late 2029.

Here’s the official press release sent in to SEScoops:

NXT KICKS OFF THE CW ERA WITH ARENA SHOWS IN CHICAGO & ST. LOUIS

Live from Allstate Arena with CM Punk in Chicago on Tuesday, October 1 &
Enterprise Center with Randy Orton in St. Louis on Tuesday, October 8

Tickets Available Starting Thursday, August 15 at 10 a.m. Via Ticketmaster

STAMFORD, Conn., August 6, 2024 – WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today announced NXT will travel to Allstate Arena in Chicago on Tuesday, October 1 and the Enterprise Center in St. Louis on Tuesday, October 8 as part of its highly anticipated broadcast television debut on The CW Network. NXT makes its live debut on The CW on Tuesday, October 1 at 8 p.m. ET.

Additionally, the live arena shows will feature special appearances by WWE Superstar CM Punk in Chicago and WWE Superstar Randy Orton in St. Louis. 

Tickets for both events go on sale Thursday, August 15 at 10 a.m. local via Ticketmaster.com. An exclusive presale opportunity will be available starting Wednesday, August 14 at 10 a.m. local. To learn more about registering for pre-sale opportunities, please visit WWE.com.

In November 2023, WWE and The CW Network announced a five-year agreement that will see NXT make its broadcast television debut for the first time in its 13-year history. NXT will air 52 live weekly events throughout the season.

Launched by WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, NXT has aired weekly since 2012 and features the brightest young talent in sports entertainment. Nearly 90 percent of the participants in last year’s WrestleMania were developed under the NXT banner. Led by WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, NXT is popular with younger audiences. Year to date, NXT’s average viewership is up 20 percent among adults 18-49. WWE Superstars, such as Roman Reigns, Seth “Freakin” Rollins and Charlotte Flair have come up through NXT.

NXT joins a growing roster of live sports on The CW Network, including ACC football and basketball games, Pac-12 football and LIV Golf. The CW is also home to the Emmy®-award winning weekly studio series “Inside the NFL” and the NASCAR Xfinity Series beginning in Fall 2024. The network will soon offer more than 500 hours of sports programming year-round.

Tony Khan Shares More On “Really Nice Visit” With Shane McMahon

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Tony Khan has shared more about his surprising meeting with Shane McMahon which the AEW President found to be “really nice.” Speaking with the Sedano & Kap Show, Khan addressed the meeting that took place at an Arlington, Texas airport last month.

“As I understand, he’s not doing anything with WWE, and I had a really nice visit with him…

I have a lot of respect for him. I had never met him, but he seemed like a really nice guy. I sat down with him, he was fantastic. I really enjoyed talking with him. He is a very smart person about wrestling.”

WWE’s Prodigal Son met with Tony Khan last month and it’s been reported that the pair discussed “possibilities moving forward.” In a statement shared with Busted Open Radio, McMahon said he and Khan discussed a shared love of the business and the rewards and challenges of working with family.

This meeting has left many speculating on whether a McMahon family member could soon be All Elite. Earlier this year, Conrad Thompson claimed that McMahon had spoken to some in AEW about the possibility of joining Tony Khan’s first promotion. It was later clarified that Shane was not making a formal pitch to join AEW and was simply stating that it would be an interesting moment in wrestling. Bryan Danielson has said he’s open to working with McMahon, or anyone, in AEW.

McMahon hasn’t appeared for WWE since his WrestleMania 39 showdown with The Miz which resulted in Shane suffering a torn quad. While McMahon has reportedly made efforts to return to WWE since then, these have been rebuffed by higher-ups. Shane was fired in 2022 for reportedly causing backstage chaos at the Royal Rumble and it’s said there’s still a lot of negativity within WWE against the 54-year-old.

Liv Morgan Is WWE’s Latest Star To Sign With Paradigm Talent Agency

Thomas Lowson
-
0

WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan has joined the list of Superstars to ink a deal with the Paradigm Talent Agency.

Joe Otterson of Variety reports that Morgan has signed with the agency that will pursue opportunities for her in the entertainment industry. Morgan joins CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, and Tiffany Stratton as WWE talent who have inked with Paradigm. Morgan continues to be represented by attorney Brad Small at Fox Rothschild.

This blockbuster move for Morgan comes at an arguable career peak for the 30-year-old Superstar who’s been with WWE since 2014. Not only is Morgan the reigning Women’s World Champion, but she was welcomed into the new Judgment Day on this week’s RAW. Morgan retained her title at WWE SummerSlam against Rhea Ripley thanks to the efforts of Dominik Mysterio.

Liv Morgan Out of the Ring

Though best known for her years as a WWE Superstar, Morgan has made a name for herself outside the squared circle. In 2023, Morgan was part of crime comedy thriller The Kill Room which featured major names including Uma Thurman, Joe Manganiello, Maya Hawke, and Samuel L. Jackson. Morgan also played herself in an episode of Chucky that did not go well for the Superstar as seen in the clip below.

Morgan’s work out of the ring has seen her appear on several reality shows including Total Divas and Miz & Mrs. In October 2022, Morgan said that she was trying to “finagle or finesse” her way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though no such role has emerged. Notable names from WWE already in Marvel films include Triple H (Blade: Trinity) and Batista (Guardians of the Galaxy.) Seth Rollins will be next to join the world of Marvel with an unspecified role in Captain America: Brave New World.

Joe Hendry: ‘I Believe I’ll Share The Screen With John Cena & The Rock’

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Could Joe Hendry go face-to-face with WWE icons like John Cena and The Rock? The TNA Wrestling star certainly believes so. Speaking with The Wrestling Matt, Hendry shared his belief that he will one day share the ring with the two megastars.

“I believe I will have an in-ring interaction with The Rock. I believe I will have a match with John Cena. If I’d have told you four months ago this is where I’d be right now, no one would have believed me. But I did. My team did.”

During the podcast, Hendry noted that it’s possible his interaction with The Rock will be a ‘guitar off’ between himself and WWE’s Final Boss. The Rock, like Hendry, has hosted several concerts over the years to poke fun at in-ring opponents.

It’s impossible to ignore how popular Hendry has become in a relatively short period of time. 2024 has seen the Scottish star be a focal point of TNA’s crossover with NXT, and is set to return during tonight’s Great American Bash (Week Two) event. Hendry will take on Joe Coffey of Gallus on tonight’s show, in the singles debut for Joe in NXT.

As for John Cena and The Rock, their returns to WWE programming are already etched in stone. The Rock confirmed during the post-WrestleMania RAW that he will be back, but has his sights set on Cody Rhodes. The Great One remains tied to WWE off-screen as part of TKO’s Board of Directors.

Cena will kick off his final year of wrestling later this year ahead of the 16-time WWE World Champion’s retirement in 2025. Hendry has expressed his interest in facing Cena and has vowed to offer John a TNA World Championship match should the viral Scottish star win the gold.

Bryan Danielson On Shane McMahon: ‘I’m Open To Working with Anyone in AEW’

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Bryan Danielson would be fine working with Shane McMahon should the ‘Prodigal Son‘ of WWE soon find a home in All Elite Wrestling. Speaking with the Gorilla Position podcast, Danielson addressed those rumors about McMahon.

“I’m open to working with anybody. I don’t have beef with anybody. 100%.”

The American Dragon added that Tony Khan told him of the meeting with McMahon though by the time he did, Danielson, like everyone else in wrestling, was well aware.

“Tony mentioned to me after the photo came out, ‘I didn’t want to tell you this before, but I met with Shane McMahon.’ I didn’t say this, but I was like, ‘Yeah, I know. The picture is everywhere.'”

McMahon and Danielson have a history in WWE and were allies on-screen from 2016 to 2018. After a series of injuries forced Danielson to retire from in-ring competition, he was appointed SmackDown’s GM in 2016 by McMahon, who served as the brand’s commissioner. Danielson left the role as General Manager upon being cleared to wrestle again in 2018 and teamed with Shane to defeat Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 34.

Shane McMahon in AEW

McMahon met with Tony Khan last month and it’s been reported that the pair discussed “possibilities moving forward.” In a statement shared with Busted Open Radio, McMahon said he and Khan discussed a shared love of the business and the rewards and challenges of working with family.

The meeting of the WWE staple and AEW President has left many speculating on whether a McMahon family member could soon be All Elite. This meeting comes after it was claimed by Conrad Thompson earlier this year that McMahon had spoken to some in AEW about the possibility of joining Tony Khan’s first promotion. It was later clarified that Shane was not making a formal pitch to join AEW and was simply stating that it would be an interesting moment in wrestling. 

Tony Khan has said he has a lot of respect for Shane and appreciates his work as both an in-ring performer and an executive. McMahon hasn’t been seen on WWE TV since WrestleMania 39 where he made a surprise appearance for an impromptu match against The Miz. While McMahon has reportedly made efforts to return to WWE since then, these are said to have been rebuffed by higher-ups. Shane was fired the previous year for reportedly causing backstage chaos at the 2022 Royal Rumble and it’s said there’s still a lot of negativity within WWE against 54-year-old.

WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 Tickets: Availability, price and more

Jake Skudder
-
0

WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 is an eagerly anticipated event for wrestling fans worldwide as it is the first time that the European country will be hosting a Premium Live Event.

As the excitement builds, here’s everything you need to know about ticket availability, pricing, and additional details to ensure you don’t miss out on this spectacular event.

Read More – WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 Card Predictions: GUNTHER, Rhea Ripley, Ilja Dragunov and more

WWE Bash in Berlin Ticket Availability

The WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster in the EU, the official ticketing partner for this event.

Tickets are expected to sell out quickly due to the immense popularity of WWE events, so early booking is highly recommended.

Where to Buy

Tickets can be purchased directly from the Ticketmaster website. It is advisable to create an account on Ticketmaster for a smoother purchasing experience and to receive notifications about any updates or additional ticket releases.

Ticket Pricing

Ticket prices for WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 vary depending on the seating section and the type of ticket purchased. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing categories:

Standard Tickets

Standard tickets are the most common type of tickets available and offer a range of prices based on the seating area:

  • Lower Level Seating: €80 – €150
  • Upper Level Seating: €40 – €80

VIP Packages

For a premium experience, VIP packages are also available. These packages often include exclusive perks such as meet-and-greet opportunities with WWE Superstars, premium seating, and exclusive merchandise:

  • VIP Gold Package: €250
  • VIP Platinum Package: €400

Event Details

Date and Venue

The WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 will be held at the Uber Arena in Berlin, a premier venue known for hosting significant sports and entertainment events. The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 31st 2024.

Schedule

The doors to the venue will open at 5:00 PM, with the event scheduled to start at 6:30 PM. It is recommended to arrive early to avoid last-minute rushes and to enjoy the pre-show activities.

How to Prepare

To make the most of your WWE Bash in Berlin 2024 experience, consider the following tips:

  • Arrive Early: Ensure you get the best parking spots and avoid any last-minute rush.
  • Stay Updated: Follow WWE and Ticketmaster social media accounts for real-time updates.
  • Merchandise: Bring some extra cash for exclusive event merchandise available at the venue.

Pop Singer Clairo’s New Music Video Was Filmed at a Wrestling Show

Bishal Roy
-
0

Pop singer Clairo recently dropped her new video song, ‘Juna’ which was shot at White Eagle in Worcester, MA. This marked her first music video in several years and it features Beyond Wrestling’s Wrestling Open and its stars as her backdrop.

In the video directed by Bradley J Calder, Billboard Top 100 Artist Clairo attends the indie circuit wrestling show, and watches a battle royal match before the crowd joins her for the song. Clairo could be seen posing with the Beyond Wrestling wrestlers backstage while everyone else from the audience to the ring announcer, lip sync the song’s closing melody.

Clairo’s latest release is currently #1 on the TikTok Billboard charts and she was number 14 on the Billboard Top 100 Artists chart last week behind Jelly Roll, who performed at last Saturday’s WWE’s SummerSlam PLE.

Wrestling Open and Beyond Wrestling owner Denver Colorado said:

“It was an incredible experience to work with Clairo and her team. When Clairo shared the fan-made TikTok featuring Ryan Clancy and Brad Baylor to her Instagram story last week, we saw a massive influx of new fans that were curious about Wrestling Open. Timing is everything and I think this collaboration will bring independent wrestling into a mainstream spotlight like we haven’t seen in more than a decade.”

He added:

“White Eagle in Worcester has hosted Wrestling Open every Thursday for the last 135 weeks. The opportunities we have been afforded this year is a testament to the extraordinary work of our entire crew. For our wrestlers to get recognition on this stage is virtually unheard of, yet totally deserved. Before Clairo left, I told her that the “Juna” music video would change lives. Wishing her nothing but continued success as she embarks on her North American tour!”

Juna Live

Watch Clairo’s recent performance of Juna on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon:

Logan Paul Ready to Take LA Knight to Court Over PRIME Truck Damage

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Logan Paul and LA Knight’s next face-to-face altercation may come in a courtroom rather than a WWE ring if the Maverick has his way. On Twitter, Paul shared some legal paperwork for Knight and is hoping for a trial in front of a jury.

Paul’s complaint stems from Knight stealing the Maverick’s PRIME energy truck during the go-home episode of WWE SmackDown before SummerSlam 2024. At the Biggest Party of the Summer, Knight damaged the vehicle. Paul is alleging “civil theft and willful property damage” and is seeking compensatory and exemplary damages in addition to attorney fees and costs.

Knight won the United States Championship at SummerSlam, ending Paul’s reign with the gold that had been the longest of the past decade. After SummerSlam, the Maverick gave credit to Knight but made clear he’d been in touch with WWE’s ‘Megastar’ about the truck.

What’s to Come?

LA Knight is ready to build a legacy after capturing the United States Championship at SummerSlam. That path will begin this Friday as the new U.S. Champion is being advertised for SmackDown in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The show will also feature the return of Roman Reigns, and AJ Styles is reportedly expected to make an appearance, his first since Clash At the Castle: Scotland.

After years with WWE, Knight is finally a champion on the main roster, a reign many believe is long overdue. Though he was able to dispatch of Logan Paul at SummerSlam, it may not be long before the two come to blows, albeit of a legal kind, very soon.

Related: Logan Paul Reflects On Good Run As Champion After SummerSlam Loss

UFC Champion Belal Muhammad Responds To CM Punk’s Shoutout on Raw

Bishal Roy
-
0

The newly-crowned UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad recently responded to WWE star CM Punk, who congratulated the Octagon fighter.

On the latest edition of Raw, CM Punk congratulated his former UFC training teammate Belal Muhammad for clinching the UFC welterweight title with a dominant performance against Leon Edwards at UFC 304. Check out Belal’s response below:

Belal Muhammad is part of the Roufusport MMA team which is led by coach Duke Roufus. Apart from Muhammad, several UFC champions including Anthony Pettis and Tryon Woodley have emerged from the gym. It is to be noted that Punk and Muhammad have a fair share of history. Apart from the fact that they both hail from Chicago, Illinois, they trained together in the past.

‘The Second City Savior’ had a short-lived UFC run during which he trained primarily under Duke Roufus at his gym in Milwaukee. This is the same place where Muhammad frequently trained as he climbed up the rankings in the UFC’s welterweight division. Punk competed twice in the UFC and suffered defeats on both the occasions. Following his UFC run, he stepped away from MMA.

Now, CM Punk is back in WWE and his rivalry with Drew McIntyre looks far from over. ‘The Scottish Warrior’ prevailed over Punk in a match officiated by Seth Rollins at last week’s SummerSlam. On the latest episode of Raw, Rollins and Punk almost started a brawl but McIntyre distracted the latter. Punk went after the Scotsman while Bronson Reed decimated ‘The Visionary’.

AJ Styles Reportedly Set To Return to WWE TV on 8/9 SmackDown

Thomas Lowson
-
0

AJ Styles will make his return to WWE programming for the first time in close to two months this Friday, it has been reported. PW Insider has learned that the two-time WWE World Champion is scheduled for this week’s taping in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Styles hasn’t competed on WWE programming since the 6/15 Clash At The Castle PLE in Glasgow, Scotland, where he lost to Cody Rhodes. Despite his absence from TV, Styles hasn’t kept on the sidelines. In July, he competed at the NOAH Destination event against Naomichi Marufuji as part of WWE’s crossover with the Japanese promotion. Styles also competed on WWE’s recent tour of Japan, the company’s first since 2019.

WWE SmackDown – August 9

Styles’ reported return will be just one highlight of this Friday’s episode of SmackDown that will deal with the fallout of an explosive SummerSlam in Cleveland. The show will also see the return of Roman Reigns who emerged during the SummerSlam main event between Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa.

New WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax is being promoted for SmackDown in Tulsa, as is former champion Bayley. Jax captured the title at SummerSlam in her first title victory since returning to WWE last year. Other names promoted for this Friday’s show include Jade Cargill, and Bianca Belair, new United States Champion LA Knight, and Randy Orton.

8/2 AEW Rampage Draws Record-Low Viewership Against Paris Olympics

Thomas Lowson
-
0

The August 2, edition of AEW Rampage will go down in history for all the wrong reasons as the least-viewed episode in the show’s three-year history. The show drew 209,000 viewers, data from Wrestlenomics shows, down considerably from the previous week’s 306,000. The coveted 18-49 demographic also took a hit as the show drew a 0.07 rating, down from the previous week’s 0.10 rating.

Rampage, like many shows, was decimated by coverage of the ongoing Olympic Games in Paris, France. August 2, saw Team USA win silver in swimming courtesy of Regan Smith while Grant Fisher took the bronze in the Men’s 10,000m race. Team USA won silver in Equestrian Team Jumping and Brady Ellison and Casey Kaufhold took home the bronze for Team USA in the mixed Archery.

tweet chart 2024 08 05 1

AEW Rampage – August 2

While Rampage was on, Olympics coverage averaged 13.1 million viewers and a 2.29 rating in the 18-49 demographic. The AEW show saw MxM face Private Party, Wheeler Yuta take on The Butcher, and Nyla Rose face Harley Cameron. Bryan Keith and Brian Cage were also in action on the show.

While it’s not a surprise that Rampage was crushed by the Olympics, AEW’s Friday show is part of a worrying trend across all AEW programming. As data from Wrestlenomics demonstrates, AEW Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision have all seen drops in viewership from this time last year. These drops are reflected in the 18-49 demographic ratings as well, while WWE content sees steady growth in this coveted demographic across Raw, SmackDown, and NXT.

1...234235236...3,348Page 235 of 3,348