Home Blog Page 257

Cedric Alexander Picks Up First Singles Win On TV Since 2021

Tyriece Simon
-
0

Cedric Alexander is back in the win column after securing a victory on the July 30 episode of NXT. The developmental brand held week one of their Great American Bash TV special. One of the featured matchups had Alexander taking on Brook Jensen.

It marks the WWE veteran’s first singles win on TV since he defeated Reggie for the WWE 24/7 Championship on the November 22, 2021, episode of Monday Night Raw.

The matchup came together after Shawn Spears confronted Alexander while he was advising other NXT talent backstage. “The Chairman” downplayed the usefulness of the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion’s knowledge and shared that he was mentoring Jensen. Alexander responded that Spears can only influence weak-minded talent, leading to Jensen challenging him to a match in the episode.

Alexander and Jensen had their moments in the match, with the troubled NXT talent coming close to being victorious. However, Jensen would hurt himself on a missed leg drop attempt from the ring apron onto his opponent on the announce table. Alexander used his experience to capitalize on the moment and land his Lumbar Check finisher to get the win.

Cedric Alexander Comments On Current NXT Run

Alexander reflected on his victory in a backstage interview and teased Spears that his teaching methods didn’t seem to have much impact on Jensen. He was also asked how he felt about being on the NXT roster, and the former main roster superstar expressed that he is enjoying it and plans to stick around for a while.

“…It’s been an experience. It’s like going back to high school again,” said Alexander. He explained, “You see a bunch of new friends. You see a bunch of old friends you haven’t seen in a long time, and it’s good to mix it up with the people every once in a while. But yeah, I’m enjoying my time here, and I think I might be here for a long time.”

Although he was successful against Jensen, it seems Alexander will have to deal with Spears soon. The former All Elite Wrestling superstar showed displeasure with his Protégé taking the loss. Spears will likely want to prove a point and show that he is a better influence over the NXT locker room than Alexander. Hopefully, the “Babyface” can continue his momentum with his fresh start on the developmental brand.

The Miz Offers Big Praise To Pat McAfee For His WWE Work

Anutosh Bajpai
-
0

The Miz has offered big praise to Pat McAfee for the way he’s been able to adapt to the WWE climate and excel at the art of storytelling.

The A Lister recently appeared on The Rich Eisen Show to promote this Sunday’s SummerSlam event. The WWE star will be hosting the event that will be held in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

During the interview, they talked about the former NFL star. The Miz mentioned how Pat brings a unique energy to the WWE programming with his work on the commentary desk:

“He’s been amazing for us in WWE. He’s a ball of energy. You know? He usually flies in, because he does his show, and then he’ll fly right in, and he’ll do our show, and it’s very difficult to do. A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, color commentary, it’s not that hard,’ It’s very difficult. It’s a whole different mindset.”

We Tell Stories: The Miz

The Miz explained that wrestling is all about telling stories. According to him, the way Pat McAfee has been able to adapt to it and connect with the audience is unmatched:

“The way he’s been able to come into WWE and really just take the bull by the horns and really go out there and do just a fantastic job of storytelling. That’s what we do. We tell stories, and the way he’s able to communicate that to our audience is unmatched. He’s been doing a great job at it.”

McAfee joined WWE back in 2018 when he started appearing on pre-show panels for NXT: Takeover events.  He officially signed a contract with the company in 2019 and he has been a regular part of the WWE crew since then.

The former football player has recently exchanged words with NXT personnel over the new WWE 2K24 DLC pack that features his talk show co-hosts alongside McAfee himself. It appears very likely that we’ll be seeing him getting a match on the development brand sooner or later.

WWE Teaming With Games Global For Trio Of Branded Slot Machines

Thomas Lowson
-
0

WWE’s latest venture into the world of gaming will see the company produce three themed slot machines with supplier Games Global. Three slot machines will be produced over three years, a statement confirmed this week, with the first, WWE Bonus Rumble: Gold Blitz, being released this August. Andy Booth, Chief Product Officer at Games Global, shared his excitement over the partnership.

“Games Global is thrilled to step into the wrestling ring with WWE and deliver powerhouse content that will appeal to our audiences around the world. Some of the most iconic WWE® superstars will bring our three titles to life and ensure players are immersed in the exciting world of sports entertainment.”

Booth added that partnering with WWE is “monumental” for Games Global and that he is looking forward to the release of WWE Bonus Rumble: Gold Blitz.

WWE Games Global

This isn’t WWE’s first foray into the world of slot machines. Developer All For One Studios has multiple slot machine games including WWE Legends: Link & Win as well as WWE: Clash of the Wilds. The question now is whether these new slot machines will receive much, if any promotion on WWE programming, as given the company’s PG rating, it could be considered as advertising of gambling to minor fans.

The Undertaker Reveals One Thing That Worries Him About Current Generation of Wrestlers

Anutosh Bajpai
-
0

The Undertaker says the one thing that worries him about professional wrestlers today is the longevity of their careers because of all the crazy moves they do.

The Phenom recently sat down with “Mighty” Demetrious Johnson for an interview. He talked about things such as his pairing with Paul Bearer, his WrestleMania 40 appearance and more.

During the talk, Taker was asked for his thoughts on the current era of wrestling. The former World Champion first mentioned how WWE is breaking new records with each show so there is not a lot for him to complain. There is one thing, however, that the wrestling veteran is worried about:

“There’s nothing that I can say that like, ‘They should probably be doing this,’ Because they’re killing it. They’re killing it. The only thing that worries me, because I know the physical shape and condition that I’m in, and the things that I’ve had to do since I’ve been in the business, is I worry about their longevity, because of how much they continue to push the envelope.”

Get Them Invested In The Character: The Undertaker

The Undertaker claimed that the lack of character development made a lot wrestlers turn towards high risk moves. Though he still believes that getting the audience invested in your story is the best way:

“What ends up happening a lot of times. You mentioned it a little bit earlier, about like the character development. There was a time period there, where the character development was really lacking and the athleticism part was there. So they would, they started doing these crazy moves to [compensate].

Then what they end up trying to do is like, okay, well, after two or three times of seeing a double backflip twist off the top rope to the floor, your audience gets desensitized to that, like ‘I’ve seen that. What do you got now?’ Now you have to push the envelope a little bit further, and there’s limitations to what the human body can do. But if you can get them invested in the character, you either gotta make them love you, or you gotta make them hate you.”

The Risks of Wrestling

The Dead Man closed his argument saying that a lot of people do not understand the risks involved in wrestling. That’s why he wishes that talent would focus more on character side of things:

“That’s kind of the one thing that I wish, as a whole, that there would be more of, just because, you know what most people don’t realize about wrestling. What people really don’t realize is that within any given match, on any given night, you’re two inches away from something catastrophic happening. Regardless of how much training you’ve had.

Then when you think about the number of dates per year that you’re working, that risk factor goes up exponentially. When you’re doing double back flips off of the top rope into a group of people, it only takes one time.”

Roxanne Perez: ‘I’m The Best in the World. Not Giulia or Stephanie Vaquer’

Thomas Lowson
-
0

NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez has asserted her dominance following an impactful main event victory at Great American Bash (Week One.) At the event, Perez defeated Thea Hail to keep her title reign alive. In a WWE NXT Digital Exclusive, The Prodigy reflected on her victory and named some notable women.

“I’ll give Thea her respect, because she almost had me there, but realistically, everybody needs to stop worrying about everybody else around the world. Not a Thea, not a Giulia, not a Stephanie [Vaquer].

“NXT is the best women’s division in the world, and this (NXT Women’s Championship) is on my shoulder, which means I am the best woman in the world.”

Vaquer joined WWE earlier this month, mere days after competing at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door. As for Giulia, it has been reported that she has signed with WWE. The Japanese sensation recently shared that she will wrap up her time competing in Japan on August 19, with many believing she will debut for WWE before, or shortly after that date.

This promo from Perez is not the first time that the reigning NXT Women’s Champion has brought up Vaquer and Giulia. Perez namedropped both women, exciting fans eager to see The Prodigy work against these two exceptionally talented athletes. Vaquer has said that she will be joining NXT in the near future, making a showdown with Perez even more likely.

Charlotte Flair Is ‘Adding Up The Inches’ In WWE In-Ring Recovery

Thomas Lowson
-
0

WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair is back in the ring training for her return after being out of action with an injury since last December. On Instagram, Flair shared some footage of her in-ring training which included running the ropes and a series of rolls. In the caption, Flair channeled Tony D’Amato’s (Al Pacino) speech from 1999’s Any Given Sunday.

We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch.
Cause we know
when we add up all those inches
that’s going to make the f***ing difference
between WINNING and LOSING
between LIVING and DYING.

I’ll tell you this
in any fight
it is the guy who is willing to die
who is going to win that inch.
And I know
if I am going to have any life anymore
it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch
because that is what LIVING is.

Flair has been out of action since December after suffering a leg injury during a match with Asuka, who is also currently out with an injury. Flair’s setback has forced her to miss several major WWE events, including WrestleMania, a show that she has competed in a title match for seven times in the past.

While Flair has been missing from WWE programming, the Queen of All Eras has kept a close eye on programming. Flair recently said that she’s sure a match with NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez will happen when the time is right. Perez named Flair alongside several female Superstars on an episode of NXT before stating none of them compare to The Prodigy.

Away from the ring, Flair has been filming scenes for an upcoming indie horror/thriller film titled You Lose You Die. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on Charlotte Flair and her return to the squared circle.

Maria Kanellis-Bennett To Undergo Surgery After Mass Found on Adrenal Gland

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Maria Kanellis-Bennett will go under the knife later this year to deal with a concerning matter regarding her adrenal gland. Earlier this month, Kanellis-Bennett shared that she had visited a doctor after showing symptoms that had her concerned. The ROH performer learned that a mass had been found on her adrenal gland and urged fans to listen to their bodies if they suspect something is wrong.

In an update, Maria shared that she has had blood work done and is expected to undergo surgery this September. The former WWE 24/7 Champion will undergo a retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy and doctors will biopsy the mass after.

A retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy typically requires the potential to lie face down on the operating table. The surgeon then places a small lighted camera into the back through a series of small incisions so they can view and access the adrenal glands. Small surgical tools are used to remove the entire adrenal gland if it is wholly infected or if possible, only a portion of it.

Maria’s announcement comes days after she appeared at ROH Death Before Dishonor where Mike Bennett and Matt Taven retained the ROH World Tag Team Championships against The Conglomeration (Kyle O’Reilly and Tomohiro Ishii.) Maria also appeared at AEW Battle of the Belts XI where the Undisputed Kingdom (Mike, Taven, and Roderick Strong) lost to the Von Erichs and Dustin Rhodes in a match for the vacant ROH World Six-Man Tag-Team Championships.

We here at SE Scoops are continuing to send our very best to Maria at this difficult time.

The Undertaker Looks Back On Pairing With Paul Bearer: It Was Meant To Be

Anutosh Bajpai
-
0

You cannot talk about the career of Undertaker without talking about Paul Bearer. The legendary manager not only provided a much-needed edge to the character on screen, but he also helped the former world champion in subtle ways that many may not have realized.

The Dead Man recently joined “Mighty” Demetrious Johnson for an interview on his YouTube channel. He talked about things such as his WrestleMania 40 appearance, how he feels about today’s wrestling and more.

When the topic of Paul Bearer was brought up, Taker explained how the pairing first came about. He recalled how Bruce Prichard was his original manager, but they had to find a new one because of Prichard’s other commitments:

“So originally, I had my manager. They brought me in with Brother Love. So Brother Love, his name is Bruce Prichard. He was on the creative team. So he was trying to make the towns with me. Back then we travelled all the time. We’d be out 30-40, days in a row, and he just couldn’t cover both of them.

So they had to find somebody else for me. So they find Paul Bearer, name’s William Moody and come to find out. This is just how everything works out the way it’s supposed to. He was a legitimate funeral director.”

The Perfect Mix

The Undertaker then discussed how Paul Bearer’s personality and his background as a funeral director was the perfect mix for his character:

“He had a degree in mortuary science or whatever the degree is. So he’s a legit Undertaker. What was so good about it is like he had all this insight into, like language that I could use.

Like If I talked about embalming somebody, I knew exactly what, a trocar or whatever, to use. So it was a really cool mix. He had a really high voice. I had a really low voice. It was just…it was meant to be.”

Apart from being a funeral director, Paul Bearer was also a soldier once and he served in the US air force for 4 years. He made his first appearance for WWE in February 1991 and went on to become a legend in his decade long run with the company.

U.S. Army Reportedly Loses Big On $11 Million Investment In The Rock’s UFL

Thomas Lowson
-
0

The United States Army reportedly spent a fortune on Dwayne Johnson’s UFL, but it didn’t work out well for the military branch. Military.com reports that the U.S. Army spent $11 million on the UFL with the hope of driving up enlistments. Despite this mammoth effort, the “high-dollar, high-profile deal likely didn’t lead to a single new Army recruit. In fact, the partnership was so poor that it “may possibly have had a negative impact on finding new enlistments” according to internal documents and emails.

The deal between the UFL and the Army was supposed to feature Johnson as a “pseudo brand ambassador” with social media posts by WWE’s Final Boss valued at $1 million each. It’s reported that the Army expected five posts, but Johnson only made two posts. The deal also included UFC players wearing Army branding during games.

In a statement, Laura DeFrancisco, a spokesperson for the Army’s marketing end said “We are in the process of working with the UFL to determine the final cost.” The Army is seeking to regain $6 million of its $11 million payment into the partnership.

The UFL was launched in December 2023 following the merger of the XFL and the USFL. Johnson, alongside business partner Dany Garcia, purchased the XFL in 2020 after Vince McMahon’s attempt to revive the league was snuffed out by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This failed partnership with the Army does not reflect well on Johnson, who has faced a series of business shortfalls in recent years, including Black Adam, a film he’d been closely tied to for years, bombing at the box office, and the cancellation of NBC’s Young Rock. It’s been reported that some in WWE believe Johnson’s return to WWE has been an effort to break a ‘losing streak’ by returning to an industry he knows he will be successful in.

Shawn Michaels Names One Reason Why His SummerSlam 95 Match Doesn’t Get Enough Credit

Anutosh Bajpai
-
0

Shawn Michaels’ ladder match with Scott Hall at WrestleMania X is one of the most iconic bouts in the history of wrestling. It was the first ever match of the stipulation to be featured on a WWE PPV, which would later become a staple of WWE programming.

The two stars were tasked with recreating the magic at SummerSlam 1995. Even though both the wrestling stars delivered what was asked of them in a big way, HBK believes the match doesn’t get the credit it deserves because of one reason.

Michaels was originally scheduled for a match against Sycho Sid at the Pittsburgh PPV. A late change was made when the feud failed to garner the interest of the audience. During a talk with Sports Illustrated, Shawn mentioned how it was a challenging task to build a face vs. face match in the limited time:

“This one was very different, the whole story going into it was different and very challenging. I will say this–Scott and I did everything we could to make it epic. I think it was.”

While the match ended up stealing the show, Shawn Michaels believes the bout doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, only because it was a rematch:

“Sequels are always tough, but this is one I think that doesn’t quite get the recognition it deserves, there’s a simple reason for why: it’s number two. Number one is always first. That’s when the moment shifts. There’s only one first time. I’m still proud of it, but it’s not as special because it’s not the first.”

Scott Hall had picked up the win in their WrestleMania encounter but the former DX member got his revenge in their SummerSlam rematch. This would end up being the final time the two legends faced each other in a singles match.

Giulia Is Looking To Start A ‘Revolution’ In America

Anutosh Bajpai
-
0

Giulia is looking to start a revolution when she moves to America.

The Japanese wrestling star recently announced that her last match in the country will be taking place next month, after which she will make her long-anticipated move to America to join the ranks of WWE.

The former Stardom star spoke to Tokyo Sports after her big announcement, and noted that she is determined to make it big in WWE:

“It’s a decision I’ve been thinking about for a long time, so now I have an unwavering resolve. I’ll definitely become big over there and start a revolution so that I can do something that no one has done before.”

Though while American wrestling is in her future, Giulia remains as determined to promote Japanese wrestling. During the interview, she talked about being backstage at the most recent WWE show in Tokyo and noted that the event was on a much different scale than any Japanese promotions.

Giulia Has Big Goals

The female star mentioned how the fans who attended the WWE show were Japanese and wondered why the local promotions can’t attract the same audience. She said that one of her goals now is to improve her performance to gather more fans and make Japanese women’s wrestling as big as possible:

“So I’m going to absorb a lot of things over there and definitely liven up the world. And I’m going to make Japanese women’s wrestling, which I love, big.”

Giulia also talked about Sakurai Mai who she will be facing in her last match in Japan at the August 19 event from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. The former champion said that she wants Sakurai to lead the women’s wrestling in Japan after she leaves.

WWE has not yet confirmed the plans for their newest star. The belief is that she will be introduced in NXT alongside other recent signees Stephanie Vaquer and Delta.

The quotes in the article have been translated using Google Translate

NFL Signing Reported to Participate At WWE SummerSlam 2024 Tryouts

Thomas Lowson
-
0

The stars will be coming out for WWE’s tryouts this week in Cleveland, Ohio as part of a stacked SummerSlam weekend in the city. Atrilleon “Trill” Williams, 24, who played football for the University of Syracuse, will be among the participants in this week’s WWE tryouts, PW Insider reports. Williams played in 28 games for Syracuse and had 93 tackles and four interceptions over three seasons.

In 2020, Williams put his name forward for the NFL Draft and was signed by both the Miami Dolphins and The New Orleans Saints at different points. With that said, he never officially played for either team.

Williams isn’t the only notable name expected to attend these tryouts as Elijah Holyfield will also reportedly be a part of the showcase. The 26-year-old has played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the practice squads of the Carolina Panthers and The Cincinnati Bengals. Elijah is the son of boxing icon Evander Holyfield, who appeared for WWE in 2007 in a boxing match with Matt Hardy. The elder Holyfield also attended a WWE SmackDown taping years later.

For the first time ever, fans will be able to watch these tryouts in person as part of WWE’s ‘On Location’ experience. In the past, After these tryouts, WWE will host SummerSlam 2024 on August 3, from the Cleveland Browns Stadium. In 2021, tryouts held over SummerSlam weekend in Las Vegas resulted in Nikkita Lyons, Tatum Paxley, Edris Enofe, Javier Bernal, and Monday Night Raw’s Maxxine Dupri being signed.

Will a future WWE World Champion take their first steps into the squared circle as part of the tryouts this weekend in Cleveland? Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest from the SummerSlam tryouts and the Biggest Party of the Summer!

Skye Blue Undergoes Surgery After AEW Collision Injury

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Skye Blue will be out of action for the foreseeable future after the talented AEW and Ring of Honor performer underwent ankle surgery this week. On social media, Blue’s partner, Kyle Fletcher shared that Blue had gone under the knife and asked fans for their support.

Blue faced Hikaru Shida during an episode of AEW Collision earlier this month but their match was stopped when Blue suffered an injury. This occurred when Shida hit a crossbody to Blue outside of the ring and Skye was seen in pain when she landed. The referee immediately called for medical attention and after a commercial break, it was decided that the match had to be called off.

Blue had to be carried to the back by medical officials as fans chanted her name in a show of respect. On Twitter, Tony Khan confirmed that she had suffered an ankle injury while Fletcher shared a photo of her recovery at home.

We here at SE Scoops are sending our best to Skye Blue and wishing her a full and speedy recovery.

NXT Results & Video Highlights: Great American Bash (7/30)

Michael Reichlin
-
0

Here are results from this week’s WWE NXT Great American Bash special on Syfy:

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn) defeated Meta-Four (Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend) by pinfall.
  • Backstage Segment: Pete Dunne wants a match with Trick Williams next week.
  • NXT Heritage Cup Championship Match: Tony D’Angelo retained over Tavion Heights with a 2-1 score.
  • Singles Match: Cedric Alexander defeated Brooks Jensen by pinfall.
  • Backstage: Girls fawned over Joe Hendry and Ashante “Thee” Adonis.
  • Promo Segment: The Rascalz Treehouse segment where they discussed a potential tag title shot
  • Concert Segment: Joe Hendry’s live concert mocked Gallus and Booker T until Gallus interrupted and attacked him.
  • Contract Signing: Oro Mensah and Ethan Page had their contract signing in Ava’s office.
  • Singles Match: Jaida Parker defeated Kendal Grey by pinfall.
  • Backstage Segment: Axiom agreed to the tag title match, upsetting Nathan Frazer.
  • Six-Woman Tag Team Match: Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx & Fallon Henley defeated Karmen Petrovic, Lola Vice & Sol Ruca by pinfall.
  • Backstage Segment: Tatum Paxley tried to get Kelani Jordan to play dolls with her, while Wendy Choo was creeping up on her.
  • Parking Lot Segment: Joe Hendry called out Gallus, expressing his desire to face Joe Coffey next week.
  • NXT Women’s Championship Match: Roxanne Perez retained her title against Thea Hail by pinfall.

The Great American Bash continues next Tuesday on Syfy. WWE NXT returns home to the USA Network the following week, Tuesday, August 6. Visit our NXT News page for more.

NXT Great American Bash Video Highlights

AEW Dynamite Schedule: Dates, Venues and Tickets

Jake Skudder
-
0

AEW Dynamite has been the flagship program for All Elite Wrestling since the company’s inception back in 2019. The show has been running weekly since October 2019 and has produced over 250 original episodes.

Upcoming AEW Dynamite Events

Here are all of the upcoming AEW Dynamite shows as confirmed by the company:

August 7, 2024: Winston-Salem, NC

Event: AEW Dynamite/Rampage
Venue: LJVM Coliseum
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Tickets: Buy Tickets
Details: AEW Dynamite and Rampage will rock Winston-Salem with a double taping on Wednesday, August 7th.

August 14, 2024: Norfolk, VA

Event: AEW Dynamite/Rampage
Venue: Chartway Arena
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Tickets: Buy Tickets
Details: Norfolk’s Chartway Arena will host AEW’s Dynamite and Rampage on Wednesday, August 14th.

August 21, 2024: Cardiff, Wales

Event: AEW Dynamite/Collision
Venue: Utilita Arena Cardiff
Time: 18:30 GMT
Tickets: Buy Tickets
Details: AEW crosses the Atlantic to Cardiff, bringing Dynamite and Collision to the passionate wrestling fans in Wales on Wednesday, August 21st ahead of All In from Wembley.

August 28, 2024: Champaign, IL

Event: AEW Dynamite/Rampage
Venue: State Farm Center
Time: 6:30 PM CT
Tickets: On Sale: July 12
Details: The company heads to State Farm Center in Champaign, IL on Wednesday, August 28th for a double taping of Dynamite and Rampage.

Helen Maroulis: What To Know About Team USA’s Olympic Wrestler

Jake Skudder
-
0

Helen Maroulis is a name synonymous with excellence in wrestling. As she prepares for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, she stands on the brink of making history once again.

Maroulis first made headlines at the 2016 Rio Olympics by becoming the first American woman to win a gold medal in freestyle wrestling, defeating Japan’s Saori Yoshida, a three-time Olympic gold medalist. This victory not only elevated her profile but also inspired a new generation of female wrestlers in the United States.

Maroulis’s career has seen incredible highs and challenging lows. After her historic win in Rio, she faced a significant setback due to a concussion in 2018, leading to an early exit at the World Championships that year. Despite these challenges, she made a strong comeback, winning a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first American woman to win two Olympic wrestling medals.

Her consistency and determination have been key to her success. In 2024, she became the first American female wrestler to qualify for three Olympic Games, highlighting her enduring skill and dedication. Her recent victories, including a gold medal at the 2024 Pan American Wrestling Championships, underscore her readiness to compete at the highest level once again.

Maroulis’s journey from a young girl in Rockville, Maryland, to an Olympic champion is one of perseverance and resilience. Training with the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club in Arizona, she continues to push the boundaries of women’s wrestling.

Her legacy extends beyond her medals, serving as an inspiration to young athletes everywhere. As Helen Maroulis steps onto the mat in Paris, she carries with her a legacy of triumph and the hopes of many aspiring wrestlers, reminding us all of what can be achieved with determination and passion.

Wrestling Career

Weight Class

Helen Maroulis has competed in various weight classes throughout her career, including the 55 kg, 53 kg, and 57 kg categories.

Early Life

Helen Louise Maroulis began wrestling at the age of seven when she was asked to be her younger brother’s drilling partner. Helen’s passion for wrestling grew, and she pursued it fervently, even competing against boys throughout her early years.

She made history in high school by becoming the first female wrestler to place at the Maryland Boys’ State Championship. She later attended Marquette Senior High School and then Missouri Baptist University before transferring to Simon Fraser University in Canada.

Amateur Wrestling

Maroulis’ wrestling career is distinguished by numerous accolades. She won her first World Championship gold medal in 2015 and repeated this feat in 2017.

At the Pan American Games in 2011, she secured a gold medal, marking her as a top contender on the international stage.

Despite facing significant challenges, including a severe concussion in 2018, Maroulis continued to excel, winning medals at various championships, including the 2021 World Championships where she won gold in the 57 kg category.

Olympics

Helen Maroulis made history at the 2016 Rio Olympics by becoming the first American woman to win a gold medal in women’s freestyle wrestling. She achieved this by defeating three-time Olympic gold medalist Saori Yoshida of Japan.

Maroulis continued her Olympic success by winning a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She has now qualified for her third Olympic Games, set to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Helen Maroulis Movie

Maroulis’ journey through the challenges of her wrestling career, including her battles with concussions and PTSD, is documented in the movie “Helen: Believe.”

Produced by actor Chris Pratt, the film premiered in the spring of 2023 in the build up to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

For the 2024 Paris Olympics, she will be competing in the women’s freestyle 57 kg weight class.

Links To Pro Wrestling

Although the Olympic Champion has not revealed that she is considering a move into pro wrestling in the future, the pathway for her to do so has been paved by the likes of Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar and more recently, Tamyra Mensah-Stock.

Kurt Angle even revealed back in 2016 that his daughter Sophia was a big fan of Maroulis, even more than him!

image 2

Rhea Ripley: Everything You Need To Know About The WWE Superstar

Jake Skudder
-
0

Rhea Ripley has rapidly ascended the ranks of professional wrestling to become one of WWE’s most beloved superstars in modern times.

Known for her powerful in-ring presence and striking look, Ripley has captivated audiences worldwide, earning a litany of Championships across RAW, SmackDown, NXT and NXT.

Here, we delve into the key phases of her career, personal life, and the milestones that have shaped her into the iconic Superstar that she is right now.

Early Wrestling Career

Rhea Ripley, born Demi Bennett on October 11, 1996, in Adelaide, South Australia, began her professional wrestling career on the independent circuit in 2013.

Competing under her real name, she quickly made a name for herself in promotions like Riot City Wrestling and New Horizon Pro Wrestling.

NXT UK

In 2017, Ripley joined WWE and participated in the inaugural Mae Young Classic. Though she didn’t win, she would end up joining the original NXT UK roster.

In August 2018, she made history by becoming the inaugural NXT UK Women’s Champion, defeating Toni Storm in the finals of a tournament to crown said Champion.

Ripley held onto the title for 139 days, showcasing her dominance and paving the way for future successes in WWE.

NXT

After her tenure in NXT UK, Ripley moved to the NXT brand in 2019. She quickly established herself as a top contender and won the NXT Women’s Championship by defeating Shayna Baszler in December 2019.

Ripley would then make history by defending the title at WrestleMania 36 against Charlotte Flair in the first time that a Royal Rumble winner (Flair) would challenge an NXT Champion with their guaranteed title shot at ‘Mania.

Main Roster

Ripley made her main roster debut on Raw in March 2021, challenging Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 37.

Throughout her main roster journey, Ripley has held the Raw Women’s Championship, WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, and the SmackDown Women’s Championship, which was later renamed the Women’s World Championship.

Personal Life

Rhea Ripley Husband

Rhea Ripley is married to fellow wrestler and AEW star Buddy Matthews, whose real name is Matthew Adams.

The couple, both hailing from Australia, announced their engagement in August 2023 and tied the knot in June 2024.

Rhea Ripley Wedding

Ripley and Matthews’ wedding was a significant event, and the couple shared their big day on social media, with Ripley captioning a photo of their kiss with “Til death. ?23.06.24.”

The wedding featured a gothic theme, with both dressed in black.

Rhea Ripley Return

Rhea Ripley made a surprise return to WWE Raw in July 2024 after a hiatus due to an injury.

Her return was kept a secret, with WWE going to great lengths to maintain the element of surprise. Ripley was hidden from the roster and flown to the event on a WWE corporate jet.

Rhea Ripley Injury History

Throughout her career, Ripley has faced several injuries. Her most recent injury occurred in April 2024, leading to her vacating the Women’s World Championship and Liv Morgan then becoming the new Women’s World Champion.

WWE RAW Tickets: How To Buy (Guide)

Jake Skudder
-
0

WWE RAW is the flagship programme of the company, but how can you get tickets to watch a Monday night show live?

With a litany of top Superstars appearing on the show weekly, including CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley, it’s always worth getting to see WWE live when you get the chance as it is a VASTLY different experience than watching from your couch.

Here, we’re going to go through how you can purchase tickets to WWE RAW, whether you’re looking to get them for yourself or as a gift for the holidays or birthdays!

Read More – WWE RAW Schedule: Dates, Venues and more

Where to Buy WWE RAW Tickets

Official Ticketmaster Website

The most reliable and official source to purchase WWE RAW tickets is through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster provides an extensive range of ticket options, including standard tickets, VIP packages, and exclusive offers.

To buy WWE RAW tickets from Ticketmaster:

  • Visit the WWE Ticketmaster Page: Go to Ticketmaster’s WWE page.
  • Select Your Event: Browse through the list of upcoming WWE RAW events and select the one you want to attend.
  • Choose Your Seats: There is an interactive seating chart where you can then pick your preferred seats dependent on how close you’re looking to get to the ring.
  • Purchase Tickets: Once you’ve picked you’ll then just have to follow the checkout process to get your tickets.

How to Download the Ticketmaster App

Downloading the Ticketmaster app for iOS and Android is a good way to keep on top of getting tickets from the site. If you’ve never done it before here is exactly what you need to do for each device:

For iOS Devices

  • Open the App Store: Unlock your iPhone or iPad and open the App Store application.
  • Search for Ticketmaster: In the search bar, type “Ticketmaster” and press enter.
  • Download the App: Find the Ticketmaster app in the search results. Tap the download icon (a cloud with an arrow) to start downloading.
  • Install the App: Once the app is downloaded, it will automatically install on your device.

For Android Devices

  • Open Google Play Store: Unlock your Android device and open the Google Play Store app.
  • Search for Ticketmaster: In the search bar, type “Ticketmaster” and press the search icon.
  • Download the App: Locate the Ticketmaster app in the search results. Tap on it and then select “Install.”
  • Install the App: The app will start downloading and automatically install on your device.

Setting Up the App

  • Sign In or Create an Account: Open the app and sign in with your Ticketmaster account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one within the app.
  • Enable Notifications: Make sure that you allow notifications to stay updated on upcoming events, ticket sales, and other important information.
  • Explore Features: Browse events, manage your tickets, and access special offers through the app’s user-friendly interface.

Secondary Marketplaces

If tickets are sold out on Ticketmaster, you can always consider reputable secondary marketplaces like StubHub or Vivid Seats.

With these sites offering secondhand tickets, there is a good chance that you could get a bargain for RAW to get a much better seat than you would on the likes of Ticketmaster, but it is always a risk waiting to grab something at the last minute.

WWE 2K25: News, Rumors, Potential Release Date, Roster Predictions and More

Jake Skudder
-
0

WWE 2K25 is already generating buzz among wrestling and gaming fans following the immense success of WWE 2K24. Expectations are high for the next instalment in the franchise, with 2K Games hoping to take the hot streak of current WWE programming and translate that to gaming consoles and PC.

Here’s a comprehensive look at the latest news, rumors, potential release date, and roster predictions for WWE 2K25 right now:

News

The development of WWE 2K25 is reportedly well underway. Following the positive reception of WWE 2K24, 2K Games and Visual Concepts are focused on continuing to improve the series. According to a report by WrestleTalk, WWE 2K25’s development has started with the aim of refining the gaming experience even further. The team behind the game is likely looking to build on the innovative changes introduced in WWE 2K22 and further enhanced in WWE 2K23 and WWE 2K24.

Rumors

There are several rumors surrounding WWE 2K25, and one of the most intriguing is the potential for new gameplay features and match types.

Fans have been vocal about wanting more variety and realism in match stipulations, and hopefully the developers are listening.

One rumor suggests that WWE 2K25 will have an even more extensive roster than its predecessor, possibly including several legends and new superstars who have made an impact over the past year. Names like Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa are all pretty much dead certs for the 2K25 roster, considering their massive impact since debuting in 2024 with The Bloodline.

It’s worth noting of course that these rumors are just that, rumors, and won’t be confirmed until closer to the release of the game itself.

Potential Release Date

When can fans expect WWE 2K25 to hit the shelves? According to a report from EssentiallySports, Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of 2K Games, has confirmed that WWE 2K25 is scheduled for release in Fiscal 2025.

This timeline suggests that the game will likely be released between March and April, 2025.

Historically, WWE 2K games have been released in March, aligning with the hype of WrestleMania season, so we expect similar timeframe for WWE 2K25.

Cover Star Predictions

As you’ve probably guessed from the featured image of this article, we believe that Rhea Ripley will be the cover star for WWE 2K25, considering her massive popularity right now which is only likely to grow heading into 2025 and WrestleMania 41 season.

WWE 2K25 Roster

Predicting the roster for WWE 2K25 is always a fun exercise, especially with so many talented performers stepping up every year and the chance to bring back some legends.

Legends

Here are some of the legends that we predict will be getting a showing in WWE 2K25:

  • Afa
  • AJ Lee
  • Alundra Blayze
  • Batista
  • Bob Backlund
  • Bull Nakano
  • “Cowboy” Bob Orton
  • The Godfather
  • Haku
  • Mickie James
  • Pat Patterson
  • Rikishi
  • Sgt. Slaughter
  • Sika
  • Wendi Richter

Thea Hail On Her Wrestling Start: ‘I Saw Rey Mysterio & Said ‘I’m Doing That!”

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Thea Hail may never have made a name for herself in the world of wrestling had it not been for a video of WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio. Sitting down with the Pittsburgh City Paper, Hail, a native of the city, recalled her start in the squared circle.

“I quit gymnastics, I quit cheer, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life, and I was just scrolling through Instagram, and I always follow[ed] WWE. I always thought it was amazing, but I never really thought it was a thing you could do. I saw this video of Rey Mysterio, and I just put my phone down, and went, ‘I’m doing that.’”

Hail added that her dad was able to locate a training school in Pittsburgh which resulted in her receiving an AEW Dark match against Thunder Rosa. While Hail’s future would be with WWE, Rosa got her in contract with a recruiter from WWE.

Hail has since become one of the most popular women in WWE NXT thanks in no small part to her skills in the ring and infectious personality. Hail will challenge NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez tonight at WWE NXT Great American Bash (Night One.) Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest from tonight’s show.

Rey Mysterio: Inspiration

Hail isn’t the only current WWE Superstar to be inspired by Rey Mysterio. Though they are currently at odds, Dominik Mysterio has said that he was inspired to enter the ring after seeing his ‘deadbeat’ father in action. Dominik’s ‘Mami’ Rhea Ripley has also admitted that she was inspired by Rey to become a wrestler and had plenty of Mysterio merchandise when she was growing up.

After facing Rey in 2018, Swerve Strickland shared online that he’d faced his “hero” as the AEW World Champion holds Mysterio in high regard. WWE Hall of Famer Lita has also said she was inspired to wrestle by Rey after her boyfriend at the time watched WCW Monday Nitro and the future Women’s Champion saw Mysterio in action.

Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on Thea Hail as well as the results and surprises from tonight’s WWE NXT Great American Bash show.

Bryan Danielson Files Trademark For ‘YES! YES! YES! WWE Catchphrase

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Bryan Danielson’s days as a WWE Superstar may be a thing of the past, but the American Dragon could be screaming YES! once again soon. A patent for “YES! YES! YES!” has been filed by Danielson, records from the U.S. Patent and Trading Office website reveal. The filing also includes an image of Danielson from his WWE days wearing a shirt with the phrase in question amid a sea of “YES!” signs.

image 14

The YES! Movement

Though originally part of a 2011-2012 heel turn for Bryan in which he’d over-celebrate every single win, “YES!” became a hit with fans. The single-word chant became as associated with Bryan as ‘What’ was with ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin and even broke outside the world of pro wrestling. The chant became a fixture of non-wrestling sporting events, in a testament to how popular the chant, and the man behind it, had become.

Danielson joined AEW in September 2021 and the YES! chant has followed Bryan to the All-Elite promotion. The chant can be heard in Bryan’s matches, and Danielson himself delivered the chant after a December 2023 episode of Collision, after (sarcastically) asking fans to definitely not record what he was going to do.

What’s to Come?

Danielson will have plenty of reasons to say “YES! YES! YES!” should he emerge victorious at AEW All In: London 2024. The August 25, event will see Danielson challenge AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland. Danielson earned the opportunity by winning the 2024 Owen Hart Men’s Tournament. Danielson recently shared that his current AEW deal will expire on August 1, but it has been reported that he will continue to make appearances for AEW past this expiration date.

Bill Goldberg Talks Vince McMahon, Bret Hart, Infamous Undertaker Match

Michael Reichlin
-
0

Former WWE and WCW champion Bill Goldberg recently sat down with wrestling journalist Chris Van Vliet on Insight for a wide-ranging interview. The 57-year old legend discussed his relationship with former WWE boss Vince McMahon, his infamous match with The Undertaker and of course, Bret Hart.

Here are some of the key takeaways of what Goldberg said about:

Vince McMahon’s Broken Promise

Goldberg maintains that Vince McMahon broke a promise for him to receive a proper retirement match:

“If that match was still on the table, it would have been done, I would have thought. But hey, man, I was thinking about it this morning in the shower, right? And I thought, Man, I had one of the best wrestling careers ever and don’t think for one second that I don’t understand that and I don’t appreciate it. And so to sit here and cry over a person not keeping his word in a business, that’s as cutthroat as humanly possible and he gets cast out.”

His Dud Match With The Undertaker

Goldberg discussed his disappointing match with The Undertaker at WWE Super Showdown 2019, which he blames on giving himself a concussion before he even made it into the ring.

“I knocked myself out before walking to the frickin ring. You know, when I came back, intensity is something very hard to replicate and I had forgotten my sequence to the ring. I had forgotten my preparation.”

His Relationship With Bret Hart

Goldberg and Bret Hart’s bitter feud is well-documented. Hart blames Goldberg for cutting his career short due to injures he sustained during their match at WCW Starrcade 1999. For all that’s been said about it, Goldberg admits mistakes were made.

“It was a screw-up in the match and it’s live on national television. There’s two people that have to dance and you can only do so much and I mean, things went awry. It is what it is.”

Goldberg says it’s time to move on and leave the bitterness behind them, especially since he claims Hart accepted a favor from him after he got injured.

“I really don’t care anymore about Bret, I couldn’t care less. You know Louis, right? All I can tell you is this. Louis and I know and [Brian] Knobbs knows, through Legends of Wrestling that shortly thereafter all that sh*t that happened. I talked Louis into giving Bret Hart a job at Legends of Wrestling. He must forget about stuff like that.”

WWE NXT Preview (7/30): The Great American Bash

Michael Reichlin
-
0

Catch a new episode of WWE NXT tonight, July 30 broadcasting live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL. Tonight begins this year’s NXT: The Great American Bash special, which concludes next week.

Programming Note: Like WWE Raw, tonight’s WWE NXT (and next week’s) will air
8 PM ET on Syfy due to USA Network’s coverage of the 2024 Olympic games.

The advertised match card for NXT: The Great American Bash – Week 1 includes:

  • NXT Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Oro Mensah
  • NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Thea Hail
  • NXT Heritage Cup Match: Tony D’Angelo (c) vs. Tavion Heights
  • NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Unholy Union (c) vs. The Meta-Four

Plus, we’ll be treated to a special performance by TNA Wrestling’s Joe Hendry.

Tune in tonight for all the action as we begin the Great American Bash celebration, and keep it locked to SEScoops for more NXT News.

Giulia Confirms Date of Final Match in Japan Amid WWE Arrival Reports

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Giulia will compete for the final time in Japan within a matter of weeks amid reports that she will soon be appearing for WWE. Last weekend, Giulia shared that she had an important announcement to make which would be made in the historic Korakuen Hall.

At a Dream Star Fighting Marigold show, Giulia teamed with Marigold World Champion Sareee to defeat Victoria Yuzuki and Kizuna Tanaka. After the match, Giulia shared that August 19, will mark her final match in Japan and vowed to challenge the world of professional wrestling.

Giulia’s announcement comes amid several reports that the former NJPW Strong Women’s Champion is coming to WWE. In late 2023, it was reported that WWE and Giulia had been in talks and speculation grew after she appeared at NXT Stand & Deliver in April 2024. Giulia was seated alongside William Regal and Marigold founder Rossy Ogawa, and was later seen backstage with Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque.

Giulia saying goodbye to Japan, where Marigold hosts its events, is something of a surprising move. Earlier this year, Rossy Ogawa shared that he hoped to work closely with WWE. It was later reported that the plan was for Giulia to work a handful of Marigold dates per year even after committing to WWE. With that said, Ogawa more recently said that Giulia’s time in Marigold was coming to an end, which certainly appears to be the case.

WWE’s Female Signings

Should she compete for WWE, Giulia will be part of something of a renaissance with the hiring of female talent. Stephanie Vaquer, who dethroned Giulia as NJPW Strong Women’s Champion, has signed with WWE mere days after appearing at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door. It has also been reported that DELTA has signed with WWE. The Australian wrestler reportedly impressed during tryouts in Perth over Elimination Chamber weekend in February of this year.

Cleveland’s The Miz Hosting SummerSlam This Weekend

Bishal Roy
-
0

The Miz has been revealed as the host of the WWE SummerSlam Premium Live Event which will take place in his hometown, Cleveland, Ohio. During the latest edition of Raw, ‘The A-Lister’ himself made the massive announcement. The Miz revealed that he will be hosting this year’s ‘Biggest Party of The Summer.’

During the segment, his tag team partner R-Truth was also involved who cracked a few jokes. He mistook when The Miz said “his house” which he referred to Cleveland. The segment closed with the SummerSlam host promising both R-Truth and Cathy Kelley about bringing the hors d’oeuvres.

This isn’t the first time that he is hosting a WWE PLE. In the past, he was the host of SummerSlam 2013. He also hosted last year’s WrestleMania 39 when WWE went to Hollywood.

Last month, The Miz and R-Truth dropped the WWE World Tag Team Championships against The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and JD McDonagh.

Meanwhile, WWE SummerSlam: Cleveland is stacked with some huge matches. The show will feature the in-ring returns of Rhea Ripley and CM Punk. While ‘The Eradicator’ will have a shot to reclaim the Women’s World title against Liv Morgan. On the other hand, ‘The Second City Savior’ will finally face his arch-nemesis Drew McIntyre with Seth Rollins being Special Guest Referee.

SummerSlam 2024 match card:

  • WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes defends against Solo Sikoa
  • WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damien Priest defends against Gunther
  • WWE Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nia Jax
  • WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan defends against Rhea Ripley
  • WWE U.S. Champion Logan Paul defends against LA Knight
  • WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn defends against Bron Breakker
  • CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre with special guest referee Seth Rollins
  • Jelly Roll to perform
1...256257258...3,363Page 257 of 3,363