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Randy Orton: ‘It’s A New Era, Those Who’ve Joined TKO Get What We Do’

Thomas Lowson
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Randy Orton is pleased to be a part of WWE’s new era under TKO and is glad that those brought into TKO ‘get’ the goals of the Sports Entertainment juggernaut. 

A 22-year veteran of WWE’s main roster, Orton has seen plenty of changes over his tenure but perhaps the biggest have come over the past 12 months. In September of 2023, TKO Group Holdings officially launched with the merging of WWE and UFC. Mere months later, Vince McMahon resigned from WWE for the second time and seemingly for good, due to the allegations against him in Janel Grant’s lawsuit. 

Speaking with Sportskeeda, Orton reflected on the changes we’ve seen. The Viper was pleased that those brought in to TKO have been able to understand their assignment. 

“All the opportunities he [Vince McMahon] gave me, it’s nice having him out of there and it’s nice having his son-in-law Triple H running the game. Nick Khan’s great. Everybody in TKO that’s come in, stepped in, they seem to get it, and it’s just a different era.”

It’s hard to dispute the idea that TKO has shifted WWE in a positive direction. While WWE had already been doing extremely well from a business sense, the launch of TKO has taken the promotion to new heights. Premium Live Events breaking records have become increasingly common, including WrestleMania 40, the first Showcase of the Immortals of the TKO era. 

These changes have also been felt within WWE from a creative sense as Superstars are given more leeway than under the McMahon administration. Production changes, thanks to Kevin Dunn’s Replacement Lee Fitting, have also been praised by fans. With this in mine, WWE’s new era certainly appears to be a bright one, one that Randy Orton is pleased to be a part of. 

Trick Williams: ‘If Ethan Page Wants A Title Shot, Let’s Make It Happen’

Thomas Lowson
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WWE NXT Champion Trick Williams is ready to put his title on the line against Ethan Page following the ex-AEW star’s surprise debut last week. 

Page, who parted ways with AEW mere weeks earlier, appeared on the May 28, edition of WWE NXT and attacked Williams in the closing moments of the show. As WWE NXT went off the air, Page hoisted the NXT Championship aloft. Williams also made clear that he had been behind the attacks on Meta-Four, attacks the group had blamed Williams for. 

Trick Williams Vs. Ethan Page

Page wants a shot at the NXT Championship and Trick is ready to be a fighting champion. Williams, speaking on The Masked Man Show, expressed his readiness to defend his title against the AEW alum. 

“All you gotta do is [ask.] ‘Hey man, I want a title shot.’ Hey look… let’s make it happen.”

While there’s no word on when such a match will take place, one would have to expect a showdown at the upcoming WWE NXT Battleground. The June 9, event has yet to see Williams booked for a match and it appears WWE have been waiting for Page’s debut. Tonight’s WWE NXT will be the final show before Battleground in the UFC Apex. 

Trick Williams is ready to put the title on the line. 

What’s to Come? 

Page’s debut certainly had the wrestling world talking as the AEW alum was trending on Twitter/X for some time after last week’s episode of WWE NXT. The gold brand will no doubt hope to continue that wave of momentum with tonight’s show ahead of Battleground. It will also be interesting to see where Lash Legend falls into things as she and Trick have been increasingly flirty on TV despite Lash’s status with Meta-Four. 

Watch: 15-Minute Preview Of VICE’s ‘Who Killed WCW?’ Docuseries

Thomas Lowson
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Fans have been able to watch the first 15 minutes of the much-anticipated ‘Who Killed WCW?’ show ahead of the docuseries’ premiere later today. 

As the name suggests, the docuseries will dive deep into the rise and fall of the legendary wrestling promotion which was acquired by the WWF in early 2001. The new series is being produced by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Dany Garcia who are working with Dark Side of the Ring creators Vice. The new documentary series will feature several names from the industry including many who worked in World Championship Wrestling.

Who Killed WCW? – The First 15 Minutes

Ahead of the premiere of the show tonight, VICE shared the first 15 minutes of the new series. This clip focused on two of the men most synonymous with WCW: Eric Bischoff and ‘Hollywood’ Hulk Hogan. In the snippet, Eric Bischoff states that he had never heard of WCW before joining the company. This claim may be a stretch given Bischoff had spent years in the AWA prior to joining WCW and had established himself in the TV world. You can check out the clip below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOfNAwp0n_E

With this docuseries being about who is to blame for WCW’s demise, there’s no shortage of finger-pointing. Former WCW World Champion Bill Goldberg puts the blame on Vince Russo while Brad Siegel suggests that the wrestlers (and egos) are to blame for the company’s collapse. 

As this clip demonstrates, Who Killed WCW? will make for an interesting watch and offer a new perspective on the demise of the legendary promotion. And while it may not give a definitive answer, it’ll certainly prove to be a captivating watch. 

Brian Gewirtz On Why ‘Who Killed WCW’ Will Tell The Real Story, Talks The Rock’s Involvement

Dominic DeAngelo
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Wrestling fans are far too familiar with how WCW ended as the story’s been told over and over, but according to Brian Gewirtz we all may get a different look tonight when VICE premieres the Who Killed WCW docuseries

Speaking with Eric Bischoff on a bonus episode of “83 Weeks” former WWE Head Writer Brian Gewirtz and Evan Hunsey of Dark Side Of The Ring gave details at how the show came about and what fans can expect from the episodes that will make it differ from what WWE can typically put out that tends to lean towards the company narrative. Gewirtz broke it down for the former WCW President.

“The talent sitting down aren’t told like, ‘Yeah, of course you can curse. Yeah, you can talk about this thing, you can talk about this business thing that normally wouldn’t appear in a WWE program or that kind of thing.’

“I know from watching it that WCW and Turner executives specifically had never really been interview to tell their side of things or tell their story and all these factors, plus the fact that you’re now approaching 23 years since the end of WCW, it seems like if there was ever a time to play off of the 90’s nostalgia plus the relationships that we’ve cultivated and our relationship with VICE, especially Evan and Jason’s, that now would be a great time to do it.

How Did The Rock Get On Board?

Bischoff asked Gewirtz how The Rock felt about doing a WCW-focused series and ‘The Final Boss’ was all about it.

“He was like, ‘Great, let’s do it. Let’s do it and if we’re going to do it, let’s do it in the exact way that we’re pitching it which is unfiltered and the no bullshit version of the story. He was on board for that. [The Rock said] ‘No I would love to sit down and give the perspective of the WWE during this time,’ even though that is going to be a small part of it.”

“Who Killed WCW” premieres tonight at 10 PM ET on VICETV.

AEW’s Taz Has “ZERO” Interest In Having One Last Match, Happy With How Things Are

Thomas Lowson
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Wrestling returning to action after lengthy hiatus’ may have grown increasingly common as of late, but don’t expect Taz to step back in the ring. 

In recent years, fans have seen the in-ring return of the likes of Bryan Danielson, Adam Copeland, and Saraya, all of whom were told at one point or another that their careers in the ring were over. Ric Flair also returned to the ring for his final match in 2022 though his tag-team match in Nashville was not well-received by fans. 

With stars from the past returning to the ring, it’s hardly a surprise that fans are wondering whether Taz could have one final bout left in him. When the AEW commentator was asked though, the Human Suplex Machine made it clear he won’t be wrestling. 

Though Taz won’t be donning his singlet for AEW, he has gotten physical in All Elite Wrestling in the past. During the April 17, 2024, edition of AEW Dynamite, Chris Jericho attacked his fellow ECW alum as part of Jericho’s feud with Taz’s son HOOK. 

While Taz won’t wrestle for AEW, the veteran forged an impressive career in the ring. The two-time ECW World and Television Champion also held gold in WWE and competed at several major events. These days, Taz can be found commentating for AEW as his legacy in wrestling continues to grow, this time behind the commentary table. 

Christian Cage: ‘I’m Not Sorry For Dead Father Comments, It’s Allowed Me To Stand Out’

Thomas Lowson
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0

Christan Cage won’t stop speaking his mind on AEW programming, especially when it comes to bringing up the deceased parents of others on the roster. 

Since turning heel in June 2022, Cage has transformed into a loathsome individual in AEW who often shocks fans with his promos. One of Cage’s most cutting lines sees him bring up an opponent’s deceased father. Those subject to this particular line from Cage include Jack Perry, Brian Pillman Jr. (now Lexis King), Wardlow, and Nick Wayne.

On a recent edition of the Insight podcast, Cage spoke about his promos in AEW. When asked if he can believe the stuff he’s allowed to say, Cage revealed that he doesn’t consult with AEW management before he grabs the mic. 

“I’ve never told anybody what I’m going to say. I’ve never had it cleared with anybody. I’ve never asked anybody. I just go out there and do it. It’s one of those things.

Addressing his dead father comments, Cage reflected on how this line of attack has allowed him the chance to stick out on AEW’s massive roster.

“You have to be willing to go places others are unwilling to go to stand out, especially in this day and age. I saw an opportunity that I could jump on and I took it and I wrote it. Sometimes things happen and you’re not expecting to happen. I said one phrase and it turned into a wildfire and I just embraced it and ran with it. 

When asked if he felt any remorse, Cage made it clear he would not apologize for anything he’s said. With that in mind, fans of AEW can expect plenty more shocking comments, many about parents, to come from the Canadian veteran. 

Liv Morgan Says She ‘Liked’ To Kiss Dominik Mysterio

Bishal Roy
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WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan has continued to play mind games with Dominik Mysterio amid Rhea Ripley’s absence. She has now stated that she ‘liked’ to kiss ‘Dirty Dom.’ 

Last week, Liv Morgan stunned the fans with her actions after retaining her title against Becky Lynch in a steel cage match. Following the victory, Morgan locked lips with Dominik which created a massive buzz among the fans. She recently took to her X account and posted a picture in which she could be seen kissing a WWE production truck that had a picture of Dominik’s face on it. Her caption read:

“I kissed a boy and I liked it”

During last night’s Raw, Liv Morgan labeled her kiss with Dominik cherry on top following her victory against Becky Lynch. The Women’s World Champion continued to flirt with ‘Dom Dom’ until Finn Balor came out and said they had nothing to do with her. Later on the show, Morgan saved Dominik Mysterio from the wrath of Braun Strowman, who had attacked Carlito, JD McDonagh and Finn Balor.

Liv Morgan is not done with Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley has been on the shelf after suffering a shoulder injury at the hands of Liv Morgan. The latter has vowed to take everything from ‘The Eradicator’ and she went on to become the Women’s World title. Now she has her eyes set on Dominik. This angle between Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan is getting interesting with every passing week and fans are quite intrigued. Fans are anticipating to witness how ‘Mami’ will react after her comeback to the show.

Braun Strowman Reveals Non-WWE Project That He Is Working On

Thomas Lowson
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0

The WWE Universe could soon be seeing Braun Strowman out of the ring as the former Universal Champion is working on a TV show. 

On his Instagram Stories, Strowman shared that he is working on a TV show and added that he can’t wait to share more details about the project. Strowman shared his news from a diner and also said that he missed eating at diners during his time on the shelf. 

A new TV show is certainly quite the leap for Braun Strowman. Such shows are typically reserved for WWE’s top names such as Total Bellas and more recently Love & WWE: Bianca and Montez. 

Braun Strowman Out Of The Ring

Strowman’s upcoming TV show won’t be the first time fans have seen him on TV outside of the squared circle. In 2012, Strowman competed in The World’s Strongest Man competition during that year’s qualifiers in Katurzy, Poland. After making it to WWE, the Monster Among Men competed on Dus Ka Dum, an Indian game show hosted by popular Bollywood actor Salman Khan. In June 2023, Strowman appeared on an episode of ‘Destination Polaris’ in which he showed the host Alexa Score how to wrestle. 

Fans could soon be seeing much more of Strowman, as well as other WWE Superstars outside of the ring. In January 2025, Raw will move to Netflix in a historic deal that will mark the end of WWE’s flagship show on broadcast television. There are also plans for WWE-themed reality shows and documentaries on Netflix as part of this lucrative deal. WWE has teamed with A&E for the popular Biography series and also creates their own documentaries. 

WWE’s QR Code Mystery Continues With Ominous Message On Raw Talk

Thomas Lowson
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The compelling mystery of cryptic glitches and QR codes continued this week, both during Monday Night Raw and on the post-show Raw Talk. 

During the June 3, episode of Raw, a QR code appeared on screen and led fans to more clues with cryptic imagery. It also teased that fans would see them later in the night and showed an image of Raw Talk hosts Megan Morant and Sam Roberts. 

The clue from Raw teased something was coming on Raw Talk. 

True to their word, whoever is behind this ongoing mystery did have something in store for WWE Raw Talk. Before the show began, a new video played with the following message:

“I have shown you signs and wonders. Yet you do not believe? I offered you hope. Freedom from the pit. You spit in my face. Mock my family. Question my timing. One last chance. An opportunity to repent. But my patience runs thin. There is a reckoning coming. Your belief is indifferent. It is inevitable. You will learn you are finite, and you shall all behold what we have become.”

What’s to Come? 

It is believed that all of these cryptic messages are building towards the return of Uncle Howdy as portrayed by Bo Dallas. The former WWE NXT Champion was rehired by WWE in 2022 and shared the screen with his brother Bray Wyatt before the latter was pulled from TV due to his health issues. Dallas is expected to return with a faction that will include Joe Gacy, Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, and the recently rehired Erick Rowan.

Many have speculated that we are getting close to the big reveal behind this mystery. Thanks to recent takeovers of Twitch, WhatsApp, and WWE’s own website, teases of what is to come have grown increasingly frequent in recent weeks. On WWE TV, it’s been teased that answers will be coming sooner rather than later.

Lyra Valkyria: ‘Becky Lynch Will Come Back Around When The Time Is Right’

Thomas Lowson
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Lyra Valkyria is confident that Becky Lynch will “come back around” following The Man’s reported exit from WWE. 

Lynch parted ways with WWE after her contract expired on June 1, ending an eleven-year run in which the Irish Superstar became one of the company’s top stars. Lynch’s final match saw her lost to WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan in a steel cage match during the May 27, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. 

One name who had learned plenty from Lynch is Lyra Valkyria, who had been an ally of The Man ever since her call-up to the main roster. Speaking at this week’s Raw, Valkyria was asked about Lynch’s loss last week and was confident Becky will return. 

“She’s disappointed, but I know Becky. Becky is at her best when people think they have her beat. She’ll take that loss and she’ll come back around and use it to make herself better. That’s how winning is done, real winning, something Liv Morgan knows nothing about.”

When asked about moving forward without Lynch, Valkyria said her focus is now on the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. She was then attacked by IYO SKY, the woman Valkyria beat in the Queen of the Ring semi-finals. 

What’s to Come for Becky Lynch? 

Valkyria isn’t the only person who expects Lynch to return to WWE when the time is right. Sources in WWE believe The Man will come back around and sign a new deal after her break from the ring. While there are fans who would love to see Lynch join AEW, The Man has told those in WWE she doesn’t plan on becoming All-Elite anytime soon. 

Pat McAfee Apologizes For Derogatory Description of WNBA Star Caitlin Clark

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Raw Commentator Pat McAfee has apologized for using an unsavory remark to describe WNBA player Caitlin Clark. 

On a recent edition of his ‘The Pat McAfee Show,’ the former NFL punter discussed Clark’s situation. The 22-year-old has propelled women’s basketball to a new level of popularity but has also owned vitriol from her fellow players. Chennedy Carter recently shoved Clark to the ground during a game and Clark has received little-to-no support from her team-mates. 

While McAfee was attempting to praise Clark as a captivating performer, the Raw broadcaster referred to her as a “white b*tch.”

 “I would like the media people that continue to say, ‘This rookie class, this rookie class, this rookie class. Nah, just call it for what it is — there’s one white b*tch for the Indiana team who is a superstar.”

McAfee’s term spawned a backlash and after the show, Pat shared the following apology on Twitter. 

“I shouldn’t have used “white bitch” as a descriptor of Caitlin Clark. No matter the context.. even if we’re talking about race being a reason for some of the stuff happening.. I have way too much respect for her and women to put that into the universe.

“My intentions when saying it were complimentary just like the entire segment but, a lot of folks are saying that it certainly wasn’t at all. That’s 100% on me and for that I apologize… I have sent an apology to Caitlin as well.

“Everything else I said… still alllllll facts. #Journalism #WNBAProgrum #SheIsTheOne”

During this week’s episode of Raw, McAfee referred to Braun Strowman as “one big white son a b*tch” during his segment with The Judgment Day. It remains to be seen how the WNBA reacts to the treatment Clark has received on court and whether Pat will think before he speaks on his podcast and on Raw. 

WWE 2K24 Reveals WrestleMania XL Venue DLC Available On 6/5

Aaron Varble
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WrestleMania XL was a massive night for the company, and now gamers can relive the card however they like on WWE 2K24.

The new WrestleMania 40 arena dropped for the upcoming DLC content on WWE 2K24. The new model for Lincoln Financial Field will be available on June 5.

WWE Games’ official Twitter/X account revealed the new playable venue, and the reception from fans has already been very positive. Many of them can’t wait to get inside the stadium and create their own WrestleMania moments.

Community Creations

This official update from WWE 2K24 is awesome, but the creator community has also been going in overdrive. We invite you to check out the first of our weekly feature highlighting the incredibly talented people who are making custom content for the new 2K game.

Future DLC Packs

Here’s a look at future WWE 2K24 DLC packs:

  • June 26: DLC Pack #2 (“Post Malone & Friends Pack) includes Post Malone, Sensational Sherri, Mosh, Thrasher, Honky Tonk Man, and a Jimmy Hart Manager, along with MyFACTION Superstar Cards.
  • July 24: DLC Pack #3 (“Pat McAfee Show Pack) features Pat McAfee, Ty Schmit, Boston Connor, AJ Hawk, Darius Butler, and additional MyFACTION Superstar Cards.
  • September 20: DLC Pack #4 (“Global Superstars Pack”) includes Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, Michelle McCool, Carlito, Kairi Sane, Lyra Valkyria, Dragon Lee, and MyFACTION Superstar Cards.
  • November 13: DLC Pack #5 (“WCW Pack”) features Diamond Dallas Page, Iron Sheik, Mr. Perfect, Great Muta, Lex Luger, and MyFACTION Superstar Cards.

WWE 2K24 Reception

The standard edition of WWE 2K24 features Cody Rhodes on the cover. The special edition marks a milestone with Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair, the first time female wrestlers have shared the cover. Initially, the “40 Years of WrestleMania” special cover included Brock Lesnar, but he was later removed.

The game is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Critics have praised WWE 2K24 for its significant improvements and refinements over previous versions.

It received scores of 8/10 from IGN and GameSpot, and an 81% on Metacritic. Users have rated it 3.7 based on 316 reviews. We rated the game an 8.5/10 in our exclusive review:

WWE Intercontinental Title Match Added To Clash At The Castle

Aaron Varble
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WWE Clash at the Castle is set for June 15 in Glasgow, Scotland. Sami Zayn will be there with an Intercontinental Title match.

On this week’s WWE RAW, Sami Zayn appeared, soon joined by the Alpha Academy. Maxxine Dupri read a note from Gable, who didn’t show up himself. Zayn then booked an IC Title match against Gable at Clash at the Castle.

Gable then attacked Zayn, leading to chaos. Akira Tozawa and Maxxine were knocked off the apron, and Otis acted like he would stand up to Gable. This gave Sami time to recover and get his revenge.

After the segment, Alpha Academy was shown backstage, with Chad Gable the only happy one. Maxxine Dupri and Tozawa sold their injuries, while Otis looked conflicted. Gable kissed Otis on the cheek, saying they will come together at Clash at the Castle to ensure he wins the IC Title.

With Gable’s WWE contract nearing its end and this storyline heading to the premium live event, it seems the Alpha Academy’s meltdown will happen in Scotland.

  • Damian Priest (c) vs. Drew McIntyre – Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
  • Bayley (c) vs. Piper Niven – Singles match for the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Sami Zayn (c) vs. Chad Gable – Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Angel Garza’s WWE Contract Set To Expire This Summer

Aaron Varble
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WWE contracts are running out all over the place, and while some are re-signed, there is no guarantee that a new deal will be reached. Now, Angel Garza’s WWE contract is in the picture.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reports that Angel Garza is set to have his WWE contract expire on August 1. This information, which Sapp and Corey Brennan have confirmed, follows a recent report by Lucha Libre Online about Garza’s contract status. Garza, also a former 24/7 Champion, has been performing with Legado Del Fantasma lately.

Negotiations between the former Cruiserweight Champion and WWE are ongoing, and there is an offer on the table from WWE. Angel’s last match on WWE television was on May 17, 2024, when #DIY defeated Legado del Fantasma on WWE Friday Night SmackDown.

The 31-year-old Garza has also performed in TNA and AAA, among other companies. He signed with WWE in the spring of 2019, after wrestling under the name Garza Jr. Interestingly, his real first name is Humberto, the same as his tag team partner. Garza has been performing on the Smackdown brand and is scheduled for this weekend’s show. He can continue using the “Garza” name outside WWE, but not “Angel.”

It may be a strategic play to allow your contract to expire, so a new one can be arranged. We will have to see what the future holds for Garza.

Other WWE Contracts & Cuts

Chad Gable’s WWE contract expires within the next two weeks, and Becky Lynch became a free agent on June 1. WWE also opted not to renew Jerry Lawler’s contract, although he remains under a Legends Contract.

On the corporate side, WWE recently cut several executives. Michael Levin, former Vice President of International Events, was let go on May 11. Steve Rubin, Senior Director of TV Event Relations, and Kristen Prouty, Senior VP of Entertainment Relations, were also released in May. Additionally, Tavia Hartley, Talent Operations and Appearances Manager, and Beth Fisher, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, were let go in late May.

You can find our updated 2024 WWE Releases and Departures tracker below.

Liv Morgan’s Romantic Pursuit Of Dominik Mysterio Continues On 6/3 WWE RAW

Aaron Varble
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0

Liv Morgan shocked the WWE Universe when she defeated Becky Lynch in a steel cage match on RAW last week. Then she doubled-down on that by kissing Dominik Mysterio. They opened this week’s show by continuing that storyline.

The WWE Women’s World Champion started RAW by welcoming fans to the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour. She said that while some claim revenge isn’t as sweet as it seems, she disagreed. Morgan gloated about taking out Rhea Ripley and becoming Women’s World Champion. She added that she put Becky Lynch into early retirement last week, and the cherry on top was kissing Dominik Mysterio.

Dominik’s music hit, and he made his way out. The injured Judgment Day member said he didn’t know what game she was playing, but Rhea Ripley wasn’t playing it.

He also said that The Nightmare will “kill” her when she comes back. Morgan replied that Ripley will probably “kill” Dominik, too. This is interesting, because the term “kill” has been on WWE’s banned words list for a long time, because that’s just a promise you can’t deliver on in a pro wrestling match if you expect to keep making money in the business.

Liv Morgan then asked how long Dirty Dom would keep lying to himself. Morgan followed up as she said Dominik came to the ring last week to be closer to her. She moved closer to him, saying she wanted to take everything from Ripley, including him. Dominik backed away as Morgan flirted with him. Liv said that she meant it when she said she is going to take everything from Rhea Ripley, and that includes Dominik Mysterio.

Suddenly, Finn Bálor entered the ring and told Morgan that Dominik and Judgment Day wanted nothing to do with her. Morgan asked Bálor “what if Dominik didn’t want her to leave,” but agreed to exit the ring. Morgan flirted with Dominik once more by playing with his hair before she left.

This is obviously not the end of this storyline, as things are just heating up. Rhea Ripley is out of action with an A/C joint injury, which usually takes two to three months to recover. So, Morgan may not have much longer to play her games until The Nightmare returns.

Later on, in a backstage segment, Finn advised Dominik to not play with fire. When WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest asked about the situation, Finn assured him that it was taken care of. Dominik Mysrterio said that he has spoken to Rhea, and he’s giving Mami “her space.”

After WWE RAW was over, Morgan carried on with her Dirty Dom obsession. While quoting Katy Perry’s breakout hit, the WWE Women’s World Champion proclaimed that she kissed a boy, and she liked it.

https://twitter.com/YaOnlyLivvOnce/status/179782782310283720

Brian Cage Isn’t Planning On Leaving AEW Anytime Soon After Confirming Length Of Current Deal

Dominic DeAngelo
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Brian Cage re-signed with AEW over a year ago and the length of ‘The Swole-verine’s’ deal is pretty swole.

‘The Machine’ has been running with The Gates of Agony as The Mogul Embassy recently turned on AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, but no matter what the future holds for the group, who just added Hechicero on AEW Rampage, Cage is completely content with sticking around All Elite Wrestling.

Speaking on “The Lightweights Podcast,” the former FTW Champion expressed just that about his current deal.

“I don’t see myself going anywhere else. With how long I’ve been there and how long my contract is for and everything else, it makes sense to stay put and I’m happy with that.”

When Cage was asked if his deal was about six more years, Cage said it was and he didn’t negotiate it alone. ‘The Machine’ had an agent to help nail down a deal for him. That was a first for Cage as he flew solo when negotiating his first few name deals in wrestling.

Cage has been with AEW for years at this point, first aligning himself with the now defunct Team Taz and has primarily remained a heel for the majority of his run.

While Cage is locked down by AEW, some names have been floating around as free agents recently. Arn Anderson, Mark Henry and Jake Hager all just announced their exit from AEW, but one major name to leave WWE is Becky Lynch. While it’s expected that Becky will stick around WWE after an extended leave, AEW could front the kind of contract Cage has in an effort to secure ‘The Man’ comes around AEW.

H/t to Fightful for the transcription.

MLW Returning To Atlanta With Fightland After Selling Out Center Stage With Battle Riot VI

Dominic DeAngelo
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MLW is looking to continue to soar like the Falcons or the Hawks down in Atlanta after a sold out event this past weekend.

Major League Wrestling presented Battle Riot VI at the historic Center Stage down in the ATL and the place was packed to the gills for one of the promotion premier events. Now MLW has announced that another tentpole shows in Fightland will be making its way back to Atlanta on September 14. Tickets are set to go on sale this Wednesday, June 5 at 10 AM ET, and if Battle Riot is any indication, Major League Wrestling will have some surprises in store.

Battle Riot VI featured promoted acts such as Ernest “The Cat” Miller, Jimmy Yang and Violent J as participants in the 40-man match, but the real shining star of the show was Paul Walter Hauser. Hauser elminated several people in the match, including former World Champion Tom Lawlor before being eliminated by Sami Callihan. However, it was Matt Riddle winning the whole bout after tossing Callihan with the two being the final two entrants.

Primarily having a residence in the northeast, MLW has finally spread its wings after the pandemic and now have two consecutive sold out shows, one in Chicago and now in Atlanta. However, the company recently returned back to its roots when it returned to Tampa Bay back in March for their War Chamber event.

Currently advertised for Fightland is Riddle, Alex Kane and World Champion Satoshi Kojima who retained his title against the aforementioned Lawlor.

Shawn Michaels Talks ‘Science’ Of UFC Ahead Of WWE NXT Battleground At Las Vegas Apex

Thomas Lowson
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WWE NXT hopes to hone the science of what makes a great Superstar when the gold brand teams up with UFC later this week. 

WWE NXT Battleground will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada this weekend, the first WWE event ever held at the venue. The location marks a huge move for WWE after merging with UFC in September 2023 as TKO Group Holdings. 

On a recent edition of The Arash Markazi Show, WWE Hall of Famer and NXT executive Shawn Michaels appeared to promote the upcoming event. Michaels highlighted the advancements at the UFC Apex which he hopes will benefit his roster. 

“The science that goes behind theirs and ours, and how all that has changed, is truly fascinating… Whatever it is you can do to enhance that, we’re always looking out for the latest and greatest.”

What’s to Come for WWE and UFC? 

While it’s guaranteed that WWE NXT Battleground will be at the UFC Apex, questions remain as to what the future will look like for both companies. While no WWE Superstars have stepped into the Octagon yet, AOP’s Rezar recently threw out the challenge to UFC heavyweights during the recent UFC 302 event. 

We are nine months into the merger of WWE and UFC but it appears the two sides have done little together so far. At the UFC 302 event, Dana White said that the two companies are very separate outside of WWE using some behind-the-scenes names from UFC. TKO recently merged the live event teams of both companies which has led to some lay-offs in WWE. 

There is a lot that WWE’s third brand could learn from those at UFC. After all, White’s promotion has become the global leader in MMA, similar to how WWE has reached the top spot in professional wrestling. As to what lessons Shawn Michaels and those at WWE NXT learn this weekend, however, remain to be seen. 

Finn Balor Reflects on Iconic LGBTQ+ Entrance at WWE WrestleMania 34

Thomas Lowson
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Finn Balor was glad to show his support for the LGBTQ+ community as part of his entrance at WWE WrestleMania 34 in 2018. 

Balor’s first time competing at the Showcase of the Immortals saw the Irish Superstar compete in a triple-threat match for the Intercontinental Championship. In the lead-up to the event, many had predicted that Balor would use his ‘Demon’ persona for the show. Instead, Balor donned a jacket that featured the LGBTQ+ rainbow design and had fans with him on stage. 

Speaking to TNT Sports, Balor recalled his entrance and shared how his appearance at WrestleMania 34 came to be. 

“It was about three weeks before ‘Mania, and I brought it to Hunter [Triple H] and Stephanie [McMahon], and they jumped on it straight away and said, ‘100%, you can do that.’ They helped me get in touch with the LGBT+ community in New Orleans, and they [the people who appeared] were actually members of the community from there. They weren’t extras or anything like that. It was legit having them up on stage.”

While some fans will have been disappointed that the ‘Demon’ didn’t rise at WrestleMania, being able to express inclusion meant a lot more to WWE’s first Universal Champion. 

“For me, that was a more important moment than any Demon entrance could have ever been.”

LGBTQ+ Support

F inn Balor is hardly the only name to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community. For the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble, Chelsea Green wore an attire that featured the LGBTQ+ flag. The attire meant even more considering the event took place in Florida which many have criticized for its stance regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Green has previously teamed with Sonya Deville, WWE’s first openly lesbian Superstar, and is currently teaming with Piper Niven, who is bisexual.

In 2023, an AEW Rampage segment went viral as Harley Cameron spoke about Anthony Bowens being into her, oblivious to the fact that Bowens is gay. When Bowens corrected Cameron, this led to a positive ‘He’s Gay’ chant from the crowd. Many at the time noted how the response to a wrestler identifying as gay was vastly different to how things were like during the Attitude Era. 

WWE Draft 2024: Summarizing The Updated Rosters for Raw & SmackDown

Dominic DeAngelo
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It doesn’t take a Mel Kiper to tell you Triple H didn’t want any major shake-ups on his roster and to many, the WWE Draft had to feel a bit underwhelming. Aside from a few NXT call-ups and two stars on the rise jumping ship, the Draft was more about retaining than rearranging. However, there will absolutely be a benefit to both the brand and the stars that did move and it’s worth dabbling into the details.

WWE Raw

RAW did indeed stay the course for Mondays as they retained their main stars in Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre and Jey Uso, but they did create some interesting ripples in adding several factions.

WWE RAW GM Adam Pearce also kept hold of all of The Judgment Day while adding LWO and The Final Testament. The latter may be the set of stars to greatly benefit from the move as Karrion Kross along with Scarlet initially established themselves as stars in NXT. However, Kross was horribly repackaged in his first main roster call-up during the Vince McMahon era and both were later released.

Kross and Scarlet packed a punch in their return via SmackDown. Despite that, the duo found themselves lost in the shuffle once again before forming The Final Testament with AOP and Paul Ellering. The group remained around the midcard as they ultimately lost to The Pride at WrestleMania 40 in a Philadelphia Street Fight.

Now being on Mondays, it’s a different day and different platform for The Final Testament and they could eventually have some interesting adversaries on the brand, including Priest and The Judgment Day, but with a “Wyatt 6” burgeoning in the wings, Kross and his crew can finally find themselves in a deserved top spot.

We already got to witness Ilja Dragunov in action and he already set himself apart from many on the main roster as he took out Ricochet in the first round of The King Of The Ring tournament. He’ll undoubtedly be a major player on Mondays as he’s capable of being a force, but has also shown the ability to fight from underneath. Lyra Valkyria was another name to be embedded in the brand as she defeated Dakota Kai and got the badge of approval from Becky Lynch earlier in the night.

With RAW on its way to Netflix in 2025, a lucha legend like the aforementioned Mysterio will be an invaluable addition to the brand, but they also acquired a top rising star in Bron Breakker. There’s been early teases of Breakker’s first feud being with Sheamus and he’s a name that’s carved through the crop down in NXT. Probably the biggest backing has come from recent WWE Hall Of Famer Paul Heyman as ‘The Wiseman’ has been an unofficial advocate for the son of Rick Steiner.

As far as the tag division is concerned, RAW lost a key team in #DIY, but they found a dark horse pick in New Catch Republic, but perhaps one of the low-key greatest moves may be Raw roping in social media standout Dijak, who rejuvenated his identity back down in NXT.

WWE SmackDown

SmackDown was the show to get a big time boost from the stipulation that none of the champions can jump ship as they hold onto the business’ biggest babyface in Cody Rhodes. Anything can change before 2025 turns, but if Cody keeps grounded on SmackDown, Netflix will be without ‘The American Nightmare’ and that’s huge for USA Network when SmackDown makes the move over.

Like RAW, SmackDown kept its biggest names with The Bloodline, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Kevin Owens. Roman Reigns remains a wild card, but with Solo Sikoa staking his claim for the family, it’s likely we’ll have a major confrontation as 2024 carries on.

As far as rising talent, it’s clear Triple H is well-aware of the limitless ceiling of Carmelo Hayes. Not only was he a top pick for SmackDown, but Carmelo was immediately put into the fire going up against Rhodes in the main event.

The women’s division has Bayley, Cargill, Belair, and Tiffany Stratton, but did acquire a new dominant name in Nia Jax. Initially, the show would seem like they’d have an uphill battle by losing Damage CTRL, but Piper Niven, Chelsea Green, Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae can certainly fill those spots.

That being said, some stars may see new horizons on SmackDown with one name being Shinsuke Nakamura. While he was an excellent heel on RAW, Nakamura was consistently made to lose on the brand as he helped build Cody Rhodes for WrestleMania.

Baron Corbin could get some new beginnings on the blue brand as he found revitalization down in NXT, particularly his teaming with Bron Breakker. It will be intriguing to see if SmackDown makes use of him as a heel or babyface, but he’s got some understated potential to be a player down the line for SmackDown.

Who ‘Won’ the 2024 WWE Draft?

Was there really a winner of the WWE Draft? It depends on how one frames it. If you’re going from acquisitions, WWE RAW stood out by securing surefire future star names like Breakker and Dragunov, but also got superstar support with Rey Mysterio.

However, if you look at who won by retaining talent, SmackDown undoubtedly got the edge by keeping hold of Rhodes, Stratton, The Bloodline and Orton. It’s telling for for what the tone may be as WWE programming makes its way to new channels in 2025.

Despite the fresh match-ups in the men’s, women’s and tag divisions on Raw and SmackDown, the general consensus is that this year’s WWE Draft was underwhelming. That said, 

CM Punk & Jey Uso Top WWE Merchandise Sales For May 2024

Aaron Varble
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In May 2024, WWE Shop saw notable sales in their apparel category, and we have a full list of top-selling products.

Wrestlenomics reports that CM Punk emerged as a top seller for May 2024, showing his strong connection with fans, even though his injury hiatus. Jey Uso followed closely, which shouldn’t be a huge surprise considering the incredible reception his Yeet entrance has received in recent memory.

Cody Rhodes, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Rock also featured in the sales rankings, showcasing the appeal of both current and legendary figures in wrestling. Other superstars such as Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt, Rey Mysterio, and Liv Morgan also made the top ten list, reflecting a range of interests among the WWE fan base.

Best-Selling Items

When it comes to individual items, the “Men’s Black Jey Uso Yeet T-Shirt” led the pack, staying in the top 10 for 22 days throughout the month. This was followed by the “Men’s Black Return of CM Punk T-Shirt,” which also enjoyed significant daily sales.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s merchandise, particularly the “Stone Cold” Steve Austin & Booker T Rivals T-Shirt and the classic “Stone Cold” Steve Austin 3:16 T-Shirt, remained fan favorites. CM Punk’s “Best In The World” ringer T-shirt and The Rock’s “Final Boss” T-shirt also saw strong sales.

It’s also notable that Liv Morgan topped WWE’s sales charts after her King & Queen of the Ring Women’s World Title win, which landed her the #10 spot for the entire month.

Top-Selling WWE Merchandise for May 2024

Top Superstars:

  • CM Punk
  • Jey Uso
  • Cody Rhodes
  • Stone Cold Steve Austin
  • The Rock
  • Randy Orton
  • Roman Reigns
  • Bray Wyatt
  • Rey Mysterio/Mysterios
  • Liv Morgan

Insights and Trends

The data from May 2024 reveals a few key trends. The continued sales of CM Punk’s merchandise underline his lasting impact and popularity. Jey Uso’s rise in the rankings reflects his growing influence and appeal within the WWE universe.

The presence of both legendary figures like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, alongside current superstars such as Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, indicates a broad spectrum of fan interests spanning different eras of WWE.

Overall, WWE Shop’s apparel sales for May 2024 highlight the dynamic nature of wrestling fandom and the continued popularity of both past and present WWE superstars.

Best-Selling Items:

  • Men’s Black Jey Uso Yeet T-Shirt (Shop)
  • Men’s Black Return of CM Punk T-Shirt (Shop)
  • Men’s Black “Stone Cold” Steve Austin & Booker T Rivals T-Shirt (Shop)
  • Men’s White/Black CM Punk Best In The World Ringer T-Shirt (Shop)
  • Men’s White Jey Uso Yeet T-Shirt (Shop)
  • Men’s Black The Rock Final Boss T-Shirt (Shop)
  • Youth White Jey Uso Yeet T-Shirt (Shop)
  • Men’s Black “Stone Cold” Steve Austin 3:16 T-Shirt (Shop)
  • Men’s Black Cody Rhodes Smelting Logo Sleeveless Hoodie T-Shirt (Shop)
  • Men’s Black Roman Reigns Family Above All T-Shirt (Shop)

Will Ospreay, Swerve & DVD’s Top AEW Merchandise For May 2024

Aaron Varble
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In May 2024, ShopAEW saw strong sales across various categories, with Double or Nothing capping off the month to give them a new boost of momentum. The month’s top merchandise sellers reflects who is on top in the fans’ eyes. 

Wrestlenomics reports that AEW branded merchandise led the way with the highest number of items in the top ten daily rankings. Will Ospreay followed, showing significant sales. 

Top-Selling AEW Merchandise for May 2024

Top Superstars:

  • AEW
  • Will Ospreay
  • ROH
  • Swerve Strickland
  • Adam Copeland
  • Kenny Omega
  • Young Bucks
  • Mercedes Moné
  • Toni Storm
  • Jack Perry

In terms of individual items, two Blu-ray disc releases top the list. The AEW WrestleDream October 1, 2023 Blu-ray Disc stayed in the top ten for 19 days. The AEW ALL IN LONDON August 27, 2023 Blu-ray 2-Disc Set performed well, remaining in the top ten for 18 days. 

Will Ospreay’s “The Feeling” also saw consistent sales, along with the pre-order for the ROH Final Battle 2023 DVD 2-Disc Set. The ROH Final Battle 2022 DVD 2-Disc Set maintained a strong presence in the rankings.

Best-Selling Items:

  • AEW WrestleDream October 1, 2023 Blu-ray Disc
  • AEW ALL IN LONDON August 27, 2023 Blu-ray 2-Disc Set
  • Will Ospreay – The Feeling
  • Pre-Order: ROH Final Battle 2023 DVD 2-Disc Set
  • ROH Final Battle 2022 DVD 2-Disc Set
  • Limited Edition – Kenny Omega Vs King – Tekken 8 Series
  • Pre-Order: Matthew & Nicholas Jackson AEW Micro Brawler Tag Team 2-Pack
  • 2023 AEW Trading Cards (Blaster)
  • Nyla Rose – HER (All Royalties Will Go To Freedom Oklahoma’s 501c3)
  • Orange Cassidy Beaded Bracelet 3-Pack

Mance Warner Wins GCW World Championship At Cage Of Survival 3

Thomas Lowson
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The GCW World Heavyweight Championship is now in the hands of Mance Warner after capturing the title at the recent GCW Cage Of Survival 3 event. 

In the show’s main event, a Gauntlet of Survival match saw several wrestlers briefly hold the title including Nick Gage, Jimmy Lloyd, and Cole Radric. Like in a WWE Championship Scramble, it was whoever held the title at the end of the match’s time limit who would officially become the GCW World Champion. 

https://twitter.com/GIFSkullX/status/1797416664209727588

When all was said and done, Joey Janela was the GCW World Heavyweight Champion but things weren’t over just yet. After the match, Mance Warner cashed in Do Or Die title shot, which guaranteed him a World Championship opportunity at a time of his choosing. With Warner completely fresh, he made quick work of Janela to win the GCW World Title. 

On Twitter, Steph De Lander, an ally of Game Changer Wrestling General Manager, shared a photo with her fiancee Warner. 

The title had been vacated by Game Changer Wrestling’s General Manager Matt Cardona. The Indy God, who is also a former GCW World Champion, stripped Blake Christian of the title in May of this year. Cardona made the decision after Christian opted to compete in New Japan’s Best of Super Juniors event instead of the Tournament of Survival show on June 1. Now, the title and the responsibility of being champion falls on Warner but with the manner in which he won the title, expect plenty of challengers for the new GCW World Champion. 

Soft Ground Wrestling Uganda In “Good Talks” With AEW’s Will Ospreay

Thomas Lowson
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Fans could be seeing much more of Will Ospreay in Soft Ground Wrestling Uganda as the two sides are said to be currently in positive talks. 

SGW Uganda has become a hit online in recent months after notable names began sharing the promotion on social media. Ospreay, as well as TNA Wrestling’s Jordynne Grace, donated to a GoFundMe fundraiser aimed at providing a standard wrestling ring as well as other operating needs. 

Ospreay has spoken in the past about wanting to compete for Soft Ground Wrestling Uganda and that could soon be the case. Responding to an article about the reigning AEW International Champion, the official SGW Uganda Twitter account confirmed that their promotion and Will Ospreay had been in talks. 

What’s Next? 

It’s possible that Ospreay will challenge for the newly-instated SGW Uganda Championship which was introduced earlier this year. The first-ever champion is Anoa who won the title in the finals of a tournament that saw him beat Tate Mayfairs

Back in the United States, Ospreay has his sights set on capturing more gold in All Elite Wrestling. On the most recent edition of AEW Dynamite, Ospreay won a Casino Gauntlet Match to earn an AEW World Championship match at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door. Ospreay has held the AEW International Title since Double or Nothing and barring a last-minute title change, he will challenge Swerve Strickland later this month in 

Top 10 Most Effective Brand Advertisers For WWE & AEW Television

Aaron Varble
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Pro wrestling is going through a booming period, and let’s take a look at some of the biggest players in their advertising game.

EDO, a TV advertising analytics company, has profiled WWE and AEW, giving strong marks to both. Wrestling remains a major draw for TV advertisers due to its large, engaged audience.

WWE’s Monday Night Raw, the longest-running weekly episodic program, will move to Netflix in January 2025. This transition signifies a major shift in the platform for WWE’s flagship show. Meanwhile, AEW has established itself as a strong competitor in the wrestling world. Its Dynamite show frequently tops cable ratings on Wednesday nights, demonstrating its popularity among viewers.

WWE’s rise is thanks to Endeavor merging the company with the UFC and Vince McMahon departed from the company, leaving things to Triple H and Nick Khan’s vision. That momentum has been noticed all over.

AEW’s ad effectiveness has seen notable growth, particularly on its Rampage program. Brands such as Bud Light and Crest have experienced increased engagement through their advertising on AEW shows.

WWE’s programs, including Raw and SmackDown, also show significant ad engagement. Top advertisers like Credible and Purple have reported impressive results from their campaigns on these shows. Advertisers benefit from the high engagement rates of these programs, making them effective platforms for brand promotion.

Top 10 AEW Advertisers

Here are the top 10 most effective advertisers on AEW programming, among brands with 10 or more airings from April 2023 through March 2024:

  • Innovation Refunds (+284% more effective than the average AEW advertiser)
  • Just for Men (+201%)
  • Pampers (+195%)
  • Ferrero Rocher (+182%)
  • Bud Light (+169%)
  • Crest (+108%)
  • Miller Lite (+102%)
  • Schwarzkopf (+97%)
  • Applebee’s (+93%)
  • Diet Coke (+93%)

Top 10 WWE Advertisers

The top 10 most effective advertisers on WWE programming, among brands with 10 or more airings from April 2023 through March 2024, include:

  • Credible (+2,978% more effective than the average WWE advertiser)
  • Purple (+490%)
  • Dawn (+224%)
  • Depend (+215%)
  • Hot Pockets (+200%)
  • NyQuil (+194%)
  • Mattel (+190%)
  • Puffs (+180%)
  • Miller Lite (+177%)
  • Mr. Clean (+177%)

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