In 1992, wrestling fans were introduced to the cryptic and creepy Papa Shango, a voodoo practitioner who used hexes to play mind games with his opponents. Less than two years after his introduction, Shango vanished from screens, and it was a very real-life situation that brought an end to the supernatural persona.
Speaking on the Insight podcast, Charles Wright, also known to fans as The Godfather, was asked about the character’s exit and shared that his real-life problems ended Papa Shango.
“Papa Shango went through a very, very ugly divorce. My second wife. I went through an ugly divorce, I was in a very, very bad place.”
Wright added that this ‘bad place’ resulted in him getting into fights which led to WWE ultimately ditching the character.
“I was getting into a lot of fights, real fights and ‘Taker was pulling me off for people, and it was getting ugly. So I went in there with Vince and Mark and we decided it would be best if I went home and got my mind right before somebody got hurt.”
While the Shango character was axed, WWE did plan on bringing the character back in 1997, before giving Wright the persona of ‘Kama Mustafa.’ The Shango character has also been used by Wright outside of WWE, including as recently as April of this year at an event for Australia’s Battle Championship Wrestling. While Papa Shango may not have gone far in WWE, Wright said he is in a far better place now, and the character’s legacy lives on in the minds of the fans.
Brock Lesnar last appeared on WWE programming at SummerSlam 2023 when he lost to Cody Rhodes in a hard-fought contest for both men. Lesnar has vanished from WWE due to his alleged involvement in the Janel Grant lawsuit, but WWE certainly had the Beast Incarnate on the brain during the October 14, episode of WWE Raw.
In a backstage segment, Seth Rollins tried to persuade General Manager Adam Pearce to give him a one-on-one match with Bronson Reed. During his promo, Rollins made reference to conquering a ‘beast’ in the past. This was a nod to Lesnar who Rollins dethroned as WWE Universal Champion at WrestleMania 35 in 2019.
In the ring, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes came face-to-face with World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER ahead of their showdown at WWE Crown Jewel. While Rhodes acknowledged GUNTHER being a ‘beast’ since arriving in WWE, he also touted his own accolades including having previously conquered a beast, i.e. Lesnar.
While Lesnar was not mentioned by name, these nods to the former WWE Universal Champion did not go unnoticed by fans. On Twitter/X, Lesnar’s name trended as thousands of posts were shared discussing these references and a potential return.
Brock Lesnar’s WWE Hiatus
Lesnar is alleged to have been one of the men Janel Grant was trafficked to during her tenure in WWE. It’s alleged that Vince McMahon trafficked Grant to Lesnar in order to secure a deal with the Beast. McMahon has denied all wrongdoing.
In July, WWE COO Paul Levesque said he’d be open to a conversation with Lesnar about a return if and when the Beast decided to initiate talks. Grant’s lawsuit is currently on hold as the Department of Justice launched a federal investigation on McMahon on May 30. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Brock Lesnar and his status as a WWE Superstar.
Joe Hendry will not be changing homes anytime soon despite recent speculations.
The TNA star has been going viral in recent months for his songs but he made headlines earlier yesterday for a different reason.
While responding to a fan claiming Hendry had fallen off the radar, the 36-year-old declared that the tweet will age very poorly ‘in about 4 months.’
With WWE’s continued interest in the Scottish star, many believed that this was an indication of Hendry making an appearance at Royal Rumble from Indianapolis, Indiana on February 1, and potentially even signing with the company.
While the former may still be something that is in the works, the latter is not possible as Joe Hendry’s current TNA contract runs at least until late 2025 per Fightful Select.
TNA officials have even come to an agreement that allows Hendry to train at the WWE PC but there is no indication that they’ll let him out of his deal early. According to the report, Hendry is expected to be the focal point of their shows in 2025.
Joe Hendry is set to challenge Nic Nemeth for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at the upcoming Bound For Glory PPV on October 26. Many within the promotion are pushing for him to win the title.
His last NXT match came at the No Mercy special on September 1 where Hendry unsuccessfully challenged Ethan Page for the NXT title. There is no word on when the former ROH star may make his return to the brand.
During the latest edition of WWE Raw, Rhea Ripley was part of the opening segment that included Tiffany Stratton, Liv Morgan, and Raquel Rodriguez. Soon after, Ripley would accidentally drop on the top of Stratton’s heel head-first after a brutal big boot from Rodriguez.
While the vast majority of fans showed concern that landing head first could have been an injury, there was a select number of trolls that were hoping Ripley got hurt. On her Instagram Stories, Ripley had some choice words for these particular ‘fans’ of wrestling.
The main event of Raw saw Ripley team with Stratton to face Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. This match ended in a no-contest due to an interruption from Nia Jax. During the show, the WWE Women’s Champion vowed that Stratton would cash in her Money in the Bank contract on Liv Morgan when the time is right, which came as a surprise to Stratton herself.
While wrestling fans have the freedom to support or not support who they wish, wanting a wrestler to get injured in the ring is a step too far. Hopefully, these ‘fans’ of wrestling will reflect on what they want after having their comments shared with Ripley’s 4.5 million followers on Instagram. In the meantime, Ripley will continue to be one of the very top Superstars in WWE and be featured regularly on programming.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from Rhea Ripley as the Eradicator continues to be a force to be reckoned with on WWE programming.
WWE WrestleMania 41 is coming to Las Vegas next April, and even without a match announced, anticipation is high for the event. Now, On Location has announced the details for their Priority Pass to take the WrestleMania experience of fans to the next level.
Priority Pass tickets come in several different levels. Those who purchase the Silver level for $1,500 receive:
2 Night Ticket: Upper-Level Seating
WrestleMania Kickoff Party with On-Stage Appearance by Cody Rhodes!
WWE World & Superstore Access
Dedicated Priority Pass Entrance
Professional On Location On-Site Support Staff?
Those who purchase the Gold level for $5,000 receive:
2 Night Ticket: Lower Level Seating
All-Inclusive Hospitality with On-Stage Appearance by John Cena!
Exclusive WM41 x Priority Pass Gifting
WWE World & Superstore Access
Dedicated Priority Pass Entrance
Professional On Location On-Site Support Staff
And those fans ready to go all in will receive the following by spending $7,000 on the Champion pass:
2 Night Ticket: Premium Floor Seating
Ringside Photo Op at WrestleMania 41?
Topgolf with The Miz
All-Inclusive Hospitality with on stage Appearance by John Cena!???
WWE World & Superstore Access???
Exclusive WM41 x Priority Pass Gifting
Dedicated Priority Pass Entrance
Professional On Location On-Site Support Staff?
Fans of WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker can spend $9,995 for the ‘Undertaker Squite by the Seat’ and receive the following:
2 Night Ticket: Premium Suite with All Inclusive Food & Beverage
In-Suite Undertaker Appearance
Authentic Undertaker Championship Title and Urn Photo Op
Topgolf with The Miz
WWE World and Superstore Access
Exclusive Undertaker-Themed Gifting
Dedicated Entrance
Professional On Location On-Site Support Staff
And the Elite Experiences pass includes:
Premium Ringside Seating
In-Ring Photo Op at WrestleMania 41??
Post-Show Press Conference Access & Desk Photo Op
Superstar Walkout Experience on WrestleMania Stage
All-Inclusive Hospitality with Appearance by John Cena!
WWE World & Superstore Access
Premium WrestleMania 41 ELITE Gifting
Expedited Entry at Dedicated Priority Pass Entrance
ELITE Concierge Services
WrestleMania 41
No matches have been confirmed for WrestleMania 41, though fans can expect The Rock at the show despite some recent rumors to the contrary. WrestleMania 41 will take place on April 19, and April 20, from Allegiant Stadium, marking WWE’s sixth two-night WrestleMania. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on WrestleMania 41 as the road to the biggest show of the year continues.
Jimmy Uso may have reunited with Roman Reigns at WWE Bad Blood, but winning over his brother Jey is proving to be far more difficult for ‘Big Jim.’ During the October 14, episode of WWE Raw, the Intercontinental Champion saved the New Day from a beatdown by Bron Breakker, but returned to his locker room only to find Jimmy waiting for him. Jimmy tried to start a conversation, but Jey wasn’t interested. Without a word, Jey turned and walked off, clearly not ready to reconcile.
Later in the night, Jimmy made another attempt to talk to Jey, but this time Jey was visibly frustrated. He angrily told Jimmy to get out of his face, making it clear that their tension, which has been brewing since Jey’s departure from The Bloodline, isn’t likely to ease anytime soon.
Jimmy tried to get Roman Reigns to bring in Jey on the latest SmackDown, only to get a “No Yeet!” from the Original Tribal Chief. While having the Intercontinental Champion on board would certainly be huge for Reigns and Jimmy in their war with Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, Jey Uso wants no part of their family civil war.
The Viking Raiders are back, but this time under a familiar name: The War Raiders. The duo, formerly known as War Machine during their time in NJPW and ROH, first debuted in WWE’s NXT under the War Raiders moniker before becoming The Viking Experience and later The Viking Raiders on the main roster.
It has been several months since both stars were last in action due to injuries. Erik was sidelined following successful neck fusion surgery last November, while Ivar has been recovering from a spinal injury suffered earlier this year. Their return marks a significant moment for the team and their fans.
WWE RAW Return
On this week’s episode of WWE RAW, the War Raiders made their highly anticipated return in a match against Alpha Academy as part of the #1 Contender’s Tournament for the WWE Tag Team Titles. The War Raiders wasted no time making an impact, decisively defeating Otis and Akira Tozawa to advance in the tournament.
Fans are excited to see what’s next for the rebranded War Raiders as they seek to reclaim dominance in the tag team division.
At Bad Blood, Triple H unveiled the Crown Jewel Championship belt, and in so doing announced that the November Crown Jewel PLE from Saudi Arabia would feature head-to-head matches between both the men’s and women’s world champions of each main roster brand. While the belt itself looks impressive, the response from fans has been underwhelming.
The concept ostensibly seems to revisit the brand warfare days of Survivor Series or the Bragging Rights PLE, each of which produced some good matches over the years but tended to fall flat from a storytelling perspective because of the lack of stakes. After all, no one’s title reigns were actually at risk, and by the nature of separate brands, talents typically didn’t continue their storylines past the one-off show at hand, making them almost feel like non-canon, house show-style events.
Is it possible, however, to make the Crown Jewel Championship mean something, both this year and on an ongoing basis—the foundation for a new WWE tradition? There is some potential.
Cody Rhodes Makes The Crown Jewel Championship Credible
Ask any casual fan who won the first two Royal Rumbles, and the odds are they won’t know. That’s because the victors were perennial mid-carder Jim Duggan and then Big John Studd, who never wrestled another PLE match after his Rumble win. In each of these cases, the Rumble finish was a crowd pleaser, but carried no consequences.
That narrative changed the following two years when Hulk Hogan became the first back-to-back Royal Rumble winner. Even though it would be another year before the Rumble had stakes—with the world title or a world title shot at WrestleMania henceforth on the line—Hogan winning elevated the match to be something the tip-top stars in the company cared about. It’s little wonder the Royal Rumble victory started feeling like one of the most prestigious things a wrestler could accomplish from that point on.
As the most recent back-to-back Royal Rumble winner, the most recent WrestleMania main event winner, and the reigning WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes is now the de facto face of WWE. As such, being the inaugural Crown Jewel Champion marks an opportunity to immediately lend credibility to that title. In contrast to Braun Strowman winning the Greatest Royal Rumble and its symbolic championship belt, then getting released a few short years later, only to return as a mid-carder, The American Nightmare is a bona fide marquee star. There’s no gamble around whether this victory will be an effective stepping stone for him. Rather, he’s the man who can make the championship.
Gunther Winning The Crown Jewel Championship Stands To Elevate Him
WWE finds itself in a win-win situation, in which either man who might win the Crown Jewel Championship already has marked credibility. Cody Rhodes could legitimize the title. There may, however, be even greater mutual potential in a Gunther victory.
Gunther has been one of WWE’s most consistent performers since arriving on the main roster and, particularly in terms of match quality, he has thrived as World Heavyweight Champion. Crown Jewel could mark a unique opportunity, though, for him to beat one of the few undeniably bigger stars than himself, without disrupting The American Nightmare’s WWE Championship reign.
A victory for Gunther and a closing shot of him holding the Crown Jewel Championship over his head, while defeated Rhodes lies on the mat, can sell the idea that he truly is WWE’s top champion and mark one of the final pieces in the puzzle of pushing him forward from world championship status to the kind of guy who could credibly main event a WrestleMania. Moreover, this victory, more so than Rhodes winning, could plant the seeds for WWE to revisit this feud with either world title on the line, properly, down the road.
Tiffany Stratton Cashes In
There’s only one Money in the Bank briefcase currently in play. Given Tiffany Stratton’s immense talent and potential, it looks as though there’s a good chance she will ultimately become a champion when she chooses to cash in.
Some folks online are getting a little carried away in prognosticating that she might cash in on both Liv Morgan and Nia Jax and win both their titles as well as the Crown Jewel one. The logistics are quite fuzzy on whether that would canonically make sense (could cash-ins really happen on two champions at once on a whim?). WWE can always fudge the rules, but if Stratton were to cash-in, it seems more feasible she would do so on one champion or the other post-match.
Another unconventional possibility, though, would be for Stratton to cash-in for the Crown Jewel Championship itself, either by turning the match for that title into a Triple Threat, or by claiming it off the winner immediately post-match. While, on paper, this choice wouldn’t make much sense, it would be a way of immediately establishing this prize in not just ceremonial, but rather is desirable enough for a Money in the Bank holder to think it was worth a cash-in.
The most likely scenario in which this solution would work would probably be if Morgan were to either win or be very close to it, only for Stratton to take that prize from here without rushing her brewing issue with Jax.
WWE Can Stage Classic Matches For The Crown Jewel Championship
Without getting too complicated around the booking, one of the most surefire ways to make the Crown Jewel Championship feel important would be for the matches for it to be great in and of themselves.
That doesn’t necessarily seem like a likely outcome on the women’s side. Liv Morgan has done outstanding character work and is a good in-ring performer. It nonetheless seems unlikely she can compensate enough to pull a great match out of Nia Jax (who has shown improvement bell-to-bell, but still isn’t someone anyone’s expecting match of the year candidates out of).
By contrast, on the men’s side of things, Cody Rhodes and Gunther are both talented enough, with enough investment from management that an instant classic does feel possible. If both these marquee stars go all out and have the time put on a classic, they could go a long way toward putting this championship on the map.
In the end, the Crown Jewel Championship probably isn’t going to become a profound part of WWE lore, though. There are opportunities to make it feel meaningful in the short term, or for it to at least be at the center some fun action in November.
For years, WWE fans in the UK have wished for WrestleMania to come to the country, which up until recently seemed like it was an impossibility. At Money in the Bank 2023, John Cena shared his intentions to bring WrestleMania to London, and Cody Rhodes is among those eager to see such an event take place.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live to promote WWE’s ongoing tour of the UK, the Undisputed WWE Champion reflected on Cena’s statement and the sway the WWE icon carries.
“I don’t know if that was on the books anywhere. I don’t know if that was something that had been, I don’t know where that was. But when the greatest of all time as we like to call John, goes out there and says it, it almost wills itself into existence.”
Rhodes believes that a UK-based WrestleMania should, and could happen, and brought up Paul Levesque’s meeting with London mayor Sadiq Khan. Later in the interview, the American Nightmare gave a timeline as to when fans could expect WrestleMania in the UK.
“If I’m aiming, it would be cool to get it [in the UK] in the next five years. There’s some really big venues over here that could host a WrestleMania.”
Hiroshi Tanahashi, widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, has announced that his retirement will be taking place in 2026 when he appears at Wrestle Kingdom that year. As fans prepare to bid farewell to the “Ace” of New Japan, it’s the perfect time to revisit some of his most memorable matches.
Here, we highlight some of the must-watch bouts that showcase Tanahashi’s incredible talent and legacy in professional wrestling.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – G1 Climax 25 Final (2015)
This match is a masterclass in storytelling and in-ring psychology. Tanahashi and Nakamura, two of the most charismatic wrestlers in the industry, delivered an electric performance that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The bout featured intense mat work, devastating kicks, and high-flying maneuvers, culminating in Tanahashi’s victory with his signature High Fly Flow.
Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi – G1 Climax 28 Final (2018)
This G1 final between Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi truly is a testament to Tanahashi’s ability to create magic in the ring, and it certainly helped having a talent the caliber of Ibushi across the ring from him.
The match was a perfect blend of striking exchanges and high-flying action, with both wrestlers pushing each other to their limits. Tanahashi’s resilience and fighting spirit were on full display as he overcame Ibushi’s devastating attacks to secure the win.
Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada – Wrestle Kingdom 10 (2016)
This match is a prime example of Tanahashi’s ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. The bout was a culmination of their long-standing rivalry, with Tanahashi showcasing his technical prowess and unwavering determination.
The match is remembered for its intense back-and-forth action and dramatic near-falls.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kenny Omega – Wrestle Kingdom 13 (2019)
In this clash of wrestling philosophies, Tanahashi proved why he was still considered the ace of New Japan.
The match was a perfect representation of Tanahashi’s ability to adapt to different styles while maintaining his core wrestling principles. His victory in this bout cemented his legacy as one of the greatest IWGP Heavyweight Champions of all time.
Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki – King of Pro Wrestling (2012)
This match, often cited as one of Tanahashi’s best, is a brutal and intense affair that showcases his toughness and resilience. Suzuki’s sadistic style pushed Tanahashi to his limits, resulting in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout. The bout is a perfect example of Tanahashi’s ability to tell compelling stories in the ring.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. AJ Styles – King of Pro Wrestling (2014)
While not as highly rated as some of his other matches, this bout against AJ Styles demonstrated Tanahashi’s versatility. His ability to adapt to Styles’ high-flying, fast-paced style while maintaining his own style made for an exciting and memorable match.
The Okada Saga
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada – Invasion Attack (2013)
This match is considered one of the best in their storied rivalry. The bout showcased Tanahashi’s technical skills and his ability to counter Okada’s devastating Rainmaker finisher.
Thie match is a must-watch for anyone looking to understand the depth of Tanahashi’s use of in-ring psychology.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada – King of Pro Wrestling (2013)
Another highly-rated match in their rivalry, this bout further cemented Tanahashi’s status as one of the best big-match performers in wrestling history. The match is filled with dramatic near-falls and innovative counters, demonstrating Tanahashi’s creativity and ring awareness.
Wrestling fans have long speculated about the possibility of Nia Jax aligning with The Bloodline. The reigning WWE Women’s Champion is cousins with The Rock, so she’d be an obvious choice if and when The Bloodline adds its first female member.
Jax says she’d be there for her family in a moment’s notice if they needed her, but she’s focused on dominating the Women’s division and she’s never been seriously considered.
“It’s only been discussed by fans. I definitely think that’s an easy thing to go to, but I also know that the boys really support us in our journey. They want us to be successful in our own right and pave our own path and create our own legacy.”
– Nia Jax on joining The Bloodline (Daily Mail)
The Bloodline consists of Tribal Chief Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa. They are currently engaged in a fierce feud with ex-Tribal Chief Roman Reigns and his nephew, Jimmy Uso. The Bloodline left Reigns and Uso severely injured on SmackDown last week, with Jimmy saying he and Reigns need help. The help will likely come from Intercontinental Champion Jey Uso, but the possibility remains that Nia Jax will get involved in this Bloodline civil war before all is said and done.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER has congratulated Zack Sabre Jr. on his major victory at Monday’s NJPW King of Pro Wrestling event.
Sabre Jr. defeated Tetsuya Naito to capture the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, marking a monumental achievement in his career. He is only the second British wrestler to win this prestigious title, following Will Ospreay’s triumph in 2021.
Gunther, a former rival of Sabre’s from their days on the UK independent wrestling scene in 2019, acknowledged this milestone on social media. He posted a simple yet supportive message featuring applause emojis and the initials “ZSJ.” It was a gracious gesture from the Austrian Superstar, likely appreciated by Sabre on this memorable occasion.
TNA World Champion Nick Nemeth, formerly known as Dolph Ziggler in WWE, also saluted ZSJ.
Shinsuke Nakamura is set to return to Pro Wrestling NOAH on New Year’s Day. Nakamura will face Ulka Sasaki in a highly anticipated singles match on January 1, 2025, at NOAH The New Year. This marks Nakamura’s first appearance for NOAH since January 2023, when he famously defeated The Great Muta (Keiji Muto) as part of Muta’s retirement tour.
The announcement of Nakamura’s return was made during Pro Wrestling NOAH’s October 14th event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
? #WWE star @ShinsukeN returns to the NOAH ring on 1 January!!
Nakamura: "NOAH, it's been a while. After that miraculous fight, WWE’s SHINSUKE NAKAMURA will return to Nippon Budokan on New Year's Day! Who will be standing in front of me?”#noah_ghcpic.twitter.com/QOICUVzujD
Despite an active year, Nakamura has struggled with a disappointing 3–38 record, though the majority of these matches have been non-televised. Earlier this year, he headlined a major feud with Cody Rhodes, which included intense Street Fights and Bullrope matches. Nakamura also made multiple unsuccessful challenges for the WWE Universal and United States Titles.
Throughout the year, Nakamura has faced top talent such as LA Knight, Sheamus, Ilja Dragunov, and Sami Zayn. Additionally, he has represented WWE in international events across Japan, Germany, and Europe.
Tonight’s WWE Raw broadcasts on the USA Network at 8/7c. The show was taped last Monday from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO, due to WWE’s ongoing European tour.
Matches and Segments:
The Miz vs. R-Truth
Bron Breakker vs. Kofi Kingston
Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair defend the women’s tag titles against IYO SKY & Kairi Sane of Damage CTRL
Plus:
Rhea Ripley opens the show
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Gunther will have a face-to-face segment ahead of their match at WWE Crown Jewel.
Raw Spoilers for Tonight
Here are the full results, taped before last week’s WWE Raw went live on the air:
Rhea Ripley calls out Raquel Rodriguez but Tiffany Stratton interrupts, delivering a message from Nia Jax. This distraction allows Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez to attack both Ripley and Stratton.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill defeat the team of Kairi Sane & IYO SKY in a tag match.
The War Raiders make their return and score a victory over Alpha Academy.
R-Truth pins The Miz after interference from Karrion Kross and his crew, who distracted Miz and then tossed Truth back into the ring for a post-match attack.
Bron Breakker scores a win by pinning Kofi Kingston.
The match between Tiffany Stratton & Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez ends in a disqualification/no contest when Nia Jax attacks, causing chaos.
Hiroshi Tanahashi has announced that his legendary career in the ring will come to an end in January 2026, with his final match coming at that month’s Wrestle Kingdom 20 pay-per-view. At New Japan Pro Wrestling’s King Of Pro Wrestling event, Tanahashi teamed with Shota Umino and El Phantasmo to defeat House of Torture’s Yujiro Takahashi, EVIL and Dick Togo. After the match, the 47-year-old shared the news that he will have his final match on January 4, 2026. While Tanahashi did not confirm the show he will retire on, New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom event takes place each year on January 4.
Tanahashi joined New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1999 and has been one of the promotion’s very top stars for several years. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, it was the efforts of Tanahashi that helped revive the company’s brand which had taken a hit in the mid-2000s.
The Ace’s legendary career includes eight IWGP Heavyweight Champion reigns, two Intercontinental Title reigns, three G1 Climax victories, and three reigns as IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion. In recent years, Tanahashi has taken on an executive role, and was made New Japan President last year.
With such a legendary career both in and out of the ring, Hiroshi Tanahashi has certainly earned a fond farewell from the ring. After the NJPW exit of Kazuchika Okada in February 2024, it remains to be seen how the company will fare as another one of its top stars prepares to leave the ring, this time for good.
AEW World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks will make their return to New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Dynasty, six years removed from their more recent NJPW match. The AEW EVPs shared the news via video during NJPW’s King Of Pro-Wrestling 2024 event.
The Young Bucks haven’t competed for New Japan since WrestleKingdom 13 in January 2019, mere days after AEW was announced to the public. With that in mind, the brothers have been a part of AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door events, where they hold a 2-1 win/loss record.
WrestleDynasty 2025
Wrestle Dynasty will take place on January 5, 2025, from the legendary Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, just one day after NJPW: Wrestle Kingdom 19 in the same venue. In addition to AEW and New Japan talent, the show will also feature names from Ring of Honor, CMLL, and World Wonder Ring Stardom. The show was announced back in June of this year during the AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
Wrestle Dynasty will further cement AEW’s willingness to work with other promotions to provide the best wrestling content for fans around the world. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest news about Wrestle Dynasty 2025 and whoever ends up stepping in the ring with the Young Bucks in Tokyo.
At AEW WrestleDream, Swerve Strickland made his first appearance for the company since his brutal loss to ‘Hangman’ Adam Page at AEW All Out. In his segment, Strickland declined the managerial services of MVP, saying he is loyal to Prince Nana and told the former WWE Superstar to “stick your business cards up your ass!” While many expected this segment to also see the debut of Bobby Lashley, that didn’t happen, as the All Mighty was nowhere to be seen at the Tacoma pay-per-view.
There were early discussions about having Lashley debut at WrestleDream, Fightful Select reports, but plans changed. The belief was that having Lashley attack and lay out Swerve in Strickland’s hometown would not have gone well, especially given what happened to fellow Washingtonian Bryan Danielson in the main event of the show.
This report comes after Ibou of WrestlePurists reported that Lashley’s debut was postponed to ensure it stands out. AEW felt there were already enough big storylines at WrestleDream, and they didn’t want Lashley’s arrival to get overshadowed. In addition to matches, the pay-per-view saw the returns of Adam Cole and MJF to our screens.
TNA Bound for Glory 2024 will take place on October 26, 2024, from the Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit, Michigan. The show will be the 20th Bound for Glory show, and the first under the TNA branding since 2016, following on from TNA’s relaunch earlier this year.
The show already features a stacked card, including a triple-threat tag-team Full Metal Mayhem match between ABC, The Hardys, and TNA World Tag Team Champions The System. Now, that match has undergone a change, as for the first time in close to a decade, the match will be won when the victors capture the titles from above the ring. In recent years, the match has been contested under pinfall and submission rules, and this change will add a new layer of excitement to the bout.
In recent years Full Metal Mayhem has been won via pinfall or submission, however at #BoundForGlory on October 26 the belts will be suspended above the ring in Full Metal Mayhem for the first time since 2015! pic.twitter.com/AoatzxYqkp
On the surface, this stipulation favors the Hardys, who are no strangers to Full Metal Mayhem, TNA’s answer to the TLC match. Jeff Hardy has appeared in five FMM matches, including the very first match of its card back at TNA Against All Odds 2005. Matt has been in three Full Metal Mayhem matches but has yet to win the contest.
While Bryan Myers has yet to compete in Full Metal Mayhem, his tag-team partner Eddie Edwards is a regular in the contest with four appearances and two wins to his name. Both Ace Austin and Chris Bey of ABC have yet to compete under the stipulation.
TNA Bound For Glory 2024
Here is the card as it currently stands for TNA Bound for Glory 2024.
TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match: Nic Nemeth vs. Joe Hendry
TNA Tag Team Championship Full Metal Mayhem Match: The System vs. The Hardys vs. ABC
TNA Digital Media Championship & International Heavyweight Championship Monsters Ball Match: PCO vs. Matt Cardona
TNA Knockouts Championship Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Masha Slamovich
Mike Santana vs. Moose
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from TNA Bound for Glory 2024, including breaking news and live results.
John Cena’s star power is known outside of the world of professional wrestling, as the WWE icon is also a leading man in Hollywood and on TV. This week, the 16-time WWE World Champion appeared on the livestream of a popular content creator though his efforts to enjoy a delicious McDonald’s sandwich proved to be in vain.
Cena joined popular streamer Kai Cenat for a laid-back chat on Twitch, covering a range of topics including McDonald’s new Chicken Big Mac. The WWE icon became the latest victim of the infamous “Fanum Tax” as during the stream, Fanum humorously swiped Cena’s Chicken Big Mac right in front of him. Fanum made it up to the WWE legend by gifting him a unique Chicken Big Mac chain in a fun moment for Cena and the live stream’s viewers.
You can check out Cena being taxed, and other highlights from the 16-time WWE World Champion’s time on the stream in the clips below.
Cena’s appearance on the stream only underlines the WWE icon’s mainstream appeal outside of the world of professional wrestling. With that in mind, fan will get to see plenty of Cena in WWE this coming January when he kicks off his retirement tour. Cena will be part of Monday Night Raw’s transition to Netflix which will kick off with the January 6, 2025, episode.
Week 6 of the NFL had one WWE Hall of Famer stopping by the forthcoming WrestleMania 41 grounds in Las Vegas and an AEW star becoming the “Twelfth Man” for his homestate Seattle Seahawks. Plus there’s some “mojo” going down with Rob Gronkowski and the actor playing him. Let’s kick it off.
Rey Mysterio Rocks Raiders Silver & Black
While last week’s write-up showcased the Steelers heavily, this week we have Rey Mysterio to thank for the spotlight being shown on their opponent in the Las Vegas Raiders. WWE is revving up to crash the Las Vegas strip next year at WrestleMania 41, but before they do they teased the fans a little with a special appearance by Mysterio, Titus O’Neil and Samatha Irvin (who actually sang the national anthem before the game).
Mysterio took photos before kickoff with some of the players and later with the fans, but it wasn’t enough for them to thwart Pittsburgh, who made Aidan O’Connell and the Raider offense walk the plank 32-13.
Pro wrestling became a factor in the very first game of week six when the Seattle Seahawks battled NFC East rival San Francisco in a Thursday night game. Considering AEW was in the area for their upcoming WrestleDream PPV on Saturday, AEW pillar Darby Allin popped by complete with his signature pink jacket. However, it was the 49ers who put the Coffin Drop on Seattle by winning 36-24.
Mojo Rawley ‘Gets Hyped’ For Gronk Actor In ‘Aaron Hernandez: American Sports Story’
Mojo Rawley (Dean Muhtadi) may not be grappling it up in the ring at the moment, but the former WWE star keeps busy being a notable TMZ personality. Rawley had some fun news to talk about this week as family and friendship collided this week in a viral moment involving FX’s dark story behind deceased NFL tight end, Aaron Hernandez. The show has created a lot of buzz with the portrayals of notable NFL names like Bill Belicheck and Robert Kraft, but a shining star is the one actor playing Rob Gronkowski.
Gronk notoriously has a history with WWE and is a former teammate of the aformentioned Rawley at the University of Maryland. However, both have ties to the actor playing Gronk, Laith Wallschleger. Laith is a former D1 from the University of Delaware (alma mater of Joe Flacco – Blue Hens!) before spending some time in the NFL until making the trip to Hollywood. He now finds steady work as a stuntman, voice actor and now got eyes as Gronkowski. During an interview with Kay Adams, Gronkowski actually revealed that Wallschleger is his acting double for everything he does and the two are good friends. Rawley noted that Laith is actually his cousin!
The good vibes from Laith didn’t translate for the actual Patriots on the field this week as they got stampeded by the Houston Texans 41-21.
Trevor Lee Celebrates A Ravens Win
Trevor Lee is currently a free agent in the world of pro wrestling, but he was flying to the moon during the Baltimore Ravens game against in-state adversary the Washington Commanders. For many, the game may have been tighter than expected, but the Ravens rode the legs Derrick Henry who trounced the Commanders in an effort to win by just a touchdown. Lee had a video of himself celebrating at the game following the team’s fourth straight win.
#WWECardiff results Pt.2: Randy Orton & DIY def. The Bloodline (Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Jacob Fatu) La Knight (C) def. Shinsuke Nakamura for US Title Cody Rhodes (C) def. Solo Sikoa for Undisputed WWE Title in a Steel Cage match Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa interfered with DIY helping pic.twitter.com/ypP6deJZKN
What a night at #WWECardiff . True to his word on X, @CodyRhodes not only signed our Mania ticket but also signed our poster and then took some cracking selfies with my phone. Thanks Cody-we really appreciate your time, you made our night! #CardifflovesCodypic.twitter.com/E5RRVzY6B7
Lio Rush debuted for All Elite Wrestling in 2021, and would remain an active part of the company’s roster until his exit in February the next year. Now the ‘Man of the Hour’ is back under contract, and his return may lead to the debut of a man Rush knows very well.
In a segment filmed at AEW WrestleDream, Rush confirmed to Alicia Atout that he is once again under an AEW contract. The former NXT Cruiserweight Champion was then confronted by MVP and Shelton Benjamin. As tensions mounted between the two sides, MVP asked if Rush is free on Wednesday, teasing something for Rush for this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
Rush may not have much of a history with MVP or Benjamin, but he does have history with a man that both are familiar with: Bobby Lashley. Rush managed Lashley in WWE before MVP took on the All Mighty in 2020 as part of The Hurt Business. It’s been reported that Lashley is set to join MVP and Benjamin soon in AEW, with some speculating ahead of WrestleDream that his debut would come at the pay-per-view.
Time will tell if the All Mighty’s AEW debut will come this Wednesday, but for now, Lio Rush is preparing for something with the Hurt Syndicate on Dynamite. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Lio Rush and all the signing news out of All Elite Wrestling.
At the post-AEW WrestleDream media scrum, May was asked who she plans to face next. The Glamor addressed Baker’s illness and admitted that she’s grown tired of the current crop of challengers to the AEW Women’s World Championship.
“I line them up, I’m ready to shoot them down. I’ve really beaten everybody. Britt Baker went out and got strep throat so she didn’t have to wrestle me. Schiavone, who should I wrestle? I’m bored.”
One woman fans are eager to see back in the ring with May is ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm, who hasn’t been seen in AEW since her title loss to The Glamor at All In: London 2024. Storm has shared that she is ready to wait until AEW Grand Slam: Australia in February 2025 before she has a championship rematch with her former protege. AEW’s first event in Australia would certainly be fitting, given that May won the gold in her home country, and Storm will have the chance to regain the title in hers.
In the meantime, Mariah May will continue to defend the AEW Women’s World Championship, even if the list of potential opponents is hardly exciting the champ. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Mariah May and her reign as the top woman in All Elite Wrestling.
Bryan Danielson has dropped the AEW World Championship and he is a free agent following tonight’s WrestleDream 2024 PPV.
The American Dragon not only lost the championship to his former friend Jon Moxley at the event but he was also written off TV with the turn of Wheeler Yuta and a brutal post-match attack from Mox and his allies. According to Fightful Select, Bryan had legitimately been working without a talent contract through his AEW title run after his deal expired in August. Though Danielson has expressed multiple times that he isn’t planning to go back to WWE anytime soon.
The health issues the 43-year-old had detailed prior to the match were legitimate, according to the report and the doctors had stopped him from working Blood and Guts. While Bryan was cleared to wrestle in regular matches, the AEW star apparently wished that he hadn’t done a couple of them as WrestleDream approached.
Bryan Danielson’s AEW title run began at All In where he made Swerve Strickland tap out. Strickland had pushed for the match to end that way than any other conclusion. Danielson in turn had wanted to drop the title to Moxley which happened tonight.
The wrestling veteran has said many times that he’ll eventually require surgery for his neck issues. Now that his full-time run has come to an end, Bryan can take the time off required for the procedure and the recovery.
AEW is hoping that the former WWE star will continue wrestling for them periodically and resume additional duties when he is ready to do so.
While Mox won the title at the show, the higher power he’s been referring to was not revealed tonight. We’ll have to follow along the story to find out more of what’s been planned for the new AEW World champion and his faction.
AEW has reached a new deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, one that’ll keep Dynamite and Collision on TBS and TNT respectively for years to come. The deal is estimated to be worth between $150 to $185 million a year and will feature plenty from the voice of AEW: Tony Schiavone.
Speaking at the post-show AEW WrestleDream media scrum, Schiavone shared his excitement over the new deal, adding that he will remain on the broadcast for at least four to five more years.
“We’re very very excited about our renewal with Warner Brothers Discovery and Fox Sports Mexico. We’re very very excited about that. I’m personally excited that my long-time career is going to continue for at least another four to five years or so. I’m honored to be here.”
AEW is estimated to earn $95 million in additional revenue from the deal, the Wrestling Observer reports, which would leave AEW within a profit window of between $61 million to $76 million in 2025. It’s added that this window could be slightly lower if attendance, merchandise sales, or pay-per-view sales decline in the coming years.
As always, it’s worth remembering that these are estimated figures, and since AEW is not a publicly traded company, they are under no obligation to disclose their real numbers. Nevertheless, the future of All Elite Wrestling looks very bright with the company’s new deal, and Tony Schiavone is thrilled to be a part of that future.
