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WWE 2K24 Patch 1.06 Updates MyFACTION Unlockables and More

Aaron Varble
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WWE 2K24 has released Patch 1.06, targeting stability improvements across several game modes. The update fixes issues with MyFACTION leaderboards, Ring Announcer settings in Title Matches, and allows more flexibility in MyGM mode by enabling players to book SuperStars from different tag teams in the same match. 

WWE 2K24 has rolled out its latest update, bringing a series of stability improvements to enhance the gaming experience. This update addresses several issues reported by players, ensuring smoother gameplay across various game modes.

WWE 2K24 Patch 1.06 Notes

  • Stability Improvements
  • Addressed reported concerns of leaderboards not loading correctly within MyFACTION
  • Addressed reported concerns related to setting the Ring Announcer to None when entering a Title Match
  • Addressed reported concerns of auto complete preventing players in MyGM from booking SuperStars from different tag teams in the same match

One of the key fixes in this patch includes a solution to the leaderboards not loading correctly within the MyFACTION mode. Players had reported this issue, which affected their ability to track progress and standings accurately. The update ensures that leaderboards will now function as intended, displaying data correctly and reliably.

The patch resolves a problem related to the Ring Announcer settings in Title Matches. Previously, setting the Ring Announcer to “None” could cause issues during these matches. With this update, players can now choose this setting without experiencing disruptions.

Another significant fix addresses the issue in the MyGM mode, where auto-completion settings prevented players from booking SuperStars from different tag teams in the same match. This enhancement will allow for more flexibility in match setups, providing players with a broader range of strategic options.

These updates, along with several other minor fixes, are part of WWE 2K24’s ongoing efforts to respond to community feedback and improve the overall gameplay experience. 

Patch 1.06 is now available for download across all platforms where WWE 2K24 is supported.

Previous WWE 2K24 Update

2K keeps putting hours into releasing updated patches for their latest offering. The 1.05 update for WWE 2K24 introduced significant audio enhancements, including full Create-A-Superstar (CAS) support for announcers Samantha Irvin and Alicia Taylor. Additionally, the update expanded match options, allowing players to select their preferred Ring Announcer from Mike Rome, Samantha Irvin, or Alicia Taylor, providing gamers with more customization options for their in-game experience.

They also tweaked camera angle issues for several moves in the game. They also addressed reported concerns related to shadows not displaying properly in the WrestleMania 31 daytime arena.

WWE 2K24 Reception

WWE 2K24 was launched on March 8, 2024, and is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.  The game was well-received by critics, earning generally favorable reviews. It was praised for its incremental improvements and refinements compared to its predecessor. Notable scores include an 8/10 from both IGN and GameSpot, and an 81% on Metacritic. Additionally, it has a user rating of 3.7 based on 316 reviews.

We reviewed WWE 2K24 before it was released. SEScoops correspondent Tyriece Simon gave the game an 8.5/10:

Report: WWE Corporate Shake-Ups Continue With New Head Of Talent Relations

Thomas Lowson
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The corporate shake-up of WWE continues forward with the appointment of Chris Legentil as the new Head of Talent Relations. 

Legentil is set to replace Dan Ventrelle who parted ways with WWE in April 2024. Ventrelle had worked closely with WWE President Nick Khan and WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque during his run and worked with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders before making the move to the squared circle. 

A memo sent out by Khan, obtained by PW Insider, reads as follows: 

“WWE has begun the process of reorganizing its Talent Relations group. Moving forward, Chris Legentil, in addition to his new role in Comms, will help us in leading this new group. Matt Altman, in addition to his role in Marketing, will be working closely with Chris to help in this endeavor.

“Talent Development and Recruiting will now report into Shawn Michaels.

“All of Talent, which includes Talent Relations, Development and Recruiting, will continue to ultimately report into Paul Levesque.

As of today, Dan Ventrelle will be moving on from WWE.

We thank Dan for his tremendous contributions.

Sincerely,

Nick Khan

Legentil joined WWE at Khan’s behest in 2021 and had previously been a part of sports broadcaster DAZN. In WWE, Legentil had previously been a part of the Communications department before adding Head of Talent Relations to his resume. 

As the role’s name suggests, Legentil will oversee all manner of talent-related matters ranging from handling of in-house stars to recruitment of wrestlers outside the promotion. This new role will mean he’ll continue to work closely with Levesque and Khan. 

Chris Legentil is WWE’s new Head of Talent Relations. 

Legentil will be hoping to distance himself from the efforts of John Laurinaitis, a former Head of Talent Relations who was removed in the wake of Vince McMahon’s resignation in 2022. Laurinaitis has also been tied to Janel Grant’s lawsuit and recently came out supporting McMahon’s efforts to compel arbitration. 

Ultimately, WWE is seeking to move on from the controversial names of its past, and hope that Legentil will be part of the team to do just that. With WWE boasting a massive roster across its three brands and with plenty of non-WWE names on the company’s radar, Legentil will be kept plenty busy in his new role. 

More WWE Exits

Ventrelle isn’t the only long-standing WWE name to go. Here are some recent articles regarding others who have left WWE offices. 

WWE Files Response To $250 Million Plagiarism Lawsuit Seeking “All Ships & Plunder”

Thomas Lowson
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WWE has filed a response to a bizarre lawsuit against them in which the claimant alleges that the promotion partook in plagiarism. 

The lawsuit in question was filed by Anthony Duane Wilson who is seeking damages from both WWE and AEW. Wilson alleges that WWE has repeatedly stolen his ideas without being paid for his work. He did not give a specific example of an idea that was used by WWE without his blessing.

Wilson also alleges that he and the Bullet Club had plans to start a wrestling promotion, known today as AEW. It is claimed that the wrestling faction stole plans Wilson devised to create the promotion. 

In a response filed on May 3, WWE requested that the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Youngstown dismiss the case. WWE argues that Wilson lacks a legitimate basis under Ohio State law. All allegations against WWE are denied in this filing.  WWE’s filing does not make reference to Wilson being incarcerated after throwing urine on a corrections officer. The filing also ignores Wilson’s demand for the return of “all ships and plunder.”

Should Wilson somehow win the case against WWE and AEW, he is seeking $250 million in damages as well as control of AEW in addition to a public apology. From WWE, Wilson is seeking stock for his freelance work as well as a WWE board chair. While the case was dismissed in November 2023, it was dismissed without prejudice, giving him the chance to re-file and attempt to move the case forward. 

It’s highly unlikely that Wilson will see a penny from WWE or AEW, never mind a seat at the board of the former and ownership of the latter. Nevertheless, SE Scoops will continue to follow this unlikely trial for further updates. 

Report: Jerry Lawler’s WWE Contract Not Renewed, Still Under Legends Deal

Thomas Lowson
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Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler has parted ways with WWE after decades with the Sports Entertainment promotion, it has been reported. Lawler is no longer with WWE after the company opted not to renew his contract, according to PWInsider. Their report states Lawler’s deal expired in early 2024.  

One WWE source told PWInsider that Lawler’s departure was emblematic of the monumental changes happening backstage. “The old company is dead. People can say they hate Vince [McMahon] and Kevin [Dunn] all they want, and they’d be right to do so, but certain people would have been taken care of. Lawler would have been one, but this isn’t the old WWE. Howard Finkel, God bless him, wouldn’t have had a job for life here anymore, either.”

While Lawler is no longer under a broadcaster contract, he’s not entirely gone from WWE. The King is still under a ‘Legends’ deal, which allows WWE to use his name and likeness in all variety of projects. Other all-time greats signed to Legends contracts include The Undertaker, Mick Foley, and Kurt Angle.

Lawler had been out of WWE’s spotlight in recent years due to a number of health issues. The King suffered a stroke in early 2023 and underwent double knee surgery in March 2024. Despite this, Lawler recently said his health was doing great and that he was making strides in his recovery. 

A staple of the territories that ruled Memphis, Lawler debuted for the World Wrestling Federation in 1992. The King served as a commentator and wrestler for years in the company and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. Lawler’s final WWE match was in September 2012 during the same Raw at which he would suffer a heart attack.

Lawler’s exit from WWE underlines the new approach to business the company is making under TKO. Lawler is the latest staple to part WWE, following the likes of Kevin Dunn in late 2023 and Vince McMahon himself that same January.

Don Callis on Scott D’Amore’s TNA Exit: “I Don’t Shed a Tear for Multi-Millionaires”

Dominic DeAngelo
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Don Callis remained pretty callous following the news that Scott D’Amore was fired from TNA. D’Amore was let go from the company months ago as Anthem took reigns of the promotion and appointed Anthony Cicione as the new TNA President.

Callis was a big part of TNA during it’s Impact era, but had since moved on from the company after aligning with AEW. When speaking with “Sunday Night’s Main Event,” Callis was asked about D’Amore being gone from TNA and Callis claimed this was the first he heard about his exit.

“Scott’s not with TNA anymore? I don’t talk to Scott, so I don’t know… but here’s the thing: Scott D’Amore is five-foot-eight, but when he stands on his wallet, he’s 7 feet tall. So Scott D’Amore, we’re not having any tag days here for Scott D’Amore, no food stamps. If he lost his job, I don’t shed a tear because I don’t shed a tear for multi-millionaires, who now’s just gonna play more golf. Scott’s a smart guy but I mean, you know, no tears here so, but I had no idea. Thanks for letting me know.”

What Callis may also not know is that D’Amore is using that one-foot-four-inch thick wallet to likely relaunch Maple Leaf Wrestling as the name was just trademarked by D’Amore and “The Gimmick Attorney” Mike Dockins. 

D’Amore was one of the primary proponents for getting the TNA brand back off the ground. Not only that, but it was evident D’Amore was greatly loved behind-the-scenes as many TNA talents wrote out a petition to bring D’Amore back after he was let go.

H/t to Andrew Thompson of POST Wrestling for the transcription.

WCW Star Set To Return To The Ring At MLW Battle Riot

Dominic DeAngelo
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MLW will have a blast from the past when the promotion heads down to WCW country in Atlanta, Georgia.

Battle Riot VI will take place this June and the event is typically full of unexpected surprises and entrants into MLW’s annual 40-man match, but one man who won’t be a surprise will be Ernest “The Cat” Miller. The MLW website announced that the former WCW commissoner will be making his league debut in the bout and they were certain to give Miller the appropriate hype in build for the big bout on June 1.

Somebody call his Momma! WCW legend and Karate Hall of Famer, Ernest “The Cat” Miller is the third participant to enter the 2024 Battle RIOT in Atlanta! A showman and striker with fury and finesse, Miller will make his MLW debut in the biggest match of MLW. Known for his cat-like reflexes, this martial artist aims to pounce on the competition and leap ahead in line for a title shot anytime, anywhere. To achieve that, “The Cat” will have to outlast 39 other participants.

Miller happened to make his in-ring return back in March at the WCPBTW The Reunion 3: Cavalcade Of Legends where he got the win against Marvelous. Before that however, “The Cat” didn’t unleash his claws on the canvas since 2022 when he took on Joey Janela.

MLW has had quite the list of unexpected names in previous Battle Riots. Names like Dan Severn, Raven, and Duke Droese all entered in the fray in previous years.

Battle Riot blends the Royal Rumble with extra battle royal rules. Not only can you be eliminated by being thrown over the top, but you can also lose via pin or submission.

Kevin Owens’ WWE Contract Expires In 9 Months And He’s Not Sure What Comes Next

Bishal Roy
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Kevin Owens’ current deal with WWE runs out in a matter of few months – nine months to be precise. The former World champion recently got fans’ attention when he was not-committal about competing at future WrestleMania events. During an interview with Alistair McGeorge for Metro, Kevin Owens revealed  WWE contract expires in nine months, which puts us around late January/early February 2025. As things currently stand, he’s not certain that he’ll remain a WWE Superstar by WrestleMania 41.

“I really don’t take anything for granted, I’ve nine months left on my contract, and I don’t know what can happen from here on out,” Owens revealed.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 39

Unbreakable Bonds

As he faces this uncertainty, the Canadian grappler can’t help but mourn the loss of the dear friends he’s lost along the way, including Brodie Lee, Bray Wyatt, Jay Briscoe.

“That’s just life,” Owens said. “If I’ve learned anything over the last few years, it’s that nothing is guaranteed. I’ve learned that through some very unfortunate events, we’ve lost so many good people that was never expected. That’s just one example of how I do not take anything for granted, how I look at things now.”

Owens has been a part of the WWE roster for a decade. During that time, he’s developed unbreakable bonds with his peers and has a hard time thinking about these people not being part of his life anymore.

“This has been my home for 10 years and it’s beyond the locker room. There’s some very, very, very special people that work behind the scenes that I’ve become very close with, and I really can’t imagine not seeing them as part of my life.”

Former AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman took notice of the possibility of Owens becoming a free agent next year.

KO teamed up with Randy Orton and faced The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga) in a losing effort at WWE Backlash: France this past weekend. The match featured the WWE debut of Tanga Loa, Tama’s brother, who interfered and assisted The Bloodline to win.

WWE Contracts: World Champions Re-Sign

There had been concerns regarding the contract renewal of a handful of top wrestlers. Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, and Finn Balor most recently inked new deals with WWE. However, alongside Kevin Owens, other superstars such as Becky Lynch and LA Knight’s future remains up in the air as they are yet to sign a new contract. Here’s some of our recent coverage of WWE contracts:

Related: We recently wrote the primary factors that today’s top free agents should consider if they are deciding between wrestling for WWE and AEW:

Daily Drop (5/6): Members Of Uncle Howdy’s New Stable Revealed, Kevin Owens’ WWE Contract Status

Aaron Varble
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It’s time for the Daily Drop on May 6, and there is a lot to get into. It’s Monday, and the company has a packed episode of RAW planned for fans. You also never know what will break to start off the week.

Although Minneapolis thought they would get the hosting duties for WrestleMania 41, they were mistaken. Las Vegas will host the show of shows on April 20 and 21 instead. It was later reported that WWE’s new ownership decided to make the decision to pivot toward the new Vegas location.

Let’s get into today’s Daily Drop!

WWE:

WWE RAW Card for 5/6:

  • King of the Ring: Gunther vs. Sheamus
  • King of the Ring: Drew McIntyre vs. Finn Balor
  • King of the Ring: Kofi Kingston vs. Rey Mysterio
  • King of the Ring: Ricochet vs. Ilja Dragunov
  • Queen of the Ring: Zoey Stark vs. Ivy Nile
  • Queen of the Ring: Shayna Bazsler vs. Zelina Vega
  • Queen of the Ring: Lyra Valkyria vs. Asuka
  • Queen of the Ring: Iyo Sky vs. Natalya

Kevin Owens’ WWE Contract: While in France, Kevin Owens spoke to Alistair McGeorge of Metro and revealed that he has nine months left on his current WWE deal.

I really don’t take anything for granted, I’ve (got) nine months left on my contract, and I don’t know what can happen from here on out.

That’s just life. If I’ve learned anything over the last few years, it’s that nothing is guaranteed. I’ve learned that through some very unfortunate events. We’ve lost so many good people that was never expected.

That’s just one example of how I do not take anything for granted, how I look at things now.

New Stable Coming: A new stable is coming to WWE television, and that is why QR codes have been popping up. Currently, four individuals are set to join the new Uncle Howdy faction, which is yet to be named. These include Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Erick Rowan, who are all likely to become part of the new iteration of The Wyatt Family. Each has previous experience in different factions: Cross was part of Sanity, Gacy led The Schism, Lumis was a member of The Way, and Rowan was an original member of The Wyatt Family.

CM Stuck: After the WWE Backlash kickoff show, CM Punk stuck around the WWE Headquarters for a bit longer than he initially planned. The Second City Savior was locked in the building, and this opened the door for him to post a slew of entertaining Instagram updates. You may check out a super cut of his experience in the post below.

AEW:

Bad News For Fenix: Rey Fenix was scheduled to participate in House of Glory Wrestling’s Cinco de Mayo event on May 5 in Jamaica, New York, where he was set to compete against Pentagon Jr. in a brother versus brother match. However, the anticipated matchup did not take place. During the event, Pentagon Jr. announced that Fenix was not medically cleared to wrestle, disappointing fans who were looking forward to the bout.

Ric Flair Ejected: Flair, who is now with AEW, claims he had a bad night. The two-time WWE Hall of Famer had spent $1,500 at the establishment and took photos with the staff. Flair claims he was then asked to leave due to an issue with the kitchen manager, who, according to Flair, was taking too long in the kitchen.

Ethan Page Speaks: Although Ethan Page left AEW, he still sold merchandise for them. He brought up how his AEW action figure sold out after his departure in a new video. He is a top seller for AEW on Ringside Collectibles, and he wants to stay there for as long as possible. It’s worth checking out, and you may find that below.

https://twitter.com/OfficialEGO/status/1786470435460092048

Here are the upcoming major wrestling events

  • Saturday, May 25: King & Queen of the Ring (PLE)
  • Sunday, May 26: AEW Double or Nothing (PPV)
  • Sunday, June 9: NXT Battleground (PLE)

Cameron Grimes’ First Appearance Announced Post-WWE Release

Bishal Roy
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Former WWE wrestler Cameron Grimes (Trevor Lee) is returning to wrestling in July.

Grimes has a 90-day no-compete clause as he was released from WWE last month. On April 23, the former Million Dollar Champion posted an emotional video on social media and informed his fans that he was let go from the company. However, he is all set to make his first appearance after the release.

Elevation Pro Wrestling has announced on X that Cameron Grimes, who has switched back to his old ring name, Trevor Lee will be making an appearance at the promotion’s Homecoming event on July 27. 

Grimes was among the list of recently released wrestlers that included Jinder Mahal, Sanga, Veer Mahan, Xyon Quinn, Xia Li and Von Wagner. It also came to light that the former NXT North American Champion’s release took the roster by surprise.

Cameron Grimes’ WWE career

Grimes had signed with WWE back in 2019 and had a successful run in the company’s developmental brand, NXT. He soon captured the NXT North American title and also won the Million Dollar Championship. He received a main roster call-up in May last year but he had a lackluster run. After being part of last year’s WWE Draft, Grimes joined SmackDown but was only featured a handful of times. His last match for the company took place on April 12 episode of SmackDown where he was squashed by Bron Breakker.

According to reports, many didn’t see Grimes’ release coming as his skill set transcended other wrestlers who were on the list. The 30-year-old wrestler was noted to be improving and was quite ‘over’ in NXT. Though he was not featured often on WWE TV, he was still a regular at the live events. 

Cameron Grimes’ WWE release surprised some in the company. He was disappointed, but not entirely surprised. The grappler from Cameron, North Carolina says he felt the writing was on the wall when he was given the ‘To The Moon’ crypto-investor gimmick in NXT.

Rey Fenix Pulled From Event Mere Days After Return to the Ring From Lengthy Injury

Thomas Lowson
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AEW’s Rey Fenix is dealing with yet another setback after being pulled from an event shortly after returning from a lengthy hiatus from the ring. 

Fenix was scheduled to compete at House of Glory Wrestling’s Cinco de Mayo event on May 5 in Jamaica, New York. Fenix has been set to face Pentagon Jr. in a brother vs. brother showdown. 

Unfortunately for fans excited to see the pair face off, that match didn’t happen. During the show, Pentagon Jr. shared that Fenix was not medically cleared to wrestle. 

https://twitter.com/PuroresuFlow/status/1787239956143820925

Instead of Fenix, Pentagon faced Laredo Kid. In the show’s main event, Penta defeated the TNA Wrestling Digital Media Champion in non-title action. No more information was given at the show as to why Fenix was not cleared to wrestle. 

Fenix not being medically cleared is the latest setback for the talented former AEW International Champion. Fenix made his return to the ring on the April 27, edition of AEW Collision with a victory over The Beast Mortos. Prior to this, Fenix had missed six months of action due to injuries in his back and/or hip which caused great discomfort to the AEW star. 

Rey Fenix in All Elite Wrestling

After his return on last month’s episode of AEW Collision, Fenix said he was better than ever, which has made his being pulled from HOG Wrestling’s event all the more unfortunate. He also missed months of action due to an injury in 2022 and also spent much of 2020 on the shelf.  We at SE Scoops would like to wish Fenix a very speedy recovery. 

More AEW Injuries

Fenix is sadly not the only All-Elite talent to have been bitten by the proverbial injury bug. Former AEW TBS Champion Julia Hart recently confirmed reports of an injury and is set to undergo surgery if she hasn’t already. Adam Cole continues to be out of action due to the leg injury suffered last year but has been able to appear on TV. Anthony Henry suffered a broken jaw before his recent release from AEW but Tony Khan has plans to bring Henry back once he is healed. 

Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler’s Health Update Is Good News For Fans Of WWE Hall of Famer

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Hall of Famer Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler has provided some good news about his health which has suffered several setbacks in recent years. 

In February 2023, Lawler suffered a stroke that forced him to miss several pre-booked events. The King was also unable to travel to that year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony and instead inducted his friend and legendary rival Andy Kaufman via satellite. This stroke came just over a decade after his infamous 2012 stroke during an episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. 

Earlier this year, Lawler underwent double knee surgery which has similarly kept him on the shelf. While doing a virtual signing for East Coast Autograph Auctions, Lawler gave an update and is pleased to share that he is on the mend. 

“My health is great. I just [went] over to the doctors to get back on the road from my knee replacement and then of course, still some minor difficulties from the stroke. But all of that stuff is coming around fast.”

Lawler’s health issues did not stop him from appearing at a Memphis Grizzlies game earlier this year. At the event, Lawler was presented with a lifetime achievement championship title in recognition of his career and his tenure as a representative of Memphis, TN. Unfortunately for the King, Memphis’ less-favored son Jeff Jarrett arrived with his AEW allies and stole the gold from Lawler. 

More From Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler

Here are some recent articles regarding Jerry Lawler as the legendary wrestler continues to recover from his recent health setbacks: 

We at SE Scoops are continuing to wish Jerry Lawler a full and speedy recovery. 

Billie Starkz Didn’t Learn Of ROH Women’s TV Title Win Until the Day of Supercard of Honor

Thomas Lowson
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Billie Starkz’ ROH Women’s TV World Championship win was quite the shock to the reigning titleholder, who didn’t learn of the win until the day it happened. 

Starkz captured the title at ROH Supercard of Honor in April 2024 by defeating Queen Aminata in the finals of a tournament. Starkz’s win was not without controversy as she faked a serious neck injury which led to the commentators and crowd being concerned for her future in the ring. 

Starkz’s win was truly historic but it was one she had little time to prepare for. Speaking during a recent RDP Promotions virtual signing, Starkz admitted that she didn’t learn who’d be winning the match until shortly before she faced Aminata. 

“I didn’t know until day of (that I was winning ROH Women’s World TV Title). It wasn’t like there was any lead-up. It was just like, hey, you know your match now. Have fun.”

Starkz went on to say that the aftermath of the match was more fun to her than the match itself, as she was able to see people she doesn’t typically get to see. 

“I see the people I work with at AEW all the time but then, all of my indie friends that I kind of disappeared from, I got to show off and be like, ‘Look, I won this cool, pretty thing. Take pictures with me.’”

Starkz won the title at Supercard of Honor in April 2024. 

More Championship Gold?

Starkz is the first-ever ROH Women’s World TV Champion but now has her eye on more gold for her waist. When a fan suggested Women’s Tag Titles for AEW and Ring of Honor, Starkz was in favor of the idea. 

“I agree with that statement (that AEW & ROH need Women’s Tag Titles) but, if we’re being honest here, we already know who would have the belts. The current champs. Come on now.”

The current champs Starkz is referring to is herself and Athena. The former WWE Superstar is in her first reign as ROH Women’s World Champion, a title she has held for over 500 days. It remains to be seen if either AEW or ROH introduce women’s tag gold, but Starkz is clearly confident in her own abilities to be a champion. 

Ric Flair Claims He Was Kicked Out Of Restaurant Over Issue With Kitchen Manager

Thomas Lowson
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It may be some time before Ric Flair dines at the Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza again after an issue with the kitchen manager allegedly led to the wrestling legend’s exit. 

Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), the two-time WWE Hall of Famer shared that he’d spent $1,500 at the establishment and took photos with the staff. Flair claims that he was then asked to leave due to an issue with the kitchen manager who Flair states was taking too long in the kitchen. The Nature Boy added that anyone in Gainesville, Georgia looking for a relaxing dining experience should eat elsewhere. 

As of this time, there’s been no public response to Flair by the company’s social media accounts. The 16-time World Champion had been in Gainesville to visit family for a school graduation. 

Flair’s tweet comes after he lambasted the upcoming ‘Who Killed WCW’ docuseries that it set to release later this year. The new series will be produced by The Rock’s Seven Bucks Productions studios. Flair has claimed that he was not consulted for the show despite his significance in World Championship Wrestling. 

With his time at Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza in Gainesville proving to be a disaster, Flair may turn to another staple of fast food. Ahead of his final match in 2022, Flair opened the Wooooo! Wings virtual restaurant. The online establishment that offered wings in Nashville saw Flair team with KitchPartner restaurants and ran for four days, ending on July 31 (the date of Flair’s last match.)

More from Ric Flair

Here are some recent articles regarding Ric Flair as the two-time WWE Hall of Famer continues to make headlines: 

Sheamus Deletes Controversial Tweet About GUNTHER Ahead Of WWE Raw

Dominic DeAngelo
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Sheamus took building his upcoming bout with GUNTHER a little too far, and thankfully ‘The Celtic Warrior’ came to his senses.

GUNTHER will take on Sheamus in the opening round of the King Of The Ring tournament on this Monday’s WWE RAW as both men will vy for the crown in Saudi Arabia later this month.

In build to the match, Sheamus decided to make some controversial implications regarding GUNTHER, noting of his appearance and recent decision-making.

“Hmmm.. an Austrian with a funny haircut, has a thing for military style coats, proclaims superiority over others, hangs out with Germans and betrays his Italian ally..”

Sheamus added a “raised eyebrow” emoji for aemphasis, but the implications were pretty clear that he was insinuating that the former Intercontinental Champion had Nazi-like tendencies. Sheamus since has deleted his post, but users made a point to screenshot the comments.

Sheamus has a clear track record of being playful online with his feuds, with his latest barbs being directed towards Drew McIntyre. The two former friends have a burgeoning beef in the ring and over social media as Sheamus stated on RAW several weeks back that McIntyre screwed himself at WrestleMania to which McIntyre teased his Irish amigo about his recent weight gain.

When GUNTHER first got his name change in WWE after originally going by WALTER, there was plenty of ire online. Hans F. K. Günther was a notorious physician of Hitler’s Third Reich. However, that could just be coincidental as there are several Nazis with the Walter name too.  Considering GUNTHER is Austrian, any name choice WWE would have made could present such ties.

The presentation of Imperium certainly comes with a “superiority-like” presentation that conveys the classic foreign heel faction and wrestling promotions in the past have not shied away from having Nazi wrestlers in previous eras.

Wild Streak Involving WWE Undisputed Championship Ends At Backlash

Dominic DeAngelo
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WWE Backlash had a wild crowd courtesy of Lyon, France, but it also marked the end of an unbelievable streak with the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship.

Cody Rhodes put that very championship on the line against AJ Styles on Saturday and the battle became memorable in more ways than one. Not only did ‘The American Nightmare’ get a tremendous pop from the French crowd, but Rhodes actually retained his title by defeating ‘The Phenomenal One.’

However, Punk from the Burial Squad was able to dig up an insane statistic about Rhodes’ successful title defense. Backlash happened to mark the first time that specific championship was successfully defended on television without any outside interference in almost two years. The last time the title was defended without any interference had Roman Reigns beating Matt Riddle on the June 17, 2022 episode of WWE SmackDown.

Reigns’ reign became notorious for having constant interference in his title fights. While the tactic was certainly frustrating for fans (and his opponents), it did create for some memorable moments. Solo Sikoa made his main roster debut by interfering in his cousin Roman’s defense against Drew McIntyre at Clash At The Castle. Jimmy Uso also happened to stab his brother Jey in the back at WWE SummerSlam, allowing Roman to retain his gold.

Rhodes vs. Styles at Backlash also marked a new moment in WWE history. Their main event fight also happened to be the first WWE Undisputed Title match on PLE that was officiated by a female. Jessika Carr donned the zebra stripes for the battle between Cody and AJ.

CM Punk Got Stuck At WWE HQ After Getting Locked Inside A Bathroom During Backlash (Videos)

Bishal Roy
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WWE Backlash: France Premium Live Event on Saturday was a successful event and it sent the fans back home happy. However, the same can’t be said about CM Punk, who had a bizarre experience at the WWE Headquarters. The former WWE Champion was a panel member for the WWE Backlash Pre-show. Taking to Instagram, Punk dropped a string of amusing stories and revealed the adventures he had at WWE HQ.

CM Punk had an interesting weekend at WWE’s main office in Stamford, CT

‘The Second City Savior’ was seen recording the clip inside the WWE gym. Following the pre-show, Punk went to the bathroom to change his suit. However, he got locked in. He revealed that when he came out, everybody was gone. The 45-year-old wrestler further revealed that he got locked in for a long time and had to miss his flight back home. 

He posted another story in which Punk showed a door reading: ‘Executive Wellness’ and stated, “that’s sounds really fancy.”

Leaving the gym, CM Punk said that he had to do “some Phantom of the Opera type s**t” and be “Dante from Clerks” before heading to the hall. He could be seen slapping the crotch of WWE legend Andre The Giant and this marked the end of the Instagram stories. 

On Sunday, Punk provided another update. He’s still stuck at WWE headquarters and is thinking about sticking around for Monday’s WWE Raw from East Hartford, CT.

A similar incident also occurred recently when The Miz was stuck in a dressing room.

Punk is currently sidelined after sustaining a torn tricep injury during the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. After undergoing surgery, Punk is showing impressive recovery. He also dropped the cast after six weeks since going under the knife.The Chicago legend couldn’t compete at WrestleMania 40 but lent his voice to the World Heavyweight Championship match between Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins. He played a pivotal role in Damian Priest’s cashing in and costing Drew McIntyre the world title. 

‘The Scottish Warrior’ and ‘The Second City Savior’ have had verbal exchanges which have been boiling their feud. While Punk gets ready for an in-ring return, McIntyre has continued to take personal shots at his rival on social media.

WWE European Tour Round-Up: Blockbuster Events Held in Italy, Austria & France

Thomas Lowson
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The latest European tour of WWE saw events held in three different countries as the promotion continues to embraces its appeal outside of the U.S. 

The tour, which came mere weeks after a recent tour of the United Kingdom, was part of the promotion’s buzz surrounding WWE Backlash: France, the first Premium Live Event in the country’s history. 

WWE in Bologna, Italy

The first night of the tour saw the Superstars travel to Italy. The show saw several highlights, including Solo Sikoa break a 41-match losing streak. The former NXT North American Champion teamed with Tama Tonga to defeat Randy Orton & Kevin Owens in what was also Tonga’s WWE in-ring debut. After the show’s main event, Undisputed WWE Cody Rhodes said he hopes to bring a WWE TV taping to the country. 

The results for the show were as follows: 

  • Sami Zayn (c) def. Ludwig Kaiser (Intercontinental Championship)

  • Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill & Naomi def. Damage CTRL (Asuka, Dakota Kai & Kairi Sane)

  • Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga def. LA Knight & Randy Orton

  • Damian Priest (c) def. Chad Gable and Gunther and Jey Uso (World Heavyweight Championship)

  • Awesome Truth (R-Truth & The Miz) (c) def. Judgment Day (Finn Balor & JD McDonagh) (World Tag Team Championships)

  • Becky Lynch (c) def. Nia Jax (WWE Women’s World Championship)

  • Cody Rhodes (c) def. Shinsuke Nakamura (Undisputed WWE Championship)

WWE in Vienna, Austria

WWE’s next stop on the tour saw the promotion come to Vienna, Austria. This was WWE’s first event in the nation since 2019 and unsurprisingly, GUNTHER received a hero’s welcome in his homeland. 

The results for the show were as follows: 

  • Sami Zayn (c) def. Ludwig Kaiser (Intercontinental Championship)
  • Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga def. LA Knight & Randy Orton
  • GUNTHER def. Chad Gable

  • Jey Uso & Awesome Truth (R-Truth & The Miz) def. Judgment Day (Damian Priest, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh)

  • Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill & Naomi def. Damage CTRL (Asuka, Dakota Kai & Kairi Sane)

  • Becky Lynch (c) def. Nia Jax (WWE Women’s World Championship)

  • Cody Rhodes (c) def. Shinsuke Nakamura (Undisputed WWE Championship)

WWE SmackDown in France

The penultimate stop on the tour saw WWE finally arrive in Lyon, France for the May 3, episode of WWE SmackDown. This was WWE’s first TV taping in the nation’s history and saw the Superstars seek to build momentum towards WWE Backlash. 

The results for the show were as follows: 

  • Bayley, Naomi, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill def. Tiffany Stratton and Damage CTRL
  • AOP (with Karrion Kross and Scarlett) def. New Catch Republic 
  • LA Knight def. Angel
  • Austin Theory and Grayson Waller (c) def. The Street Profits (WWE Tag Team Championship)

WWE Backlash France

WWE’s tour culminated with Backlash France, the first PLE of its kind in the country. Given the raucous ovation the night prior, expectations were high for the show and once again the WWE Universe inside the LDLC Arena delivered. The show saw surprises and title matches with the WWE Women’s Tag Titles changing hands. 

The results of the show were as follows:

  • The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga) (with Paul Heyman) def. Kevin Owens and Randy Orton
  • Bayley (c) defeated Naomi and Tiffany Stratton (WWE Women’s Championship)
  • Damian Priest (c) defeated Jey Uso (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
  • Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill defeated The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) (c) (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship)
  • Cody Rhodes (c) defeated AJ Styles (Undisputed WWE Championship)

WWE’s recent tour has proven to be a hit with audiences as the promotion continues to lean into the ‘World’ aspect of its name. With Triple H teasing a broadcast event in Italy during the post-Backlash press conference and with PLEs in Europe already announced, expect much more from WWE outside North America. 

WWE Brought Back Former NXT Superstar For Role At 3/5 SmackDown & Backlash France

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Backlash France and the preceding SmackDown proved to be huge successes for the promotion and also marked the return of a former Superstar. 

The promotion’s latest PLE saw several top stars including Undisputed WWE Cody Rhodes, World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest, Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, and Jade Cargill. The crowd in the LDLC Arena was electric throughout the show in addition to being worryingly loud during the May 3, edition of WWE SmackDown. 

During the opening match of Backlash France, Tanga Loa aided the Bloodline in their Street Fight but he wasn’t the only former Superstar to get involved. Earlier in the show, security tried to keep the Bloodline and the team of Randy Orton & Kevin Owens apart, albeit to no avail. It has since come out that former WWE NXT Superstar Sylvester Lefort was part of that team of security. 

This wasn’t Lefort’s only time getting physical during WWE’s time in France. The 40-year-old wrestler was also part of the security during the previous night’s edition of SmackDown and was slammed onto the commentary table by Randy Orton. 

Lefort was on the NXT roster from 2013 to 2015. During this period of time, he was involved in storylines with Enzo Amore, Dax Harwood (then Scott Dawson), and Miro (then Alexander Rusev). After his WWE NXT tenure ended, Lefort joined TNA Wrestling and worked as Basile Baraka. 

Getting to appear for WWE one more time (albeit not as a Superstar) likely felt good for Lefort, despite the beating he took at the hands of Orton. Not only did he appear at Backlash, by Lefort (under his real name Tom LaRuffa) competed at an event for BZW in Lyon, where he was on the losing end of an eight-man tag-team match. 

More From WWE Backlash France

Here are some recent articles about WWE Backlash France as the promotion’s first PLE in the country continues to prove to be quite the talking point: 

Jade Cargill Shares Tribute to Late Mom After WWE Women’s Tag Title Win at Backlash

Thomas Lowson
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New WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Jade Cargill was obviously pleased with her victory at WWE Backlash France, but wishes her mom could’ve been there. 

At WWE’s first French PLE, Cargill and Bianca Belair captured the Women’s Tag Team Championships; the first title for Cargill since her groundbreaking WWE signing last September. The win also marks the first tag title reign for Belair, who is a former Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion. 

A raucous audience in the LDLC Arena watched Belair and Cargill win the titles as well as countless fans watching around the world. Unfortunately, Jade’s mother was not among them as the elder Cargill passed away in December 2023 following a lengthy battle with cancer. 

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Jade paid tribute to her mom and said she wishes she could have seen her win in Lyon. 

”I really wish I could have had my mom there last night. But I know God has a reason for it all. I know she’s proud of me.” 

Cargill’s tribute to her late mother. 

Cargill’s quick ascent through the WWE ranks demonstrate the promotion’s lofty faith in her to be a top woman in the company. It’s hard to ignore the similarities to AEW where Jade quickly became the first AEW TBS Champion, a title she held for over 500 days. If the past is any indicator, expect a lengthy title run for the Storm and more gold in her future. 

More From Jade Cargill 

Here are some recent articles regarding Jade Cargill as the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion continues to take WWE by ‘Storm’

Current Names Reportedly Planned For Bo Dallas Faction

Dominic DeAngelo
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A new Wyatt Family may be on the horizon, but when and who will exactly show up representing the renewed faction?

A lot of actual signs in the form of QR codes and trailers greatly indicate that Bo Dallas will be returning to WWE television, perhaps in the form of himself or the mysterious Uncle Howdy. However, a new report from PWInsider has a list of names rumored to join the late Bray Wyatt’s younger brother.

As of now, currently on tap to be in the new faction (whatever they may be called) are four other names. Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy and Erick Rowan are all slated to be in the new Wyatt Family fold. All of those mentioned names have previous experience as faction members with Cross being apart of Sanity, Gacy leading The Schism, Dexter Lumis as a member of The Way and Rowan of course as an original member of The Wyatt Family.

The Codes And Rumors Surrounding Bo Dallas’ Return

 WWE started a cryptic campaign in the weeks up to WrestleMania 40 with the first teaser of a Bo Dallas return being at the end of the Bray Wyatt documentary trailer. Ever since, QR codes have popped up for fans to scan and an ominous tune titled “Nightbird” has began playing before and during WWE live events.

The most recent reference was quite direct for Bo Dallas as a QR code appeared on the 5/3 episode of WWE SmackDown. The code directed fans to a Backlash trailer before turning into something creepy that had the quote ‘He opened his arms. Our pain became his. We were reborn. Because we BOlieved.’

Shawn Michaels Enters The Kendrick Lamar & Drake Feud Via Diss Track

Dominic DeAngelo
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If you don’t think pro wrestling is everywhere, you best think again as Kendrick Lamar decided to reference Shawn Michaels in his latest diss track against Drake. The talk of the hip-hop world has been the back and forth diss track dropping between famed rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake who have decided to air their grievances through their lyrics. 

It was Lamar who happened to pull pro wrestling out of the hostler to take a shot in his latest song by referencing  Shawn  Michaels’ iconic finishing move. The track titled “Not Like Us” has Lamar metaphorically “tuning up the band” to lay down a Sweet Chin Music. The specific diss starts at 2:23.

“Put the whole label on me, I’mma get ’em dropped.

Sweet Chin Music and I won’t pass the aux.”

Ironically enough, Drake once happened to don the tee shirt of one of HBK’s greatest rivals (and Kayfabe Kliq best friend) Razor Ramon. However unlike “The Bad Guy” Scott Hall, the feeling amongst fans is that Drake isn’t going to win this feud.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:CCj5oaSnYMI

For decades pro wrestling and music have gone together like PB&J, but it’s been the hip-hop genre to greatly tip the cap to the “one true sport.” Several top names from the world of rap have made several references to the legends in pro wrestling. Wu-Tang Clan referenced Ken Patera in “Shadowboxin'” and OutKast spoke of “droppin’ bows like Dusty Rhodes” in their song “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.” One of rap’s greatest proponents is Westside Gunn, who has a bundle of lyrics, song titles and albums in honor of some of wrestling’s biggest stars.

Minnesota Gets Reason From WWE Why City Lost WrestleMania 41 Bid

Dominic DeAngelo
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Cue the Squidward “window meme” from Spongebob Squarepants as Minnesota will watch from afar as WWE WrestleMania 41 will now be hosted by Las Vegas next April.

The announcement was made following WWE Backlash at the Kentucky Derby that Sin City would be the “belle of the ball” to present “the grand daddy of them all” despite heavy speculation that Minneapolis would be the host of WWE’s premium PLE.

A new article from the Star Tribune happens to give reason as to why the Twin Cities won’t play host at the US Bank Stadium, a massive dome which is the home of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota Sports and Events president and chief executive Wendy Blackshaw said that WWE pivoted due to the entire company pivoting over a year ago. However, Blackshaw stayed positive for future PLE potentail for her city down the line.

“We were informed by WWE that Minnesota would not host WrestleMania in 2025 due to a change in direction by new ownership. Although disappointed, we are in discussions with WWE about future events in Minnesota. We are optimistic that Minnesota will host WWE events here in the future.”

WrestleMania heading to Sin City makes plenty of sense considering Endeavor, who scooped up WWE during WrestleMania season last year homebase is out of Las Vegas.

This won’t be the first time WrestleMania popped up in Las Vegas. WrestleMania IX actually took place at Caesar’s Palace  down on the Las Vegas strip, not too far from where 41 will take place at Allegiant Stadium.

Xavier Woods Shows Support For Kofi Kingston Ahead Of King Of The Ring

Dominic DeAngelo
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It meant a lot for Xavier Woods to become King of the Ring in 2021, but sadly the New Day member will not be defending his crown in the tournament this year.

Although it wasn’t technically a qualifying match, Woods lost to another man vying for the crown in GUNTHER on WWE RAW. Woods was forced to submit after GUNTER cinched in a STF during their fight as Kofi Kingston watched on. It was a big loss for Woods but it put GUNTHER in a great position to be put in the tournament.

Sure enough, GUNTHER will get his shot in the first round of the tournament this Monday on this upcoming WWE RAW as he’ll take on another former King Of The Ring in Sheamus. 

That’s not the only first round match set to go down as the aformentioned Kingston will battle new RAW draftee in WWE Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio Jr. 

Woods took to social media to express his disappointment not being in the tournament, but also took a moment to show his love for his fellow New Day dude in Kingston (and also tease the WWE graphics department who made the error of mispelling Kofi’s name). Kofi was the first to comment on his match, making sure to dedicate his match to Xavier.

“You all know how important King of the Ring has always been to me. I’m not in the tournament this year but my brother Kofi has the chance to gain the crown. BRING IT HOME FOR NEW DAY! Also please spell his name correctly on the next graphic.”

Daily Drop (5/5): WWE Shakes Up The Bloodline at Backlash, Tony Khan’s Neck Brace Gets Flowers For Keeping It Old School

Aaron Varble
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It’s time for the Daily Drop on Sunday, May 5, 2024. There is a lot to unpack in the pro wrestling world, so let’s not waste any more time.

WWE finally announced that WrestleMania 41 will take place in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. 4/20 weekend will be very busy in Vegas, for a few reasons. Tanga Loa also debuted as the newest member of the Bloodline at Backlash. That should go on to change a lot for the stable’s future.

Let’s get into today’s Daily Drop!

WWE:

Gulak Not Gone Yet: While Drew Gulak was rumored to have been released, it is now reported that he remains with WWE, although his contract will not be renewed after it expires next month. Gulak has gained a reputation for targeting the actual injuries of NXT talents during their recovery, which has led others to view him as a bully. This behavior included pressuring talents to remain silent about his actions. Multiple sources from the backstage staff, including producers and the creative team, mentioned that Drew Gulak’s approach in WWE was counterproductive. He was described to me as a poor politician by multiple sources, Gulak tried to maneuver his way to the top but ended up undermining his own position. He was difficult for producers and writers to work with because he believed he was outsmarting everyone. However, once the team started sharing their experiences, Gulak became a subject of mockery among them.

Jessika Carr Made History: During WWE Backlash in France, WWE referee Jessika Carr became the first woman to ever officiate a World Title match as Cody Rhodes defended his gold against AJ Styles. Cody Rhodes also sent out a post to give Carr a spotlight.

Seth Rollins’ New Look: The Messiah showed up at the 2024 Kentucky Derby, and he looked very different. Although he was wearing a classy hat, it appeared that Rollins had his hair trimmed down considerably.

AEW:

Tony Schiavone’s New Ink: The AEW announcer recently mourned the loss of his dog, Bug. This week, he paid tribute to his old friend by getting a tattoo to remember him. The new piece looks great, and you can check it out below. RIP Bug.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C6huEs3uHmG

JR Loves TK’s Neck Brace: During his Grilling JR podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer announcer gave Tony Khan flowers for rocking a neck brace like he did. Ross considered it “old school,” which was very much appreciated.

“I was waiting to see if Tony was gonna follow through and complete the cycle by wearing a neckbrace and he did. I was proud of him for doing that because it was old school. Now whether you like the angle or you didn’t like the angle, that’s another issue but him following through and wearing the neckbrace…good for Tony Khan on that deal. That was old school like thinking and I’m really glad that he wore the neckbrace.”

Here are the upcoming major wrestling events

Update On Drew Gulak WWE NXT Exit After Conflicting Reports, Backstage Perception

Thomas Lowson
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Former WWE NXT Superstar Drew Gulak was a bully during his tenure with the gold brand, according to those close to the situation. 

Gulak’s name was brought up during recent talent cuts that have affected the WWE NXT brand. It was at first believed that Gulak was removed from WWE TV following allegations made by Ronda Rousey. The former Women’s Champion claims that Gulak pulled at the drawstring of her pants, which Gulak said did happen but it was an accident. 

Now, more has come to light about Gulak’s behavior leading up to his WWE release. Gulak would often target the genuine injuries that NXT talent were trying to recover from, Fightful Select reports. This earned him a reputation as a bully, which was only galvanized when he pressured talent to keep quiet about what he was doing. 

At least one WWE NXT talent spoke up which led to Gulak being verbially reprimanded by NXT head Shawn Michaels and other coaches with the gold brand. This was after Gulak intentially ‘spiked’ an opponent during a match. It is not stated who this oopponent was or when the match took place. 

Gulak had a repuation as a bully in WWE NXT. 

One WWE NXT talent who spoke to Fightful said that Gulak was “odd” and often tested wrestlers to see if his bullying got a reaction. Another talent said that Gulak deliberately re-dislocated a finger that that had previously been dislocated but had been healing. 

Drew Gulak Still With WWE

While it has been reported that Gulak was released, Fightful now notes that Drew is still with the company, but has been told that his deal will not be renewed when it expires. Gulak will also not receive a new offer once his existing deal expires next month. 

On the WWE Backlash France post-show press conference, WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque responded to questions about Gulak’s WWE status. Levesque stated that Gulak was not fired over the Rousey allegations but rather that his contract was not renewed. 

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