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WWE Partners With Aires Tech

Michael Reichlin
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WWE and Aires Tech have announced a multi-year global marketing partnership aimed at enhancing the performance and recovery of WWE Superstars while educating fans about the potential health effects of electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs). This collaboration, visible during WWE SummerSlam on August 3, will feature extensive social media promotion and integrations on WWE programming.

WWE® AND AIRES TECH ANNOUNCE MULTI-YEAR GLOBAL MARKETING PARTNERSHIP

TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Aires Tech and WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today unveiled a momentous new partnership aimed at bolstering the personal performance regimens of WWE Superstars. The collaboration will educate fans worldwide about safeguarding against ubiquitous electromagnetic frequency (EMF) sources’ potential long-term health effects and support WWE Superstars in enhancing their physical performance, maintenance, and recovery.

The agreement names American Aires Inc. (CSE: WIFI) (OTCQB: AAIRF) (“Aires Tech” or “Aires”) as an official WWE partner, building on Aires Tech’s dedication to performance and wellness innovation. The partnership will be visible at WWE SummerSlam which takes place Saturday, August 3 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland.

Aires Tech’s agreement with WWE, effective as of June 11 and runs through the end of 2025, will prominently feature across WWE properties, emphasizing extensive social media promotion. The partnership launches with prominent placement on “WWE NOW,” the WWE Universe’s essential news roundup, airing weekly ahead of WWE programming. Aires will be highlighted in segments of “Celtic Warrior Workouts” on WWE Superstar Sheamus’s YouTube channel, featuring fitness routines with top WWE athletes. Fans can catch these integrations by following WWE’s platforms regularly, which broadcasts to more than 180 countries in 30 languages and can be seen in 1 billion television households worldwide each week. WWE creates seven hours of original programming that is watched by approximately 11 million diverse fans in the United States.

Earlier this year, Aires Tech became an official partner of UFC, facilitated by WME Sports as part of its comprehensive collaboration with Aires Tech to shape the company’s brand strategy in sports and entertainment. Together, these partnerships will further fuel Aires’ market awareness and sales growth, in pursuit of transforming the brand into a household name.

“We are excited to expand TKO’s partnership with Aires Tech to include WWE,” said Grant Norris-Jones, Executive Vice President & Head of Global Partnerships for TKO. “Aires’ attention to detail on innovation coupled with health and wellness practices aligns with WWE’s approach to safety for its athletes.”

“Our collaboration with the WWE sheds further light on the invisible dangers of EMFs as digital connectivity is more deeply entwined into our daily lives,” said Josh Bruni, chief executive officer of Aires Tech. “Aires’ technology protects against the negative effects of EMF and amplifies the positive, helping athletes feel and perform their best. The WWE represents the pinnacle of athleticism and we’re proud to partner with them to heighten the awareness of the potential health effects of EMF.”

The company has also partnered with Canada Basketball and individual athletes as part of their #AiresAthletes campaign that connects the brand with peak performance and health in the minds of consumers. The athlete partners appear in programming and content to engage athletes and tens of millions sports fans around the world to promote the Aires brand and its EMF protection products. The #AiresAthletes roster includes Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett, 6-time NHL All-Star John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Maycee “The Future” Barber of the UFC’s Women’s Flyweight division and NFL Legend and 3-time NFL Pro Bowler Tiki Barber.

For more information on Aires’ partnership with the WWE and its innovative EMF protection technology, please visit www.airestech.com.

Video: CM Punk Trains for SummerSlam and Meets Jesse Ventura

Michael Reichlin
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CM Punk is just days away from his first televised one-on-one match in WWE in over a decade. WWE’s digital team caught up with Punk prior to Monday’s WWE Raw at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

We know that CM Punk has been spotted at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando several times over the past several months, but we haven’t seen much of him in the ring until now.

CM Punk Trains for SummerSlam

Punk reflects on starting his pro wrestling career in Minnesota 24 years ago as he tapes his wrists and prepares to move around. He says, “I’m going to give them a show tonight before we see the multi-time WWE & AEW Champion jump from the apron into the ring and run the ropes at a healthy pace.

He said, “arm feels great” as he smiled to the camera, a promising sign he’ll be in top shape this weekend.

CM Punk & Jesse Venutra

We then see new footage of CM Punk meeting WWE Hall of Famer Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Punk is shown telling Ventura that they met once about a decade ago and introducing himself again. He extended his hand and said, “CM Punk, Phil” and Ventura recalled, “Oh yeah, you’ve got that unique name. I always tried to figure that name out, how in the hell did you come up with a name like CM Punk?”

Punk agreed it’s a stupid name and said it was his nickname as a child, because he was a little brat kid. “Well, good for you, it served you a purpose then, you can’t forget it.”

Ventura later jokes, “When you get to be my age, you’re just another old man.”

During a separate conversation with with Jimmy Traina for the SI Media podcast, Punk commented on the surreal meeting with The Body:

“I saw Governor Ventura the other day, said Punk. Absolutely, 100% blown away, one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me in my life is when he tells me that he saw I came back, and he said, ‘The place must have changed. If Punk is back, I’ll go back.”

Cody Rhodes Names His Top 5 Video Games of All Time

Michael Reichlin
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During an appearance on 10 Essentials from GQ Sports to promote WWE SummerSlam, WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes shared broke down his daily essentials and the things he just can’t live without.

Among his essentials were Rolex watch, his American flag hat, a special pair of cufflinks, and his prized Nintendo Switch (“I can play Donkey Kong all day long”). This led to the American Nightmare naming his picks for the Top 10 Video Games of all time. The list is strong, showcasing a range of genres and eras that highlight his diverse gaming tastes.

Cody’s Top 5 Video Games

cody rhodes top 5 games

#5 Ghost of Tsushima (PlayStation 4, 2020)

“Ghost of Tsushima” transports players to feudal Japan in a beautifully crafted open-world action-adventure game. Its striking visuals, immersive combat, and poignant story of honor and sacrifice have earned it critical acclaim and a place among the all-time greats.

#4 Halo: Combat Evolved (Xbox, 2001)

The game that put the Xbox on the map, “Halo: Combat Evolved” revolutionized first-person shooters with its innovative gameplay, engaging story, and multiplayer experience. Its impact on the gaming industry and its lasting legacy make it a standout title in Cody’s list.

#3 Red Dead Redemption 2 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, 2018)

“Red Dead Redemption 2” is a masterful open-world game that immerses players in the life of an outlaw in the late 1800s. Praised for its stunning visuals, rich narrative, and detailed world-building, this game is considered one of the finest achievements in modern gaming.

#2 Metal Gear Solid (PlayStation, 1998)

A pioneer in the stealth game genre, “Metal Gear Solid” introduced players to the tactical espionage action of Solid Snake. With its groundbreaking storytelling, cinematic presentation, and complex gameplay mechanics, this game remains a beloved classic.

#1 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64, 1998)

No surprise here, Cody is a super-fan of the Legend of Zelda series, and “Ocarina of Time” is often hailed as one of the greatest games of all time. This classic adventure game from Nintendo set a new standard for 3D action-adventure games with its innovative gameplay, compelling story, and memorable characters.

Cody Rhodes defends the WWE Undisputed Championship against The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa this Saturday at WWE SummerSlam.

Bonus

Cody Rhodes and Steve Austin disagree on the best Legend of Zelda game:

Cody Rhodes and other WWE Superstars answer, “Which game was better: WCW/nWo Revenge or WWF No Mercy?”

WarGames Returns: WWE Survivor Series 2024 Set for Vancouver on Nov. 30

Michael Reichlin
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WWE Survivor Series is headed to Vancouver for the first time ever on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at the the Rogers Arena. Once again, we’ll see the return of WarGames, the dangerous double-ring steel cage match that pits two teams against one another in an anything-goes battle.

This will be WWE’s second premium live event from Canada this year after Money in the Bank was held from Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on Saturday, July 6.

To get a taste of what WarGames is all about, we tracked down these Full Matches that WWE uploaded of last year’s Men’s and Women’s WarGames matches from Survivor Series:

Press Release

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

VANCOUVER TO HOST SURVIVOR SERIES: WARGAMES® ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30

First-Ever Survivor Series to Emanate From Vancouver

STAMFORD, Conn., August 1, 2024 – WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), in partnership with Destination Vancouver, today announced Survivor Series: WarGames® 2024 will take place Saturday, November 30 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, making it the first-ever Survivor Series to emanate from the city. 

To learn more about registering for Survivor Series: WarGames pre-sale opportunities, please visit: Survivorseries-2024-presale.

The announcement comes on the heels of a record-breaking Money In The Bank®which was held in July at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Premium Live Event became the highest-grossing WWE arena event in Canada in company history.

WWE Survivor Series War Games 2024

WWE Exec Says There’s “No Interest” In AEW Crossover Event At This Time

Thomas Lowson
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WWE may be more willing than ever to work with other promotions, but fans shouldn’t expect a crossover event with AEW wrestlers anytime soon. Speaking to the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch, Chris Legentil, WWE’s executive vice president of talent relations and head of communications, was asked about whether an event with AEW talent could be in the works.

“No interest. I just want to make clear. There is definitely a variety of excellent talent that don’t currently reside in WWE. There is no shot there that is being fired. It’s just to say, the answer to your question is no conversation has been had in relation to that.”

While AEW isn’t on WWE’s list, 2024 has already seen the Sports Entertainment juggernaut forge partnerships with various promotions. Bloodsport, Pro Wrestling NOAH, Marigold Wrestling and TNA Wrestling have all featured WWE talent and fans have been able to see TNA stars appear at NXT TV tapings and PLEs.

WWE & AEW

Though Tony Khan’s first promotion has been WWE’s biggest competition since the demise of WCW, the two sides have put their differences aside in the past. In 2019, Billy Gunn was allowed to attend the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony to be inducted as part of D-Generation X. In 2022, AEW talent, including Paul Wight, Chris Jericho, and Bryan Danielson, appeared via videos on RAW to celebrate John Cena on the 20th anniversary of his main-roster debut.

AEW and WWE won’t be hosting a crossover event (at least not yet,) but such a show would feature some of the best names working in the business today. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest from both companies.

Nic Nemeth Wants To Defend TNA Title Against Top AEW Star

Dominic DeAngelo
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Nic Nemeth’s ‘Wanted Man’ moniker fits him like a glove these days as the reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Nemeth has vowed to be a fighting champion, and he’s not just waiting for top competitors to call him out. The company is asking fans on social media who they want to see step up and put themselves to the test. Nemeth wasted no time chiming in with his own pick for a future challenger: AEW star Kenny Omega.

Nick Nemeth vs. Kenny Omega

If his World Title win was any indication, Nemeth has made the most of his opportunities outside of WWE, fully embracing his free agency by wrestling on the independents, but also in New Japan Pro-Wrestling before finding more of a residence in TNA. Nemeth has also flexed his commetary and comedic muscles by staying busy in stand-up comedy and as a host on Busted Open Radio.

Omega vs. Nemeth would certainly draw some eyes as Kenny happened to have a memorable heel run as TNA World Champion during the global pandemic. Omega took on several challengers while champion after he defeated Rich Swann for the title. Omega’s timetable for an in-ring return is quite blurry as he’s been aiming to recover from a bout with diverticulitis.

TNA is currently working relationship with WWE, which is the biggest factor prohibiting this TNA vs. AEW dream match. We’ll follow up if Kenny Omega replies to Nemeth’s call-out.

SDCC 2024 Had Pro Wrestling Written All Over It

Dominic DeAngelo
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Wrestling fans had a lot to enjoy at last weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con 2024 event. The top stars from WWE and AEW participated in discussion panels. We got a first-look at dozens of upcoming action figures. Even the blockbuster reveal that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to portray the iconic villain Doctor Doom featured elements of a wrestling angle

Here are the pro wrestling highlights from San Diego Comic Con 2024:

WWE Panel

WWE stars CM Punk and Zoey Stark participated in the Mattel panel, which included a Q&A session with fans in the audience.

CM Punk talks Vince McMahon and Darby Allin

In an interview with Denise Salcedo, Punk discussed how much it meant to work with a rising star like Darby and considered him a great friend.

“Being a straight-edge kid, being the one that kind of lured CM Punk back to the ring and getting my first match back after six or seven years or whatever it was. That’ll always be my number one with a bullet because I think Darby is a talented kid and I was happy to share the ring with him. I think we told a nice little story.”

Punk also touched upon getting back into the WWE fold, noting that Vince McMahon leaving “illuminated” the way for him returning.

“Vince being out of the picture probably illuminated the way,” he said. “That might have been one of the biggest things. That’s both ways, for everybody who is going to sensationalize a headline. It wasn’t me, it wasn’t him, there’s just a lot of history there. All of a sudden, one of us is removed from the equation, and I think it changed a lot of things.”

Punk also shared this photo of a backstage meetup with AEW’s Darby Allin and Brody King:

CM Punk Darby Allin and Brodie King

All the while this was going on Drew McIntyre was trolling his SummerSlam rival while in Nashville, making sure he got a photo-op with Jack Perry who was still cooling down from his AEW Blood & Guts battle.

AEW Panel

All Elite Wrestling ”maximized their minutes’ at the convention, with a Jazware panel that featured a big wrestling angle and a massive rollout of upcoming wrestling figures.

A skirmish occurred during the panel with all stars such as Swerve Strickland and Ospreay tried to break it up. The only man to remain neutral was Darby Allin who thought the two recent rivals should duke it out.

Mercedes Mone Cosplay

The CEO was in full villain mode as she was in a Poison Ivy from Batman cosplay and appropriately alongside her was her new enforcer, Kamille, who donned the mask and jacket of other Batman baddie Bane.

Wrestling Figures Galore

The reason wrestling had such a presence at SDCC was for the aforementioned line of figures both companies have in store and it’s quite a bit.

Mattel and WWE have several CM Punk figures set to release including a modern day version, but also the notorious Money In The Bank 2011 Punk blowing a kiss to Cena. Additionally, there is a variation of Punk wearing Randy Savage gear and the masked Straight Edge Society CM Punk.

Legends included in Mattel’s upcoming Monday Night Wars include Syxx, Curt Hennig, DDP, Ultimate Warrior, Big Bossman and Dusty Rhodes.

A lot of newer faces on the roster are getting the WWE figure treatment, including Zoey Stark, Jade Cargill, Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci, Chase U and others.

AEW was far from resting on their laurels as plenty of special edition figures were revealed. A big release was a special pre-order of Mark and Jay Briscoe. There’s also a silver screen Toni Storm, House of Black three-pack and three eras of the recently retired Sting.

Cody Rhodes’ Dog Pharaoh Retiring From Wrestling Travel Due to Age

Thomas Lowson
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Pharaoh the Dog, the beloved pet of Cody & Brandi Rhodes and Very Good Boy, is taking his final work road trip this weekend. The Undisputed WWE Champion shared on Instagram that the 13-year old husky is still thriving, but slowing down a bit and is content living a more domesticated life at home.

Pharoah Rhodes

Pharaoh has appeared on both WWE and AEW programming during his time on the road. On the June 26, episode of WWE Monday Night RAW, the husky was with Cody in a backstage segment that saw Rhodes challenge Damian Priest to a match. Pharaoh’s popularity even resulted in him receiving his own plushie on WWEShop.com.

Pharaoh’s appearance in AEW was not as pleasant, as pyro during Cody’s entrance at All Out 2019 spooked the dog. Rhodes later said on an episode of WWE’s The Bump that he did not intend for pyro to be used during this particular entrance.

Like much of Cody’s family, Pharaoh would become a target of The Rock’s barbs in the build-up to WrestleMania 40. The Final Boss even went as far as to call the good boy a “s***head“, infuriating fans and dog owners alike. Cody would get his revenge in the end though as he’d win the Undisputed WWE Title at WrestleMania 40, ending Roman Reigns’ 1,316-day run with the gold.

Will Ospreay Vows To Restore Honor To AEW International Championship

Bishal Roy
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Will Ospreay has vowed to reclaim the AEW International Championship and restore honor to the title after MJF disrespected it.

Last week, MJF threw the title in the trash and introduced the AEW American Championship. ‘The Aerial Assassin’ now wants to bring back the AEW International Championship. During the latest edition of AEW Dynamite, ‘The Salt of The Earth’ hyped up America and proclaimed to be the American hero. Ospreay received a negative reaction from the crowd when he said that he would bring the AEW International Championship back.

In an AEW Digital Exclusive, ‘The Aerial Assassin’ reflected on the crowd’s response and said that he understood why the fans booed him. However, he is fighting for the legacy and history of the AEW International title. He said:

“I know I’m doing the right thing. I know that I am fighting for the legacy and the history and the lineage of the International Champion. It’s bigger than just than the flag that is on the belt, it’s bigger than the country. It represents not only my country, but Japan, America, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, everywhere. It represents all of it, and yet I’m in this weird mind games battle right now where no one wants to boo the guy with a flag around his waist. But I understand, and I get it. I understand that there’s gonna be boos coming my way, but you need to understand that this bigger than just one country. It’s about all of us.”

He further stated that he will continue fighting for the belt for the ones who made the title significant and vowed to earn everyone’s respect. Will Ospreay made it clear that it’s his duty to ensure that he captures the AEW International title and restores honor. He said:

“I understand the American dream is something that is talked about, it’s unachievable, yet somehow I am doing. Somehow, they’re still cheering for me. Somehow, I am fighting a losing battle but day by day, I will gain everybody’s respect because they will understand that this is a battle worth fighting for. For everyone that has made that championship and for everyone that has made AEW the place to be, it is my duty, it is my due diligence to ensure that at Wembley Stadium, I restore honor to the International Championship. Trust me, America, I will not throw that championship in the trash like he did the International Championship. I will hand it back to Tony Khan, and I will say, ‘Keep it in a safe place.’ But the International Championship needs to be restored, and I’m the guy to do it.”

During the 250th edition of AEW Dynamite, MJF dethroned Will Ospreay and captured the AEW International Championship. They fought in a gruesome match that lasted an hour. In the final moments of the match, MJF laid out Ospreay with his Dynamite Diamond Ring before pinning him for the win.

AEW International Champion MJF will now defend his title in a rematch against Will Ospreay at AEW All In: London 2024 on August 25 at the iconic Wembley Stadium.

Joey Janela Reveals He Has Been Diagnosed With Gallstone Pancreatitis

Bishal Roy
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Former AEW wrestler Joey Janela has informed fans that he has been diagnosed with Gallstone Pancreatitis.

Taking to his social media on Wednesday, Janela announced that he had been dealing with insane pain and vomiting. He went to the hospital and was diagnosed with Gallstone Pancreatitis. ‘The Bad Boy’ mentioned that his wrestling schedule in August is uncertain and he will release some merchandise for the fans to help him with the medical bills.

“Well I’ve been in pain for quite a while, worst the past couple days along with insane vomiting. I braved through it to do a something at the limp bizkit concert and today had to check into a hospital. Turns out I have gallstone pancreatitis, my August schedule is uncertain for the time being, and bills gonna be through the roof. I’ll be trying to get some merch out there, should be in here for a minute.”

Johns Hopkins Medicine defines Gallstone Pancreatitis as a disease that causes inflammation and pain in the pancreas. It also makes enzymes that help digest and break down the foods you eat. This is part of the digestive process. However, sometimes a gallstone gets stuck in the common bile duct which blocks the pancreatic duct. This is known as gallstone pancreatitis.

Janela has been one of the prominent stars on the indie circuit. He has been performing in GCW and his last match took place at GCW Don’t Tell Me What To Do 2024. At the event, he teamed with Effy and faced Blake Christian and Shane Mercer in a losing effort. In the past, he has a had run with AEW and he departed the promotion after his contract expired in 2022.

Earlier this year, Janela talked about his desire and the possibility of signing with WWE. The 35-year-old wrestler said that joining WWE remains his goal and a dream. He also said that he aims to work with NJPW and perform at the Tokyo Dome.

We here at SEScoops wish Joey Janela a full and speedy recovery.

Shane McMahon Reportedly Tried To Return to WWE Before Tony Khan Meeting

Thomas Lowson
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More has come to light about Shane McMahon following his surprising meeting with Tony Khan that took place earlier this week. McMahon recently broke the internet after it was revealed that he has met with the AEW President to discuss future business opportunities. Shane has since shared that the pair discussed wrestling, their respect for the business, and the challenges of working for family members. This meeting came months after it was reported that McMahon had spoken with AEW talent about his possibly working with the promotion.

Latest On Shane McMahon

McMahon attempted to return to WWE programming after WrestleMania 39, Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio. It was said that people in charge of WWE “have no interest in him,” and there’s still “a lot of negativity” surrounding McMahon in WWE. Shane was infamously let go after reportedly creating chaos backstage at the 2022 Royal Rumble PLE.

Meltzer argued that this opposition to Shane within WWE could change if they believe he’s joining AEW. Meltzer added that it would not be a surprise if his meeting with Khan was a “leverage” play on McMahon’s behalf to make a WWE return happen. Tony Khan has spoken publicly on his respect for Shane as both a performer and an executive as there’s clearly a lot of respect between the two.

Could Shane McMahon join AEW? Or will his recent meeting convince WWE higher ups to give him the return he reportedly has been pining for? Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on this developing situation.

Shane McMahon AEW Rumors Explained: Tony Khan Meeting and More

Jake Skudder
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Earlier this summer, rumors began circulating about Shane McMahon potentially joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW). These rumors were initially sparked by comments on Jim Ross’ Grilling JR podcast, where the possibility of McMahon joining AEW was discussed.

AEW CEO Tony Khan later stated that McMahon would be “welcome” in the promotion, fueling speculation about this potential collaboration.

Shane McMahon and Tony Khan: The Arlington Meeting

According to a report from Fightful Select and WrestleTalk, Shane McMahon and Tony Khan recently met for the first time in Arlington, Texas.

The meeting took place in an airport, where they discussed the possibility of McMahon joining AEW. This meeting occurred on Monday, July 29, marking a significant step in the ongoing rumors.

Details of the Meeting

The meeting was described as a preliminary discussion, with both parties exploring potential opportunities. A surreal photo surfaced online to legitimize this story, showing McMahon and Khan in a conference room together, with Khan seated and McMahon standing.

Khan appeared amused in the photo, while McMahon had a more serious expression. As of now, the talks are in the early stages, and sources within AEW had not been briefed on the details of the meeting as of Tuesday.

Shane McMahon: “We Had a Great Meeting”

McMahon would issue a statement following the ‘leak’ of the meeting to Bully Ray of Busted Open After Dark, which was read on air:

“Tony and I were connected through a mutual friend and we had a great meeting. We talked about many things, but mostly about our shared love for the business and the rewards and challenges of working with family. I congratulated him on the five-year anniversary of AEW and look forward to see how he evolves the business moving forward.”

So, who was the mutual friend that linked up Shane McMahon and Tony Khan?

The Latest

As of writing, there is no confirmation that McMahon has signed any sort of the deal with All Elite Wrestling, although there is clearly interest from both sides.

We will update this page as and when more information becomes publicly available.

WWE SummerSlam 2024 Card: Every match taking place

Jake Skudder
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WWE SummerSlam 2024 is shaping up to be one of the best Premium Live Events from the company this year. On top of Championship matches between Cody Rhodes, Solo Sikoa, Damian Priest, Gunther, Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley, there will be headline grabbing bouts like CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre, so it is well worth catching live on Peacock this weekend.

Here are all of the matches that are taking place from Cleveland Browns Stadium on Saturday, August 3 2024.

Read More – WWE SummerSlam 2024 Start Time: US, Australia, Europe and more

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa

Solo Sikoa aims to return the Undisputed WWE Championship to The Bloodline by challenging Cody Rhodes. There is a potential that SummerSlam could see the return of Roman Reigns to WWE programming, but that is not yet confirmed.

World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest vs. Gunther

Damian Priest defends his World Heavyweight Championship against Gunther, the 2024 King of the Ring winner. Priest’s reign has been marked by impressive victories, but Gunther’s dominance poses a significant threat to his title reign.

CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Special Guest Referee Seth Rollins)

CM Punk faces Drew McIntyre with Seth Rollins as the special guest referee. This is one of the most heated builds we’ve seen in some time, with Punk’s issues in AEW being referenced both online and on RAW in recent weeks.

Read More – CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre Timeline: Everything you need to know before WWE SummerSlam

Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley

Liv Morgan defends her Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley. Ripley, returning from injury, is focused on reclaiming the title she never lost and getting her hands on the woman that tried to take Dominik Mysterio from her.

WWE Women’s Champion Bayley vs. Nia Jax

Bayley puts her WWE Women’s Championship on the line against Nia Jax, the 2024 Queen of the Ring. With Ms. Money in the Bank Tiffany Stratton lurking at ringside, this match could go a number of ways.

United States Champion Logan Paul vs. LA Knight

Logan Paul defends his United States Championship against LA Knight. Their rivalry has escalated over recent weeks, and this could finally be Knight’s big title win on the WWE main roster.

Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn vs. Bron Breakker

Sami Zayn defends his Intercontinental Championship against the formidable Bron Breakker. After relentless attacks from Breakker over recent weeks, this could be when Breakker gets his first taste of gold on the main roster.

Details On TNA Slammiversary Main Event: Original Plans, Joe Hendry

Thomas Lowson
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More has come to light around the main event of TNA Slammiversary 2024 which saw the coronation of Nic Nemeth as the company’s top star. Nemeth won the gold in a six-man elimination match that featured former champion Moose, Joe Hendry, Josh Alexander, Steve Maclin, and Frankie Kazarian. This win fulfilled a promise by Nemeth to win the title shortly after he arrived in TNA at January’s Hard to Kill pay-per-view.

While this was a monumental win for Nemeth, the Wanted Man was not originally planned to win the gold, Fightful Select reports. Instead, it’s claimed that the plan back in May was for Josh Alexander to win the title at Slammiversary. Alexander, the longest reigning TNA World Champion, was forced to vacate the gold due to a torn triceps injury in March 2023.

Some expected Joe Hendry to win the title, given his immense popularity in both TNA and WWE NXT. It’s reported that TNA feels that Hendry and Alexander’s current feud was strong enough to not need the title, and thus Nemeth was crowned the champion. Hendry eliminated Moose in the title match, guaranteeing a new World Champion, before being eliminated by Alexander who turned heel in the process.

It’s not just in TNA that Nemeth has been winning gold since his surprising WWE release in September 2023. After debuting in NJPW at Wrestle Kingdom 18, Nemeth captured the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship at Battle in the Valley the following month. More recently, Nemeth won the AAA Mega Championship at TripleMania in a match with old WWE rival Alberto El Patron.

Keep tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on Nic Nemeth and his work as TNA World Heavyweight Champion and beyond.

Mercedes Mone Set To Compete In First NJPW Match Since Ankle Injury

Thomas Lowson
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AEW TBS/NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone will step foot in an NJPW ring this month for the first time since suffering a career-threatening ankle injury. On Twitter, the New Japan account shared that Mone will compete at the Capital Collision show on August 30, in Washington, D.C. An opponent for Mone has not been named at this time.

This will be Mone’s first match in NJPW since her Resurgence 2023 match with Willow Nightingale in which she suffered an ankle injury. The injury forced plans to change and Nightingale won the Stong Women’s Championship that had reportedly been created with Mone in mind. The injury would also cost Mone over a year of action before returning to the ring at AEW Double or Nothing in May 2024, where she’d win the AEW TBS title from Nightingale.

NJPW Captial Collision will feature other top names including NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd, who’ll defend against Lio Rush. Zack Sabre Jr. Trish Adora, Fred Rosser, and Tom Lawlor have also been announced the the upcoming event.

Mercedes Mone’s Future Plans

It isn’t just in New Japan that fans will get to see Mone in action. The CEO will defend her AEW TBS Championship at All In against Britt Baker. On this week’s Dynamite, Mone claimed that “my EVPs” the Young Bucks had suspended Baker following an altercation between the DMD and Mone at San Diego Comic-Con. Baker and Mone will collide inside Wembley Stadium on August 25.

Keep tuned in to SE Scoops for all the latest on Mercedes Mone and her journey to AEW All In: London 2024 later this month.

WWE Tough Enough Alum Reportedly Back In Behind The Scenes Role

Thomas Lowson
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A wrestler who once was a part of WWE Tough Enough is back with the company in a behind-the-scenes role, it has been reported. Eric Watts, not to be confused with the son of the legendary Bill Watts, has joined WWE full-time as a writer, Fightful reports. Watts will reportedly be working with the SmackDown side of things going forward.

Watts competed on the 2011 edition of WWE Tough Enough, a show that also featured Ariane Andrew (also known as Cameron) and Ivelisse. Watts was eliminated in week 6 with a lack of improvement being cited as the reason for being cut. The season was ultimately won by Andy Leavine who was given the name Kevin Hackman in WWE. Despite his victory, Leavine was released from WWE in April 2012, less than a year after his victory.

Eric Watts In The Ring

Although Watts will reportedly be working behind the scenes in WWE going forward, he does have plenty of experience in the ring. After his Tough Enough elimination, Watts worked for several promotions, and was part of a tag-team match at Impact Wrestling’s Unbreakable event in 2019, where he teamed with Chris Bey. The following year, Watts was back in tag-team action, this time on AEW Dark, but he and Ray Rosas lost to Jurassic Express.

CM Punk On All In Footage: ‘It’s Wild Being A Top Draw In Two Companies’

Thomas Lowson
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CM Punk wasn’t a fan of the ‘ugly’ AEW All In footage being aired, but believes it showed that he remains a top draw in that promotion. The footage in question was broadcast on the April 10, edition of AEW Dynamite and sparked debate among fans and wrestling insiders as to whether it was the right call.

Speaking to Jimmy Traina on the SI Media Podcast, Punk shared his thoughts to the footage in question being aired.

“It felt really ugly, but then I was like, showing that footage isn’t going to help them or hurt me, so whatever. Being a top draw in two different companies is pretty wild. Thanks, guys.”

At the time, Tony Khan said that airing the footage was all part of an effort to give a great show for the fans. Many found the claim dubious, believing that Khan’s real motivation was payback after Punk’s comments on AEW during the MMA Hour, in which he claimed Khan was not a “real boss.” The kayfabe reason behind the footage being shared was that the Young Bucks wanted to justify why they lost to FTR at All In, and shared that they’d been distracted by dealing with the backstage altercation.

The footage did prove to be a boon for AEW in terms of ratings, as the April 10, Dynamite 819,000 viewers, a 9% increase over the previous week and the highest Dynamite rating of 2024 since February. However, airing the footage could not see AEW cross the 1 million viewer threshold, leaving fans to still question whether sharing the footage had been worth it after all.

Watch: Latest Call Of Duty Trailer Shows WWE Superstars In Action

Thomas Lowson
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Wrestling fans and gamers alike have gotten their latest look at the new Call of Duty season which features three of WWE’s top Superstars. This unlikely collaboration features Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, and Rey Mysterio entering the hit shooting/war game franchise.

In the newest trailer, fans can see the trio of Superstars use guns, as well as some of their signature moves. While Rhodes and Mysterio are available to purchase and play, Ripley is available as part of the Call of Duty Season 5 Battle Pass.

The game’s fifth season kicked off on July 24 with more than just new playable characters. Slam Deathmatch is a unique twist on traditional Team Deathmatch, focusing on finishing moves. While weapons can down enemies, points are only earned by executing Finishing Moves, which will be randomized WWE Finishing Moves in upcoming matches. This particular mode is exclusively during the in-game WWE SummerSlam event, that started on July 31.

Working with Call of Duty is a huge collaboration for WWE which has allowed three of its Superstars to flex their muscles outside of your standard WWE 2K video game. Even Arn Anderson has been pleased by the crossover, as the WWE Hall of Famer is pleased to see the in-game Cody taking his viral ‘pulled out the glock’ promo to heart.

Want to keep up to date with all the latest from the world of video games? Check out our Gaming channel on SE Scoops so you never miss a story!

Shane McMahon Gives Statement, Shares What He & Tony Khan Discussed

Thomas Lowson
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Shane McMahon has given a statement on his meeting with Tony Khan after the pair were spotted together in a meeting in Arlington, Texas. It has been reported that the pair met to discuss possibilities moving forward and that Khan has been open to speaking with McMahon for some time.

On Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray delivered a statement from Shane on the meeting:

“Tony and I were connected through a mutual friend and we had a great meeting. We talked about many things, but mostly about our shared love for the business and the rewards and challenges of working with family. I congratulated him on the five year anniversary of AEW and look forward to how he evolves the business moving forward.”

A photo of Shane and Khan have been shared online. On Twitter, AEW TBS Champion/NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone took credit for the viral image.

Shane McMahon And AEW

It was claimed by Conrad Thompson earlier this year that McMahon had spoken to some in AEW about the possibility of joining Tony Khan’s first promotion. It was later clarified that Shane was not making a formal pitch to join AEW and was simply stating that it would be an interesting moment in wrestling. Tony Khan has said he has a lot of respect for Shane and appreciates his work as both an in-ring performer and an executive.

McMahon hasn’t been seen on WWE television since WrestleMania 39 when he made a surprise appearance for an impromptu match against The Miz. This was McMahon’s return match to WWE after being fired the previous year for reportedly causing backstage chaos at the 2022 Royal Rumble event.

Could Shane McMahon be All-Elite after all? Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on this developing story.

Bryan Danielson Putting His Career On The Line Against Swerve Strickland at AEW All In

Joey Galizia
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Bryan Danielson is putting his pro wrestling career on the line at the AEW All-In pay-per-view later this month.

The American Dragon was cutting a promo on the July 31st AEW Dynamite, where he told the fans that his contract with the company was officially up tomorrow. He then reminded everyone of the promise he made when he first joined AEW back in 2021, which was to ‘Kick Some Heads In,’ and win the AEW World Championship. Danielson stated that at All In, he would finish that promise.

That brought out the AEW World Champion, Swerve Strickland. Swerve told Danielson that he also said he would win the company’s top prize, managed to do it in less time, and even beat opponents that Danielson had previously lost to. He called Danielson one of the best of all time, but that he was “one of a kind.” Swerve’s rant ended after whispering to Danielson that he wouldn’t be walking out of All In because of the beating he was about to endure.

Danielson refused to let Swerve walk away that easy. He then declared that he would retire from the sport forever if he didn’t win the world title at AEW All In.

Danielson earned the opportunity against Swerve by winning the 2024 Owen Hart Memorial tournament. He’s unsuccessfully challenged for the world title multiple times, including against MJF, Adam Page, and Jon Moxley.

AEW All In takes place on August 25th from Wembley Stadium in London, England. Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland: AEW World Title vs. Career is set to be the main event.

WWE 2K24: New MyFACTION Locker Codes & Pat McAfee DLC Released

Tyriece Simon
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WWE 2K24 has released the latest downloadable content from their season pass on the Mircosoft Store, PlayStation Store, and Steam on July 31. The Pat McAfee Show Pack features the WWE 2K debut of the beloved former NFL Punter and his talk show co-hosts Ty Schmit, Boston Connor, AJ Hawk, and Darius Butler as playable characters.

The DLC is the third installment of the ongoing WWE 2K24 season pass, which launched on May 15. Fans can purchase select packs as standalone for $9.99 or the season pass for $39.99. 

New MyFaction Locker Code

In addition to the Pat McAfee Show Pack release, the popular video game also added a new locker code for MyFaction mode. After starting WWE 2K24 and accepting the latest update, the main menu will show a code that says PATSMMERGIFT24.

It will also prompt fans to take them to MyFaction to help input the special update. The code unlocks 2 Deluxe Punches & Promo Packs, 3 Faction Wars Tickets, and an Amethyst Extreme Series Drew McIntyre card, which WWE 2K24 players can use in the game mode.

The characters that fans can get from the Deluxe Punches & Promo Pack may vary, but gamers who love MyFaction are guaranteed to acquire McIntyre with an 85 overall. It’s worth noting that fans must use the locker code by August 7, or it will expire. 

Controversy Behind Pat McAfee Show Pack

Although McAfee and his co-host have expressed joy about being involved in WWE 2K24, fans have not shared that sentiment. WWE 2K developers’ decision to add the popular sports talks show crew sparked an ongoing issue about whether more resources should have gone to adding more WWE talent to the game.

One example is that popular NXT superstars like Oba Femi, Sol Ruca, and Lola Vice aren’t currently featured in WWE 2K24. Instead of adding them as free updates or a part of a DLC, it’s expected that they may not be playable until the next installment of the WWE 2K series. McAfee and his co-host have also fed into the negative feedback by lashing out at the critics. Schmit also had harsh words towards the NXT talent that weren’t added to the game and called them losers. The disrespectful comments sparked a reaction from Shawn Michaels, who defended the NXT roster.

While the Pat McAfee Show Pack hasn’t been well-received, the new locker code could be a nice addition for loyal WWE 2K fans. 

Nick Gage vs. Matt Hardy Set for GCW: Now And Forever

Rayan Sayyed
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Game Changer Wrestling has announced that Nick Gage is set to face Matt Hardy at the GCW Now And Forever event on August 2.

This will be the first time the two would go against each other in the ring:

“*BREAKING* NICK GAGE returns and takes on the debuting MATT HARDY in a first time ever Dream Match THIS FRIDAY in CLEVELAND!” the announcement on GCW’s X/Twitter page reads.

“Im gonna cause matt hardy to feel physical pain when i fight him in Cleveland,” the 43-year-old wrestler wrote on X regarding the match.

Gage notably wasn’t able to appear on the GCW Worst Behavior on July 5, because of injury. He was subsequently advertised for events taking place on July 18 and 20, but he was still unable to make appearances due to the injury. He last competed on the June 14 event of GCW Lights Out, where he defeated Orin Veidt.  

Nick Gage has made a name for himself with his hardcore matches, after competing in GCW and on other indie promotions. Gage also made appearances for AEW in 2021, when he was involved in the feud between MJF and Chris Jericho.

Meanwhile, this would be Matt Hardy’s debut in GCW. His last televised match at the time of writing was at TNA iMPACT on July 21, where he teamed up with ABC (Ace Austin and Chris Bey) to defeat JDC and The System (Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards).

Hardy recently talked about his experience wrestling in Saudi Arabia for WWE, noting that he had a great time there with the people. However, he came back appreciating the freedoms of life in the US.

Al Blake, Jim Crockett’s Vladimir Petrov, Passes Away At 66

Dominic DeAngelo
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Retired pro wrestler Al Blake, a notable ‘Russian heel’ during the 1980s, passed away at the age of 66 on July 27, 2024. Greg Oliver of SLAM Wrestling broke the news. Blake portrayed the role of Vladimir Petrov, a brutish heel who replaced Barry Darsow as one of Ivan Koloff’s “comrades” back in the Jim Crockett Promotion days. Darsow was Vladimir Khrushchev and ironically enough, both he and Blake actually were from Minnesota, not the former Soviet Union.

In his obituary, Blake was noted to have a passion for health and fitness all the way up to his passing and grew up in a very musically inclined household.

Blake was trained by Eddie Sharkey after discovering him in a bar as a bouncer. Before joining the side of Ivan Koloff, Blake worked as the masked “Russian Assassin” in Paul Jones’ stable. Koloff and Blake ended up feuding with the now babyface Nikita Koloff, Dusty Rhodes and The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express.

Blake’s squared circle career didn’t last very long as he ultimately retired from wrestling in 1992. In late 1988 Blake was convicted on multiple drug dealing charges, stemming from a that started back to 1983 when he was still a bar bouncer that happened to put a speed bump in his wrestling career.

Ivan Koloff didn’t have much to write about Blake in his autobiography and Nikita didn’t know too much about him but did say his personality didn’t match up well with his fellow wrestlers. However, Blake had been married to his wife, Karla Nelson, a bodybuilder and worked several different occupations after hanging up the wrestling boots.

We at SEScoops send our condolences to Al Blake’s family and friends.

The Miz Reflects on WWE Segment with Pee-wee Herman

Rayan Sayyed
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The Miz recently reminisced about his 2010 WWE Raw segment with Pee-wee Herman, portrayed by actor Paul Reubens. Miz revealed that this segment, which aired on November 1, 2010, remains his father’s favourite moment from his WWE career.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Miz discussed the segment where he and Alex Riley interrupted Reubens while he spoke to the crowd. “That’s my dad’s favourite thing I’ve ever done in WWE,” Miz said. “It’s not main-eventing WrestleMania or winning the WWE Championship twice. It’s me getting in the ring and having a verbal sparring match with Pee-wee Herman.”

Miz also shared that he had a hand in crafting the segment. Being a fan of Pee-wee Herman, Miz was thrilled when Reubens agreed to appear in character. “Earlier that day, his publicist mentioned that he wouldn’t come out as Pee-wee and would be himself,” Miz recalled. “I couldn’t believe it, so I approached him and asked, ‘Can we please do Pee-wee?’ He agreed, and I was pumped. I suggested doing the ‘I know you are but what am I?’ gag and the secret word, knowing it would be a hit, especially with me as the bad guy.”

“That was my childhood. I grew up watching Pee-wee, I wore the suit. I knew it would be so great,” he said.

“Paul was a really wonderful person and a great friend,” Miz said.

Reubens passed away on July 30, 2023, at the age of 70 from acute hypoxic respiratory failure. He was best known for his role as Pee-wee Herman, first seen in the 1980 film Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie.

The Miz is set to host the WWE SummerSlam Premium Live Event which will take place in his hometown, Cleveland, Ohio. Read more about that here.

Inside the WWE SummerSlam Store at Cleveland’s Tower City Center

Michael Reichlin
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This year’s WWE SummerSlam Store powered by Fanatics is located in Downtown Cleveland at the Tower City Center Shopping Center at 230 W Huron Rd, Suite 7286, Cleveland, OH 44113. Admission is free.

Dates & Hours

The WWE SummerSlam Store opens Thursday morning, August 1 at 10AM and closes Sunday afternoon, August 4 at 5PM.

Official store hours:

  • Thursday: 10AM – 7PM
  • Friday: 10AM – Midnight
  • Saturday: 10AM – 7PM
  • Sunday: 10AM – 5PM

Meet and Greet Schedule

WWE Superstars Chelsea Green, Candice LaRae and Bron Breaker are scheduled for meet and greets at the store .

  • Thursday: Chelsea Green (5-6PM)
  • Friday: Candice LeRae (11AM-12PM)
  • Sunday: Bron Breakker (11AM-12PM)

Wristbands for the Meet and Greet are free, but with limited supply and talent is subject to change.

Exclusive Merchandise & Photos

The WWE SummerSlam Store in Cleveland and WWE Shop are selling a line of exclusive WWE SummerSlam merchandise totaling 200 items, including replica championship belts, baseball and basketball jerseys, hats, socks, flip-flops, posters and more.

SEScoops correspondent Ella Jay will be visiting the WWE SummerSlam Store this weekend and we’ll update this article with some photos of what it’s like when WWE takes over Tower City Center.

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