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WWE Reportedly Interested In Ricky Starks & Other AEW Stars

Thomas Lowson
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More has come to light about Ricky Starks who continues to be absent from AEW programming. Starks hasn’t been seen on TV since the March 30, edition of Collision, where he and Big Bill faced Top Flight in an AEW World Tag Title Tournament match.

Starks suffered a nasty DDT during that match and was pinned, though it was later reported that he and Bill were supposed to advance in the tournament. Since then, Bill has aligned with Chris Jericho and his tag team with Starks has been entirely dropped.

Interest from WWE

There is “certainly interest” in Starks, among other AEW stars from WWE, sources in the company told Mike Johnson of PW Insider this week. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer claimed that “a lot of people” in AEW believe Starks is heading to WWE, which is why the company is not “investing” in a storyline for the former FTW and AEW World Tag Team Champion.

Ricky Starks And WWE

Starks has a handful of WWE matches to his name already, as he has previously worked as an enhancement talent for the company. Ironically, his match on the January 5, 2018 edition of Monday Night Raw would see himself and Aaron Solow collide with future AEW alum FTR, then known as The Revival.

It’s no secret that Starks is a friend of Cody Rhodes, and was spotted at the 2023 Royal Rumble PLE ahead of Rhodes’ return from injury that same night. Starks later told Stephanie Chase that he didn’t care about “tribalism” and wanted to be there to support his friend. Rhodes’ return from a torn pectoral would see him win that year’s Men’s Royal Rumble match.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ugOZombTFg8

Starks was also spotted at WrestleMania 40 in April of this year, once again to support his friend. The two-night mega-show saw Rhodes ‘finish the story’ and win his first WWE World Championship from Roman Reigns.

Roman Reigns Advertised For Several SmackDowns After SummerSlam Return

Thomas Lowson
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Fans will get to see plenty of Roman Reigns on SmackDown following the Original Tribal Chief’s return at WWE SummerSlam in Cleveland. Reigns is already set to appear at this Friday’s show and PW Insider now adds that he is being locally advertised for the September 16, edition of SmackDown in Orlando, Florida.

Reigns is also being promoted for the first episode of SmackDown on the USA Network. That show will take place on September 13, from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, and will serve as the launch of SmackDown on USA following five years with FOX.

Reigns returned to WWE programming at SummerSlam in his first appearance since WrestleMania 40. At the Biggest Party of the Summer, Reigns attacked Solo Sikoa, who had made a series of disparaging remarks about Reigns in the weeks leading up to the show.

Reigns’ Spear and Superman Punch combo ended up benefitting Cody Rhodes, the man who dethroned Reigns as Undisputed WWE Champion at WrestleMania 40. After attacking Sikoa, Reigns stared down the American Nightmare who is ready for a rematch with the Original Tribal Chief.

WWE SmackDown – August 9

Reigns isn’t the only massive name being promoted for tonight’s SmackDown from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. LA Knight and Nia Jax, who won the United States title and WWE Women’s title at SummerSlam respectively, are also being promoted for the show, as is Cody Rhodes. AJ Styles is also reportedly set to make his return in what will be his first appearance on WWE TV since Clash at the Castle: Scotland.

Latest On Bobby Lashley’s WWE Status Amid Ongoing TV Hiatus

Thomas Lowson
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Bobby Lashley’s time as a WWE Superstar will be over as soon as this week unless a new deal with the company is reached, it has been reported. Fightful Select states that Lashley’s contract will expire this weekend, and those in WWE are under the impression he is leaving the company. No creative plans have been made for the two-time former WWE World Champion who hasn’t competed on WWE TV since April of this year. Lashley and MVP were removed from WWE’s internal roster earlier this year, which fuelled speculation that they were finishing with the company.

Bobby Lashley’s Future Outside WWE

With Lashley seemingly finished with WWE, all attention turns to what’s next for the All Mighty Superstar. Fightful notes that Lashley’s name has been discussed within AEW ever since news of his contract status emerged. Given that Lashley is still under a WWE contract, no offer has been made to the Superstar.

It’s been reported that Lashley and MVP are hoping to reunite in AEW in a move that could possibly see Shelton Benjamin brought into the All-Elite promotion. MVP’s contract with WWE is said to have already expired and he told those at Bloodsport XI that he wouldn’t be going back. Those close to Lashley believe he will make at least an appearance in AEW and stated that he’s ready to return to TV.

Lashley reportedly has interest from the fighting world, as well as from promotions in Japan. After his first WWE run ended in 2008, Lashley transitioned to MMA and joined Strikeforce in 2010. The All Mighty currently boasts an impressive 15-2 record in MMA, with six knockouts and six submission victories to his name.

Lashley has been one of WWE’s top Superstars for years but now those in the company are reportedly expecting him to leave this weekend. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on the future of the All Mighty.

TNA Bound for Glory 2024 Set for 10/26 In Detroit, Michigan

Thomas Lowson
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TNA Wrestling’s wave of momentum in 2024 will see the promotion travel to Detroit, Michigan this October for the 20th Bound for Glory event. The show will take place on October 26 at the Wayne State University Fieldhouse. Tickets for the show will go on sale later this month.

Fans will be interested to see if the Bound for Glory series makes a return ahead of this October’s pay-per-view. The round-robin tournament sees wrestlers compete against one another over several months to earn points, and the wrestlers with the highest points face one another to determine the number one contender for the TNA World Title. Previous winners include Bobby Roode, Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, and EC3.

Wayne State University Fieldhouse was opened in November 2001 and has a capacity of 3,000 seats. Bound for Glory will mark TNA’s first event using the venue which is the home of the Wayne State Warriors men’s and women’s basketball teams.

TNA In Michigan

This show will mark TNA’s first pay-per-view in Michigan since Slammiversary 2009 took place at The Palace of Auburn Hills. In the main event of that show, Kurt Angle defeated Mick Foley, A.J. Styles, Jeff Jarrett, and Samoa Joe to capture the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Three years earlier, TNA held Bound for Glory 2006 at the Compuware Sports Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. That show saw Sting defeat Jeff Jarrett to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title.

Scott D’Amore’s Maple Leaf Pro Launches in October With 2 Shows

Tyriece Simon
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Former TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore is set to relaunch Maple Leaf Wrestling as Mapple Leaf Pro (MLP) this October. D’Amore has kept a low profile since his abrupt termination from TNA Wrestling on February 7. He reportedly attempted to acquire the promotion from Anthem Sports and Entertainment, but was denied. This went down right after D’Amore had successfully led Impact Wrestling’s rebrand back to TNA.

After months of suspense, D’Amore returns to wrestling to run Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling. They will host a two-night Forged By Excellence event on October 19 and 20 at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Tickets will go on sale on August 26, these Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling events will stream live on Triller TV on pay-per-view.

Former WWE Champion Raj Dheshi (Jinder Mahal) has been announced for the first shows, along with TNA stars Josh Alexander, Gisele Shaw, and KUSHIDA.

History of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling

The company originated in Toronto, Canada, and started as Queensbury Athletic Club in the 1930s. It would rebrand to Maple Leaf Wrestling in the 1940s and feature several legendary wrestlers, including Andre the Giant, Bruno Sammartino, and Ric Flair. By 1984, WWE(FKA WWF) acquired Major Leaf Wrestling, and the promotion ceased operation.

The move to relaunch Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling may help restore the brand’s legacy and attract a new audience that was unaware of its existence. It was also announced that the library of old matches from the promotion will be uploaded to YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms, which will allow fans to watch their history at a later date.

D’Amore decision to resurrect Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling is intriguing and could be an exciting promotion in the independent wrestling market. From his work at TNA, he has shown what he can contribute to a company. Hopefully, this will open more opportunities for Canadian and other indie wrestlers who have yet to be given a spotlight.  

Logan Paul’s PRIME Facing $67.7 Million Lawsuit In Latest Litigation

Thomas Lowson
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PRIME, the beverage chain run by Logan Paul & KSI, has been hit by yet another lawsuit with the claimants seeking close to $70 million. Refresco, a supplier of PRIME, is seeking at least $67.7 million over a breach of contract, Bloomberg reports.

The contract in question required PRIME to order at least 18.5 million cases of the drink each year for three years, totaling 55.5 million cases. It’s claimed that PRIME failed to meet its quota in its first year which led to a penalty being issued. Refresco adds that the penalty could be repaid if PRIME meets the full order amount over three years.

Refresco set up a special production line just for PRIME which involved heavy upfront costs and set-up time. PRIME also missed a required test run for new machinery in March and didn’t place any orders by April, resulting in no drinks being produced on the new line.

The complaint adds that PRIME sales were below expectations in 2024 which the supplier puts down to seasonal changes and fading social media hype. PRIME has served as a sponsor of UFC and WWE events and a ‘Hydration Station’ can be found at WWE shows and PLEs. This is hardly a good look for WWE who has had Logan Paul under contract since 2022.

This is hardly the first time that PRIME has faced legal action. Recently, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic committee filed litigation against the beverage chain, claiming that PRIME is misleading consumers into thinking they are sponsoring Team USA at the Paris Games. A new limited-edition drink features repeated references to the Olympics and Team USA which the Committee argues is a deliberate attempt to deceive consumers.

Ironically, Paul himself has threatened a lawsuit of his own against LA Knight, who dethroned Paul as U.S. Champion at WWE SummerSlam. Paul is alleging destruction of property after Knight acquired Paul’s PRIME truck.

Logan Paul’s Controversy

These two lawsuits against PRIME are just the latest in a stream of controversies for Logan Paul. In December 2017, Paul showed the body of an alleged suicide victim at Japan’s Aokigahara Forest. The site near Mount Fuji is known as the place where many people have taken their lives and Paul’s joking and laughing in the video received global condemnation.

In 2021, Paul launched CryptoZoo, a cryptocurrency-based game that promised users the ability to buy, sell, and breed exotic animal NFTs. After paying thousands, players learned that their eggs were not hatching into the animals promised. It’s also been alleged that Paul and his team made misleading claims about the project.

More recently, Paul stirred up controversy after making false claims about Algerian boxer Imane Khelif who is competing in the ongoing Paris games. Paul falsely claimed that Khelif is a man and said she was competing unfairly against women. Paul again faced backlash for his false claim and many found his “oopsies” retraction to be disrespectful.

In his retraction, Paul was again dishonest about Khelif, saying she had failed a gender test. While Khelif was disqualified in 2023 from the International Boxing Association, it ha not been stated the cause for the disqualification. The Olympics severed ties with the IBA following allegations of corruption and bias towards Russia. Nowadays, the IBA is permanently banned from the Olympic Games.

MJF Girlfriend: Everything You Need to Know about Alicia Atout

Jake Skudder
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Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF), former AEW World Champion, is known for his larger-than-life personality both inside and outside the ring. Recently, MJF’s relationship with Alicia Atout has garnered significant attention. Here’s everything you need to know about Alicia Atout and her relationship with MJF.

Who is Alicia Atout?

Background and Career

Alicia Atout is a prominent figure in the wrestling world, primarily known for her work as a backstage interviewer.

She has made significant contributions to various wrestling promotions, including IMPACT Wrestling, AEW, and MLW. Her charm, wit, and deep knowledge of wrestling have earned her a substantial following on social media.

Rise to Fame

Alicia initially gained fame through her YouTube channel, “A Music Blog, Yea?” where she interviewed numerous musicians and wrestlers.

Her engaging interview style and charisma quickly caught the attention of wrestling fans and promotions, leading to her prominent roles in the industry.

The Relationship with MJF

Confirmation of the Relationship

In November 2023, Alicia Atout confirmed her relationship with MJF during a Q&A session on her YouTube channel.

MJF had previously hinted at the relationship, but Alicia’s confirmation provided clarity for fans.

She shared, “There was a plethora, a cornucopia, an entire bag full of questions asking about my dating life… The answer… is yes.”

This confirmation came after MJF referred to her affectionately yet controversially during a media scrum, a nod to their unique dynamic.

A Unique Bond

Their relationship, while surprising to many, highlights a unique bond formed through shared experiences in the wrestling world.

Alicia humorously mentioned how MJF’s initial nickname for her, “Tits McGee,” evolved into a deeper connection.

“Life has a really interesting, weird way of working out,” she remarked, underscoring the unexpected nature of their relationship.

Challenges and Public Attention

Recent Incidents

Recently, their relationship was brought into the spotlight again due to a backstage incident involving Britt Baker in AEW. According to reports, Britt Baker was suspended following a confrontation that also involved Alicia Atout. The incident fueled public interest and added another layer of complexity to the dynamics backstage in AEW.

mRead More – AEW Suspends Britt Baker Over Backstage

Becky Lynch Retired from WWE? Breaking Down the Facts and Rumors

Jake Skudder
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Fans have been buzzing with speculation regarding the potential retirement of Becky Lynch from WWE and whether she really has hung up the boots.

This article aims to separate the rumors from the facts and provide a clear picture of Lynch’s current status in the WWE.

The Origin of the Rumors

Instagram Post Sparks Speculation

The retirement rumors began swirling after Becky Lynch posted a heartfelt message on Instagram.

The post, which included a photo with her daughter Roux, stated: “It’s been a helluva career. Being the Man for all of you was an honor, being the mom for her is a privilege. Thanks for watching my bio on @AETV.”

Many fans interpreted this as a possible retirement announcement, given the reflective tone of her words.

WWE’s Response

According to a report from Fightful Select, people within WWE clarified that they were not informed of any official retirement by Lynch.

They emphasized that if Lynch were to retire, it would not be through an Instagram post.

However, it is believed that Lynch is not currently under contract, which means she wouldn’t be obliged to inform the company of her retirement decision.

WWE’s Respect for Lynch

Despite the lack of official confirmation, WWE continues to hold Lynch in high regard.

The company has expressed a desire to be “respectful of her space” given her contributions over the years.

WWE has apparently also stated that Becky Lynch would always be welcomed back should she choose to return.

Current Status and Future Prospects

Contractual Status

Lynch’s contract with WWE expired at the start of June. The general belief within WWE is that Lynch is taking a break and will return when the time feels right for her.

This hiatus has led to her absence from television, further fueling retirement rumors.

Possibility of Return

There is optimism among WWE officials and fans alike that Becky Lynch will make a comeback.

The door remains open for her return, and she continues to be a beloved figure in the company and to fans.

Kurt Angle Dives Deep For Team USA In 2024 Olympics

Dominic DeAngelo
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Oh, it’s true – Kurt Angle is watching wrestling in the Olympics and is liking what he’s seeing from Team USA and even a name outside the country.

The amateur wrestling aspect of the 2024 Summer Olympics started off this week and Angle has been impressed with what he’s seen so far at this juncture.

While Angle is obviously all about Team USA, the 1996 Gold Medalist had to give credit to the 41-year-old Olympian from Cuba, Mijain Lopez who Angle dubbed the best wrestler in the world after winning his fifth gold medal in five different Olympics.

“I usually don’t discuss athletes outside the USA but this guy did something nobody in history ever did. He’s won 5 gold medals in 5 different Olympics. Mijain Lopez!!! 41 years of age and STILL the best wrestler in the world.”

RELATED: Kurt Angle Believes Chad Gable Has “Done Enough” To Carve Out His Own Identity

When it comes to the United States, Angle praised women’s wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt who got the gold for America, but did note it was under bittersweet circumstances.

“Congrats to
@sarhilde
on her Olympic gold medal win. It was bitter sweet due to her opponent Vinesh Phogat of India failing to make weight for her gold medal match. Sarah is an amazing wrestler and deserves the gold regardless of the circumstances. Well done Sarah!”

Angle also didn’t forget about women’s wrestler Amit Elor, who at the age of 20 made her own type of history for USA wrestling.

“Congratulations to @amitelor1 of the USA women’s freestyle wrestling team for winning the gold medal in the Finals – over Meerim Zhumanazarova, of KGZ. She’s the youngest American gold medalist in USA wrestling history. Well done!!!!”

Angle has been all about the Olympics as when they kicked off, he shared in his excitement to dive into the wrestling.

RELATED: Kurt Angle To Be Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award

Latest On Seth Rollins & Dakota Kai After Attacks On 8/5 WWE RAW

Thomas Lowson
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More has come to light about Seth Rollins and Dakota Kai after both Superstars were ambushed on the August 5, episode of RAW. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer claimed that he was told that these attacks were storyline covers for real injuries both Superstars are dealing with. Rollins’ situation is said to be “not bad” and he is still cleared to wrestle but he is “banged up.”

Rollins was attacked by Bronson Reed during RAW in arguably the biggest showcase for the Australian since arriving on the main roster. The former WWE World Champion was leveled with six Tsunami finishers and was seen bleeding from the mouth after the attack. Rollins was out of action with an injured knee earlier this year and did not compete at SummerSlam 2024, instead serving as a guest referee.

Like Rollins, Dakota Kai fell victim to an ambush on RAW, this time at the hands of Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, and Sonya Deville. The Kiwi Superstar was supposed to face Sonya Deville on the show but was replaced by ally IYO SKY.

Kai has a history of injuries, including an ACL tear in May 2023 that kept her out of action until March of this year. Her most recent TV match was on the July 8, RAW while her most recent match in WWE was part of the promotion’s recent tour of Japan. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on these two Superstars and other ongoing injuries in the world of professional wrestling.

NXT UK’s Joseph Conners Responds to False Reports He’s Died (He Has Not)

Thomas Lowson
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Joseph Conners, a talent who worked in WWE NXT UK for years, has passed away according to some, though he’s now feeling much better. Conners was involved in a serious car accident while traveling after a show last month and being hit by a driver believed to be under the influence.

Despite Conners tweeting making it obvious he survived the ordeal, some have shared that the NXT UK alum passed away. In follow-up tweets, which would’ve been difficult had he died, Conners again cemented his place in the land of the living.

Joseph Conners joined WWE in 2016 and competed in the tournament to crown the first United Kingdom Champion the following month, where he made it to the quarter-finals. In addition to NXT UK, Conners also appeared in 205 Live and worked with names including Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali. He parted ways with WWE in late 2021 and has since returned to competing in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Conners’ tale serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware online about those who try and deceive for their own personal gain. In 2021, Seth Rollins was assaulted during an episode of RAW after a fan believed they had been scammed by the former World Champion. Instead, a scammer using Rollins’ name and likeness was the perpetrator. Several women in wrestling, including Alexa Bliss, have also spoken about their identities being hijacked by scammers who target vulnerable fans.

Liv Morgan Reacts To Viral Fan Crying At WWE SummerSlam Betrayal

Thomas Lowson
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Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan has found the funny side to one young fan’s despair over what transpired at WWE SummerSlam 2024. The August 3, PLE saw Morgan retain her title against Rhea Ripley after Dominik Mysterio betrayed his ‘Mami.’

Morgan and Mysterio locked lips after the match, much to the dismay of one young fan who has gone viral on TikTok. The clip in question shows the young fan crying as Morgan and Mysterio celebrate after the match.

This video has gained a lot of attention with over 181,000 views on the original video and many more on other platforms. The fan has also been noticed by those in WWE with RAW announcer Samantha Irvin comparing her reaction to Survivor Series 1996.

When wrestling correspondent Stephanie Hypes pointed the finger of blame squarely at Morgan, the reigning Women’s World Champion found the matter very funny.

Morgan’s reaction marks a significant shift for Liv, who has in the past taken a much gentler approach to fans being upset. In 2023, a fan at an episode of SmackDown was left in tears after Liv was beaten, ironically by Rhea Ripley. The young fan was taken backstage where she got the chance to meet with the then-face Liv as seen in the touching interaction below.

What’s Next?

On this week’s RAW, Morgan was officially welcomed into the new Judgment Day which consists of Liv, Mysterio, JD McDonagh, Carlito, and Finn Balor. The faction launched an attack on Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley in the closing moments of the show though Morgan was lucky to avoid being put through a table by the Australian.

Ripley and Priest have vowed that brutality is coming to the new Judgment Day following what happened at SummerSlam. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on Liv Morgan and her role in the Judgment Day.

Adam Pearce On Another Match, Chelsea Green, Nick Aldis, Backstage Role

Thomas Lowson
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WWE RAW General Manager Adam Pearce recently sat down with Chris Van Vliet of Insight to discuss a variety of topics. The former NWA Worlds Champion turned authority figure has been a regular on WWE programming for years now as he attempts to lay down the law on the Monday Night RAW roster.

On If He Could Still Wrestle

Outside of a handful of storyline matches for WWE, Pearce hasn’t been a full-time wrestler since 2014. On the podcast, Pearce made clear he could wrestle today if he wanted to, but the temptation isn’t there.

“I don’t want to [wrestle.] I appreciate that though. I’ve been done for 10 years. December 21 of this year will be 10 years to the day I had my last pro match.”

Many fans have speculated on whether Pearce could lock horns with Nick Aldis, the GM of SmackDown who has also held the NWA Worlds Championship. Pearce admitted that there’s “something there” but doubts that this will play out in WWE.

“I think neither one of us neither Nick and I are ever going to angle for a position in the spotlight like that. I think we’re both content very happy and very honored to have the positions we have currently in WWE.”

Instead of wrestling Aldis, or anyone else for that matter, Pearce is satisfied with his role on WWE TV which he called “the pinnacle of my professional career.”

On Chelsea Green

Pearce’s tenure as RAW GM has seem him repeatedly at odds with Chelsea Green who continues to make demands and complaints at the authority figure. Despite their on-screen differences, Pearce is pleased he can work off the naturally funny Canadian.

“She would do her thing and to this day when she does it’s almost like you don’t have to say anything… I always thought let Chelsea be Chelsea and I just have to kind of react without saying anything.”

On Working Backstage

Pearce’s role over RAW isn’t just confined to what fans see on-screen as he also serves as a producer of the red brand. On the podcast, Pearce recalled some of his other work with the company.

“I have been the director of live events, which means I have written and booked the territory brother, so to speak. I did that for a long period of time, which was a lot of fun. I was hired to be a coach and a trainer way back when almost a decade, just about a decade now. So I spent the first 10 months at the Performance Center teaching, which was awesome in and of itself.” 

On Working with Bray Wyatt

In August 2020, Pearce stepped into the Firefly Funhouse to deliver a contract to Bray Wyatt and became ‘Postman Pearce’ in the madhouse. The RAW GM said that he still has the costume he wore for the segment, such is the legacy of working with the late wrestler.

“He was great. I wish we could have done more obviously… I thought, what a creative way in this world of sports, entertainment and pro wrestling, how do you again with the WWE official or the GM being the informational conduit?”

John Cena: ‘Dog Tags Were A Cop-Out For Not Being There for My Family’

Thomas Lowson
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John Cena’s wearing of dog tags in WWE stemmed from him trying to be connected to his family, even if he wasn’t being a great relative. In an appearance alongside Awkwafina for WIRED, the two celebrities were asked some of the internet’s most searched questions. When John was asked for the story behind his dog tags, the WWE icon admitted that they came from a difficult relationship with his family.

“My dog tags used to say the names of my parents, and my brothers. And it was my cop-out way of saying like ‘Hey, you guys are with me.’ But I wasn’t really, this is gonna get deep, I wasn’t really good at being a son and being a brother. So, rather than wear this thing that they could see on TV, what I began to do for them was show up. So I’m trying to be better at showing up and not using a talisman to be like ‘See, I’m there.’ So I ditched the dog tags for more one-on-one time.”

Cena is one of five brothers and is the second oldest in his family. His father John Cena Sr. has made a handful of appearances for WWE over the years and has worked outside of the promotion as a reverse-second-generation star (entering the business after his son.)

John During his relationship with Nikki Garcia, the two were at odds when it came to wanting children, as Cena didn’t want to be an absentee father due to his busy schedule. The couple, who got engaged at WrestleMania 33, split in April 2020. Cena has since married Shay Shariatzadeh while Nikki has married Dancing with the Stars‘ Artem Chigvinstev. Nikki became a mother in July 2020 when she and Artem welcomed their son Matteo into the world.

For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.

Interesting Stat On WWE’s Champions After SummerSlam Title Changes

Thomas Lowson
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The landscape of WWE champions has reached a feat not seen in close to five years following the title changes that unfolded at SummerSlam 2024. The Biggest Party of the Summer saw four titles change hands, as Bron Breakker, LA Knight, Nia Jax, and GUNTHER left Cleveland, Ohio with gold.

With these title changes, WWE is currently in a period where all reigning champions across both the main roster and WWE NXT won their titles this year. The United States Championship was the last title to join the list as Logan Paul had held the gold since WWE Crown Jewel 2023.

The last time all WWE champions held titles they’d won in the same year was all the way back in late 2009. The champions at the time were:

  • WWE Champion: Sheamus (Won in December 2009)
  • World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker (Won in October 2009)
  • ECW World Champion: Christian (Won in July 2009)
  • United States Champion: The Miz (Won in October 2009)
  • Intercontinental Champion: Drew McIntyre (Won in December 2009)
  • Unified WWE Tag Team Champions: DX (Won in December 2009)
  • WWE Divas Champion: Melina (Won in October 2009)
  • WWE Women’s Champion: Michelle McCool (Won in May 2009)

H/T to @WWEStats for uncovering this stat. Stay tuned to SEScoops for more interesting wrestling facts and statistics.

The question now is which of WWE’s current champions will be able to keep their gold the longest, and who will be the first to drop their gold. Coming out of SummerSlam, only one title match has been confirmed as new World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER will take on Randy Orton at WWE Bash In Berlin on August 31.

Kota Ibushi Calls AEW ‘Home’, Assures Comeback With Kenny Omega

Bishal Roy
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Kota Ibushi recently made it clear that he is not leaving AEW and assured the fans about his return with Kenny Omega.

DDT Pro-Wrestling announced that Kota Ibushi will be returning to the promotion and compete in a trios match teaming up with Danshoku Dieno & Akito to face Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Iino & Yuya Koroku. It will mark his first time competing for the promotion in 7 years. This led to the fans questioning whether he was done with AEW.

One fan on social media raised doubt about Ibushi’s status. The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion labeled AEW as his ‘home’ and dropped hints about making his comeback with Kenny Omega.

Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega have been one of the most popular tag teams known as The Golden Lovers. They have been KO-D Tag Team Champions, the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champions, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.

The former IWGP World Champion had been recuperating from an injury and missed almost a year of in-ring action. He made his return to the squared circle at GLEAT’s event at Tokyo Dome City Hall where he faced Daisuke Sekimoto.

Kota Ibushi’s last appearance for AEW took place November 15 edition of Dynamite last year. He had joined forces with Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, and Paul Wight to defeat Brian Cage and The Don Callis Family in an eight-person Street Fight.

Meanwhile, Kenny Omega has been away from AEW since December last year with diverticulitis. Earlier this year, ‘The Cleaner’ returned to Dynamite but he was brutally attacked by Jack Perry and The Young Bucks.

WWE Exec With 17-Year Tenure Reportedly “Let Go” This Week

Thomas Lowson
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Kristen Altman, a high-ranking name with WWE, is the latest notable name cut from the company’s offices, it has been reported. PW Insider Elite notes that Altman was “let go” from the company earlier this week.

Altman’s tenure with WWE began in 2007 as a receptionist and she transitioned into Talent Relations in 2008. She would go on to become Senior Manager, then Director, and then Senior Manager before becoming WWE’s Vice President of Talent Relations Operations in August 2022. On her LinkedIn profile, Altman describes her latest role with WWE as the following:

“Develop and manage WWE Talent’s Professional Development Program to assist with our Talent’s personal and professional growth beyond the wrestling ring. Provide educational tools and resources in Money Management, Media Training, Continuing Education, Language Courses, Life Skills Seminars, Rookie Success Initiatives and more.”

Altman joined WWE shortly after graduating from the University of Vermont with a degree in Business Administration. She also served as a Student Supervisor at the University during her studies.

More On WWE Departures

Altman’s reported exit comes after several departures from WWE’s corporate side. In February 2024, John Paco, formerly EVP of Live Events, left the company, though news of his exit didn’t surface until the next month. Paco had been in several roles with the promotion since 1999.

In December 2023, Kevin Dunn ended four decades with WWE as a leading figure in production. While WWE reportedly wanted Dunn to stay on until the Royal Rumble (and potentially WrestleMania 40) Dunn felt it was better to make a clean break. He has since been replaced by Lee Fitting who’s work has received praise from fans.

Last September, WWE officially merged with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings, a merger that had been in the works since Endeavor announced its acquisition of WWE in April. That merger saw over 100 employees lose their jobs in efforts to streamline WWE’s offices under TKO and morale was said to have been hit hard by those remaining.

WWE Alum Hiroko Suzuki Set For First Match In Close to 20 Years

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Hiroko Suzuki, a name that fans of WWE’s Ruthless Aggression era may remember, is set to make her return to the ring after a near-20-year hiatus. Suzuki will be part of Southern Honor Wrestling’s RumbleJack event on August 9. This will mark her debut for the promotion.

The RumbleJack event will be headlined by the titular RumbleJack match, which this year will be the biggest its ever been as 40 participants will compete. The match will run like a WWE Royal Rumble match with the winner earning a shot at the SHW Heavyweight Champion. Suzuki will be joined by names including AEW alum QT Marshall, Alexander Lev. CT Keys, and Darian Bengston.

This will be Hiroko’s fifth match in wrestling and her first match since competing in a tag-team match for HUSTLE on Christmas Day in 2005. Hiroko is known by many for her WWE tenure from 2004 to 2005 where she served as the manager/translator of her real-life husband Kenzo Suzuki. She competed two times in WWE including in a ‘Kimono Match’ against Torrie Wilson during a February 2005 edition of SmackDown in Japan.

Hiroko After WWE

In July 2005, both Hiroko and Kenzo were released from WWE as part of cost-cutting measures, despite being drafted to Raw mere days earlier in the 2005 Draft Lottery. After WWE, the pair returned to Japan where they worked for Hustle and Hiroko would be the General Manager of the promotion by the end of the year. Outside of the ring, Hiroko has established herself in the world of politics. In 2015, the WWE alum was elected to the Funabashi city council.

Randy Orton Throws Pitch For the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Team

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Randy Orton proved his sporting skills outside of the ring this week by throwing the opening pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals team. The 14-time WWE World Champion described throwing the pitch as “one of the scariest things I’ve ever done in my life” but was pleased that the ball didn’t hit the dirt adding that “we did good.” Orton received a signed ball for his troubles and proved to be a good luck charm for the team that defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2.

With his St. Louis Cardinals appearance a runaway success for Orton, the WWE veteran’s attention will now turn to Berlin, Germany. At WWE Bash In Berlin on August 31, Orton will challenge World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER. The match will mark Orton’s first singles opportunity at a WWE World Championship since facing Bobby Lashley on the September 13, 2021, edition of RAW. GUNTHER and Orton met in the King of the Ring finals earlier this year which saw the Austrian score a controversial win, earning his World title opportunity at SummerSlam.

The Viper will be back in his hometown of St. Louis later this year as part of WWE NXT’s move to The CW Network. Orton will be part of the second show of the CW era on October 8, which will take place in St. Louis. The premiere episode of WWE NXT on The CW will see CM Punk appear in Chicago, Illinois.

After missing over a year and a half of his career due to injury, Randy Orton is back and ready to take WWE by storm once more. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on the Legend Killer.

Michael Oku Teases Appearance at AEW All In

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Independent wrestling star Michael Oku shared a cryptic tweet teasing an appearance at the All Elite Wrestling All In event on August 25.

AEW’s upcoming pay-per-view is starting to take shape as they prepare for their second All In show at Wembley Stadium in London, England, later this month. Five matches have been announced, and the company is expected to reveal more in the coming weeks. The main event will feature AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defending his title against Owen Hart Cup winner Bryan Danielson.

Although the matchups will be the main focus of the PPV, fans are also interested in what surprises AEW President Tony Khan has planned. The company had several newsworthy appearances last year, including Mercedes Moné, who was a free agent at the time.

Khan has yet to hint at a new talent or any surprise at All In. That said, Oku has fans talking with his tweet showing a compilation of wrestling interviewers asking if he will take part in the PPV. 

How Does Michael Oku Fit Into All In?

The tease is intriguing as the talented independent wrestler is from London, England, and it would surprise fans at Wembley Stadium. He is one of Revolution Pro Wrestling’s biggest stars and the reigning British heavyweight champion.

It’s also worth noting that Oku has a history with Will Ospreay. In their last match, Oku defeated the AEW superstar to retain his title at Revpro’s High Stakes event on February 18. Ospreay is already set to challenge MJF for the AEW American Championship at All In, so a potential rematch is ruled out.

Regardless, Oku’s tweet has created anticipation on whether he’ll finally get his moment at Wembley Stadium.

AEW All in 2024 Poster

AEW All In Current Match Card

(Match Card Is Subject To Change)

  • AEW TNT Championship: (C) Jack Perry vs. Darby Allin
  • AEW TBS Championship: (C) Mercedes Moné vs. Dr. Britt Baker DMD
  • AEW American Championship: (C) MJF vs. Will Ospreay
  • AEW Women’s World Championship: (C) Toni Storm vs. Mariah May
  • AEW World Championship: (C) Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson

AEW Announces #1 Contender’s Matchup Will Occur at All In PPV

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AEW has added one of its marquee matchups to the All In pay-per-view.

Head play-by-play man Excalibur announced on the August 7th episode of AEW Dynamite that the Casino Gauntlet matchup will be taking place at the historic event, which happens on August 25th from legendary Wembley Stadium in London, England. The winner of the match will receive a future opportunity at the AEW World Championship.

The Casino Gauntlet match blends AEW’s Casino Battle Royale concept with Lucha Underground’s Aztec Warfare. Wrestlers will continue to enter the bout until someone gets pinned or submitted. The first two incarnations were both won by former AEW International Champion, Will Ospreay.

Who will the winner face? Well that will also be determined at AEW All In as Swerve Strickland defends the world title against Bryan Danielson, who is putting his career on the line.

The August 7th episode of AEW Dynamite featured a ton of great action, including Bryan Danielson vs. Jeff Jarrett and MJF vs. Kyle Fletcher. Several AEW wrestlers were unable to make tonight’s episode, which was in North Carolina, due to severe weather storms canceling flights all around the east coast.

2nd Biggest Mall in America to host GCW Wrestling Show

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Game Changer Wrestling will host their live event, Dream On, at the American Dream Mall this fall. The mall is the second-biggest mall in the United States and will be the promotion’s debut at the location.

The popular indie wrestling company has begun revealing some live events scheduled for later this year. GCW is coming off their latest sold-out live show, Can I Trust You?, on August 4 at the House Of Independents in Asbury, New Jersey.

After the show’s success, GCW shared on X a list of dates and locations for their upcoming events until November 15. Shortly after the post, the promotion announced on X they would host Dream On at the American Dream Mall on November 23. The location is inside the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tickets for Dream On aren’t on sale, but GCW has assured us that information will be provided soon.

GCW Following In WCW Footsteps

The ambitious show at American Dream Mall isn’t the first time a company has held an event in that style of venue. WCW famously had their first Monday Night Nitro episode at The Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 4, 1995. It remains the largest shopping center in America.

WCW put a ring inside the venue as onlookers watched their favorite superstars compete or continue shopping. The episode featured Hulk Hogan successfully defending the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Big Bubba Rogers. However, it’s most notable for the episode where Lex Luger returned to the company and the official start of the Monday Night Wars with WWE.

GCW follows the legacy of producing a wrestling show inside a large mall. While they may not have the same ambition of making Dream On as impactful as the first Monday Night Nitro episode, fans should expect the promotion to create a fantastic event for the New Jersey crowd.

Rascalz Members React To Wes Lee’s Betrayal

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Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz of The Rascalz share their thoughts on Wes Lee’s shocking betrayal on the latest episode of WWE NXT.

WWE fans are still stunned after Lee turned on Miguel and Wentz on the August 6 episode of NXT. The shocking moment happened after MSK (Lee & Wentz) finally had an opportunity to reclaim the WWE NXT Tag Team Championships with Miguel at ringside from Axiom and Nathan Frazer in the main event.

Both teams gave their all in an exciting matchup to end the show. MSK came close to winning the match, but the champions proved too much to handle. The finish came when Axiom landed the Golden Ratio to get the pin on Lee. After the match, MSK and Miguel shook hands with the winners out of respect. The champions would head backstage while The Rascalz exchanged hugs in the middle ring.

Fans in attendance thought that would end the show as they began to leave the performance center. However, Lee decided to turn on his friends by landing a superkick on Miguel and a low blow on Wentz. The former WWE NXT North American Champion continued the assault on both TNA Wrestling superstars outside the ring to end the episode. 

After coming to terms with what happened, the Rascalz members finally shared their thoughts on what occurred on social media. Both expressed that they are heartbroken over what happened, with Wentz admitting that he still loves Lee.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Lee has any regrets about what he did.

Wes Lee’s Response To Betraying The Rascalz?

Since the shocking conclusion, Lee hasn’t given fans a logical reason for his betrayal. The only response he has shared was in response to a tweet from NXT General Manager Ava.

After the episode ended, Ava asked Lee on X why he attacked his friends, and “The Kardiac Kid” sent a GIF with the caption, “Because I felt like it.”

Lee may address his actions in next week’s NXT episode, but the company has yet to advertise him for the show. Whatever the reasoning, fans should expect that the Rascalz will want to confront him about it. 

Drew McIntyre Considers Himself The Simone Biles Of Tormenting CM Punk

Dominic DeAngelo
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Drew McInytre could be the Kurt Angle at trolling CM Punk and ‘The Scottish Warrior’ is well-aware of that.

The 2024 Summer Olympics are well underway and the United States are bringing home its fair share of gold medals and that’s in thanks to superstar gymnast Simone Biles. Biles roped in a total of four medals in Paris. She won gold in the team final, all-around and the vault competition and also secured silver in floor exercise.

When photos surfaced of Biles holding her new hardware she resembled Ultimo Dragon holding all his titles but Drew McInytre saw some similarities in himself. He decided to share the photo of Biles and added a comment that shows his Olympian ability to push the buttons of CM Punk.

“Me if f***ing with CM Punk was an Olympic sport.”

RELATED: Drew McIntyre Says He’s Done With CM Punk After SummerSlam 2024

McIntyre has indeed been ruthless when it comes to his online prodding of Punk. Merchandise has been made off what Drew has posted online and most recently, McIntyre managed to capture a “Kodak moment” with legitimate CM Punk adversary Jack Perry before he deleted it.

McIntyre certainly has more ammunation after he defeated CM Punk at SummerSlam. Plenty of hijinks happened in his match with Seth Rollins as the special guest referee but McIntyre made the most of opportunity and got the 1-2-3. Drew added further salt to the wound when he was able regain control of CM Punk’s bracelet that has his wife and dog’s name on it.

Before SummerSlam, Drew managed even tie in his Robin Williams fandom into detest for CM Punk.

RELATED: CM Punk & Drew McIntyre Pay Tribute to Iconic WWE Match at SummerSlam 2024

Killing Gawker Movie in the Works from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon

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A new film based on the legal case of WWE Hall of Famer Terry Bollea(AKA Hulk Hogan) vs. Gawker is officially in active development. Artists Equity, Ben Affleck’s and Matt Damon’s production company, will produce the movie, which is currently titled Killing Gawker. 

“Hulkamania” will be running wild on the big screen, but not what fans have anticipated. The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit reported in 2019 that a biopic on the rise of Hogan’s fame in wrestling was in the works. Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth is expected to play the WWE Hall of Famer, with Academy Award-nominated director Todd Philips also attached to the development. However, in a recent interview with Screenrant on May 15, Hemsworth shared that nothing is official yet.

Although the biopic is in limbo, the film based on Hogan’s legal drama is starting to take shape. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson revealed on August 2 that Killing Gawker was being developed and could have Affleck playing the role of Hogan. In addition, it’s reported that the project may launch in January 2025.

Variety’s Katcy Stephan confirmed on August 5 that the film was being developed and added that Gus Van Sant is set to direct it. Van Sant has famously worked with Affleck and Damon as a director on the Academy Award-nominated movie Good Will Hunting.

Stephan reported that no casting has been made yet but acknowledged that there is an ongoing rumor that Affleck will play the WWE Hall of Famer. 

What is Bollea vs. Gawker?

The infamous legal battle came after the wrestling legend filed a lawsuit in 2012 and took the media company to trial in 2016 regarding publishing portions of a sex tape involving Hogan and his former friend Bubba The Love Sponge’s wife at the time. It was alleged that Sponge filmed the intimate moment, which Hogan claimed he didn’t know about and didn’t consent to. The incident occurred in 2006, but Gawker obtained footage of Hogan having sex and published an article about it on October 12, 2012.

On March 18, 2016, the jury ruled in favor of Hogan for $140 million, believing that Gawker violated the WWE legend’s privacy and caused emotional distress. The media company would face issues, including bankruptcy, and was sold for $135 million to Univision. Gawker and Hogan would settle for more than $31 million, and the website would eventually shut down completely.

We’ll be covering the Killing Gawker project and will provide an update when additional information becomes available.

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