WWE appears to be setting its sights on a significant return to the Chinese market, with influential figures within the company pushing for a Premium Live Event in Hong Kong.
According to Fightful Select‘s Sean Ross Sapp, “numerous people of influence within WWE have pushed for WWE to hold a major event in China in the coming years. Specifically, we’ve heard Hong Kong mentioned as a location, with a PLE event discussed internally within WWE as a possibility.”
This potential expansion represents a strategic shift for WWE, which previously focused its Chinese operations primarily in mainland cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen.
WWE and UFC in China
Between 2016 and 2019, WWE established what became a September tradition of touring China, holding eight events across the country before the COVID-19 pandemic halted international touring.
The timing aligns with parent company TKO Group’s broader Asian expansion strategy. UFC, also owned by TKO, has maintained an active presence in the region with events in Shanghai and Macau throughout 2024 and 2025, plus a Performance Institute facility in Shanghai since 2019.
A Strategic Return
WWE’s previous China ventures proved successful, featuring major stars like John Cena, Roman Reigns, and Charlotte Flair, while also serving as a platform for developing Chinese talent. The company signed multiple Chinese athletes to developmental contracts and established content distribution partnerships during their active period in the market.
Hong Kong’s selection as the potential venue represents a notable departure from WWE’s historical focus on mainland Chinese cities. The location could offer unique advantages for international broadcasting and audience reach while maintaining access to the broader Chinese market.
With WWE’s international expansion continuing across Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, a return to China would fill a significant gap in their global touring schedule.
The company has yet to announce official plans, but internal discussions suggest serious consideration of re-entering one of the world’s largest entertainment markets.
NBC Sports President Rick Cordella expressed gratitude to WWE and execs Nick Khan, Paul Levesque (Triple H), and Stephanie McMahon for their five-year partnership with Peacock, which began in 2021.
And a big thank you to @WWE Nick Khan, @TripleH and @StephMcMahon for taking a chance on Peacock 5 years ago, as we were just launching.
But it’s not goodbye. We’re excited to stay a partner of the WWE, with must-watch, Saturday Night Main Events for years to come. https://t.co/klTGmOpbgr
Dustin Rhodes has shared an update on his recovery journey just two weeks after undergoing a double knee replacement.
The wrestling veteran shared that he had been competing for the past five years with severely damaged knees, making his recent surgery a significant milestone in his career and personal life.
Today marks 2 wks since surgury. Don't really know how I was doing it these last 5 yrs. Knees were destroyed. Dressing off finally. I look forward to a slow and methodical rehab. Slow and steady. Thank yall for all of your support and prayers. God has it under control. ????… pic.twitter.com/z92o90p1xO
At the two-week mark, Rhodes posted post-surgery photos that highlight the extent of his procedure and the progress he has made so far. He noted that his dressings have now been removed, marking another step forward in his rehabilitation process.
“Today marks 2 wks since surgery. Don’t really know how I was doing it these last 5 yrs. Knees were destroyed. Dressing off finally. I look forward to a slow and methodical rehab. Slow and steady. Thank yall for all of your support and prayers. God has it under control.”
Despite the challenges, Rhodes emphasized his commitment to a slow and steady recovery, understanding the importance of patience and proper healing.
Fans and fellow wrestlers have expressed their support as Rhodes continues his journey back to health, inspired by his resilience and determination to overcome adversity.
Former WWE and UFC star Ronda Rousey has effectively closed the book on her professional wrestling career, revealing in a candid interview that WWE repeatedly failed to deliver on promised storylines throughout her tenure.
Speaking on The Lapsed Fan podcast, Rousey confirmed that pro wrestling is “pretty much” in her rear view mirror while detailing the frustrations that led to her October 2023 departure from WWE.
“I got into WWE because I wanted to be able to wrestle with my girls, you know, the Four Horsewomen and be able to wrestle with my friends,” Rousey explained. “And they kind of dangled that carrot for my whole run and never let it happen.”
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The revelation sheds new light on one of wrestling’s most anticipated storylines that never materialized. Fans had long anticipated a feud between WWE’s Four Horsewomen (Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Bayley, Sasha Banks) and their MMA counterparts (Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir, Jessamyn Duke).
Her Ultimatum to WWE
Rousey disclosed that she ultimately had to issue an ultimatum to secure her final WWE match.
“And then the second run, they kept dangling it. And then by the end, I was like, I’m f*cking leaving unless I can wrestle with Shayna [Baszler]. And that’s how I was able to do it at all.”
The match she referenced was her SummerSlam 2023 encounter with Baszler under MMA rules, which served as Rousey’s farewell to WWE.
Ironically, the only Four Horsewomen storyline Rousey received was against her own teammate.
“And now nobody even works there anymore,” Rousey noted, highlighting the complete dissolution of the MMA Four Horsewomen from WWE.
Baszler was released in May 2025 despite having three years remaining on her contract, while Shafir and Duke were released in 2021.
Life After WWE
Since leaving WWE, Rousey has appeared on the independent wrestling circuit alongside Shafir, who now works for AEW. She characterizes her WWE experience as a valuable “sabbatical” that will inform her future creative projects, including her recently published memoir “Our Fight.”
The interview provides rare insight into the creative frustrations that can drive top talent away from WWE, even when achieving championship success.
AEW has strategically shifted All Out to a 3pm ET start time on September 20, positioning the pay-per-view several hours before WWE’s WrestlePalooza on ESPN to avoid direct head-to-head competition.
The afternoon scheduling represents a tactical move in the ongoing wrestling wars, allowing AEW to capture viewership without competing directly against WWE’s evening ESPN broadcast. This timing strategy could potentially benefit both promotions by giving wrestling fans the opportunity to watch both events.
AEW PPVs are coming to HBO Max! Starting this Friday, U.S. subscribers can purchase AEW: All Out for the exclusive price of $39.99. @hbomax@AEWpic.twitter.com/DzjR7c1unv
Starting with All Out, AEW will transition all future pay-per-views to HBO Max as their exclusive streaming platform. Current Max subscribers in the United States can purchase the event for $39.99, featuring an ad-free viewing experience. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 5, with an exclusive $10 discount for early buyers.
The HBO Max partnership marks a significant shift from traditional pay-per-view distribution, with purchased events remaining available for replay exclusively to buyers for six months. Fans can access their purchases through the My Stuff section under My Purchases on the HBO Max platform.
This scheduling and platform strategy positions AEW to avoid the intense competition that often splits wrestling audiences during major events, while establishing HBO Max as their long-term streaming home for premium content.
AEW ring announcer Justin Roberts has revealed that he has sustained an injury, sharing on his social media that he has a broken toe. Roberts, who has been with All Elite Wrestling since the company’s inception, is a key part of the presentation of AEW’s weekly programming via his announcing style. His injury, while painful, is not expected to cause him to miss any time from his on-screen duties, a testament to his toughness and dedication.
In a post to his Instagram story, Roberts uploaded a photo of an X-ray of his foot, which clearly showed that one of his toes was broken. The graphic image detailed the extent of the damage to the bone.
Despite the unfortunate injury, Roberts maintained a sense of humor about the situation. He included a broken bone emoji in the post and also had the song “Them Bones” by the rock band Alice in Chains playing over the image for good measure.
Roberts’s career as a ring announcer has spanned over two decades, with a lengthy and memorable run in WWE before he joined AEW in 2019.
AJ Mana recently claimed that he’d been fired from his day job due to his role in Raja Jackson’s attack on Syko Stu that shocked the wrestling world. Now, Mana is walking back on those claims, as he told the Something to Wrestle podcast:
“[wORK TOLD ME] yOU’RE NOT TECHNICALLY FIRED, BUT WE’RE NOT REALLY ASKING YOU TO COME BACK TO WORK UNTIL THIS DISSIPATES.”
Mana was the person who told Jackson to give Stu a ‘receipt’ after Stu hit Raja with a beer can. Though Stu apologized and he and Raja shook hands, Jackson would deliver a series of punches to the head of an unconscious Stu in the ring in a moment that has outraged fans.
Mana is not fired, despite in a previous interview claiming that his day job terminated him once they saw a video of his and Jackson through TMZ. Mana had previously claimed that his work had told him “You’re an accessory to an attempted murder. We gotta let you go,” but that no longer appears to be the case.
This situation has cast an ugly shadow over KnokX Pro Wrestling, a promotion that has been dropped as a WWE ID affiliate. While Mana may not be gone from his day job, despite his past comments, his future in wrestling, much like Jackson’s, remains in doubt.
MLW World Champion Matt Riddle has refuted claims that he no-showed an independent wrestling event that raised funs for veterans and those reeling from the self-inflicted death of a loved one. In a video on Instagram, Riddle shared his side of the story.
“GWK, the reason I didn’t go is because you booked me a flight for Thursday for a show that’s happening Sunday. And you said you were booking me meet and greets, other matches, and appearances. You did none of that. I had nothing scheduled. What, I was gonna sit in a hotel room for two days in London? I told you multiple times I can’t do that, I wouldn’t do that, and I had work on Friday, Saturday, even Thursday. And I told you I’d fly to London on Saturday evening. You said you’d pay for it, and I said, ‘No, take it out of my pay, whatever.’ You guys refused.”
The show, hosted by the new Global Wrestling Kingdom promotion, took place in Barnsley, England on Sunday, August 31. In his video, Riddle also rejected the claim that the show was for charity, and believes GWK’s first show will also be their last.
“So I flew to Miami and wrestled there, alright? Also, I never said I wouldn’t pay you guys back. That’s a lie. And this show wasn’t a charity event. That’s another lie, a last-second change. You also booked me the worst flight in history, bro—middle seat, no meal, no bag. GWK, this is probably your last run.”
The mayor of Barnsley opened the show with a ribbon-cutting before General Manager Al Snow shared that Riddle would not be appearing. In his place, the UK’s own Grado made a surprise appearance and faced Simon Miller in the show’s main event. Riddle’s name was said during Grado’s post-match speech and illicited boos from the crowd.
The situation is the latest controversy to the name of the former WWE Superstar, who had a series of issues ahead of his release in 2023. With Riddle claiming innocence over his GWK no-show, it remains to be seen what’s next for the new promotion.
Excitement continues to grow that AJ Lee will finally return to WWE over a decade after her final match for the promotion. CM Punk has teased bringing his wife back as part of his feud with Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, and now WWE Shop has seemingly given the game away.
On X, Wrestling YouTube content producer Wrestling Daze asked when fans can expect new AJ merch, jokingly horrified at the idea of not wearing her merchandise for a return. While Wrestling Daze likely didn’t expect a response, the now-deleted reply from WWE Shop’s official account speaks volumes.
This is the biggest sign yet that Lee will make her long-awaited return to WWE. It has been reported that Lee’s in-ring return will come at WWE WrestlePalooza, kicking off WWE’s new partnership with ESPN on a massive note. Lee last wrestled on the post-WrestleMania 31 edition of Raw in 2015. While she has done some things in wrestling, including being a presence on-and-off screen for WOW – Women of Wrestling, a return to WWE has been the dream of fans for years.
It remains to be seen whether AJ Lee’s in-ring return is a one-off or the start of something bigger. What we can say is that according to WWE Shop, her return isn’t a matter of if, but when.
The era of AEW pay-per-views on HBO Max is officially here. In a joint announcement from All Elite Wrestling and Warner Bros. Discovery, it was confirmed that AEW’s biggest shows will now be available to stream on the HBO Max platform, beginning with the All Out pay-per-view on Saturday, September 20. The announcement also revealed a new, earlier start time for All Out and a discounted price for HBO Max subscribers.
In a press release, AEW and WBD confirmed the details of the new arrangement. “Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO Max and All Elite Wrestling today announced a groundbreaking expansion of their nearly six-year relationship, with the launch of AEW pay-per-view events on HBO Max, starting with AEW All Out on Saturday, September 20 at 3 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada,” the statement read. The earlier start time is a strategic move to compete with WWE’s Wrestlepalooza event, which will air in the evening on the same day.
The press release also detailed the pricing and availability for the new pay-per-view offering. “Preorders for AEW All Out on HBO Max will launch this Friday, September 5, allowing U.S. HBO Max subscribers with supported devices to purchase the event for the exclusive price of $39.99.” This is a ten-dollar discount from the standard pay-per-view price. The events will be available to stream in HDR10 and Dolby Atmos. Replays will also be exclusively available for six months for those who purchase the events.
The new deal also includes special programming in the week leading up to the pay-per-view. On Saturday, September 20, a one-hour live pre-show, “AEW Saturday Tailgate Brawl: All Out,” will air at 2 p.m. ET on both TNT and HBO Max. Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, September 17, TBS and HBO Max will present a special three-hour “September to Remember” show, which will be the go-home episodes of Dynamite and Collision.
The addition of pay-per-view events to the HBO Max platform is the latest step in the growing partnership between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery. HBO Max subscribers in the U.S. already have access to the library of AEW content, including live simulcasts and on-demand replays of Dynamite and Collision, as well as past pay-per-view events.
HBO Max will stream AEW PPV shows LIVE starting very soon:#AEWAllOut Saturday Afternoon, 9/20 3pm ET/Noon PT !
All HBO Max subscribers can now purchase AEW ppv shows at an exclusive low price point: $39.99!
See you on TBS + HBO Max for Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite, TONIGHT!
AEW star Powerhouse Hobbs has opened up about his incredible and “freakish” recovery from a ruptured patella tendon, an injury that was expected to keep him out of action for up to a year. In a new interview, Hobbs revealed that he was able to return to the ring in just six months, a timeline that even shocked his doctors.
The injury occurred in April 2024, during a match against Jon Moxley. The ruptured patella tendon is a serious injury that typically requires a lengthy and difficult rehabilitation process. The initial prognosis for Hobbs was that he would be on the shelf for eight to twelve months. However, the powerful star was determined to beat that timeline and get back to the ring as soon as possible.
Speaking with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, Hobbs detailed his mindset during his recovery. “That’s me. What you see in the ring every week, that’s me to a large extension. Being down for six months with rupture patella, which was supposed to take eight to twelve months to heal. I’m a freak and a different beast,” he said. “I’m from the Bay. I knew once I came back that I had to amp things up and be different.” His comments reflect the intense and focused persona that fans have seen from him since his return to AEW programming.
Hobbs then shared a story about his doctor’s reaction to his rapid progress.“True story, you can ask our doctor Michael Sampson. When I first went to my second follow up after surgery, the doctor was like, ’You’re not supposed to be standing or doing any of this,” Hobbs recalled. “I had a gaol set in mind and I knew I was going to have surgery. I’m a little different. I’ve overcame a lot in my life and this was nothing different.”
Since his return to the ring in November 2024, Powerhouse Hobbs has been a dominant force in All Elite Wrestling. He is currently a member of the AEW World Trios Champions alongside his partners in “The Opps,” Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata.
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Matt Riddle has come under fire after no-showing a charity wrestling event in the UK and failing to return his deposit to the promotion. Riddle was scheduled to face Simon Miller at Global Wrestling Kingdom’s inaugural show “A New Kingdom Rises” on Sunday, August 31, in Barnsley, England.
The event, opened by the Mayor of Barnsley, was raising funds for Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) and Help 4 Homeless Veterans. According to Cultaholic, Riddle was booked months ago through his manager but recently expressed concerns about his “cheap” flights and unhappiness about staying in a Barnsley hotel for two days.
Global Wrestling Kingdom attempted to arrange paid seminars to help offset his travel costs, but were unable to finalize anything on short notice. Despite never formally canceling his booking, Riddle never traveled to the UK. A driver was left waiting hours for his arrival at the airport.
Riddle later messaged the promotion claiming he had accepted another booking but would “potentially” still make the show, then stopped responding to further communications. The no-show forced the promotion to issue refunds for meet-and-greet packages, with Grado stepping in to replace Riddle against Miller in the main event. Sources indicate Riddle has yet to return his deposit.
Instead of appearing in Barnsley, Riddle was spotted backstage at Real American Freestyle’s event on August 30 and competed at Boca Raton Championship Wrestling in Florida on August 31.
This marks the second no-show controversy for Riddle in 2025, after he failed to appear at a Championship Wrestling from Memphis event in January to attend Nick Hogan’s wedding.
AEW’s residency at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena continues tonight with AEW Dynamite live on TBS and HBO Max in the US and on AEW Plus internationally.
Confirmed Matches & Segments
TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Alex Windsor
All-Star 8-Man Tag: ‘Hangman’ Adam Page, Kenny Omega & JetSpeed (Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey) vs. Kyle Fletcher, Josh Alexander & The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
Taz to be honored: Special segment for Taz and the 2300 Arena Hardcore Hall of Fame
Tonight’s AEW Dynamite continues the road to the promotion’s next pay-per-view event, AEW All Out 2025 on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This marks the first time All Out will be held outside the Chicago area and the United States. As of this writing, the only confirmed bout for that card is Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler).
Vince McMahon’s 2023 return changed WWE for the worse.
The former WWE owner announced his retirement from the company in July 2022 in light of hush money allegations. This exile only lasted 6 months however, as McMahon forced his way back in the promotion in early 2023. He would go on to sell the company to Endeavor who merged it with UFC under the TKO banner.
During a recent interview with PWMania, former WWE star Doc Gallows talked about the environment of the locker room at the time. Gallows with his tag team partner Karl Anderson was one of the names brought back by Triple H during Vince’s hiatus. According to him, the backstage environment was very different when McMahon was not there:
“Yeah, when we came back in October of 2022, it felt great. It felt fresh. It felt new. Then, a few short months later, we’re in New York and we’re getting ready to leave the building and a limousine pulls up and we see a moustachioed man pop out and it was Vince McMahon coming back for the first time, we happened to see him in the parking garage.”
Doc Gallows explained that Vince McMahon’s sudden return changed everything and things got very weird because of all the transition that was happening:
“I don’t know what goes on behind closed doors there, but from that point on, everything certainly got weird. Whether it was the Vince thing and then the eventual sale to TKO, and however that timeline worked. But, you know, you could feel the winds of change.”
While the Good Brothers remained with the company even after Vince’s exit from TKO, their TV role was reduced by a lot upon his return. Gallows mentioned that it was like wearing golden handcuffs, as they were still getting paid without getting the chance to perform. The former champions were released from the company in February this year.
Effective in September with Wrestlepalooza, WWE’s PLEs are, in the United States, transitioning from Peacock to ESPN. More than a platform change, the move comes with an upcharge. While lots of fans had access to Peacock through different bundles or special extended subscription deals that kept the price well under ten dollars monthly, ESPN’s new platform carries a $30/month price tag that has left a lot of fans cold.
Some have pointed out that in the traditional pay per view days, WWE charged upwards of $50 for even B-level PPVs, and the new price point still undercuts what AEW offers for its own specials. Indeed, the price is in some ways more consistent with the larger wrestling market and history. Still, it’s a tough pill to swallow for fans who aren’t otherwise invested in what ESPN has to offer to think about paying more than twice as much each month to follow the major shows.
Nobody wants to pay more for the same product, but is it possible that what WWE has planned will justify the the price hike?
The Move To ESPN Has Left Some Fans Miffed
In 2014, WWE launched the WWE Network. In what, in hindsight, feels like an inflection point between cable TV dominance and the age of streaming, a lot of fans weren’t sure what to make of the move, but the $9.99/month price point was undeniably a solid deal for monthly PLEs and a previously inaccessible library of past events.
While the general consensus was that Peacock was a poorer service for quality of live streaming, the fact that it came with a larger streaming platform of popular programming like The Office at essentially the same subscription price made the transition painless or even favorable to some fans. The move to ESPN comes with a price hike that may seem beneficial to wrestling fans who also follow other major sports at a serious level. For those who do not, however, the transition feels like more money for less content.
Triple H Books Well Under Pressure
Cody Rhodes and Triple H. Photo: WWE.com
The general consensus is that Triple H has performed well as the head of creative for WWE. As time marches forward, though, he does have his critics, who point out that weekly television has lost its momentum. Moreover, while fans were initially high on scaling back the marathon PLE format, shows with only five or even four announced matches have started to feel underdeveloped and like there’s too much filler in between the action. The COO has also come under fire for under-featuring black talent, particularly in the men’s singles ranks.
Some growing pains are to be expected. Triple H went from booking developmental where change was the name of the game with talents getting promoted to the main roster or released, while new names were always on their way in. In 2022, The Game had to pick up from everything Vince McMahon had already set in motion, which presented a mixture of its own advantages and challenges. 2023 saw Helmsley get to more fully pursue his own vision, but two years in some of the novelty has worn off, and new competing factors like TKO ownership and The Rock’s political stroke have added more layers of complication.
At the highest pressure moments, though, Triple H has tended to deliver. Whether it was sinking or swimming the first time he had his own territory to book in NXT, or elevating The Bloodline to greatness while also finishing Cody Rhodes’s story, The Game has lived up to the biggest moments in his creative thinking and leadership. This move to ESPN feels a lot like another inflection point, when fans hang from a precipice on whether they can justifying paying three times as much to follow WWE PLEs.
If The PLE Quality Meets The Price Increase, Everyone Might Win
Whether it’s the low match-count, the quality of the in-ring action, or the overarching creative, WWE has drawn mixed reactions for its PLE output in 2025. It’s hard to deny the product is much better than it was in the final stages of Vince McMahon’s leadership. Just the same, the overarching fanship’s honeymoon period with Triple H has come to a close.
Monthly PPV and monthly PLE streams have led to their share of lackluster major shows in between bangers. With fans paying thirty dollars a month, though, it stands to reason Triple H and his roster might feel the weight of responsibility to give fans their money’s worth.
No doubt, some fans will not make the jump to ESPN because the extra money simply isn’t in their budget. Meanwhile, other fans with some combination of the expendable income and diehard commitment to WWE will. As for everyone else in between, WWE can make the price hike worth their while with improved quality, slightly extending the match cards, finding their way to another hot streak of booking and delivering month in and month out.
How will WWE’s move to ESPN play out in the long run? Only time will tell. But while no one wants to pay more money to follow wrestling, WWE has a unique opportunity to make the investment worthwhile with some of its best output ever.
On the September 2, episode of WWE NXT, #DIY made a surprise return to the silver brand, confronting TNA World Champion Trick Williams. The segment resulted in Williams, also a former NXT Champion, being laid out, but now he’s ready to provide some history of his own.
Backstage, an irate Trick was seen leaving the arena and was asked for his thoughts on the two-on-one attack. With #DIY both being names associated from NXT’s past, Williams teased that he may bring some “history” of his own when he confronts the tag team next week.
“DIY? What they think I’m gonna let that slide… Y’all the only two around here with some history? Don’t worry about it. Imma see y’all next week! Yeah.”
Trick’s comments instantly led fans online to speculate who he plans to bring from NXT’s history, and Carmelo Hayes was the most popular suggestion. Melo and Trick were long-time allies in NXT before Carmelo turned on him, kicking off a feud that elevated Trick into the main event scene. With both men now heels, it remains to be seen if Melo is indeed the one returning, especially given his ongoing SmackDown unit with The Miz.
The September 9, episode of WWE NXT promises a lot, including Trick’s ‘history,’ a flag match, and a women’s triple-threat tag match for a shot at the Women’s Tag Titles. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest, as Trick Williams will be ready the next time he comes face-to-face with #DIY.
Nick Hogan has filed a lawsuit against Bubba the Love Sponge over a documentary made by the latter about the late Hulk Hogan, TMZ Sports reports. According to the report, Nick filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in a Florida federal court after Bubba announced plans to release Video Killed The Radio Star: The Untold Story Of The Hulk Hogan Sex Tape Scandal. Bubba intends to release the doc later this month.
The lawsuit alleges that the project revisits the infamous 2012 controversy involving Hulk Hogan and Bubba’s then-wife, Heather Clem. It further claims the documentary unlawfully uses images from the sex tape, even including clips in a recently released promotional trailer.
The suit also claims that Bubba has been marketing the film using Hogan’s trademarks without the authorization of the Hogan estate. Nick adds that that releasing the project would breach a confidential settlement agreement reached in 2012 between Bubba and Hulk Hogan. That year, Hogan sued Bubba and Clem for invasion of privaxy and the lawsuit was later settled.
In the infamous sex-tape that would forever alter the legacy of the Hulkster, Hogan shares his racial comments to Clem. The tape would result in WWE firing Hogan and kicking him out of the Hall of Fame, though that was only revealed in 2018 upon his return to the Hall of Fame.
Nick is suing to stop the release of the documentary as well as for other unspecified damages. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on this developing story.
A couple of legendary NXT names have returned in their old avatar.
This week’s episode the development brand featured a segment with the TNA World Champion Trick Williams. The NXT star claimed that the brand’s alumni did not care about NXT and he didn’t blame them because he won’t care when he gets called up either.
This prompted the return of Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa. The duo, collectively known as #DIY, not only used their old theme song but they brought back their old merchandise for the surprise NXT return as well.
Gargano mentioned that it was the ten-year anniversary of their NXT debut and claimed that the two former champions still care about the show.
The legendary tag team then talked about their accomplishments in the brand and discussed how it has been home of many great superstars over the years, referencing names such as Finn Balor, Bayley and even The Undisputed Era.
The segment ended with Gargano and Ciampa taking down Williams with Meet In The Middle and then hyping up the NXT crowd.
DIY were one of the faces of the NXT brand during its Black & Gold era. They had a run with the NXT tag titles and between them, the two share 3 NXT title reigns and 3 reigns with the North American Championship.
The audience at the September 2, edition of WWE NXT were thrilled when they thought The Undertaker was appearing, only to have their dreams crushed by Josh Briggs. During the show, Je’Von Evans appeared and apologized to the crowd for not winning the NXT Championship from Oba Femi at WWE Heatwave.
As Evans spoke, the titantron showed a motorcycle-riding individual arrival and many believed it would be The Undertaker. Though Evans shared his doubts, the fans cheered loudly at the sound of an all-familiar gong, confident that the WWE Hall of Famer was making a surprise appearance.
Instead of the Phenom, it was Josh Briggs, who earned boos from the crowd due to his fake-out. Briggs said that Evans would never be good enough to be NXT Champion, and when Evans tried to attack Josh, Briggs laid him out.
With The Undertaker appearing for WWE NXT multiple times over the past year, it’s no wonder why some fans were convinced that the Deadman was around. Ultimately, that wasn’t meant to be, as Josh Briggs not only got one over on Je’Von Evans in the ring, but also got one over on the fans.
The August 29, episode of WWE SmackDown will go down in history, albeit not for the right reasons. Programming Insider reports that the shoiw averaged 1.147 million viewers for the USA Network, down from the previous week’s 1.258 million. This number is also the lowest viewership for a non-preempted episode of WWE SmackDown in the history of the blue brand.
The show took place at the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France, and due to the time difference, the show’s results were well known by the time the show aired in the United States. Highlights of the show include Sami Zayn’s U.S. Title win, John Cena and Logan Paul coming face-to-face, Michin’s quick victory over Kiana James and a huge brawl between Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton.
This is certainly a record that WWE did not want, and it remains to be seen how the company will respond to this low rating. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from WWE SmackDown.
A new report suggests that a major return to the WWE ring is on the horizon. According to Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer, former three-time Divas Champion AJ Lee is reportedly preparing for an in-ring comeback at the WWE WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event on Saturday, September 20. The return would mark her first match in more than ten years and would place her directly into one of the company’s top storylines.
The plan, according to the report, is for AJ Lee to team with her husband, CM Punk, in a mixed tag team match against the duo of World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch. This potential matchup is a direct follow-up to the controversial conclusion of the main event at this past weekend’s Clash in Paris event.
In that match, Becky Lynch interfered and delivered a low blow to CM Punk, which allowed Seth Rollins to score the victory and retain his championship. The angle immediately sparked speculation that it was designed to facilitate a return for AJ Lee to even the odds against Lynch.
If the match is finalized, it would be AJ Lee’s first since the March 30, 2015, episode of Monday Night RAW. After retiring from the ring, she has had limited involvement in the wrestling industry, most recently serving as an executive producer and commentator for WOW – Women of Wrestling from 2021 to 2023. It was also recently reported that her name has been discussed more frequently within WWE creative, with one higher-up reportedly unconcerned about her long layoff, citing CM Punk’s own successful return as a precedent.
WWE Hall of Famer Lex Luger has provided another positive update on his ongoing recovery from the spinal injury that has had him in a wheelchair for over a decade. In a new interview, “The Total Package” stated that he is making “great progress” and has teased that there is a “surprise finish” still to come in his story.
While speaking to Denise Salcedo of Instinct Culture, Luger was asked about the work he has been putting in with his longtime friend, Diamond Dallas Page, and the DDPY Yoga program. He gave high praise to Page and the team that has been helping him regain his mobility. Luger’s journey has been a long and difficult one. However, is determination has led to some incredible moments in recent months, including walking to the stage for his WWE Hall of Fame induction.
“I’ve been working with DDP and DDPY Yoga and the people he’s put in my life and the work he’s put in with me. He’s a very special friend, and I encourage anybody that his programs are unbelievable,” Luger said. “So, yeah, we’re making great progress. We got a surprise finish. The story’s not done yet, so we got a surprise finish for everybody coming up. We’re making a lot of progress. It’s real exciting.”
The “surprise finish” he teased has fans buzzing about what the next milestone in his recovery could be. In a video that was released earlier this month, Luger was seen walking around a kitchen island completely without support. Luger has been primarily confined to a wheelchair since suffering a spinal injury in 2007. His work with Diamond Dallas Page has been a long-term project, focused on improving his mobility and overall quality of life.
His induction into the WWE Hall of Fame earlier this year as part of the Class of 2025 was a long-awaited honor for one of the top stars of the 1990s.
Ric Flair weighed in on recent wrestling controversies, from viral backstage incidents to potential legend returns, in his latest interview with eScapist.
Missing Context in Raja Jackson Incident
Regarding the viral Raja Jackson attack on Syko Stu that shocked the wrestling community, Flair suggested crucial context may be missing from public accounts.
I’m very close to Rampage and I tried calling him, but obviously he wasn’t taking calls,” Flair revealed. “You never know the extent of what happened if you weren’t there. We’re probably missing several key components to what happened.”
The Nature Boy emphasized his own approach to in-ring discipline: “I’ve never lost my cool in the ring. I’ve had to punch some guys back like Vader, just because he was always trying to rough me up. One punch and then everybody calms down, smooth it over.”
Jericho Return Unlikely
When addressing persistent speculation about Chris Jericho’s potential WWE return, Flair expressed doubt that Y2J would receive the farewell treatment given to John Cena. “Of course I do hope he gets one final run, because Chris Jericho has meant a lot to the business. But I don’t think he’ll get it,” he stated. “I would doubt very seriously if he’d get the kind of deal that John Cena got.”
Flair also briefly addressed the recent passing of Hulk Hogan, choosing to focus on positive memories rather than engaging with circulating rumors.
Twenty-one-year-old German wrestler Bozilla has received widespread praise from wrestling talent following her breakout performance at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on August 24 at London’s O2 Arena, including recognition from WWE NXT Women’s Champion Giulia.
The 5’11” powerhouse made her AEW debut in the TBS Championship fatal four-way match against Mercedes Moné, Alex Windsor, and Persephone, representing STARDOM in the cross-promotional showcase.
In a post-match interview with Bild, Bozilla revealed she received congratulations from WWE’s Giulia following her performance, adding to the praise from AEW talent backstage at the record-breaking event.
“Backstage, I received a lot of praise, even from people who didn’t know me before,” Bozilla said. “My trainer Josh Alexander was proud of me, and Will Ospreay was also thrilled.”
Most notably, WWE’s current NXT Women’s Champion Giulia reached out days after the match. “Giulia wrote to me a few days later,” Bozilla revealed.
Despite not winning the championship, Bozilla dominated much of the match and received loud support from the 18,992 fans in attendance. Tony Khan had specifically requested Bozilla to represent STARDOM, calling her “my very first choice.”
“I’m 21, I’ve only been doing this full-time since May 2024 – and I’m standing here. What else is there to come?!” Bozilla reflected.
Ric Flair delivered scathing critiques of today’s wrestling generation while rejecting recent comparisons to current stars in an exclusive interview with eScapist.
Flair Rejects Gunther Comparisons
When asked about Bret Hart’s recent comparisons between Gunther and himself, the Nature Boy quickly dismissed the notion. “If you’re comparing him to me, come on, there’s levels to the game,” Flair stated. While acknowledging Gunther’s impressive look and facial expressions, Flair made it clear he hasn’t watched enough to warrant such comparisons to his legendary career.
Modern Wrestling Lacks Fundamentals
The 16-time World Champion was particularly critical when discussing Karrion Kross’s recent WWE release, pointing to a fundamental problem he sees plaguing modern wrestlers.
“The problem today with a lot of the guys is they can do all this fancy sh*t, but they don’t have any fundamentals,” Flair explained. “They can’t punch, they can’t kick. They can’t remember to work their way to the center of the ring. They don’t know where to go, they don’t have facial expressions.”
The Nature Boy’s comments suggest a growing disconnect between veteran perspectives and modern wrestling’s athletic evolution.
However, Flair had nothing but praise for Logan Paul’s rapid development under Shawn Michaels’ guidance, crediting the Hall of Famer’s training methods for the celebrity wrestler’s success.
