John Cena has battled countless opponents throughout his WWE career, which has spanned 23 years.
Over the weekend, Cena fielded questions from the media at a press event and named his three favorite feuds.
The reigning WWE Champion named The Rock and CM Punk, and said he’d leave it up to the fans to decide his final great rivalry. The person who asked the initial question suggested Randy Orton, and Cena agreed with the pick.
The Rock, CM Punk and CM Punk have all had classic matches with John Cena. Cena and Orton closed out their story last weekend at WWE Backlash, with Cena getting the W in their final battle. Punk and Cena are almost certain to cross paths before the year is up and Cena rides off into the sunset.
AEW wrestler Darby Allin has succeeded in climbing Mount Everest, the latest high-risk daredevil act by the former TNT Champion. An Everest-sanctioned website dedicated to tracking the route and journey of climbers confirmed that Allin’s team completed the climb at 8:50 am local time on May 18, 2025.
Allin was the only member of his team to be climbing Everest for the very first time. He was joined by Ang Dorjee Sherpa of USA/Nepal, who was on their 24th summit, Pasang Bhote, who was on their 14th summit, Tashi Thundu Sherpa who finished their 12th summit and Pemba Sherpa who completed the climb for the second time.
The team savored their moment on top of the world before starting their return back to Camp 4. From their, the team will descend to the various bases on the Mountain before reaching the ground.
Once again, Allin has pushed himself to the limit and now has an accolade only a small proportion of mankind will ever know. It remains to be seen when he will return to AEW programming.
The wrestling world is mourning the passing of Mike Raybeck, known to fans as Maxx Justice and Mike Diamond, who has died following a tragic bicycle accident in Hayward, California. The former wrestler was struck by a vehicle while riding home from work near Chabot College.
Raybeck’s passing was acknowledged during a Hayward City Council meeting on May 13, where a moment of silence was held and flags were lowered in his honor. The city also announced plans to plant a tree in his memory to recognize his years of service as a utilities maintenance mechanic in the public works department.
In the ring, Raybeck began his career through All Pro Wrestling’s Boot Camp and became a five-time APW Universal Champion. Raybeck was a prominent figure on the California independent wrestling scene under the Maxx Justice name, thanks in part to his six-foot-five, 250lb physique. All Pro Wrestling would share a tribute to Raybeck.
Raybeck had appearances in major wrestling promotions as well. In 1996, he competed in three matches for the WWF, facing names like Justin Bradshaw and Savio Vega. Two years later, he wrestled a dark match for WCW. Outside the ring, he made a brief but memorable appearance in the wrestling documentary Beyond the Mat.
We here at SEScoops would like to extend our deepest condolences who knew Mike Raybeck at this difficult time.
Will John Cena enter the political ring when his time in the squared circle is over? Don’t expect a clear answer from the Undisputed WWE Champion. During a red carpet event for his new movie Heads of State, Cena was asked about a potential future in politics and provided a rather diplomatic answer.
“I hope everybody enjoys Heads of State on Prime Video.”
Heads of State sees Cena play the President of the United States who must work alongside the British Prime Minister, played by Idris Elba. This is the second time the pair have shared the screen after previously tag-teaming on James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad in 2021.
If Cena was to enter politics, he’d join wrestling alum including Glenn ‘Kane’ Jacobs and Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura. For now, Cena won’t give a clear answer about his future, already taking a trick from the playbook of many elected officials.
At a WWE NXT live event in Jacksonville, Florida, on May 17th, Stacks unveiled a new look that reflected his recent heel turn and aggressive new attitude.
Over the past few weeks, WWE fans have witnessed Stacks betray The Family, starting with a sneak attack on Tony D’Angelo. His actions continued against D’Angelo’s allies, causing Adriana Rizzo to seek safety in storyline.
Alexa Bliss became a mom to her daughter Hendrix in 2023, taking over a year away from the ring before making her in-ring return in February 2025. Speaking to TMZ, Bliss expressed her appreciation for how WWE has supported her as a wrestling parent.
“They’ve been so great about bringing her on the road. She’s got her own setup when we go, and she loves it,” Bliss said.
She returned to WWE television in May 2025 following a few months away from TV. When asked about the biggest challenge of balancing motherhood with her wrestling career, Bliss emphasized the importance of managing her time.
“I think it’s more of just balancing time with the baby… They [WWE] were so great about it. I got a whole year with her and it was fantastic. It was so great.”
Bliss is among several WWE moms, including Jade Cargill, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae, and others. These women continue to show that the female stars of WWE can successfully balance motherhood with life in the ring.
WWE wanted no part in promoting the Queen of the Ring biopic, despite having a Superstar in the film, according to the film’s social media account. In a post on X that has since been deleted, the account promoted the Mildred Burke biopic as the movie WWE doesn’t want fans to see.
This verbiage stirred up questions as to why WWE would not want fans to see the movie that features Trinity ‘Naomi’ Fatu as Ethel Johnson. In a post that has also been deleted, the Queen of the Ring account made some bold claims.
“You should ask them why they tried to block us from running TV ads during Raw (illegal), why they asked us to sponsor their events, we agreed to the financial deal then they pulled us out last minute. This is just a glimpse into the sabotaging behavior… perhaps we will expand on the intel.“
The posts didn’t stop there as when faced with criticism, the movie account took issue with those commenting on their posts.
These posts and responses mark a serious change in tone for Queen of the Ring, which up until May 2025 had been delivering posts one would expect to hype up the film. Nevertheless, these bold claims and unique responses have caught attention from fans.
WWE’s Natalya didn’t leave the NWA Crockett Cup as the new NWA Women’s World Champion, but made an impact during and after the match. The WWE veteran entered the ring to her Rage Against the Machine theme, the same song she used at Bloodsport in April. Despite her experience and presence, Natalya, competing under her real name as Nattie Neidhart, lost to champion Kenzie Page.
After the match, footage emerged showing Natalya confronting a heckler in the crowd. The video captured her storming over, slapping the fan across the face, and attempting to throw additional strikes before security intervened. While this was almost certainly part of the show, the altercation left fans stunned and quickly went viral on social media.
Gail Kim was supposed to officiate the Page-Neidhart match before “severe flu/COVID symptoms” kept the TNA alum from the event. It remains to be seen what’s next for Natalya in and out of WWE after this setback and post-match outburst.
AEW Double or Nothing 2025 just got even bigger with a tag-team match being added to the pay-per-view card. During the the May 17 episode of AEW Collision, it was revealed that Nigel McGuinness and Daniel Garcia will team up to face FTR.
Nigel McGuinness accepts FTR’s challenge for a match at #AEWDoN, where he'd team with Daniel Garcia!
This will be McGuinness’ fourth match since returning to action last year following a 13-year retirement. McGuinness, who also serves as a commentator in AEW, made his return at All In: London, earning a huge ovation from his native crowd.
Updated AEW Double or Nothing 2025 Lineup:
AEW Women’s Championship: Toni Storm (c) vs. Mina Shirakawa
Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Finals: Will Ospreay vs. Hangman Page
Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Finals: Mercedes Moné vs. Jamie Hayter
AEW World Tag Team Championship: The Hurt Syndicate (c) vs. Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara
Anarchy in the Arena: Jon Moxley, Gabe Kidd, The Young Bucks, Marina Shafir, and The Death Riders vs. Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, Powerhouse Hobbs, Willow Nightingale, Kenny Omega, and The Opps
Stretcher Match: Mark Briscoe vs. Ricochet
Tag Match: Nigel McGuinness & Daniel Garcia vs. FTR
This unexpected pairing has sparked widespread buzz ahead of the highly anticipated pay-per-view, set for May 25 at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Double or Nothing.
After turning to the dark side, Anakin Skywalker dedicated himself to the dark side of the force as the evil Darth Vader, but even he can’t help but believe in TNA’s Joe Hendry. In May 2025, Epic Games announced Vader would be returning to Fortnite as an in-game boss, but this time, players would be able to chat with him through conversational AI. This led to one player convincing the Sith lord to believe in the reigning TNA World Champion.
This is hardly the first time the world of pro wrestling has landed in a galaxy far, far away. In addition to multiple wrestlers being fans of Star Wars, AEW’s Mercedes Moné was a part of The Mandalorian as Koska Reeves. The series saw the AEW TBS Champion appear alongside some of the show’s biggest stars including the titular Mandalorian, as played by Pedro Pascal.
Hendry has been busy in both TNA Wrestling and WWE NXT, and will defend his gold against Trick Williams at WWE NXT Battleground. It remains to be seen if Hendry will retain, but at least he has one of cinema’s most iconic villains on his side.
Saraya is changing how she interacts with fans after a disturbing encounter at a recent signing event. At the event, a fan tried to kiss Saraya on the mouth, crossing a line for the former WWE and AEW wrestler. Taking to X, Saraya shared a post about the matter.
Crazy I have to say this but. If you come to my signings.. please don’t try to kiss me anywhere. Especially ON MY MOUTH. He wasn’t able to because I moved. But Jesus fucking Christ.
Saraya also shared a video in which she discussed the matter further. The British star was pleased for all the well-wishes she’s received after the incident which has forced her to change her attitude to meet-and-greets.
“I am a hugger. I’ve always been a hugger when it comes to my fans. But going forward, I would love if we just stick to handshakes just to be safer and just to have a little bit of a boundary.”
Saraya added that this kiss wasn’t just inappropriate, it’s assault, an something nobody shoul have to tolerate.
“Please don’t do that to us, you guys. Please, to any wrestling, not just females, any wrestling, do not try and kiss us. It’s not appropriate. It’s actually assault.”
Saraya’s experience underscores the importance of respecting personal space, especially in public fan interactions. With her new handshake-only policy, she’s prioritizing safety while maintaining her connection with fans.
AEW Collision’s May 17 episode was a night full of epic moments and an emotional tribute, but things took a bizarre turn towards the end. At 9:30 pm, the show ended abruptly before the main event, and cut to an airing of Black Adam instead.
Fans were left puzzled as the advertised match between ROH Tag Team Champions Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara vs. The CRU wasn’t broadcast. The match was made during AEW Dynamite and was intended to set up a title shot against the Hurt Syndicate at Double or Nothing.
Although fans in attendance witnessed the ROH Tag Team Champions in action, viewers at home were left hanging. The sudden cut prompted widespread confusion and frustration on social media, and Tony Khan would later explain the situation on X.
We’re having technical problems with our studio transmission of Saturday #AEWCollision tonight!
I’m sorry for the inconvenience to all of you great fans!
We’ll have the complete show up on @StreamOnMax + in its entirety on @TNTdrama West 8pm PT/9pm MT/10pm CT/11pm ET tonight!
There is some irony to WWE’s Final Boss taking over the airwaves and forcing AEW programming off of TV. Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara would get the win and the ROH Tag Team Champions will challenge for the AEW World Tag Team Titles at Double or Nothing.
The May 17, 2025, episode of AEW Collision was an emotional evening as fans an wrestlers alike paid tribute to Steve “Mongo” McMichael. Tony Schiavone hosted the segment which began with Mongo’s wife, Misty, delivering a heartfelt speech about her late husband. She called Mongo “the most special person in my life” and spoke about his influence in both wrestling and football.
Dean Malenko, an ally of Mongo in the Four Horsemen took the stage while Schiavone reflected on Mongo’s achievements in football and his transition into wrestling. Schiavone also highlighted that May is ALS Awareness Month, making the month extra special for McMichael.
Ric Flair then made an appearance, embracing everyone on stage. After praising Chicago as one of the best wrestling cities, Flair spoke about Mongo. Flair calle dhis late friend “the toughest man I have ever known” and recalled supporting him during his battle with ALS. Flair also praised Misty for being Mongo’s nurse and expressed his gratitude to AEW and Tony Khan for giving everyone the opportunity to honor Mongo’s legacy.
The crowd erupted in chants for Mongo as Flair spoke about Mongo’s spirit and Misty’s unwavering support. While he is no longer with us, Steve “Mongo” McMichael’s legacy continues to resonate with fans
WWE returns to Tampa, Florida, for Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24, 2025, live from the Yuengling Center. The event airs at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and streams on Peacock. The card features four high-stakes matches, including two major grudge bouts and a World Heavyweight Championship clash.
World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso (c) vs. Logan Paul
Jey Uso defends his title against Logan Paul in a first-time matchup. Paul, fresh off a victory over AJ Styles at WrestleMania 41, has set his sights on championship gold. Tensions escalated when Paul blindsided Uso after a recent episode of Raw. Additionally, Uso suffered a backstage attack by Bron Breakker on Seth Rollins’ orders, hinting at a possible alliance between Paul and Rollins’ faction, the “Trifecta of Terror”.
John Cena vs. R-Truth
In a non-title bout, R-Truth faces his childhood hero, John Cena. The match was set following an incident at the Backlash post-show press conference, where Cena delivered an Attitude Adjustment to R-Truth through a table. R-Truth aims to “beat some sense” back into Cena, who he believes has strayed from his principles.
CM Punk & Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins & Bron Breakker
Long-standing rivalries converge as CM Punk and Sami Zayn team up against Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker. Rollins, now aligned with Paul Heyman and Breakker, has been entangled in conflicts with both Punk and Zayn. This tag team match promises to be a pivotal chapter in their ongoing saga.
Steel Cage Match: Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre
Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre will settle their differences inside a steel cage. Their rivalry reignited after a fatal four-way match at WWE Backlash. This bout aims to conclude their intense feud, with both competitors seeking definitive victory.
WCW/NFL legend Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael has been laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by friends and loved ones. McMichael was buried on Thursday, April 15, WGN TV reports. McMichael died on April 23 after years battling ALS.
Several of Mongo’s former Chicago Bear teammates and other Hall of Famers attended, including Dan Hampton, Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, Jim Covert and other 1986 Super Bowl champion teammates. The service was closed to the press but a large image of McMichael was visible through the funeral home doors.
In wrestling, Mongo made an instant impact in the World Wrestling Federation in 1995 but would ultimately opt to sign with World Championship Wrestling. In WCW, Mongo would become part of the legendary Four Horsemen and held the WCW United States title.
Mongo saw success in wrestling and football, and the outpouring of tributes since his passing prove that his legacy in sports cannot be touched.
Terry ‘Sabu’ Brunk has died at the age of 60, with fans and wrestlers alike sharing tributes to the ECW icon. Now, fans and wrestlers have opened their hearts and their wallets to help Sabu’s family.
A GoFundMe launched by SEScoops correspondent Dominic DeAngelo has been created to help Sabu’s family with funeral costs and other expenses. The fundraiser has already smashed its $25,000 and is currently closing in on $50,000. Notable names to donate include:
Scott D’Amore – $15,932
Chris Jericho – $5,000
PW Tees’ Ryan Barkan – $2,000
Joey Janela – $1,600
Brian Myers – $500
Joel Gertner – $200
Deonna Purrazzo & Steve Maclin – $200
Sabu’s legacy as a hardcore wrestling pioneer is evident in the outpouring of support, with contributions flowing in from fans, colleagues, and industry veterans alike.
WWE NXT Superstar Dante Chen returned to in-ring action this week after a significant injury layoff. Chen stepped back into the squared circle at an NXT live event in Lakeland, Florida.
After being sidelined for over four months due to an injury, Chen challenged Oba Femi for the NXT Championship in his return match. Taking to X to share his enthusiasm, Chen tweeted the following:
“It’s been over 4 months since my last match. Happy to be back in action. ?? No better way than to test myself than with a huge opportunity.”
It's been over 4 months since my last match. Happy to be back in action. ??
No better way than to test myself than with a huge opportunity. ?
Chen was written off WWE television following an attack by Ethan Page on the January 14th edition of NXT, which led to surgery. He was unsuccessful in his championship bid against Femi. Here are the results, courtesy of Wrestling Bodyslam:
Lince Dorado def. Anthony Luke
Chris Island def. BJ Ray
Izzi Dame (w/ Niko Vance) def. Arianna Grace
Charlie Dempsey (w/ Wren Sinclair) def. Edris Enofe
Lash Legend def. Nikkita Lyons
OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) def. Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors (w/ Andre Chase)
Liv Morgan has completed filming her scenes for the highly anticipated movie “Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo,” directed by the renowned Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike.
This project marks Morgan’s first significant dramatic acting role, and according to a PWInsider report, she made a great impression. Sources close to the production revealed that Morgan “absolutely ‘crushed’” her role, being described as a “complete natural on the set.” They added she was able to “easily transition from the pro wrestling space to filming for a movie,” and reportedly “blew everyone, including experienced industry veterans, away with her work.”
In “Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo,” Morgan portrays the daughter of a politician whose disappearance draws an FBI agent (Lily James) into an investigation alongside a corrupt Tokyo cop (Shun Oguri). Visionary director Takashi Miike, known for cult classics like “Audition” and “Ichi the Killer,” discussed the project:
“A team of incredibly talented actors and crew has gathered in Tokyo. Now. I’m about to throw a fastball straight down the middle of your strike zone – no tricks, no gimmicks. Get ready for the ride with us.”
This role, under such a celebrated director and alongside established actors, represents a significant leap in Liv Morgan’s acting career beyond the squared circle.
WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan’s company, Real American Brands, is reportedly aiming to acquire the intellectual property and branding of the Hooters restaurant chain. First reported by TMZ Sports, the move is part of Hogan’s mission to bring back the iconic American brands that embody “freedom, grit and good times.”
Real American Brands sees Hooters as a prime candidate for this revival. “Hooters is more than just wings and nostalgia — it’s part of the American story,” a company representative told TMZ Sports. “We see enormous potential to modernize the brand without losing its bold identity.”
They added that under their guidance, Hooters would “return to the spotlight as a symbol of unfiltered Americana — fun, fearless, and proudly American.” This bid emerges as Hooters of America, an entity operating the restaurants, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025. Hogan’s interest, first noted in April 2025, was described by his camp as a “perfect match.”
If Real American Brands’ all-cash bid succeeds, they reportedly plan to license the Hooters name back to operators, as Hogan isn’t looking to manage the physical locations. This acquisition would be a “big step” for Real American Brands, which recently launched Real American Beer.
The road to Money in the Bank will continue on the May 23, episode of WWE SmackDown with two qualifying matches for the iconic ladder match. On the men’s side of things, LA Knight will battle Shinsuke Nakamura as well Aleister Black.
The winner will join Solo Sikoa, who qualified for the ladder match with a win over Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix. This will mark Sikoa’s first time competing in the ladder match and his third time in action at the PLE.
For the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match, Charlotte Flair, Zelina Vega, and SmackDown’s newest signing Giulia will compete on the May 23, show. The winner will join Alexa Bliss, who defeated Chelsea Green and Michin on the May 16, SmackDown to earn her spot.
The May 23, SmackDown won’t just be able qualifying matches. The show will also see Fraxiom challenge WWE Tag Team Champions the Street Profits. With the Profits back to 100% after their TLC match war, this won’t be easy for the recent NXT call-ups.
Nia Jax didn’t leave the May 16, edition of WWE SmackDown as WWE Women’s Champion, but she did leave with a nasty facial laceration. On Instagram, Jax shared the aftermath from the match, boldly declaring that “Nobody makes me bleed my own blood.”
Jax’s post sparked a series of reactions with Zelina Vega commenting “Dayum!” while WWE NXT Superstar Lola Vice shared that Jax was “still cute tho.” Taking to X, Naomi saw the funny side of Jax being busted open.
.@LinaFanene I thought Samoans had hard heads? Yo head busted open like a can of biscuits hahahahhahahahaaaaaaaa ?? #SmackDown
Jax was busted open when her head collided with a steel chair, a weapon that Naomi had introduced into the match. With Stratton retaining the title, Jax will now have to find a new way to earn a shot at the gold she lost in January 2025.
Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland was in Arizona to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Arizona Diamondbacks ahead of their game against the Colorado Rockies. While Swerve’s pitch was just high in the strike zone, he later shared that it was his best first pitch that he’s thrown.
Strickland’s role demonstrates the growing mainstream appeal of AEW, a huge move for a company that is just six years old. Already, fans see AEW talent, including ones not attached to a past-life in WWE, having roles in interviews and press events, highlighting how far Tony Khan’s company has come.
In AEW, Strickland remains one of the top stars and is on the hunt to regain the AEW World Championship. Both in and out of the ring, Strickland’s charisma, skills, and personality can’t be denied.
Women’s U.S. Champion Zelina Vega has vowed to be a fighting champion and the titleholder is already looking at potential showdowns at SummerSlam. Speaking to WESH 2 News, Vega shared her plans for the first-ever two-night edition of the Biggest Party of the Summer.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, obviously, but I do know that I want to be walking in with this title and walking out with it.”
Vega shared that she has three names that she’s open to facing in a title match at SummerSlam. Whether it be against former champion Chelsea Green or against a brand new challenger, Vega won’t back down.
“If Chelsea really wants to mix it up again, I’m fine with that. I love wrestling Piper Niven. So, you can do something like that, or even give people a chance, like a Mia Yim — give Michin a chance too.”
Vega was especially interested in facing Michin, noting that tthe pair wresled one another on the indies. The Women’s U.S. Champion said a SummerSlam match would be a “tiebreaker moment,” hinting that the duo are tied when it comes to wins and losses.
While Vega is ready to take on all-comers, she’s yet to put her U.S. title on the line. Stay tuned for the latest on Zelina Vega who has big plans for SummerSlam if she’s still champion come August 2.
R-Truth will battle his ‘childhood hero’ John Cena, but their match will be about much more than John’s WWE Championship. Appearing on WWE SmackDown, Truth reflected on being attacked by Cena after WWE Backlash. Truth said that after years of John being a “beacon of light” that the man who put him through a table earlier this month wasn’t the real John Cena.
R-Truth said that he doesn’t want to fight John, but will do what must to bring John back to his senses. Truth ended his interview with Wade Barrett by revealing hat he had spoken to SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. The match is set for Saturday Night Main Event on May 24, adding another exciting contest to the card.
“If I have to beat him back to his senses, then I'll do it”
Truth and Cena battled for the WWE Championship on pay-per-view in 2011, with the babyface John getting the win over Truth, who at the time was deep into conspiracy theories. Now, the dynamic between the two has shifted and Truth hopes to bring John back to his old self at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Former NXT Women’s Champion Giulia is now officially part of the SmackDown roster. During the May 16, episode of SmackDown, Giulia was seen exiting the office of SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. Giulia walked past Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, catching both former champions by surprise. Aldis then introduced her as SmackDown’s newest full-time talent, making clear the Beautiful Madness’ move to the main roster.
— Follow @WrestlingCovers ?? (@AllTheYeeting) May 17, 2025
Giulia’s move marks a quick turnaround for the Japanese Superstar who made her official debut for WWE back in September 2024. Since then, she has captured the NXT Women’s Title and reached the top of the NXT Women’s division.
More recently, Giulia has been appearing on WWE Raw alongside Roxanne Perez with the pair battling Women’s World Champion IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley. Now though, Giulia’s future is bathed in blue as part of WWE SmackDown.
