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TNA’s Joe Hendry Credits Success of Viral Theme Song to “A Series of Fortunate, Random Events”

Thomas Lowson
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TNA Wrestling’s Joe Hendry is grateful for the success of his hit song I Believe in Joe Hendry which came about after a series of fortunate events. 

Hendry’s track has proven popular with fans and non-fans alike and reached #1 on the iTunes charts in the UK, toppling Taylor Swift and others. Hendry’s track also reached #1 in other countries and did very well in the United States also.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Hendry shared how his viral song came about. 

“It is a series of fortunate, random events. People had always liked my song, my entrance song, I’ve had it for some time now. But I noticed on TikTok, people were making videos with it and it was getting literally millions of hits. And I thought ‘Maybe I should put this up on Spotify.’

“So I put it up on Spotify one evening, didn’t really think much of it. When it came out on the Monday, I woke up and it was #20 in the iTunes charts. I thought that’s pretty cool and I tweeted it out and then it just caught fire.”

Hendry went on to explain how his music helps get him in the right head space before his matches and spoke of wrestlers and musicians who use music to help combat performance-related anxiety. The former TNA Digital Media Champion from Edinburgh was also grateful for his brother who is often ‘roped in’ to help create his music videos. 

I Believe In Joe Hendry isn’t the Scottish wrestler’s only foray into music. Earlier this year, Hendry produced a song for Francis that featured the TNA theme song for AJ Styles. This song mocked Francis’ infamous, though life-saving botched dive in WWE. Hendry said that the former Top Dolla nullifies TNA Wrestling’s insurance whenever he goes sailing over the top rope.

Hendry’s success with his song can’t be denied, with non-wrestling fans growing increasingly aware of him. This will no doubt bode well for Hendry’s prospects in the ring, with TNA Hall of Famer Bully Ray even stating that TNA would be wise to consider a title run given Hendry’s popularity. 

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

Adam Copeland: ‘I Started Talks With AEW The Day After My WWE Contract Expired’

Thomas Lowson
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AEW TNT Champion Adam Copeland wasted no time in making moves towards joining the promotion after his WWE deal expired in September 2023. 

After over 25 years as Edge, Copeland debuted for AEW at the inaugural WrestleDream event and immediately entered a program with former friend Christian Cage. The pair’s lengthy feud culminated with Copeland dethroning Cage for the TNT gold in March 2024. 

On the Insight podcast, Copeland discussed the end of his WWE career and made clear he left on great terms. The Hall of Famer explained how quickly the turnaround was for him to go from WWE to its main rival. 

“It happened so quick. My contract with WWE was up on, I want to say September 21st. That’s when I started talking to Tony [Khan.] It was September 22nd. And WrestleDream was October 1st. So it all happened within a week.”

Copeland’s All-Elite arrival wasn’t the first time his name had been tied to AEW. In 2019, the Canadian came close to joining AEW, then a young upstart, before ultimately opting to stick with WWE. In the interview, Copeland was asked why he went for the younger promotion four years later. 

“It felt like I’d done everything that I was going to do with WWE. I’d worked [with] the people I wanted to work, 95 percent anyway. And it really just felt that they were on a direction and I was on a direction and they were kind of going separate ways.”

Adam Copeland wasted no time joining AEW. 

Ultimately, Copeland made his choice and opted for the road less traveled in 2023 and has clearly been having a blast in the company so far. Currently, the TNT Champion is feuding with the House of Black and has retained against Buddy Matthews and Brody King. 

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

Living Color Vocalist: ‘CM Punk Refused WWE’s Attempts to Rip-Off ‘Cult of Personality”

Thomas Lowson
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CM Punk was adamant that WWE used Cult of Personality in all its original glory, Living Color’s lead vocalist Corey Glover. 

After ‘leaving’ WWE at Money in the Bank 2011 as WWE Champion, Punk returned eight days later to Cult of Personality, a track he had previously used as a theme during his days in Ring of Honor. The song has gone on to be closely associated with Punk, who used the track in UFC, All Elite Wrestling, and in his most recent return to WWE. 

Sitting down with the Drinks With Johnny podcast, Glover discussed Punk’s use of the theme. He explained that upon his 2011 ‘return,’ WWE wanted to make a track similar to Cult of Personality, an idea the Best in the World was against. 

“They had their own music division of the WWE and they were gonna have somebody make up a song that sounded similar to Cult of Personality. But that was gonna be his entrance music. ‘No, I don’t want that. I want the real thing.’ He’s like one of the talent that actually got that in his contract that wherever he goes, that goes with him.”

CM Punk had no interest in WWE’s cover of his iconic theme.

The track is very fitting for Punk, who has developed a cult of personality of his own. It was this charisma that kept fans chanting his name during what would be a seven-and-a-half year absence from pro-wrestling. Nowadays, fans can hear the tune in all its glory in WWE as the Best in the World continues to be a hot commodity in pro wrestling. 

TKO Reports 2024 Q1 Revenue of $629.7 Million as WWE Outperforms UFC

Thomas Lowson
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The first quarter earnings of 2024 for TKO Group Holdings with WWE emerging as the higher-earning brand within the new company. 

In the 2024 Q1 earnings report, it was revealed that TKO made $629.7 in the quarter, but also suffered a net loss of $249.5 million. Much of this net loss comes from TKO settling an antitrust lawsuit against UFC. The plaintiffs alleged that UFC was an illegal monopsony that suppressed fighter wages and stifled rival promotions. The lawsuit represented more than 1,200 individuals and was settled for the sum of $335 million.

UFC’s revenue for the 2024 Q1 saw the MMA juggernaut earn $313 million, slightly behind WWE’s revenue of $316.7 million. During the time frame, UFC hosted its UFC 300 event, which drew a gate of $16.5 million to Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. 

Not to be outdone, WWE hosted WrestleMania 40, which proved to be the company’s highest evening event in history. The company also locked down a lucrative ten-year deal with Netflix to bring Raw to the streaming platform. 

Future Plans

With these reports in, TKO has increased its target for revenue for 2024 from $2.61 billion to $2.685 billion. In a statement, TKO CEO Ari Emanuel was optimistic about what’s to come. 

“These positive developments, along with the strength in our underlying businesses, give us more conviction than ever in the combination of UFC and WWE, and in TKO’s ability to deliver sustainable long-term value for shareholders.”

Clearly, WWE’s merger with UFC in September 2023 has proven to be a lucrative venture for both companies. With WWE embarking on a new era (one that has distanced itself from Vince McMahon,) it remains to be seen how the company’s future will be shaped as part of TKO. 

Endeavor President: ‘WWE Could Look To Host More Annual Events in Saudi Arabia’

Thomas Lowson
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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could soon be hosting more events from WWE, according to Endeavor President Mark Shapiro. 

The decade-long deal between the two sides began in 2018 during Vince McMahon’s tenure running WWE. The deal currently sees WWE host two lucrative events a year in Saudi Arabia, often with the company’s biggest stars as well as part-time performers. 

When McMahon stepped down in January 2024, there had been speculation as to what this would mean for the often-controversial Saudi deal. While speaking on the TKO Q1 earnings call, Mark Shapiro, president of Endeavor, was quick to shut down the idea that Vince’s exit had changed things in terms of the agreement. 

“There was a lot of speculation with Vince being gone, ‘would that impact the relationship in a negative way? Would they be looking to get out of it?’ I would say that Nick Khan, in particular has developed, sustained, cultivated, and nurtured a very strong relationship in a handoff from Vince. They have a lot of trust and faith in each other.”

Shapiro added that WWE could explore the idea of hosting more than two events in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

“We have a strong and healthy relationship with the Kingdom, through WWE, and doing two annual events a year… Potentially, we could look to do more events, but nothing is planned beyond those two events at this time.”

Mark Shapiro believes WWE could host more than two events each year in Saudi Arabia. 

WrestleMania In Saudi Arabia? 

If WWE does plan to host more annual events in Saudi Arabia, then WrestleMania could be on the list. Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority hopes to bring WrestleMania to the country, as well as the Royal Rumble. They also have their sights set on UFC events that fall under the TKO banner. Nick Khan has however stated that currently, WrestleMania and other major events will stay in North America for the time being. 

WWE King and Queen of the Ring takes place later this month on May 25 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at the Jeddah Super Dome.

Wrestlers & More Raise Over $28,000 For Popular Soft Ground Wrestling Uganda Promotion

Thomas Lowson
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Soft Ground Wrestling Uganda will benefit greatly from the money raised by WWE alum Mace and Mansoor, as well as others. 

SGW Uganda has become a hit online in recent months after notable names began sharing the promotion on social media. Both AEW’s Will Ospreay and TNA Wrestling’s Jordynne Grace donated to a GoFundMe fundraiser aimed at providing a standard wrestling ring as well as other operating needs. 

Now Mace and Mansoor have been able to raise more money for SGW Uganda. On Twitter, Mansoor revealed that through a live stream, they had raised over $28,000. This stream included some notable names in wrestling, including AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, TNA X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali, Maven Huffman, YouTuber Matt McMuscles, and others. 

In a subsequent tweet, Mansoor explained that this money can be put towards six months of food, beds and mosquito nets, an extension on their lease and a storage unit for a wrestling ring. SGW Uganda has been using a ring made of mud so far, but that will hopefully change given the money raised. 

One thing SGW Uganda won’t have to put this money towards is a van that’ll allow the promotion to take their show on the road. In a follow-up tweet, Mansoor explained that his mother has donated enough to buy a van in memory of her father who gifted them a win when Mansoor’s sister was born. 

SGW Uganda isn’t just a wrestling promotion but is a school that trains over 180 students. With this money, SGW Uganda will be able to take huge steps to the future with fans excited to see what’s next. 

Kenny Omega Announces ‘Anarchy In The Arena’ Match For AEW Double or Nothing

Aaron Varble
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One of All Elite Wrestling’s most chaotic matches is returning later this month at AEW Double or Nothing: Anarchy in the Arena.

Former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega appeared on this week’s AEW Dynamite to address the violent attack he sustained last week at the hands (and feet) of The Elite. Omega, who is out indefinitely recovering from diverticulitis, checked in from a hospital bed to deliver an important announcement. The Elite will face justice for attacking him last week on Dynamite. At Double or Nothing, The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada and Jack Perry will face FTR and two additional partners in the Anarchy match. Later in the show, they were revealed to be Bryan Danielson and Eddie Kingston. 

Anarchy in the Arena involves two teams battling in a no-rules falls-count-anywhere match. Often involving two warring factions, the unique stipulation combines elements of hardcore and cinematic matches and is dubbed ‘Stadium Stampede’ when held in larger stadium venues. We got a preview of Anarchy in the Arena when the two teams brawled at the conclusion of this week’s Dynamite:

Double or Nothing Coming Together

Anarchy in the Arena joins the growing card for the upcoming AEW Double or Nothing pay-per-view on Sunday, May 26 from Las Vegas.

Swerve Strickland puts the AEW World Championship on the line against Christian Cage, Mercedes Moné Makes her AEW in-ring debut and challenges Willow Nightingale for the TBS championship, Will Ospreay goes for gold against International Champion Roderick Strong and more.

Anarchy In The Arena: The Elite vs. FTR, Bryan Danielson and Eddie Kingston

Current match lineup for AEW Double or Nothing:

  • Swerve Strickland (c), with Prince Nana, vs. Christian Cage with The Patriarchy for the AEW World Championship
  • Mercedes Moné  vs. Willow Nightingale (c), for the TBS Championship
  • Will Ospreay  Vs. Roderick Strong (c) for the International Championship
  • ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm (c) vs. Serena Deeb
  • Anarchy in the Arena match: The Elite vs. Team AEW.

Watch Kenny Omega’s address from AEW Dynamite 5/8/24:

Monday Night Raw To Stay On USA Network For Fourth Quarter of 2024

Tyriece Simon
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0

WWE is heading into new territory as they prepare to stream Monday Night Raw on Netflix in 2025. The $5 billion deal was made on January 23, with fans curious and skeptical about the brand moving exclusively to streaming. 

While the company plans to move to Monday Night Raw off TV, fans became aware that its deal with USA Network would end in September. WWE not having an agreement in place would’ve left the brand without a home until January 2025 to Netflix. However, TKO Group Holding has announced that they have reached a new deal, a $25 million deal with NBCUniversal, to keep Monday Night Raw on the USA Network for the rest of the year. 

TKO shared their 2024 first-quarter results today and revealed that Monday Night Raw would stay on the USA Network for the fourth quarter of 2024. The deal will also allow NBCU Universal to have Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown on the network later this year. 

It’s unclear if WWE may have considered other possible suitors to host Monday Night RAW later this year. However, this may be a win for fans as both brands will be on one network until Monday Night Raw moves to Netflix. It will also allow fans to slowly transition from cable to streaming to watch their favorite superstars on the Raw brand. 

More On WWE’s Move To Netflix Next Year

WWE’s decision to move to Netflix will be game-changing as they hope to bring the same weekly audience to the streaming service. CBS News’ William Lankford reported earlier this year that Netflix has over 200 million subscribers, with 13.1 million added by the end of 2023.  

Netflix’s decision to add the WWE flagship show will be interesting as it aims to compete with other streaming services, like Amazon Prime Videos, for live sports. While other platforms have a season or games of a sport, Netflix will benefit from having Monday Night Raw every week.  

WWE’s new deal with NBCUniversal has secured the future for the rest of the year. The company will have to figure out if they can get fans to watch their brand on streaming in 2025. However, the $25 million agreement has given them time to get their audience to follow Monday Night Raw’s transition to Netflix.

The Bloodline’s Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa Won’t Be Guerillas of Destiny in WWE

Aaron Varble
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Tanga Loa made his WWE debut at last weekend’s Backlash PLE from the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. He reunited with his brother, Tama Tonga, as part of the new and improved Bloodline. 

We’ve received questions from readers about whether or lot they’ll be using their old team name from New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Guerrillas of Destiny. SEScoops has confirmed with multiple sources that Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga will not carry over the GoD name into WWE.

Before joining WWE, Tanga and Tonga reigned in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as the Guerrillas of Destiny and held the IWGP Tag Team Championship an impressive seven times 

We may see the name referenced in passing, there are no plans for them to use the name regularly or as part of any merchandise. A search of the US Patent & Trademark Office database shows no current owners for the  ‘Guerrillas of Destiny’ trademark.

Guerrillas of Destiny Trademark Search

Since Roman Reigns lost the WWE Undisputed World Title to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania XL, WWE fans have witnessed a significant transformation in the Bloodline. Loa’s arrival could further reshape the landscape.

WWE Backlash signaled a significant shift for the Bloodline with the introduction of a new, powerful tag team to the WWE Universe, led by Solo Sikoa in Roman Reigns’ absence. Although Paul Heyman may be leery about things, he is still following along. 

Randy Orton Talks WWE Retirement, Auditioning For Acting Roes

Tyriece Simon
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WWE fans are enjoying the latest run Randy Orton is on after a potential career-ending injury. After more than a year out of action dealing with a back injury, he returned to WWE Survivor Series on November 25, 2023. Since then, he has been regularly featured on TV and competing with the best in the company. Although he has shared that he feels he’s entering his prime in his career, Orton is not opposed to taking the right opportunity in Hollywood. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd81IRoMpkI

In an interview with Adam’s Apple, Orton revealed that the United Talent Agency represents him and has done auditions. 

“…I’m with UTA, and I do turn in auditions. Do some self-tape here and there, but sometimes I’ll see these roles pop up a year or two years later that I don’t get, and I’ll see it and say, Man, I’m glad I didn’t get that role,” said Orton. 

He noted how difficult it could be to wrestle for WWE, commit to his acting career, and be involved with his family. He also doesn’t want to take a role that doesn’t do anything for himself. 

Randy Orton On When He Plans To Retire

Despite wanting to focus on his wrestling career, Orton has acknowledged that he may have a few years left as a competitor. In the interview, he spoke about dealing with injuries at 35 and how the company leadership under Vince McMahon could be grueling to a talent’s body. However, Orton notes that times have changed with the new regime, and he is allowed to take time off to heal.

“…It’s a great atmosphere to okay how can we make this guy last and the beauty of it is, I’m not even there yet. I feel so great after my surgery. I’m a full-time guy,” said Orton.

The former WWE Champion also shared that he doesn’t want a schedule like The Undertaker, where he may wrestle for significant events like WrestleMania. While he feels in great shape, the 44-year-old believes he may end his career in six years. 

“…I want to be on the road every week. I want to make all the TVs. I want to be on all the PLEs (Premium Live Events), and at 44, just turned 44, I would love to be able to go into my 50s. Maybe I wrestle until I’m 50 and call it, and that’s 30 years with the same company,” said Orton. 

While there may be questions about whether Orton’s body can maintain wrestling for another six years, he is currently in the best shape of his career. The changes in WWE have also made it possible for him to improve his health. For now, fans can enjoy Randy Orton on Smackdown as he hopes to show that he is just reaching his peak. 

AEW Fight Forever Free Update & Season Pass DLC

Tyriece Simon
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All Elite Wrestling Fight Forever is still going strong after its official release last year. The game was released on June 29, 2023, on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, and Steam. Although AEW Fight Forever was met with mixed reviews universally, the company is still adding more content to appease fans. 

On X/Twitter, AEW revealed that they have updated the game for free with new character skins and five music tracks. The company also announced that Stadium Stampede mode has been updated. 

“As a thank you to the fans for making #AEW the fastest growing wrestling promotion of all-time, the new Elite Beats and Stampede Expansion is available to #AEWFightForever players starting today,” wrote AEW.

The timing of the update is interesting as the company will celebrate the anniversary of its first pay-per-view, AEW Double or Nothing, on May 25. This year, the annual AEW event will occur on May 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s unclear if the AEW Fight Forever will add more free content in connection to other milestone events for the company. However, AEW Fight Forever fans will appreciate the free additions to the game. 

AEW Fight Forever Season Pass 4 DLC

Along with adding a free update, AEW has also announced that their fourth Season Pass is available for download today for $19.99 on social media. The game has added Samoa Joe, Jay White, and Adam Copeland to be playable for fans who purchased it. AEW Fight Forever Season Pass 4 also adds two arenas, 30 move sets, and a new tournament mode. 

The new DLC is notable for wrestling fans as it will be the first game that Copeland will be involved in which isn’t WWE. The last game he was involved in was WWE 2K23 from the previous year. 

There are still wrestlers that have yet to appear in the game. It’s possible AEW Fight Forever could add more DLC or a free update later this year. However, their latest update could be enough for now to enjoy. 

Detroit Sports Commission Preparing Proposal To Host WrestleMania 43

Aaron Varble
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WrestleMania brings a financial windfall to any market who gets to host the destination event. Cities across the world bid to host WWE’s biggest show of the year and another city is preparing a strong offer to host the event in 2027.

Today, on a Detroit local radio station, it was shared that the Detroit Sports Commission is in the process of preparing a proposal to host WrestleMania 43 at Ford Field. The stadium was built in 2002 and is the official home of the NFL Detroit Lions, with a capacity of 65,000. 

WrestleMania 41 was confirmed this last week to take place in Las Vegas on April 20 and 21 at Allegiant Stadium. As of this writing, WWE has not booked WrestleMania 42 or 43’s location. 

Detroit’s WrestleMania History 

This would make sense in the realm of history. WrestleMania 43 will mark the 40th anniversary of WrestleMania 3. The event was known as the “biggest main event in sports entertainment.” In the final match, WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan defended his title against André the Giant.

During the match’s finish, Hogan executed a legendary scoop slam on André that will live on forever. He followed this by hitting the ropes and delivering a leg drop. After retaining the WWE Championship, Hulkamania was running wild. 

Detroit also played host to WrestleMania 23, where Vince McMahon and Donald Trump stole the show with their battle of the billionaires.

Alalshikh: WWE-Saudi Arabia Deal Enhanced, We Want WrestleMania, Royal Rumble & UFC

Thomas Lowson
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WWE could soon be hosting the Royal Rumble or even WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia, if the nation’s big plans for TKO Group Holdings come to fruition. 

Since 2018, the company has hosted major shows from Saudi Arabia as part of the nation’s ‘Saudi 30’ vision to bring mainstream Western entertainment to the kingdom WWE is paid handsomely for these events In November 2022, a report revealed that the eight events in Saudi Arabia at the time had earned WWE more than the first 38 WrestleManias. 

Turki Alalshikh, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority Chairman, tells ESPN that an ‘enhancement’ of the current deal between WWE and Saudi Arabia will be revealed later this month. He stated their desire to host WrestleMania or the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, but did not specify if hosting either would be part of the forthcoming announcement. 

They also want to host major UFC pay-per-views. “We will do big things with the UFC and TKO,” Alalshikh said.

UFC 306 will take place this September in Las Vegas but will feature plenty of promotional material for the annual Riyadh Season of entertainment. Alalshikh explained that Saudi Arabia has plans for WWE and UFC, both of whom fall under TKO Group Holdings. 

WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia?

Talk of WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia comes at an interesting time in the event’s history. Both John Cena and Cody Rhodes have advocated for the first non-North American WrestleMania to happen in the UK, an idea that has been supported by recently-reelected London Mayor Sadiq Khan. With that said, WWE President Nick Khan has stated that the ‘Big 4’ events will remain in North America for the time being. 

Will Saudi Arabia’s work with TKO bring WrestleMania to the nation? 

There’s also the question of how a Saudi Arabian WrestleMania will be received by fans. Initial events as part of this deal faced serious backlash as women were banned from competing. That has since changed though women wear outfits that cover their entire bodies in accordance with the nation’s standards. Ultimately, the money Saudi Arabia is willing to pay could bring WrestleMania to the nation, but this will be a decision that should not be made without careful consideration. 

WWE King and Queen of the Ring takes place later this month on May 25 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at the Jeddah Super Dome.

WWE 2K24 DLC: The Dudley Boyz Entrance Video & Ratings

Aaron Varble
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We’ve got a first look at the Dudley Boyz’ ring entrance in WWE 2K24. WWE Hall of Famers Bubba Ray and Devon Dudley will be available next Tuesday, May 14 as part of the game’s first DLC pack. The ‘ECW Punk Pack’ also includes The Sandman, Terry Funk and CM Punk.

Devon Dudley is rated 84 in the game, while Bubba Ray is an 85. 

Future DLC Packs

Here’s a look at future WWE 2K24 DLC packs:

  • June 26: DLC Pack #2 (“Post Malone & Friends Pack) includes Post Malone, Sensational Sherri, Mosh, Thrasher, Honky Tonk Man, and a Jimmy Hart Manager, along with MyFACTION Superstar Cards.
  • July 24: DLC Pack #3 (“Pat McAfee Show Pack) features Pat McAfee, Ty Schmit, Boston Connor, AJ Hawk, Darius Butler, and additional MyFACTION Superstar Cards.
  • September 20: DLC Pack #4 (“Global Superstars Pack”) includes Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, Michelle McCool, Carlito, Kairi Sane, Lyra Valkyria, Dragon Lee, and MyFACTION Superstar Cards.
  • November 13: DLC Pack #5 (“WCW Pack”) features Diamond Dallas Page, Iron Sheik, Mr. Perfect, Great Muta, Lex Luger, and MyFACTION Superstar Cards.

WWE 2K24 Reception

WWE 2K24 launched on March 8, 2024, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game received positive reviews from critics, noted for its improvements and refinements over the previous version. 

It received scores of 8/10 from IGN and GameSpot, and an 81% on Metacritic. Users have rated it 3.7 based on 316 reviews.

We rated the game an 8.5/10 in our exclusive review:

Presale Passcode For WWE SummerSlam 2024 Tickets

Staff
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WWE fans looking to attend this year’s SummerSlam event from Cleveland, OH can now purchase tickets.

The WWE SummerSlam 2024 tickets pre-sale is now live at Ticketmaster. 

The Exclusive Passcode sent in to SEScoops to participate in the presale is WWEVIP.

Tickets officially go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, May 9.

WWE SummerSlam takes place Saturday, August 3, 2024 from Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Will Ospreay Calls Himself “Officially Grizzled” After 31st Birthday, Sabu Reassures He Has Many More Years

Dominic DeAngelo
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Will Ospreay may think he old in wrestling, but one ECW legend in Sabu believes the top AEW star is quite far from that. 

Ospreay only turned 31 on May 7, and youth is wasted on the young as Will thinks he’s well beyond his years going past 30. The top AEW star made note of his assumed state in the world of wrestling on social media.

“I’m 31 now. I’m officially grizzled,” Ospreay mentioned in a post on X. The Tweet got a kick out of pro wrestling legend Sabu, who reassured Will that he’s got a ways to go before he truly hits grizzled status.

“Officially grizzled? Lol. I wish I wasn’t officially grizzled. Lol you have many more years until you are grizzled.”

Will has basically just started his in-ring career with All Elite Wrestling, but Sabu has had already had some involvement with the promotion. He played a primary role in a program with Chris Jericho almost a year ago at AEW Double Or Nothing. Jericho took on Adam Cole in an unsanctioned match and Sabu played the enforcer of the fight. While he was dressed to the nines, he wasn’t afraid to get physical and did just that to take out Jericho.

Quite the dream birthday present for Will Ospreay would have to be a dream fight against Sabu. The legend actually has been getting himself back into ring shape to have one last match, stating that he’d love to involve AEW regular and best friend, RVD.

WWE Joining Vince McMahon & John Laurinaitis In Efforts To Compel Arbitration in Janel Grant Lawsuit

Thomas Lowson
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WWE will join its former CEO Vince McMahon in an effort to compel arbitration in the lawsuit brought against them by ex-employee Janel Grant. 

The shocking allegations in Grant’s lawsuit resulted in McMahon’s second resignation from WWE in January 2024 though he has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct and trafficking. McMahon’s lawyer has claimed that Grant’s lawsuit is ‘revenge’ for McMahon ending their relationship, a claim Grant’s legal team has denied. 

In April 2024, McMahon filed to compel arbitration in the case that would see this lawsuit settled quietly outside of court, a move John Laurinaitis, who is also among the defendants, supports. In a new filing, it is revealed that WWE will align with both men in their efforts to compel arbitration.

“WWE also anticipates filing a motion to compel arbitration and stay this action pending arbitration”, which removes any doubt that all three defendants will be moving to compel arbitration.”

It is proposed that the three defendants file their motion by Tuesday, May 14. WWE has yet to file a motion while Laurinaitis has filed the motion but not a memorandum in support. McMahon has already filed both. 

Not a Comeback

While McMahon, Laurinaitis, and WWE may be on the same side, fans shouldn’t see this as a sign of a potential return for either man. There is said to be nobody defending McMahon in WWE given the seriousness of the allegations against him. McMahon has listed all of his remaining stock in TKO for sale, and there have been no movements for Laurinaitis to return either. 

Daily Drop (5/8): Sexyy Red Defends Trick Williams, Ric Flair Busted As Unflattering Footage Surfaces

Aaron Varble
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Welcome to the Daily Drop for May 8, 2024. There is a lot to cover every day in the pro wrestling world, but this should get you up to speed.

Before we get going, Vince McMahon and WWE came up in an unlikely place yesterday. Daniels mentioned her initial interest in discussing professional wrestling when she first met Trump. She knew about the long-standing friendship between McMahon and Trump and wanted to explore that connection. She shared a conversation with Trump where he realized the similarities between adult film stars and professional wrestlers, noting both are like athletes. Daniels, who works in adult films, chuckled in court as she compared her industry to pro wrestling, describing it as “real but not real.”

Now, let’s get into the Daily Drop!

WWE:

Announcer Call-Up: NXT ring announcer Alicia Taylor is on her way up to SmackDown. That will see female ring announcers on each WWE main roster brand for the first time in history, as Samantha Irvin still has RAW on lock.

Jacy Jayne Injured: During NXT this week, it was confirmed that Jacy Jayne suffered a broken nose during Spring Breakin’ week two. She needed surgery, and at this time there is no return time table for her return to the ring.

Sexyy Red Is For Trick: Popular rapper Sexyy Red was watching NXT this week, and she wasn’t happy about Noam Dar jumping Trick Williams. She posted on Twitter/X to say make it very clear that she was watching NXT this week.

Randy Orton Auditions: While speaking to Adam’s Apple, Randy Orton opened up a bit about acting outside WWE. He does still do auditions from time to time, but in the end, he’s actually glad when he doesn’t land those roles.

”I was just talking to Cody Rhodes about this (venturing into acting) in Marcé, France and it’s… I really love what I’m doing now. I love watching movies. There’s a lot of work that goes into them. 10, 12 hours a day on set… and I do auditions. I’m with U.T.A. and I do turn in some auditions, I do some self-tapes here and there but, sometimes I’ll see these roles pop up a year or two later that I don’t get and I’ll see it and I’ll be like, ‘Man, I’m glad I didn’t get that role.’ I would’ve busted my ass.

AEW:

AEW Dynamite 5/8 Card:

  • TNT Championship: Adam Copeland vs. Brody King
  • Orange Cassidy vs. Trent Beretta
  • Mariah May vs. Harley Cameron
  • Swerve Strickland face-to-face with Christian Cage
  • We’ll hear from Serena Deeb
  • Kenny Omega will make an important announcement

RVD Is All Elite: Although he never inked a deal with AEW, WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam stated that he is more than willing to go back to AEW for an extended run. So far, all of his appearances were handshake deals.

Hardy Boyz Want To Retire Together: In an interview with ComicBook, Matt Hardy discussed his retirement plans alongside Jeff Hardy. He mentioned that both he and Jeff aim to conclude their wrestling careers together, mirroring the way they started.

“That would definitely be our goal. It is very important to us to finish how we started. We started as two brothers on this journey. Our goal was to win the tag team titles of the world one time, and obviously we did that many times over. We do want to end that way. We’ve talked, and we’re both very aware of that. We want to end our careers together as a team.”

Ric Flair Footage: Tiktok user @bussines11.11 uploaded footage of Ric Flair’s incident at Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza in Gainesville, Florida. This was not the best look for the Nature Boy at all, as the footage captured him using strong language toward the manager by calling him a ‘dip****’ and challenging him to a fight outside the restaurant. Flair concluded the incident by offering a $1000 tip to a staff member.

Here are the upcoming major wrestling events

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

Details On How WWE Superstars Get Paid & How It’s Changed From the Past

Thomas Lowson
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Does WWE’s current method of paying talent leave Superstars reluctant to the ‘grind’ that Paul Levesque spoke of during WrestleMania week? 

At a WWE World event, the WWE COO spoke of talent choosing other promotions because they don’t want to deal with the ‘grind’ of being a Superstar. While Triple H didn’t mention any names or companies, AEW’s Will Ospreay saw the line as a dig at him which led to a scathing comment about Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.

In a recent interview with WWE alum Maven Huffman, Mace and Mansoor discussed how being paid works in the modern-day. Maven explained how when he was under contract, he was paid a percentage of what events made, giving him a reason to try and work events as much as possible. 

Those days are a thing of the past, as Mansoor explained how like Maven, modern talent are paid weekly, but at a fixed rate no matter what.

“So we do get a check in the mail every week, but it’s the same number every time. No matter how many shows you work; no matter how many times you wrestle. Even if you don’t wrestle at all. We get the same payment every week. We get guaranteed money no matter what.”

Mace added that a talent knowing they will receive the same amount each week may be discouraged from working as they’ll make just as much money sat at home. 

“In a way you’re actually not incentivized to work because when you’re working house shows, doing all these dates, you have to pay for your car. You have to pay for your hotel and the only thing we don’t pay for are our flights. If you were just sitting at home hurt, you’re just getting your weekly paycheck.”

Maven questioned how factors like merch sales and appearances are relevant given this system and Mansoor would explain how the ‘bucket system’ works. 

“Every time you work a show, you get an invisible payment that doesn’t actually go into your bank account. It goes into the metaphorical bucket. The top of the bucket is your downside… If your downside is $125,000, then every time you work a show, they make an invisible payment of $1,000. Now you don’t see that $1,000 until you make $125,000 worth of bookings on top of your downside. So everything above $125,000 is a bonus for you.”

With the bucket system, talent can be left waiting for some time before they see the benefits of working house shows and other events. Unfortunately, as the pair explained, a talent getting close to overflowing their ‘bucket’ may find themselves be kept off TV and house shows with the reasoning that ‘creative has nothing for you.’ This, of course keeps talent from being paid the bonus they would have had their ‘bucket’ overflowed.

WWE’s way of paying talent has clearly changed since Maven’s tenure and while it may have flaws, it has made many wrestlers (and of course the company) a lot of money. In this new era, we can’t count out that WWE could change its payment to a system more favorable to the talent in the ring. 

Rob Van Dam Is Open To An Extended Run With AEW

Bishal Roy
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Pro wrestling legend Rob Van Dam has shed some light on his future at AEW after making only a handful of appearances. 

Since making his debut in August 2023, he has competed in only six matches. This sparked concern for his future with the promotion but RVD is not ruling out a longer run with AEW. Speaking on 1 of A Kind Podcast, he said that he would consider an offer but he is yet to have discussions for a possible extended run. He said:

“I would like to think that I’m open to any conversation. So anything’s worth considering. Let’s hear what you got in mind, whatever. But no, I don’t have any of those talks. What you see is what you get, and that’s all anybody is talking about. All anyone is talking about doing, let me put it that way.”

He further said that taking time off and not wrestling full-time has a disadvantage – it impacts the conditioning. RVD has explained that if he wrestled more often then fans could see a more ‘fluid’ version of himself. He said:

“One thing the fans don’t take into consideration that I do, it’s cool having time off and I don’t want to be full-time, anything like that. But it is a big disadvantage, being in the ring, because no matter how much conditioning that I do, there’s no wrestling conditioning like wrestling. So if I was wrestling like every week, instead of sometimes every six weeks, maybe eight weeks, whatever, then you would have a little bit even more fluid RVD.”

Rob Van Dam’s AEW career

The 53-year-old has been making sporadic appearances in AEW. He immediately made a mark after his debut when he went up against then-FTW Champion Jack Perry. Though he was unsuccessful in dethroning the champ, he received massive praise for the match. RVD then went on to team up with Hook for a couple of matches over two months.

Earlier this year in January, the veteran wrestler faced Sean Strickland in a Hardcore match but endured a defeat. RVD competed in a six-man tag team match joining forces with Adam Page and Hook in February. His last match for the promotion took place a few weeks back when he picked up his maiden win after defeating Isiah Kassidy, Komander, and Lee Johnson.

While fans might wonder why RVD is not heading to WWE, the veteran star blames the lack of connection with WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H. Read more below:

Tony Khan: ‘AEW Is Where The Best Wrestle. That’s Not Me’

Thomas Lowson
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Tony Khan may have taken steps towards being an on-screen presence for AEW but don’t expect the 40-year-old billionaire to lace up a pair of wrestling boots. 

With Khan becoming more of a presence on programming in recent years, it’s not hard to see why some have speculated on a potential match for the AEW President. When asked about this possibility on Cincy 360 however, Khan explained why headlock and suplexes aren’t in his future.

“AEW is where the best wrestle, and we mean that…in this case, I’m not the best person to pay those people back.”

Khan also pointed out that things hardly went his way the last time he was in an AEW ring as he was the victim of an attack by The Elite. 

“After what happened to me last time, I don’t think I’d be making a smart move trying that [having a match].”

The AEW President hasn’t been seen on TV since the attack by the Elite in April 2024. This marked Khan’s first time getting physical as part of an AEW storyline and he took a piledriver from the Young Bucks. The faction attacked Kenny Omega the following week. 

Wrestling Bosses

While Khan doesn’t plan on having a match, there are some names from wrestling’s corporate side who would step into the ring. Perhaps the most obvious example is Vince McMahon who competed a total 63 times between August 1998 and April 2022. Shane and Stephanie McMahon would also establish themselves as business people in WWE before they stepped into the ring. 

Chris Jericho Reveals The Idea Behind New ‘Learning Tree’ Gimmick

Bishal Roy
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Chris Jericho is focused on storylines and characters which he believes are the major aspects of pro wrestling. 

The former AEW World Champion has portrayed several interesting gimmicks during his illustrious career, the latest being ‘The Learning Tree.’ Chris Jericho recently joined the Kevin Karius Show to outline the significance of evolving gimmicks over time. The 53-year-old veteran said that the matches are important but the stories and characters draw the attention of the fans which remains  “the most important aspect” to him. He said:

“I just started doing this Learning Tree gimmick a few weeks ago. That’s the best thing about wrestling, when people start to get mad at you, you turn into a bad guy and when people like you, you turn into a good guy. This is the start of this whole new persona as we continue the story. That’s the most important thing about wrestling, the story. The matches are important, but the characters and the storylines are what really draws people into watching you and draws people into following what you’re doing. To me, that’s always been the most important thing.”

‘The Learning Tree’

Chris Jericho further explained that ‘The Learning Tree’ gimmick is based on the role of a teacher. Being a seasoned veteran of the game and with extensive pro wrestling knowledge, Jericho’s persona is a reflection of his real life. He aims to teach and guide the up-and-coming AEW stars. However, he possesses heel traits as he gets people “mad,” given the fact that he is a treasure of knowledge. He explained:

“The teacher. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I thought, what’s a cool way to personify that and make people mad? I’ve been doing this at a high level, I thought, I’ll adopt this persona of being the seasoned vet that teaches the rookies the ways of the game. That’s how it started, and the way we’ve portrayed it, people get really mad at me for it. That’s what you want. By being the seasoned vet who knows everything, that makes people mad at me. That’s wrestling for you.”

The Canadian legend had wanted to take Hook under his wing which the latter rejected. ‘The Learning Tree’ dethroned Hook and captured the FTW Championship. However, the veteran got ‘Go-away heat’ after the title win. On last week’s Dynamite, Jericho retained his title against Katsuyori Shibata.

AEW star Big Bill has been trying to learn from the veteran star, who agreed on last week’s Rampage. It has been announced that Chris Jericho will join forces with Big Bill on tonight’s AEW Dynamite.

Jericho is not only enjoying his title run but he is also gearing up for an acting role in an upcoming action horror movie. Read more below:

Drew McIntyre Threatens To Tear CM Punk Apart in Glasgow in WWE Clash At The Castle Tease

Thomas Lowson
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Drew McIntyre has continued to hype a showdown with CM Punk in the Scottish Warrior’s home country as part of WWE Clash At The Castle. 

During this week’s Raw, Punk once again had plenty to say about McIntyre, albeit after his nemesis had already left the arena. Teasing a showdown at the June 15, event, Punk said: 

“I’m gonna find you. If you make me go to Glasgow, Scottland, I’m gonna be hiding in a bowl of haggis, and I’m gonna pop out, and I’m gonna break your face.”

Now McIntyre has also teased confronting Punk in Scotland. In a lengthy Twitter video, the three-time WWE World Champion ends by saying he’d be ready if Punk does indeed come to Glasgow. 

“I heard what you said. If you actually turn up to Glasgow, you’re not going to leave in one piece.”

Should Punk appear in Glasgow, he may not receive a warm welcome from the UK crowd. Not only will McIntyre receive a hero’s welcome in his home country but the fans at AEW All In gave a mixed-at-best response to Punk for what would eventually be his final All-Elite match. 

Will CM Punk and Drew McIntyre come to blows in Glasgow? 

WWE Clash At The Castle: Scotland

The June 15, event will be WWE’s second Clash At The Castle event and will follow on from the 2022 show in Cardiff, Wales. The name is somewhat inaccurate this time around, as while Cardiff and the surrounding area is home to several castles, there is no actual castle in Glasgow. Clash At The Castle: Scotland will take place at the OVO Hydro which will also host a SmackDown taping the night before. 

WWE Drops Another Clue Linking Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan

Thomas Lowson
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Something is going on between WWE Superstars Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan. Wrestling fans have noticed a series of subtle hints linking the Judgment Day member and the former Women’s World Champion. With Rhea Ripley off TV due to injury, it seems there’s another woman stealing Dirty Dom’s attention as of late.

Ripley suffered an injury during a backstage attack by Morgan that forced her to relinquish the Women’s World Championship. Morgan, the last woman to have a pinfall victory over Ripley, has been relishing in the fact that she put the Australian out of action. 

During the April 29, episode of Monday Night Raw, Dominik was seen leaving a room backstage and Liv was seen leaving the same area moments later. This has led to speculation that something may be brewing between the two despite their on-screen differences as Mysterio is the on-screen ‘squeeze’ of Ripley.

Latest Clue: The Bandana

Now you see it, now you don’t 

The latest ‘blink you and you miss it’ clue was shown on this Monday’s 5/6 WWE Raw. Mysterio appeared in-ring with his signature purple bandana, but was not wearing it later in the show during a backstage segment with The Judgment Day and Carlito. 

Mysterio didn’t address his missing bandana on Raw, but we may have found it. Morgan posed for a photo backstage at Raw and if you look closely at her front left pocket, there’s a purple bandana poking out. 

Oh, there it is!

Could Liv Morgan’s efforts to ruin Rhea Ripley’s life lead to her stealing Dominik away from her? Or is there another reason why the two have been getting closer in recent weeks? All we know is that something appears to be brewing between the former SmackDown Women’s Champion and ‘Dirty Dom.’

Dominik isn’t the only goal in Morgan’s sights, however. The young Superstar will challenge Becky Lynch for the WWE Women’s World Championship (a title Ripley once held) at WWE King and Queen of the Ring. 

NXT Ring Announcer Alicia Taylor Receives Main Roster Call-up

Bishal Roy
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NXT ring announcer Alicia Taylor’s hard work has paid off as she will soon take over her announcing duties on SmackDown.

Reports floated that Alicia Taylor would be called up to the main roster and NXT Creative Head Shawn Michaels recently took to X and confirmed the move. He said that Taylor is an “irreplaceable part” of NXT and acknowledged her for the “countless unforgettable moments” on the brand. HBK is delighted that “she’s bringing her endending passion” to SmackDown. He thanked her for her valuable contributions and congratulated her on her next step.

Following last night’s edition of NXT, on-air personnel, wrestlers and the broadcast team assembled to give a farewell to Taylor. Michaels also posted a video clip of the announcement being made to the NXT locker room about Taylor’s main roster move. 

Alicia Taylor has gained massive popularity for her unique announcing style. The 43-year-old has a heavy metal background which has a major influence on her voice. Taylor is also a drummer and has played drums for Kate Nash, Kelly Osbourne, Colton Dixon, Selena Gomez, and more. 

Alicia Taylor signed with WWE in 2018 and has ever since been the lead announcer of NXT.  However, she has filled in on the main roster as per the requirements. Now, she has secured her move to the blue brand permanently. 

As Alicia Taylor will announce for SmackDown, Mike Rome, who has enjoyed a lengthy tenure on the blue brand, will return to NXT. Meanwhile, Samantha Irvin will continue her duties on Raw. Taylor’s move to the main roster has also scripted history as this marks the first time WWE main roster will feature two black women announcers. 

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