Home Blog Page 351

Ace Steel Opening Foundation of Professional Wrestling School in April 2024

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Ace Steel will bring his decades of experience in the wrestling business to a new wrestling school that is set to welcome its first class next month. 

The Foundation of Professional Wrestling will open its doors in April 2024 in the Orlando, Florida area, a press release recently confirmed. The school is described in its own material as “the most advanced Professional Wrestling school” in the United States. 

Steel will serve as the school’s head coach. He has worked for several major organizations throughout his career including WWE, Ring of Honor, TNA, OVW, the NWA, and NOAH. 

Ace Steel As A Trainer

Steel is perhaps best known for being the original trainer of CM Punk, a fact that was made reference to on AEW programming in 2022. The Best in the World isn’t the only notable name to be trained by Steel. WWE Hall of Famer Lita, WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, and Grayson Waller are among those trained by Steel. 

Outside of the role as a trainer, Steel has served as a coach for the WWE Performance Center and as a producer for WWE NXT. After joining AEW, he served as a producer, coach, and as part of the creative team for the company. He currently serves as a producer and coach for TNA Wrestling. 

Harley Race Inspiration

The new wrestling school will bring a “no-nonsense approach” to training, bestowed upon Steel by WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race. This brand of training inspired by the great NWA Heavyweight Champion is said to create “the most complete foundation meshing with a modern style that supports wrestlers carrying on to every major organization.”

Drew McIntyre Speaks Of A Different Sacrifice While Pursuing WWE Dream

Dominic DeAngelo
-
0

Drew McIntyre came to a sobering realization when he was home in Scotland for a friend’s wedding.

Speaking with SHAK Wrestling of CBS Sports, the number one contender for Seth Rollins’ WWE World Heavyweight Championship opened up about how he recently got to see a great deal of his friends in Scotland, some of which he hasn’t seen in over a decade because his longtime friend Blair was getting married.

“I had seen people who were friends who I had not seen in 20 years. I’ve been gone for legitimately 17 years from Scotland to growing up in America. I was part of WWE. It hit me. ‘Wow, I’ve missed a lot. I feel kind of guilty about it.'”

McIntyre said that he was constantly of the mindset that he was the one making the sacrifice leaving home, traveling to shows and putting in the work to become a pro wrestler, but that recent visit made him think that it has been his family and friends, not himself, making the sacrifice.

“They gave up their son, their nephew, their brother, and their uncle who has missed so many important events because he’s chasing his dream and they encourage me to chase my dream. I really started wising up to that and I felt very guilty.”

Drew McIntyre Plans To Pay His Family’s Sacrifice Off At WrestleMania 40

Two targets Drew McIntyre hasn’t shown any ounce of guilt for his his handling of Seth Rollins or CM Punk. In pursuit for a WrestleMania main event, McIntyre has found a new heel self on WWE television and on the 3/25 episode of WWE Raw, McIntyre greatly took aim at the injuried CM Punk. 

However, he’ll have to face Rollins in Philly while Punk will be behind the commentary table, but McIntyre did make note how rewarding it will be if he gets to hand the gold over to someone special back in Scotland.

“I want to give my family that title. I want to give my dad that title,” McIntyre said. “I want to put that title in his hands and say, ‘Here it is. This is what it was all about since I was five years old and you would constantly be telling my brother and I to stop wrestling around the bedroom. … I finally have it and I can finally give it to you and I can finally say, ‘Hey, I did it. I’m the champion of the world.'”

AEW Has A New PPV Home In The United States

Dominic DeAngelo
-
0

AEW will have a new PPV host moving forward in 2024 and it will start with their upcoming Dynasty event on April 21 in St. Louis, MO.

Since its inception, Bleacher Report was the PPV home to All Elite Wrestling, but starting with Dynasty, AEW PPVs will now be airing on TrillerTV+. TrillerTV (formerly known as Fite TV) has played host to countless wrestling events including shows from GCW, Major League Wrestling and Starrcast.

It’s been a struggle with AEW on Bleacher Report as some users had experienced technical difficulties and even trouble purchasing the events themselves.

More AEW PPVs In 2024

With AEW Dynasty, Tony Khan has indicated that the PPV will signify a new era for All Elite Wrestling and speaking with the media ahead of AEW Revolution. Khan was asked if he had plans for more PPVs in 2024. In 2023, AEW presented a total of eight PPVs, but now he aims to have around nine or ten.

AEW Dynasty will certainly have some fresh elements once it goes down on April 21. Since Revolution took place, both Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Monet made their official debut for the company. Dynasty already has a major match signed for the event as Will Ospreay will square off against Bryan Danielson in one of the headline fights. While not confirmed, it appears that the company is angling to have Samoa Joe defend his AEW World Championship against Swerve Strickland, but before Swerve has a chance at getting a shot, he must face Konosuke Takeshita this week on AEW Dynamite.

Jesse Ventura Will Not Be Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Vice Presidential Running Mate

Dominic DeAngelo
-
0

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his running mate for American Vice President on March 26 and it will not be Jesse Ventura.

The pro wrestling legend along with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers were reportedly on RFK Jr.’s short list to tag up with the Independent candidate in his 2024 Presidential campaign for the White House, but it actually ended up being neither celebrity.

During a rally today in Oakland, CA Kennedy announced that his running mate would be attorney and entreprenur Nicole Shanahan. Shanahan, along with Kennedy, will be the youngest person running for the Vice Presidential office at the age of 38.

Jesse Ventura Broke New Ground As Governor Of Minnesota

Jesse Ventura made history when he became the governor of Minnesota in 1998 as he defeated both Democrats and Republicans to win the office. Serendipitously enough, Ventura put politics in a headlock at the same time pro wrestling did with pop culture.

Although not his running mate, Ventura has shown his past support for RFK Jr. in his Presidential candidacy. Ventura has always been a big proponent for a major third political party and has shown his appreciation for RFK’s independent run during a previous rally in Arizona.

“I always say Jack Kennedy was the greatest president of all in my lifetime,” he said. “And the reason I say that is because they let him serve the least amount. He didn’t even get one term. That’s why he’s the best, because they couldn’t let him go past, not even one term. Well, maybe it’s time to elect another Kennedy.”

NXT Stand & Deliver: Oba Femi Will Defend North American Title In Triple Threat Match

Aaron Varble
-
0

Oba Femi has a lot of eyes on him right now. NXT officials see him as the next big thing, and there are a lot of reasons to see their point.

This week’s episode of WWE NXT was an eventful broadcast. We saw Ridge Holland step away from in-ring competition. Natalya event surprised fans during the show. Fans also saw a big title match booked for Stand & Deliver.

During the March 26 episode of WWE NXT, Oba Femi announced that he will defend the North American Title against Dijak and Josh Briggs in a triple threat match.

Booking The Match

During WWE NXT this week, Josh Briggs defeated Duke Hudson in a brutal contest. Dijak was at ringside on commentary, and just as he was about to step in the ring to take Briggs on, Oba Femi showed up.

The NXT North American Champion said that he has two worth opponents for his title. They get to climb the mountain at Stand & Deliver, but Oba Femi was there to remind them that he is the mountain.

The triple threat match was booked at that point, where Oba Femi seems more than ready to defend his North American Tile against both Dijak and Josh Briggs.

WWE NXT Stand & Deliver

WWE is less than two weeks away from WrestleMania 40 and Stand & Deliver. This week’s episode of NXT continued building toward the April 6 Stand & Deliver event. A lot can also happen in the meantime. You may check out the updated card (so far) below.

  • Host: Meta-Four
  • Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tony D’Angelo: Singles match for the NXT Championship
  • Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker (c) vs. Tournament Winners: Tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
  • Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes: Singles match
  • Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Roxanne Perez: Singles match for the NXT Women’s Championship
  • Oba Femi (c) vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs – Triple Threat match for the NXT North American Title

Becky Lynch Compares WWE Creative Under Triple & Vince McMahon

Tyriece Simon
-
0

WWE fans have been enjoying the direction the company has been going under the creative leadership of Paul Levesque(AKA Triple H). For years. the company has faced issues like plans being changed during a TV episode to the last minute with Vince McMahon at the helm. However, creativity has seemingly run more smoothly with Levesque in charge, and superstars like Becky Lynch appreciate the shift. 

Paul Levesque(Triple H) and Vince McMahon Backstage

In an interview with Getting Over: Wrestling Podcast, ‘The Man’ discussed the differences in WWE creative under Levesque and McMahon. She shared that consistency is the main factor and praised the former nine-time WWE Champion for his long-term storytelling. 

“…Paul tends to have a long-term vision of something and an idea of something and then executes, whereas before, you know, it was notorious that the show was being rewritten as it was going, and we were live on TV, and people didn’t know what was happening in the third hour and there would be stories that would start and then Vince would change his mind and so with Paul, he sees things through and for better or worse that gives a different viewing experience,” said Lynch.

‘The Man’ also explained why it’s important to let storylines develop over time as intended rather than nixing them altogether. 

“…You might not like the story on week two, but you don’t know where it’s going on week four, and so if we listen to people that saying ‘Yeah, but we don’t like the story on week two,’ well then you might never get the magic that you were going to get on week four, and so I think it’s important to listen to the audience to a certain degree,” said Lynch.

More On Becky Lynch’s Thoughts On Storytelling

Lynch went into detail about storytelling and why letting things play out as intended over time is good. The former WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion used herself as an example from when she was feuding with Bianca Belair and defeated her in 26 seconds at WWE SummerSlam on August 21, 2021. 

She noted that the fans didn’t like some of the ‘heel’ things she did during her rivalry and that it was meant to elicit negative reactions. 

“…You were meant to be outraged. You were meant to want to see her succeed, and then I think I started talking about her hair, and people were outraged that I might touch her hair,” said Lynch. She continued, “…If you don’t know where we are going… also, I am a heel. You are meant to be outraged by the things that I do, and please understand that is a heel. Heel isn’t like somebody that gives cool zingers. It is somebody that is unlikable that you want to see the babyface overthrow. Doesn’t always work out.”

Lynch reaffirmed her stance that it is good to see things through, which is something that WWE is doing more under Levesque’s leadership. It seems WWE creatively is in a better place than it has been for their talent and fans. Hopefully, the company’s momentum will continue and allow for more creative storytelling that can make for great weekly TV programming. 

Indefinite Hiatus: Ridge Holland Announces He Is Stepping Away From In-Ring Competition During 3/26 WWE NXT

Aaron Varble
-
0

WWE Superstars all see an end to their careers, whether they like it or not. Sometimes, they pull the plug themselves, and it appears that Ridge Holland might not wrestle again for a long time.

Holland took the ring during the March 26 episode of WWE NXT. He cut a personal and passionate promo, making fans wonder if this is part of the show or the real thing. In the end, Ridge Holland announced his indefinite hiatus from in-ring competition.

Holland’s Big Announcement

Ridge Holland took the microphone this week on NXT, and he spoke about a very difficult decision that he had to make. The former Brawling Brute said that he’s been going through a lot, and he cannot continue.

Holland said that he had two very difficult conversations over the past week. He spoke with his family and those who love him, and he also had a long conversation in the mirror.

He then said that out of the concern for the safety of himself and everyone he works with in the ring, he is stepping away from in-ring competition. He said this is indefinite, and nobody came out to stop him.

Fans in the NXT Arena chanted “Thank you, Ridge” as he left. Then the camera followed him through the curtain and cut to the next segment.

Ridge Holland’s Hand in Superstar Injuries

Ridge Holland has been involved in a couple injuries over the past year or so. The most famous accident involved Big E, which left the New Day member with a broken neck.

Holland also had a hand in injuring Elton Prince of Pretty Deadly. NXT ran an angle where Holland injured Ilja Dragunov as well.

We will have to see if this is a work or a shoot from Ridge Holland. Right now, all we know is that fans shouldn’t expect to see him in the ring any time soon. SEScoops will have more on this story if there are any further updates.

CM Punk Sends A Warning To The Rock As WrestleMania Hype Reaches a Fever Pitch

Dominic DeAngelo
-
0

Chicago was simmering for CM Punk on WWE Raw and ‘The Second City Saint’ didn’t let his hometown down. Punk made his long-awaited return to The Windy City and dropped the WrestleMania 40 bombshell that he’d be on commentary for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match between Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre.

After the show ended, Cathy Kelley caught up with Punk backstage for a WWE Digital Exclusive interview and asked him what it felt like to be in front of a packed house in Chicago.

“I feel such a responsibility to want to give them a show that I can’t right now because I paid the price of being a professional wrestler since I was 15, but I felt I gave them a little bit of that guy.”

Kelley mentioned that The Rock name-dropped Punk tonight after being relatively quiet when it comes to him. That didn’t go unnoticed by CM Punk.

“I’m glad Rock’s back and it’s good to see that he knows his role and he’s kept his mouth shut. Anything goes here in this new era of WWE with me being back I’m gonna cross paths with everybody sooner or later.”

Finally, when it came to Punk being on commentary for Rollins vs. McIntyre, Punk said he thought being behind the broadcast booth may be the best spot for him that evening.

“Let’s face it, who’s the five-tool player in the WWE right now? It’s this guy. I’d like to maybe try my hand out as a referee, but honestly, I would not be able to be impartial with those two idiots so maybe commentary is the best thing to do.”

Main Roster Surprise: Natalya Answers Lola Vice’s Open Challenge During 3/26 WWE NXT

Aaron Varble
-
0

WWE will sometimes have main roster talent come by NXT to have a match on Tuesday night. This week’s show included a nice surprise, because Natalya was around for the show.

Lola Vice issued an open challenge prior to the March 26 episode of NXT. Natalya was the woman who stepped up to take her on.

Natalya On WWE NXT

Lola Vice took the microphone during WWE NXT this week, and she cut a heel promo. Then Natalya interrupted her, and the Queen of Harts received a very warm welcome in the NXT Arena.

Natalya made it clear how good Lola can be. That beings said, she was on NXT to accept her open challenge and take her down a peg or two.

In the end, Natalya got the win with a roll-up pin. This was a big win for Natalya on NXT, and we will have to see if things are only getting started with her and Lola Vice.

This is not the first time that Natalya has showed up in NXT. She has stopped by the brand in the past to mix it up with the NXT roster.

WWE NXT Stand & Deliver

WWE is less than two weeks away from WrestleMania 40 and Stand & Deliver. This week’s episode of NXT continued building toward the April 6 Stand & Deliver event. A lot can also happen in the meantime. You may check out the updated card (so far) below.

  • Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tony D’Angelo: Singles match for the NXT Championship
  • Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker (c) vs. Tournament Winners: Tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
  • Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes: Singles match
  • Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Roxanne Perez: Singles match for the NXT Women’s Championship
  • Oba Femi (c) vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs – Triple Threat match for the NXT North American Title

Mick Foley Dropping Weight & Documenting His Journey Towards One Last Match

Dominic DeAngelo
-
0

Mick Foley aims to have one more match with part of his goal was losing weight in the process and he’s gotten a little help from an old friend in Al Snow.

As of recent, the WWE Hall of Famer has gotten himself involved with Al Snow’s OVW and Foley found a little more than just the squared circle while working with Snow and his talented Ohio Valley Wrestling roster.

In a new Instagram video, Foley revealed that he is receiving help from two OVW talents in cutting weight. Crystal White and Katie Gannon have taken Foley under their workout wing and have assisted ‘The Hardcore Legend’ to drop over 24 pounds.

In the video, Foley talked about he happened to love the Netflix series, Wrestlers, which spotlighted the talent in OVW, prompting Mick to reach out to Snow. Foley wanted to get himself involved with an ongoing storylin and being there is where he met White and Gannon.

One Last Match For Mick Foley

Before he ended his “Foley Is Pod” podcast, Mick Foley happened to drop the bombshell that he planned to shed 100 lbs in order to have one last match and he has a desire to make it a deathmatch. Just turning 60 years old, Foley has been serious in that desire and he’s had several interested parties in obliging him.

Matt Cardona, the self-proclaimed “Deathmatch King”, has made a case as to why he should face the “Three Faces Of Foley,” but fellow WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam also threw his hat in the ring, noting that he was the last WWE Hardcore Champion, but for some reason, Foley has that title in his possession. Despite the fact that RVD and Foley are both ECW legends, the two have never squared off against one another.

Details On Jim Ross’ New Book, ‘Business Is About To Pick Up!’

Dominic DeAngelo
-
0

Jim Ross has another book coming out and it will be available before the summer hits.

The current AEW commentator is joined once again by Paul O’Brien for his third book, Business Is About To Pick Up!, but it is very different from his first two books. 

The WWE Hall of Famer will be recounting 50 different of his most memorable calls over his storied and vast career. A release date for May 7, 2024 is announced by the publisher, Penguin Random House. Full details of the book is below:

Experience 50 years of wrestling history through the iconic voice of Jim Ross.

For wrestling fans, Jim Ross’ voice is the soundtrack of an era. This book is your ringside ticket to wrestling’s most unforgettable moments—from the announcer who made them iconic.

In the last 50 years, professional wrestling has risen up from a collection of regional territories to become a global phenomenon—and Jim Ross has been there for it all. From the grit and glory days of the 1970s with NWA, to the rise of WCW and the heyday of WWF and WWE, to signing on as on-air talent and senior advisor for wrestling’s newest chapter at AEW, Jim Ross has long had the best seat in the house.

Now, in 50 definitive chapters, chronicling 50 iconic calls across 50 unforgettable years, Business Is About to Pick Up! takes you into the ring, and behind the scenes, as only Jim Ross can.

Immerse yourself in sports entertainment’s most dramatic moments, biggest shocks, and history-making firsts—from watershed collisions like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin versus Bret “Hitman” Hart to industry-shaping milestones like the debut of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the rise of John Cena and Dave Bautista as Hollywood A-list stars, and the birth of All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Then debate which moments Jim Ross just had to include . . . and what else should’ve made his list.

This book is a celebration of pro wrestling’s past, present, and future—narrated by the Voice of Wrestling himself, who was ringside to call it all.

Jim Ross Signed A New Deal With AEW

Not only does Jim Ross have a new book for fans to look forward to, but the legend will be sticking around with AEW for the following year. JR said on his podcast that his latest negotiations with Tony Khan were the easiest of his career and his new deal is reportedly very lucrative.

Despite this, Ross did make that comment that he has to be open to the possibility that 2024 could be his last year on commentary.

Rhea Ripley On Taking it to The Men: ‘At School They Called Me The Nutcracker’

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Rhea Ripley isn’t afraid to take it to the male Superstars and her willingness to take it to all sexes has been a long-standing tradition for WWE’s resident ‘Mami.’

Ripley hasn’t been shy when it comes to taking on male Superstars during her tenure with WWE. Before his inclusion in the Judgment Day, Dominik Mysterio often fell victim to attacks by Ripley in 2022. Superstars who have fallen victim to ‘Mami’ include AJ Styles, Matt Riddle, Akira Tozawa, Rey Mysterio, Kevin Owens, and Luke Gallows, as seen in the video below. 

Rhea Ripley: The Nutcracker

Ripley’s toughness in the face of men is nothing new for the Judgment Day star. Speaking on an episode of Logan Paul’s ImPaulsive podcast, Ripley recalled holding her own during her younger years. 

“I got the nickname in high school ‘Nutcracker’ for a reason. Because I used to hit people in the nuts.”

Ripley added that it’s not just her adversaries who have to submit to ‘Mami’ but that she often gets ‘physical’ with her partner, AEW star Buddy Matthews. 

“Being in the relationship that I am with my partner, we scrap a little bit. I normally start it and I finish it.” 

Rhea Ripley Vs. Logan Paul?

During the podcast, Paul joked that he and Ripley will one day have a match for the custody of Dominik Mysterio. Unfazed by the WWE United States Champion, Ripley said Paul can get ready to have his a** kicked. If it happened, the match would be the second ‘Custody of Dominik’ match in WWE history. Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero competed over a young Dominik at SummerSlam 2005 in a ladder match Rey won. 

What’s to Come for Rhea Ripley? 

Ripley’s next big match will see her face a ‘Man’ albeit one of a different kind. The Judgment Day member will put her WWE Women’s World Championship on the line at WrestleMania 40 against Becky Lynch. Lynch earned the title shot with a victory in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match. 

Updated in 2023: WWE’s Consensual Relationship Policy Documents Unveiled

Aaron Varble
-
0

WWE saw a huge change when Vince McMahon stepped down following a lawsuit that exposed allegations of heinous acts. The company didn’t waste time in preparing an updated internal policy.

A copy of WWE’s workplace relationship policy was just released. The policy prohibits employees from holding any supervisory role over someone with whom they have had or currently have a consensual relationship, especially focusing on executives like the CEO, President, CFO, and others.

WWE’s Updated Relationship Policy

POST Wrestling and Wrestlenomics has now reported that WWE sent out a memo about workplace relationships. They obtained, and published a three-page copy of the policy.

In June 2023, WWE introduced a policy regarding sexual or romantic relationships in the workplace, following reports of alleged sexual misconduct involving former Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon.

The policy states that an employee is prohibited from having any instructional, evaluative, or supervisory role over a person with whom they have had or currently have a consensual relationship. It includes specific guidelines concerning relationships with top executives such as WWE Board Members or members of the executive team, including the CEO, President, CFO, Chief Content Officer, Chief Legal Officer, or Chief Human Resources Officer.

Vince McMahon’s WWE Exit

Vince McMahon resigned from his position in WWE after the allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit went public. He was advised by TKO CEO Ari Emanuel and TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro to resign after Slim Jim pulled their sponsorship just before the 2024 Royal Rumble event. They returned to sponsor the show after Mr. McMahon stepped down.

The allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon highlighted a culture that they certainly do not want to continue. TKO Holdings Group is not going to allow such behavior, as they have exhibited with Brock Lesnar’s continued absence from WWE television.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is available. Keep checking back throughout the day for the latest headlines.

Becky Lynch Gets Candid About ‘Difficult to Reconcile’ Vince McMahon Allegations

Aaron Varble
-
0

Vince McMahon resigned from WWE, and he hasn’t been mentioned on television since the bombshell allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit went public. Everyone had their own reaction to the situation, as they processed all of these alleged acts coming to light. 

Becky Lynch said that the Vince McMahon she knew was like a grandfather. The allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit makes it hard to connect those heinous things and the McMahon she knew.

The Man Speaks on The Chairman

Becky Lynch received her first big push, and became The Man, under Vince McMahon’s leadership. It was a huge shock for her to realize that the man responsible for the biggest boom in her career was allegedly leading such a terrible double life. 

While speaking to Richard Deitsch on the Sports Media Podcast, Becky Lynch answered a question about the allegations against Vince McMahon. She experienced a much different Vince McMahon, and it’s hard to connect the two.

“[They’re horrendous allegations, they’re horrendous, and it’s so hard to listen and reconcile with because you don’t know that person. The person that I’ve experienced was like a grandad. At times a very grumpy granddad, and one that you’re frustrated with. But one that was so supportive of me and my family and of my career, encouraging and understanding as well at times, and is also very responsible for one for the dream that I have, the fact that there is a WWE and then allowing me to live my dream, for meeting my husband, for my whole family, everything that I have. And then you hear these allegations and it’s hard to connect the two. In many ways they just feel like two different people. So trying to see them as one person, I don’t know, it’s very hard. It’s very difficult to reconcile.”

WrestleMANia 40

Becky Lynch is still on top of the WWE roster under Triple H’s creative vision. She won the 2024 Women’s Elimination Chamber match, and she is set to battle Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s World Title at WrestleMania 40. 

Lynch also stated that she would like to open up the showcase of the immortals’ first night this year. We will have to see how they stack the show of shows this year. SEScoops will have more updates as they are made available. 

AEW Hires Ex-WWE Live Events Director Kosha Irby As New Chief Operating Officer

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Kosha Irby will work as All Elite Wrestling’s Chief Operating Officer from here on, a statement by the All-Elite promotion has confirmed. 

Irby will oversee strategic planning and execution of Live Events, Marketing, Finances, Human Resources, Licensing, Consumer Products, and other major lines of business, the statement adds. AEW President Tony Khan shared his excitement for Irby to join the AEW fold. 

“Kosha brings decades of experience within the sports, entertainment, and wrestling industries, alongside an incredible work ethic and passion for our brand. As Chief Operating Officer, he will be a phenomenal asset to AEW as we enter the next phase of the company’s ongoing business development and expansion.”

Who is Kosha Irby? 

Irby joins All Elite Wrestling after years as the Chief Marketing Officer for Clemson University’s athletics department. He has also previously held positions with the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football and had been President of Professional Bull Riders. 

The most notable role on Irby’s resume before joining AEW was his tenure with WWE. Irby was the Regional Director of Live Events for the promotion, a role he began in August 2011. Irby was with WWE for close to seven years before his exit in June 2018. 

Other WWE to AEW Moves

Kosha Irby isn’t the first notable name from WWE to make his way to All Elite Wrestling. Mike Mansury left WWE in 2020 and joined AEW in 2022 as the company’s Senior VP and Co-Executive Producer. 

This move did not come without some controversy. One of Mansury’s first moves was to cut AEW’s former VP of Post Production Kevin Sullivan (not to be confused with the Taskmaster.) Many in AEW were shocked by the move, with some of the belief that Khan could have prevented Sullivan’s termination. 

Last month, AEW hired Jennifer Pepperman, mere days after her exit from WWE was confirmed. Pepperman had been a Senior Writer & Producer for WWE. Pepperman is said to be close friends with Mercedes Mone and it is believed she is working directly on Mone’s creative direction in AEW. 

AEW’s Nigel McGuiness Felt “Perfectly Okay” When He Recently Got Back in the Ring

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Nigel McGuiness has made quite the name for himself as a broadcaster in wrestling, but could the former ROH World Champion be gearing up for an in-ring return? 

It was a Hepatitis B diagnosis that derailed McGuinness’ career in 2011 and led to his retiring from the ring. During an episode of AEW Unrestricted last year, McGuinness explained that WWE had opted not to sign him because of the diagnosis, and he did not wish to return to TNA Wrestling. 

Back in the Ring

Speaking to the Wrestling Weekly with Les Thatcher & Victor Sosa, McGuinness was asked about a potential return to action. The British broadcaster then revealed that he recently felt fine when he got in the ring.

“I can still wrestle today, you know? I got in the ring last week and just felt perfectly okay. Sometimes, people say it’s a lot easier if you choose yourself to quit and I don’t think that it’s the case.”

Returns from Retirement

If McGuinness was to wrestle again, he would not be the first wrestler to come back from retirement. Saraya, Adam Copeland, and Bryan Danielson were all once told their in-ring careers were over but all three now wrestle for AEW. 

Over in WWE, injuries forced Corey Graves to retire from the ring, which resulted in him becoming a commentator. Graves has since been cleared to compete again, though he’s yet to have an official match. 

Plans For a Match? 

McGuinness has said in the past that he would’ve relished the opportunity to face Bryan Danielson at last year’s AEW All In event inside Wembley Stadium. With AEW set to return to the UK this August, it seems more possible than ever that a match could finally happen. 

H/T – POST Wrestling

Arn Anderson Commends Sting For AEW Retirement Match

Dominic DeAngelo
-
0

Arn Anderson knows the bumps and bruises that goes with being a pro wrestler, and is happy that Sting got to finish his wrestling career the way he wanted to.

On the latest episode of ARN, ‘The Enforcer’ was covering WCW in November 1994 where the topic of Sting came up, particularly with how all the emphasis was on Hulk Hogan arriving in the promotion at the time. The question was asked if Sting could have been heated up to that level if he had Eric Bischoff and the machine behind him to which Arn firmly believed could have been the case. 

That eventually led to co-host Paul Bromwell asking Arn’s thoughts on Sting’s retirement at AEW Revolution, something that Anderson hadn’t talked about since it happened. Arn then gave his thoughts about Sting wrapping it up after four decades of wrestling.

“I think it was what he envisioned. He plugged his two kids in which I thought was innovative and he had earned to have the fact that having his night go to exactly like he imagined it. He’s earned that.

“If you’ve given to this business 40 years of your life and went home and had your wife put you back together any number of times. Help you get up off the couch, and help get out of bed and help you step in the shower. All the things that your family does to support you.

“At 40 years, you should be able to picture your retirement in whatever company you’re working for and thank God he was working for AEW because Tony [Khan] pretty much just said, ‘Hey, how do you see it?’ I’m sure. ‘How do you see it, Sting?’ And Sting told him and he went, ‘That’s what we’ll do,’ and I’m very happy for him. I’m glad.”

Anderson unfortunately had to retire from the ring prematurely back in 1998 after suffering a bad neck injury, but despite that, ‘The Enforcer’, along with The Four Horsemen became one of Stinger’s greatest rivals. Arn is set to be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame this summer in Waterloo, Iowa.

Batista Reveals His Pet Dog Has Completed Chemotherapy

Bishal Roy
-
0

Pro wrestler-turned-actor Batista (real name Dave Bautista) recently indicated on social media that his beloved pet dog is having a serious health issue. 

It is no secret that Batista is a passionate animal lover. From time to time, his love for dogs has been on display and he has extended his support for several animal welfare causes. In addition to this, the proud dog dad has also helped to raise awareness to rescue animals.

Last year he came forward in helping YouTube star MrBeast to find homes for 100 abandoned dogs. His efforts to rescue animals and provide shelter for them have been widely praised. Unfortunately, Batista with his pet dog is going through trying times.

Batista’s pet dog undergoes chemotherapy session

Taking to his Instagram stories section, the former WWE star announced that his dog was undergoing chemotherapy sessions. He also dropped a photo of his pet and wrote the following in the caption:  

“My baby boy all done with chemo.”

Batista is thriving in Hollywood

After having a successful pro wrestling career, Batista made a breakthrough in Hollywood and has tasted immense success. He is also a part of Dune: Part Two, which was released earlier this month and in the movie, he plays the character of Beast Rabban.

Recently, Batista revealed that he is hopeful of making directorial debut next year. On the other hand, his WWE Hall of Fame induction is also due which was pushed back due to the pandemic. On a related note, the former World Champion had stated that he would pick his WWE Hall of Fame induction over a place in James Gunn’s DC Universe. Check out his comments below:

Thunderbolt Patterson Asked Veteran Journalist To Induct Him Into 2024 WWE Hall of Fame

Aaron Varble
-
0

WWE is about to take over Philly for WrestleMania weekend. The WWE Hall of Fame will also be a high point for many fans, and we’re getting more information about the ceremony.

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is set for April 5, 2024, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, the night before WrestleMania XL. It will be live-streamed at 10 pm Eastern Time on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network internationally, following WWE SmackDown. Inductees include Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, The U.S. Express, Muhammad Ali, and Thunderbolt Patterson.

Who inductees a WWE Hall of Famer into the class is always an important decision. Now, it has been revealed that journalist Scott Spears will induct Thunderbolt Patterson.

Thunderbolt Patterson’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction

The Marion Star reports that Scott Spears was asked by Thunderbolt Patterson to induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Following this news of Patterson’s induction, he shared his thoughts in an interview with Scott Spears on “Now With Scott Spears” on WGH Talk radio in Marion, Ohio.

While expressing his gratitude, Patterson stated, “I feel good. It’s something that I dreamed about, and if it had not been for the Lord, it would not have happened.” He also credited wrestling personalities Geraldo Brisco and Bruce Prichard, journalist Mike Mooneyham, and Spears for their contributions in keeping his legacy alive, leading to his induction into the Hall of Fame.

Spears spoke about how much of an honor it is for him when reacting to Thunderbolt Patterson asking him to do the honor of inducting him into the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame. He also doesn’t take this honor lightly.

“This is such an honor for me. I have been friends with Thunderbolt for many years, and there is no one more deserving of this honor than him. For him to ask me to induct him is one of the great honors I have ever received, and I don’t take that lightly.”

Who Is Scott Spears

Spears, an award-winning journalist with the Associated Press, has interviewed notable figures including Dr. Maya Angelou, Bill Cosby, Phil Donahue, Betty White, Larry King, and five Ohio governors.

“Now With Scott Spears” can be heard weekdays 8:15-10 a.m. live at wwgh1071.com or by downloading the TuneIn Radio app and searching “WGH Talk.” The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame will air on April 5 after SmackDown, one night prior to WrestleMania 40’s first night.

Daily Drop (3/26): Paul Heyman Spotted In Cryptic Encounter, AEW Star Still Injured

Aaron Varble
-
0

Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Tuesday, March 26. WWE held a huge episode of RAW this week in Chicago, and there is a lot to unpack, so let’s get right into it.

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 11

WWE:

– Liv Morgan The Hero: Liv Morgan is getting some attention after she saved AEW star CJ Perry’s birthday party from a fire.

– Fire The Man: Becky Lynch expressed the idea that she was legit worried that Vince McMahon would fire her in 2020 when she became pregnant.

– WrestleMami: WWE dropped a new Rhea Ripley t-shirt that looks very Undertaker-ish. It is also done up in the Judgment Day style, and we can imagine these will sell well. You may click here to see what they have to offer in the WWE Shop.

– Paul Heyman Easter Egg: Eagle-eyed fans spotted Paul Heyman speaking to Drew McIntyre backstage during RAW this week. They could be seen in the background during a backstage segment.

– Nightmare Family Engaged: Cody Rhodes’ family was not happy about how The Rock made Cody bleed during RAW this week.

– Dominik Got Smashed: Becky Lynch really clocked Dominik Mysterio with a punch this week on RAW. The slow motion video is going viral, and you may check it out below.

WWE NXT (3/26) Card:

  • Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin vs. Alpha Academy (Otis & Akira Tozawa)
  • Ilja Dragunov vs. Channing ‘Stacks’ Lorenzo
  • Shawn Spears vs. Dijak
  • Thea Hail vs. Jazmyn Nyx
  • Josh Briggs vs. Duke Hudson

AEW:

– Yuta Injured: Wheeler Yuta was pulled from a multiple man tag team match in CMLL, where he would have teamed with the rest of the BCC. His injury status is a bit worrying now.

– AEW Collision Move: Just a reminder for fans that AEW has moved Collision on April 6, so they don’t conflict with WrestleMania.

– Drew To AEW: Swerve Strickland commented how perfect Drew McIntyre would be in AEW. We will have to see how those chips fall.

– Mercedes’ First AEW Match: Mercedes Mone asked fans who they want to see her face first in AEW. There are a lot of possibilities for her.

– JR’s New Book: Jim Ross announced that his new book, “Business Is About to Pick Up!: 50 Years of Wrestling in 50 Unforgettable Calls,” co-written by Paul O’Brien, will be released on May 27.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

Looking ahead, here are some of the major upcoming shows that we have in the pipeline:

April 6: NXT Stand & Deliver and WrestleMania XL Saturday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 7: WrestleMania XL Sunday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 21: All Elite Wrestling presents AEW Dynasty live on pay-per-view from St. Louis, Missouri at the Chaifetz Arena.

May 4: WWE Backlash France from Décines-Charpieu, France at the LDLC Arena.

Liv Morgan Saves The Day with Extreme Rules Skills After Fire At AEW Star’s Birthday Party

Thomas Lowson
-
0

WWE Superstar Liv Morgan was on hand to save the day after a small fire broke out at the birthday party for AEW star CJ Perry. 

Perry celebrated turning 39 this past weekend. The AEW star celebrated at her home with close friends, including Morgan and Sonya Deville. 

Liv Morgan to the Rescue

On Twitter, Morgan shared that a small fire oven fire broke out at Perry’s recent birthday. Thankfully for the attendees, Morgan knew exactly how to operate a fire extinguisher and put out the blaze. 

Morgan used a fire extinguisher during her match at Extreme Rules 2022 against Ronda Rousey. The then-SmackDown Women’s Champion caught Rousey by surprise during their Extreme Rules match. Unfortunately for Morgan, Rousey would get the win, kicking off her second reign as WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion. 

Liv Morgan & CJ Perry

Perry and Morgan are close friends and during a WWE storyline, were teased to be something more. During the final Raw in 2019, Perry (Lana at the time) was set to marry her on-screen partner Bobby Lashley. 

The ceremony was interrupted when Morgan appeared and claimed she and Lana had been in a relationship, professing her love for Lana in the process. Despite online buzz over the segment and intrigue over the inclusion of LGBTQ+ storylines, the angle was quickly shelved. 

What’s to Come for Liv Morgan? 

With WrestleMania 40 less than two weeks away, Morgan is currently without a match on either night of the show. Some hope to see Morgan added to the Women’s World Championship match, given that she’s been feuding with Becky Lynch and was the last woman to pin Rhea Ripley. 

Becky Lynch Feared Being Fired By WWE After Learning She Was Pregnant in 2020

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Becky Lynch was concerned that her WWE career would come to an end when she disclosed to Vince McMahon that she was pregnant in 2020. 

Lynch announced her pregnancy during a May 2020 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw that also marked the end of her Raw Women’s Championship reign. In a heartfelt segment, Lynch revealed that Asuka would be the new Raw Women’s Champion as she had captured the Women’s Money in the Bank briefcase the night before. 

Worried About Telling Vince McMahon

Lynch’s pregnancy was great for the WWE Superstar but would cost the promotion one of its biggest names. In her new book The Man, Lynch recalls watching WrestleMania 36 at home but being more concerned about what she’d say to Vince McMahon. 

“‘How am I going to tell Vince?’ I turned to Colby [Seth Rollins] realizing that beyond our immediate family, the most powerful man in wrestling needed to be the first recipient of our news.”

While Rollins did his best to assure Lynch things would be fine, Lynch feared the worst would happen when she rang her then-boss. 

Lynch: “You think he’s gonna yell at me? Fire me?

Rollins: “I don’t think so. But he’ll probably be upset.”

Other Options

Hoping to potentially save her career, Lynch pitched possible ideas to Rollins that would allow her to remain with WWE in a non-competitive role. 

“‘I’ll tell him [Vince] I can still keep working. You know, maybe I can… I could make a documentary about this. Or I could maybe be a consultant on the creative team or something?’… I scrambled for ways to save my job.”

Telling Vince McMahon

Lynch’s first effort to call McMahon would see her call go to his answering machine but he would immediately ring back, saying he had been in a meeting. In the memoir, Lynch vividly recalls the conversation she had with McMahon. 

“I’m calling you because, well, we have a little bit of a problem… Sir, I’m five weeks pregnant and so I was thinking maybe we could…”

While Lynch was terrified at the prospect of being let go, McMahon cut her off before she could say anything else. 

“Congratulations! Oh my God Rebecca! That’s fantastic news. Wow! I’m so happy for you!”

What Came Next? 

Lynch would give birth to her and Rollins’ daughter Roux in December 2020. She returned to WWE programming at SummerSlam 2021. Her return would see her capture the SmackDown Women’s Championship in seconds from Bianca Belair, turning heel in the process. 

Fired While Pregnant?!

Lynch obviously was not fired due to her pregnancy, but not every woman in wrestling has been so fortunate. In 2005, Dawn Marie was fired while pregnant. Her final appearance for the company came at that year’s ECW One Night Stand event where she managed Lance Storm for his match with Chris Jericho. 

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

Update On Ivar After Being Pulled From 3/25 WWE Monday Night Raw

Thomas Lowson
-
0

The Viking Raiders’ Ivar wasn’t allowed to compete on the March 25, episode of WWE Raw, but fans shouldn’t expect to see him out of action for long. 

In the run-up to the show, Ivar had been advertised to face Andrade in what’d be the second Raw match for the latter since his return to WWE. The former AEW star made his return to WWE as part of the Men’s 2024 Royal Rumble match that’d be won by fellow AEW alum Cody Rhodes. 

Ivar Pulled from Raw

Shortly before Monday Night Raw went on the air, General Manager Adam Pearce announced that Ivar had been pulled from the show. Noting that the card is always “subject to change,” Pearce said that Ivar was “medically unable to compete.” He was replaced by Imperium’s Giovanni Vinci. 

The Latest on Ivar

Ivar is said to be fine, according to sources who spoke to Fightful Select and he is expected to return to the ring soon. Sources did not reveal why the star had been taken out of competition in the first place. 

Ivar as a Singles Superstar

It’s a good thing that Ivar won’t be out for long, as he’s been on quite the role as a singles Superstar. With Erik out of action, Ivar has been kept on TV and used regularly. This is quite the change from WWE’s past attitude of pulling both members of a tag team from TV if one member is injured. 

Ivar has been impressing the right people within WWE with an October 2023 ‘Viking Rules’ match with Kofi Kingston receiving particular praise. The match, and Ivar’s overall willingness to work without Erik, have left WWE open-minded to using Ivar in a singles capacity in the future.

Judge Withdraws From Ted DiBiase Jr. Welfare Fraud Case, Jury Trial Pushed Back

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. has seen his trial pushed back in relation to the largest case of welfare fund fraud in the history of the state of Mississippi. 

DiBiase is charged with allegedly using two different companies to receive money from “at least five sham contracts.” DiBiase, according to litigation, received full or almost full payments regardless of whether sufficient, if any work, was carried out. 

This is connected to a massive welfare scandal that involved several prominent names, including Ted’s father Ted Sr. Brett DiBiase, the brother of Ted Jr. has pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States. 

Judge Withdraws

Judge Carlton W. Reeves has recused himself from the criminal trial against DiBiase, though the reasoning behind this decision is currently not publicly known. In their place, Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac will now oversee the trial. 

Trial Pushed Back

Because of this change, the trial against the former WWE World Tag Team Champion has been pushed back. He was originally set to face a pre-trial conference on June 21 and was scheduled to stand trial on July 16. Instead, DiBiase will face a jury trial on January 7, 2025. 

What Has the DiBiase Family Said? 

Ted DiBiase Jr. has pled not guilty to all charges against him and was released on an unsecured $10,000 bond. When asked for comment when leaving the court, he told WAPT-TV “Jesus loves you.”

Ted Sr., who reportedly received a $250,000 check from the Family Resource Center in fraudulent funds, has hit out at the case. The WWE Hall of Famer said in June 2023 that the case is “garbage” and that his family is being made into a “scapegoat.”

What’s Next? 

If convicted, Ted Jr. faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count. He also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for each count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and for each count of money laundering. 

Wheeler Yuta Pulled From CMLL Event Amid Lengthy Absence

Bishal Roy
-
0

AEW star Wheeler Yuta has been forced to withdraw from a CMLL event as he is currently sidelined.

Yuta was slated to team with his Blackpool Combat Club teammates,  Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, & Claudio Castagnoli to face the team of Mistico, Volador Jr, Blue Panther, & Ultimo Guerrero for the March 29 CMLL show. 

However, the promotion announced that Wheeler Yuta is not medically cleared to compete. Meanwhile, Matt Sydal has been announced as his replacement. 

Official statement on Wheeler Yuta’s withdrawal

CMLL posted the following letter from AEW on Twitter/X:

Dear CMLL;

This letter is to inform you that WHEELER YUTA is not medically cleared for travel or any in ring activities at this time and will not be able to participate in your upcoming event. I have obtained authorization from Wheeler Yuta to share this information to CMLL and all involved. Thank you for your understanding in this matter. If you have any questions that I may be able to answer, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Wheeler Yuta is part of the Blackpool Combat Club

Yuta was roped in by BCC back in 2022 when he impressed not only the members of the faction, Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, and Claudio Castagnoli but also then-manager, William Regal.

Being mentored by the seasoned superstars, he has managed to hone his craft. His learnings from his teammates have been on display and it is needless to mention that Wheeler Yuta is thriving.

A few months back, while speaking with the Northeast Times, Yuta revealed what each member of The Blackpool Combat Club has taught him: 

“Claudio, he’s taught me about European uppercuts. He’s also showed me how to take care of my body, my condition, and how to work out in the ring through tag team matches. Moxley, he taught me how to unlock aggression, to turn it up a notch and to win any means necessary.

And Bryan is such an amazing technician. Little techniques you might not pick up on, but in the ring, they really matter. Bryan has showed me technique. And of course his Lordship, (William) Regal, has been immense in wrestling and in life.”

Yuta had last competed on the January 12 (taped on January 10) episode of AEW Rampage when he faced Eddie Kingston for the Continental Crown. It’s curious that an injury has not been disclosed by either AEW or Yuta himself, despite his lengthy absence from action.

We will now have to wait and see when Yuta manages to make his return to the squared circle. 

1...350351352...3,380Page 351 of 3,380