AEW has faced criticism from all over the pro wrestling world for a variety of things from their booking to the wrestlers Tony Khan signs to a contract. The fact that injuries seem to be prevalent is also a topic of conversation.
Al Snow is a veteran in the pro wrestling business, and he has a lot to say. He recently expressed the idea that, unless things change, someone will die in an AEW ring.
Al Snow’s Deathly Prediction For AEW
Former WWE star and OVW owner, Al Snow, appeared on Vince Russo’s Youtube channel to share his concerns about the current AEW product, which he perceives as unsafe.
Snow explained to Russo why he believes that a wrestler may eventually suffer a fatal injury inside an AEW ring. Regarding the potential criticism of his views, Snow stated, “You’re going to have those that are going to defend it, and they’re going to get upset and take the… that I’ve got an axe to grind, and that I’m bitter, and I’m not,” emphasizing that he is satisfied with everything.
Snow highlighted his past efforts in advocating for standards of training and safety in wrestling, particularly during his tenure at OVW. He expressed his belief that the escalation of risks in AEW matches may lead to a tragic accident.
We now have escalated to where we watched Will Ospreay go up into a vertical suplex with the guy standing on the second rope and drop straight on his head. We watched Orange Cassidy get dropped bodily on the top rope and could almost be cut in half. OK? How much exponentially has the scale went up, that we’re going to watch someone die? Meaning… legitimately, they’re going to die right in front of your eyes in a match.
AEW & Injuries
AEW just suspended Sammy Guevara for injuring Jeff Hardy. There is also an idea that he ignored concussion protocol in the process. This suspension also sparked a lot of conversation within the pro wrestling fan base.
Last month, WWE made their way to Perth, Australia for the 2024 Elimination Chamber. In addition to featuring two marquee Elimination Chamber matches, this premium live event also served as a homecoming for four superstars — Indi Hartwell, Grayson Waller, Nia Jax, and WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley.
Given the setting, WWE boosted Jax and Ripley, who were facing off in a women’s title match, to the main event of the card. As it turns out, though, Jax didn’t become aware of this decision until the night before Elimination Chamber.
“I didn’t know until the night before,” Jax recently told The Hall of Fame podcast. “I think somebody had like sent a card to me, and I’m like ‘Wait a minute, does this mean that we’re on in the main event?'”
An Immense Honor
Realizing that she was now also positioned as one of the show’s headliners, Jax felt an elevated sense of nervousness heading into her WWE Women’s World Championship match. Despite the added pressure, Jax firmly cherished the opportunity to not only perform before her home country of Australia, but to also do it in the main event.
“Not gonna lie, it felt like a lot of pressure because you had some pretty stacked Elimination Chambers, a great tag on the card, and then you had the Grayson Waller Effect. Being main event of that show, it was a pretty big deal for me,” Jax said. “I just wanted to put on the best match I possibly could with a great story. [It was] easy with Rhea Ripley, but I wanted to be able to tell a really good story to the fans and hope that it resonated to them. It was an honor to be a main event in front of all those people.”
Ultimately, it was Rhea Ripley who emerged victorious in the Elimination Chamber main event, as she laid out “The Irresistible Force” with the Riptide to secure the pinfall and retain her title.
Looking forward, Ripley now has her sights set on Becky Lynch, who is set to challenge for the WWE Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 40.
Coming out of Elimination Chamber, most of the top title matches for WrestleMania 40 appear settled. Fans already knew Cody Rhodes would challenge Roman Reigns and learned Drew McIntyre would challenge Seth Rollins. Bayley vs. Iyo Sky has built nicely on SmackDown, while Becky Lynch made good on the teases that she’ll go after Rhea Ripley. Even the United States Championship picture appeared to crystallized when WWE set the wheels in motion for Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton during the men’s Elimination Chamber match.
Intercontinental Champion Gunther is all but assured to work a high-profile match at WrestleMania, if only for the combination of his talent and how well WWE has pushed him and this reign. Gunther surpassed The Honky Tonk Man for the longest single reign with the title months ago, and more recently this single reign has positioned him as the longest cumulative reigning IC champ ever.
The question remains whom Gunther will face at ‘Mania, particularly as a number of pundits have speculated the title might changes hands on this auspicious occasion.
Ahead of the Gauntlet Match on tonight’s WWE Raw to determine who will in fact battle Gunther at Wrestlemania, here are five Superstars we’d like to see in that spot:
Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn had a stare down with Gunther on Monday Night Raw and certainly is well-positioned as a prospective challenger for the Intercontinental Championship. Indeed, Zayn is on a very short list of men who don’t yet have a match for WrestleMania, is a credible threat to The Ring General, and is also a fresh opponent who hasn’t yet challenged for the belt during this reign. All that’s not to mention that Zayn vs. Gunther would all but guarantee a strong match.
There are those fans who are underwhelmed with this idea on the premise that they’re still holding out hope Zayn’s big push from 2023 could culminate in a world title reign. Besides that, he is already a four-time former Intercontinental Champion. Nonetheless, dethroning Gunther would, in and of itself be a major milestone that would have to be considered among Zayn’s biggest career accomplishments to date.
Damian Priest
The Raw after Elimination Chamber also saw WWE tease a confrontation between Damian Priest and Gunther as Judgment Day confronted the Intercontinental Champion. Explicit references to Senor Money in the Bank cashing in on Gunther arose, introducing possibilities for Priest challenging formally at WrestleMania or else stealing the title via cash-in after Gunther works someone else.
Priest vs. Gunther has potential has a clash between two big men who can go in the ring. Though some fans are lukewarm on Money in the Bank being used to challenge for secondary titles, Priest cashing in could also be seen as a way of elevating the Intercontinental Championship. That’s not to mention that if any secondary champion ever warranted a challenger taking advantage of a cash-in, it would have to be Gunther, and this would be a way to protect The Ring General while he transitions out of the IC title picture.
Andrade
Andrade has had one of the more confounding careers in American pro wrestling. He was a breakout star for CMLL, then had and up and down run in NXT before hitting his stride and arriving as NXT Champion. It looked like he’d be big deal when he moved up to the main roster, but he promptly found himself lost in the mid-card shuffle. Even more frustrating, Andrade’s run with AEW yielded similar results as he never quite seemed to find his spot. It’s telling that his most memorable accomplishment in his three years away from WWE may well have been teaming up with his father in law to headline the Ric Flair’s Last Match indie event.
If Andrade were to challenge Gunther, and especially if he were to take the Intercontinental Championship off him, it would be a nice testament that this WWE tenure really is going to be different for Andrade. His in-ring abilities are not in question. If WWE were to afford him this WrestleMania match, there’s every chance Andrade would make the most of the opportunity.
Ilja Dragunov
Gunther hasn’t suffered many losses under the WWE banner. Quite arguably the biggest loss of his WWE career to date came in developmental when Ilja Dragunov was the man to “pull the sword from the stone” and end Gunther’s 800+ day reign as NXT UK Champion.
There would be some poeticism to Dragunov—now the reigning NXT Champion—being the one to end Gunther’s next marathon title reign as well. No less important, Dragunov and Gunther have a proven track record as truly great opponents for one another. Dragunov making his main roster debut at WrestleMania in a show-stealing match in which he beats Gunther could do wonders for the Russian Superstar’s career.
John Cena
There’s no guarantee at all that John Cena will work WrestleMania 40. Indeed, between his busy acting schedule and not appearing on WWE television since his loss to Solo Sikoa at Crown Jewel this fall, it looks like the odds are Cena is sitting out ‘Mania this year. If he does appear, the smart money is on a surprise promo, altercation, or impromptu match more so than a full-fledged ‘Mania program and major bout.
Cena notoriously remains in great shape, though, and he’s the kind of legend who can readily be slotted into any title picture at the drop of a dime. Moreover, there is a ready made story to be told of Cena chasing the biggest title that’s eluded him throughout his WWE career, the Intercontinental Championship. Cena also marks an ideal opponent for Gunther. If Gunther were to lose, there’s little shame in him dropping a match to the guy WWE has pushed as “the greatest of all time.” Meanwhile, if Gunther were to win, this is one of the few one-on-one victories–shy of a world title win–that would undeniably elevate him at this point.
In the end, fans will probably find out the identity of Gunther’s WrestleMania challenger in the near future. The possibilities outlined here, not to mention the prospect of a Triple Threat or a multi-man ladder match offer all manner of interesting possibilities and every opportunity for Gunther to deliver another memorable performance on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
CM Punk made his grand return to WWE back in November in the closing moments of Survivor Series 2023 from Chicago. He began feuding with Seth Rollins and they were on track to have a top match at WrestleMania 40. Unfortunately, Punk tore his right tricep in the Royal Rumble, underwent surgery and won’t be cleared for action any time soon.
Although it’s unclear exactly how long CM Punk will be out of action, he probably won’t be wrestling for several more months.
The injury was a devastating setback for the controversial figure, who had been away from WWE for nearly a decade prior to his return. Punk arrived in WWE the same way he did in AEW: seemingly rested, refreshed and excited to write the final chapter of his career on his own terms.
Whenever CM Punk does return, we can expect a motivated veteran eager to get back to his game-plan to remind fans why he’s still the Best in the World.
Charlotte Flair’s efforts to thin her impressive wardrobe has resulted in the WWE Superstar donating 200 items of clothing to a shelter.
On her Instagram Stories, Flair noted that her closet was getting out of hand. Rather than just throw away items of clothing, the former WWE Women’s Champion donated 200 pieces to a local women’s and children’s shelter in an incredible act of generosity. Flair also shared a before and after photo to show the difference to her closet.
Charlotte Flair’s WWE Status
During the latter part of her December 9, match with Asuka, Flair was hurt and was seen being tended to by WWE’s medical crew after the match. The injury happened when Flair came off the top rope at an awkward angle and her legs bounced off the ropes. Despite this, Flair was able to finish the match that saw Asuka get the victory.
This injury wasn’t enough to keep Charlotte from supporting her husband Andrade at a CMLL event, in what would be one of the former NXT Champion’s final appearances before returning to WWE. In January, Flair had knee surgery and has been showing significant improvements.
Rob Van Dam is a bonafide WWE Hall Of Famer and now so is the man who put him on the map in Paul Heyman, but who will induct the original orchestrator of extreme?
In the upcoming episode of “1 Of A Kind With RVD” Van Dam said that he wasn’t originally planning on attending the WWE Hall Of Fame this year, but with Heyman getting announced, RVD said he’ll have to make plans.
Per usual, a lot of the fun speculation heading into WrestleMania is who will induct the inductees and there are several names who are worthy of inducting Heyman, including RVD. However, Rob had his own thoughts regarding that matter.
“I think they can definitely find somebody better than me. You know, it’d be an honor. And of course, if I was, nominated and asked to do it, I would give it my best.”
Who will induct Paul Heyman into the WWE Hall of Fame?
If I were to induct Paul Heyman…
Van Dam added that if he were to induct Heyman, he’d want input from other wrestlers who were impacted by Heyman, but named three names who would be more fitting to do the actual induction.
“I mean, [Tommy] Dreamer, Bubba [Ray Dudley]. Taz, those guys, they know Paul a lot more than I do. They were in New York.
“I would see him on the weekends. They’d see him all week too and they were there in the office and the production studio helping move the TV forward, also with the merchandise and just booking towns.”
Taz or RVD would both be interesting names considering both have a working relationship with AEW, but Van Dam is featured in WWE 2K24 and has an upcoming figure set to be released by Mattel.
Heyman leads a Hall Of Fame class that so far has Bull Nakano, The U.S. Express and Muhammad Ali.
The new episode of 1 Of A Kind With RVD releases Monday at 4:20 PM ET.
Please credit “1 Of A Kind With RVD” and h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.
The Road to WrestleMania rolls on as WWE heads to the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas for tonight’s episode of WWE Raw
Here are the 3 matches announced for Raw, followed by our detailed preview into each one:
Gauntlet Match (Winner will challenge Gunther for Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 40): Ricochet vs. Chad Gable vs. Sami Zayn vs. Bronson Reed vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. JD McDonagh
Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan
Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) (c) vs Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark
Here’s what you need to know heading into this week’s WWE Raw:
Gauntlet Match: Winner Challenges GUNTHER at WrestleMania
After a successful title defense over Jey Uso, Intercontinental Champion Gunther declared that he was on the hunt for his WrestleMania 40 challenger. Naturally, this statement then boasted several possibilities. In the weeks following, various members of the WWE Raw locker room pitched their case as to why they should be the one to oppose “The Ring General.”
While Chad Gable is out for familial vindication, Ricochet pointed out that he was the last person to hold the Intercontinental Championship before Gunther’s historic reign began. Sami Zayn, on the other hand, is simply eager to secure his spot on the WrestleMania card (as well as potentially tacking on a fourth run with the title).
Who will challenge Gunther at WrestleMania 40?
With many names expressing interest in facing Gunther, WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce finally narrowed the field down to six. In addition to Zayn, Gable, and Ricochet, the likes of JD McDonagh, “Big” Bronson Reed, and Shinsuke Nakamura will have an opportunity to punch their ticket to WrestleMania when they compete in a number one contenders match.
The winner, of course, will also earn the right to challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship at the two-night premium live event.
What goes around, often comes back around. That certainly was the case for Becky Lynch last week.
Two weeks ago, Nia Jax blindsided Becky Lynch with an attack from behind on WWE Raw. Lynch later retaliated with an ambush of her own while Jax competed in a match against Liv Morgan. As a result, Morgan was handed a loss via disqualification, and Adam Pearce set up a rematch between Lynch and Jax.
Though Jax and Lynch were keen on settling their score, Liv Morgan used their match as an opportunity to get some revenge of her own. As Jax stood on the outside of the ring, Morgan launched herself off the barricade to deliver an elbow to Jax’s face, forcing the referee to call for the bell.
Upset by Morgan’s actions, Lynch confronted her backstage, and subsequently challenged her to a fight on this week’s episode of Raw.
Women’s Tag Title Match
Six days after successfully defending the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships against Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley on WWE NXT, Kairi Sane and Asuka look ahead to their next challengers — Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark.
Sane, Asuka, in addition to IYO SKY and Dakota Kai, watched on as Baszler and Stark defeated Kayden Carter and Katana Chance on last week’s episode of Raw.
Seemingly impressed by their performance, Kai announced that the two would earn an opportunity to challenge Sane and Asuka for their titles tonight. Kai, however, also vowed that Sand and Asuka would leave the both of them crying, much like they did with former Damage CTRL stablemate Bayley.
WWE offers fans a great time for their live events. It’s worth the price of admission whenever they’re in town, and fans at a recent house show got quite a treat, especially if they are fans of The Man.
On March 10, 2024, at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA, in a mixed tag team match, Becky Lynch and Kevin Owens emerged victorious against Grayson Waller and Nia Jax during the WWE Road To WrestleMania house show. The interesting part is that it was Lynch who pinned Waller.
How The Match Went Down
Becky Lynch joined forces with her friend, Kevin Owens, in a tag team match against her rival, Nia Jax, and Grayson Waller. The matchup went down as a classic WWE mixed tag team encounter, where the men and women didn’t mix it up at all. Other companies might let a woman take a suplex from a man on television, but WWE isn’t going there, especially with TKO calling the shots.
This match provided fans in attendance with an engaging spectacle. The chemistry between the stars added to the intensity, and they had some fun along the way. After all, Lynch and Owens are known to cut it up at house shows if the mood strikes them.
In the closing moments of the match, Kevin Owens created an opening for Becky Lynch, allowing her to execute her Becksploder on Grayson Waller. With Waller on the mat, Lynch secured the victory for her team and took the pinfall.
Fans in the building loved the finish of the match, and everyone was happy, except for the heel team of Waller and Jax. It was not the way Grayson Waller probably wanted things to go down, but he’s a pro and game to do anything possible that’s best for business.
Becky Lynch is the only person in that match who has a match at WrestleMania. She won the 2024 Elimination Chamber match, and now she is set to take on Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Title at the show of shows.
We will have to see how Grayson Waller and Kevin Owens are booked for WrestleMania. There are many things you could do with talent like them, and they both deserve a match on the showcase of the immortals after each of them had impressive achievements in 2023.
Nia Jax was re-signed by Triple H, and she is still clawing at the top of the roster. Only time will tell if she gets involved with The Bloodline’s story. She is The Rock’s cousin, but WWE has done a pretty good job keeping her away from that situation by placing her on RAW.
SEScoops will have even more of the road to WrestleMania. You never know what headlines will break next!
WWE has unveiled another addition to its 2024 class of the WWE Hall of Fame. In an announcement today, it was revealed that they will induct The Greatest. Muhammad Ali will be immortalized in this year’s hall of fame class.
This year is Triple H’s first year to make the WWE Hall of Fame call, and he is going all out. Muhammad Ali will join this year’s class. Ali’s widow, Lonnie Ali, set to induct him.
WWEShop is already selling this t-shirt commemorating Ali’s forthcoming induction.
Muhammad Ali t-shirt on sale at WWEShop
Muhammad Ali In Pro Wrestling
Variety reported first that Muhammad Ali will be in the 2024 class of the WWE Hall of Fame. Ali’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame adds to the roster of esteemed inductees for the Class of 2024, which includes Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, and the tag team the U.S. Express (Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham).
Ali is known worldwide for his legendary boxing career, also ventured into professional wrestling on several occasions. He was also involved in the pro wrestling world.
He engaged in an exhibition match against Japanese wrestling icon Antonio Inoki in Tokyo in 1976. Prior to that bout, he made a memorable appearance at a WWE event, where he challenged Gorilla Monsoon in the ring.
Ali was also a special guest referee for the main event of WrestleMania I in 1985, where Hulk Hogan and Mr. T faced off against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. That may be his most famous footnote in WWE history.
He was also the guest of honor at the historic “Collision in Korea” pay-per-view event held in North Korea in 1995, the same event that is still mysteriously absent from the WWE Network or Peacock.
Who was Muhammad Ali
Renowned as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Ali achieved numerous accolades throughout his career, including winning an Olympic gold medal for the United States in boxing in 1960 and becoming the undisputed world heavyweight champion.
His boxing record includes victories over opponents such as Sonny Liston, Ken Norton, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman, among others. His final professional boxing match went down in 1981, wrapping up his career with 56 wins, 5 losses, and 37 knockouts. Will Smith also played him in a 2001 biopic.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Ali was also involved social activism, famously refusing to be drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. That decision resulted in him being stripped of his heavyweight championships.
Sadly, Ali passed away in 2016 at the age of 74, leaving behind an enduring legacy both inside and outside the ring.
The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled for April 5 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The event will be available for live-streaming on Peacock starting at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT.
While Omega hasn’t been competing, the AEW EVP has remained active on Twitch where fans can find him playing video games and sharing updates about his life and condition. Taking to Twitter, Omega said he’s thinking about delivering match ratings. the Cleaner admitted that the idea of rating matches may rub some fans the wrong way.
I’ve been enjoying the streams lately but have been thinking about adding a new activity.
One that’s sure to unite all wrestling fans and encourage peaceful discussion.
Kenny Omega isn’t rating matches yet but the former AEW World Champion knows all about giving high-star performances. Omega currently has 25 matches rated five or more stars by the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer. 12 of these matches surpassed the five-star scale. His highest rated match took place at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall and saw Omega and Kazuchika Okada give a seven-star performance.
What’s Next?
It’s ironic that Okada and Omega had the seven-star match as it seems the pair will face off nice more. On last week’ AEW Dynamite, the Young Bucks fired Omega as a member of the Elite. That same show saw Okada debut and align with the Bucks, seemingly replacing Omega in the role.
AEW has a number of former WWE Superstars on their roster. It appears that they may be adding one more, but that doesn’t mean it will be a universally praised decision.
Shelton Benjamin was released from WWE in September last year, but he hasn’t signed with another company yet. He may just end up in AEW at this point, and Max Caster couldn’t keep his opinion to himself. Caster doesn’t think AEW needs Shelton.
Max Caster Reacts
It was previously reported that AEW is in talks with Shelton Benjamin. That would be a great get for Tony Khan, because Shelty hasn’t ended up anywhere else since his WWE release in September 2023.
Max Caster apparently heard this report, and he couldn’t keep his opinion to himself. While reacting to this new story about another former WWE Superstar who may be coming into the Land of All Elite, Caster posted on Twitter/X to let everyone know how he feels about things.
Shelton Benjamin’s release was a surprise for many, because he is a veteran and has a ton of tools to offer any company he works for. At 48-years-old, Benjamin still has a lot of gas in the tank, and he just may end up in AEW soon enough.
For what it’s worth, there have been people in AEW pulling for Tony Khan to sign Shelton Benjamin since before WWE released him. So, he does have people on the roster who are on his side.
AEW is looking ahead for their Big Business episode of Dynamite in Boston this week. March 13th’s episode will likely see the debut of Mercedes Mone for the company. It’s anyone’s guess how much longer fans will have to wait until Shelton Benjamin joins the mix.
SEScoops will have more on this story, and everything else that AEW is doing to gain headlines. Please keep checking back for more details on the stories you need.
The Undertaker carved out a big place for himself in pop culture. His iconic WWE entrance and all the pageantry that goes along with it is immediately identified as being a tribute to him. When Taker saw Michael Page’s entrance at UFC 299, he just had to say something.
Michael “Venom” Page’s entrance during 299 was a big time tribute to The Undertaker. When The Phenom was made aware of the clip, he responded by complementing the entrance and also congratulated Page on his win over Kevin Holland.
At UFC 299, Michael Page paid homage to The Undertaker with a tribute entrance. He walked out to The Undertaker’s iconic theme music, donning a robe with a hoodie that he discarded at the start of his entrance.
The Undertaker’s distinctive gong continued to resonate, accompanying MVP as he made his way to the Octagon. Making his UFC debut against Kevin Holland, Page delivered an impressive performance, emerging victorious in the fight.
The Undertaker responded to Michael Page’s tribute on Twitter/X, expressing appreciation for the tribute while congratulating Page on his big win over Kevin Holland.
Nice entrance & congrats on the W, @MichaelPage247 .
The Undertaker has seen plenty of tributes. His song is on regular rotation for many spots teams out there, and they have used his entrance theme for many introductions in the past. That doesn’t make it any less special whenever a new homage to Taker pops up.
WWE fans may not see The Undertaker wrestle again, but he’s still around. The WWE Hall of Famer’s One DEADMan shows have become a fan-favorite event that will usually accompany a WWE show. He will have another one during WrestleMania weekend for fans as well.
SEScoops will have any updates on this story as they are made available. For more on this story, and many more, please keep checking back on a regular basis.
On the March 6, episode of AEW Dynamite, Copeland ambushed Cage and challenged him to an I-Quit natch for the TNT Championship for the March 20, episode. The choice of date is no coincidence, as the show will take place in Toronto, Canada.
On the March 9, edition of AEW Collision, Copeland once again got the better of Cage and the Patriarchy. He also teased having a surprise for Cage when they next face for the TNT Championship. Taking to Twitter, Copeland continued to tease having something special for his former friend.
Hopefully, Copeland’s surprise will help nullify the numbers advantage that the Patriarchy gives the reigning AEW TNT Champion. In addition to Killswitch, Cage has Nick Wayne at his beck and call, as well as Mama Wayne. Copeland has some allies of his own in AEW, including Darby Allin and FTR.
Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Monday, March 11. There are also a ton of great stories to take a look at, including RAW tonight. Let’s jump right into it.
Days until WrestleMania 40: 26
WWE:
– Brock Lesnar is back on WWE.com’s roster, and that was very interesting. I asked around to see if there is any word about his return, and was I was told that the creative team has not heard anything new about him since his stories were nixed after Janel Grant’s lawsuit went public.
Brock Lesnar is back on the WWE website roster, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be right back on TV.
After asking around I can confirm that the creative team has not been told that anything has changed with Lesnar.
He was supposed to be in the Rumble, face Dom at EC and…
AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.
A recent AEW Collision match featuring Jay Lethal saw a tribute to the wrestler’s mother who sadly passed away very recently.
On last week’s episode of Collision, Lethal teamed with Mark Briscoe and Jeff Jarrett to face the House of Black in a street fight. The match saw the House of Black get the win after Malakai Black put Briscoe through a flaming table.
Jay Lethal’s Tribute
Those who watched the Collision match closely may have noticed an armband worn by Jay Lethal. This is because Lethal’s mother Shirley Shipman passed away on February 29, PW Insider has learned. A celebration of her life will take place at the Nesbitt Funeral Home tomorrow in Elizabeth, New Jersey. More information can be found here.
A Family Affair
Shirley Shipman, like her husband Ron, was deeply supportive of their son’s pursuit of wrestling glory. The Shipman’s even got involved from time to time in their son’s career. During a 2012 ROH show, Lethal challenged Kevin Steen (now Owens) for the ROH World Championship. During the match, Steen antagonized the Shipman’s who were sat at ringside by biting Jay. Ron fired back by throwing his drink at the Canadian, prompting Steen to spit in Shirley’s face. This exchange would fire up Jay to the delight of the crowd.
During a JAPW show, Lethal and his father were outnumbered by heels for a six man tag where Ron was to team with his son against Steve Corino, Ricky Landell and Rick Silver. Shirley came out to proclaim that they had a partner before introducing Charlie Haas.
We at SE Scoops would like to extend our deepest condolences to Jay and his family at this very sad time.
WWE’s own John Cena has revealed the truth that he’s buried for decades behind a lie; that he is visible and that fans can indeed see him.
Despite being one of WWE’s most prominently featured Superstars for years, Cena’s catchphrase ‘You Can’t See Me’ would become synonymous with Big Match John. The line has since branched off into a meme among fans who pretend not to be able to see Cena when he makes appearances both in and out of the ring.
John Cena Comes Clean
During a recent interview with MTV’s Josh Horowitz, Cena and Ricky Stanicky co-star Zac Efron were asked whether they’ve ever lied in an interview. Cena (admittedly tongue-in-cheek) used the question to make his stark confession.
“[I lie in interviews] All the time. I don’t think there’s an ounce of truth in anything I’ve said. Ever. I’m living in a lie. I’m living a whole lie. I think I’m visible. I think people can see me.”
The topic of dishonesty is a pivotal part of Ricky Stanicky. The film tells the story of friends who in their youth made up a fake friend (the titular Stanicky) to get our of trouble and obligations. Now grown up, the friends are confronted about Stanicky and hire an actor [Cena] to bring their fake friend to life.
What’s Next for John Cena?
Should the fans forgive Cena for his years of lying, the WWE Universe may indeed see John at WrestleMania 40. Cena is eager to do something at WWE’s annual two-night Showcase, though there are no confirmed plans for Big Match John publicly known at this time.
Former WWE and ECW World Champion Rob Van Dam is pleased that Paul Heyman is getting his proverbial ‘flowers’ with his upcoming Hall of Fame induction.
Earlier this month, it was announced that Heyman will be inducted as part of this year’s class on April 5. The honor is richly deserved for Heyman, who has excelled in various roles in wrestling. In addition to being Roman Reigns‘ special counsel, Heyman has managed others, worked as a commentator, a writer, and ran ECW during the company’s peak.
Rob Van Dam on Paul Heyman’s Induction
Few names did better under the watchful eye than RVD, who became a success in both the original ECW and WWE. In a recent interview with Wrestle Binge, the former World Champion was pleased that Heyman is getting his due.
“It’s pretty cool they’re giving him his flowers because he was the man. He was the one that made ECW happen… he’s the guy that made everything possible.”
RVD also heralded Heyman’s work in WWE and recalled many in the company being opposed to Paul at first due to his ECW history.
“When I was there back then… he didn’t get a lot of respect in the way of the other agents didn’t like ECW, were trying to fight it, didn’t want it to come in. They were giving him a hard time.”
Van Dam concluded by stating that ECW became a success of Heyman’s leadership, braveness, and passion, and is pleased to see the sacrifices Heyman has made pay off.
WWE’s own John Cena was able to reunite with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson following the 16-time World Champion’s viral appearance at the 2024 Oscars.
Cena was on hand to present the award for ‘Best Costume’ but was hardly dressed for the occasion. In a throwback to the 1974 ceremony that saw a streaker interrupt a speech by David Niven, Cena appeared in the ‘nude’ and covered his unmentionables with a large envelope. During a video package for the nominees, Cena and co-host Jimmy Kimmel were able to fashion a makeshift outfit for the WWE megastar turned Hollywood powerhouse.
John Cena & The Rock Reunite
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was also present for this year’s Oscars as he presented an award with fellow WWE alum Bad Bunny. In a photo shared online, Cena can be seen greeting his friend and former WrestleMania rival.
The Rock will make his return to the ring at WrestleMania 40: Saturday. He will team with Roman Reigns to face Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins. Should The Bloodline win, the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match the next night will be under ‘Bloodline Rules.’ Should Rhodes and Rollins win, then the Bloodline will not be involved in the next night’s main event.
As for John Cena, his future in WWE remains unclear. Cena is hoping to do something at WrestleMania, but no plans have been confirmed for the 16-time WWE World Champion. Cena was part of last year’s WrestleMania event where he lost to then-U.S. Champion Austin Theory in the Saturday opener.
From Sting to Jim Ross if there is one thing AEW can take pride in, it’s their fair treatment of industry veterans and making them feel appreciated in the late stages of their career. Paul Wight is another such talent to whom AEW has given a second chance, and the former World Champion thinks it’s the best thing that could happen to him.
The wrestling veteran recently spoke to Jack Curry of The Yes Network while visiting the George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa to support the New York Yankees.
During the talk, the former WWE star was asked about his transition to AEW. Paul Wight mentioned how he was fortunate to have a lengthy run with the TKO-owned promotion. He also explained how he is grateful for the opportunity that has been given to him by Tony Khan:
“It’s been fantastic. I was blessed to work for a big company for a lot of years all over the world. Now at my stage of the game, to find myself useful in a company that allows me to spread a lot of my knowledge to the younger talent, get a chance to get on the microphone every now and then and enhance them, help their characters along and then get in the ring and mix it up.
It’s probably the single greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m blessed, grateful and thankful for the fans that still like to see me do my thing.”
Following a WCW stint, Paul Wight had a lengthy WWE career. After joining the company in 1999, he spent more than 2 decades in the promotion and won over a dozen titles. He finally left the company in January 2021 and debuted in AEW as a commentator a month later.
You can check out Wight’s full interview below:
If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an h/t for transcription
The Superstars of WWE paid a touching tribute to Akira Toriyama at a recent live event, following the manga titan’s death at the age of 68.
Toriyama’s death was announced last week. He had suffered an acute subdural hematoma, which is a type of bleeding near the brain, his studio reported. Toriyama is best known for creating the manga hit Dragon Ball, which has spawned shows, movies, video games, and more. The main series follows Goku and his efforts to collect the titular Dragon Balls to protect the Earth.
WWE Tributes to Akira Toriyama
At a recent WWE live event, WWE’s Zelina Vega and Naomi paid a special tribute to Toriyama while in the ring. The pair performed a ‘Fusion’ move from Dragon Ball. In the hit series, this allows two characters to ‘fuse’ and become even more powerful than as two individuals. On Twitter, Vega shared the spot in question.
In a tweet of her own, Naomi said she was “fused for life” with her “sis” Vega. When a fan pointed out that the fusion in the show only lasts for 30 minutes, Naomi admitted that she’s still learning about Dragon Ball.
While Naomi is a newbie to the world of Dragon Ball, Vega’s love for the series can’t be denied. At WWE Money in the Bank 2023, Vega wore an attire referencing series villain Frieza, but was unsuccessful in the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match that was won by reigning WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY.
The Rock is back in WWE as a big-time heel, but he was all smiles at the Oscar Awards on Sunday night. The People’s Champion also had a chance to rub elbows with another WWE Superstar that he hadn’t had a chance to meet yet.
Bad Bunny is a bona fide WWE Superstar at this point, but he is just very busy with his career as a global celebrity and rapper. He was on hand at the Academy Awards, and he also shared the stage with The Rock.
The Rock and Bad Bunny
The presence of wrestling extends far beyond the confines of the ring, permeating various aspects of entertainment and pop culture. This fact was more than proven at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, where Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Bad Bunny appeared together. They presented the Best International Film at the awards.
Despite their distinct career paths in acting and music, both individuals have left their mark on the world of professional wrestling. The Rock is obviously known as one of the most iconic Superstars in WWE history. Similarly, Bad Bunny, known for his chart-topping hits and persona in the music industry, has made waves in the wrestling world, including appearances at WrestleMania and a San Juan Street Fight at WWE Backlash 2023.
During the ceremony, The Rock encountered John Cena backstage, coinciding with Cena’s appearance as he prepared to present the award for Best Costume Design.
SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling world and beyond. Keep checking back for more stories and updates.
John Cena is rarely seen in WWE nowadays, but his charm has taken over Hollywood. The Oscar Awards is a huge night for the entertainment industry, and Cena didn’t miss it. Unfortunately for him, he forgot his clothes.
Cena was on hand for the 96th Academy Awards to present the award for Best Costume. He also didn’t have to worry about what he what was going to wear, because he was streaking.
John Cena Streaks At The Oscars
Jimmy Kimmel introduced the Best Costume category by referencing a streaker who bombarded the ceremony with unexpected nudity in 1974. Then he gave an obvious cue to John Cena, who was standing off-stage in his birthday suit.
Cena appeared sheepish and said he changed his mind about streaking. Jimmy wanted him to do it next, and a back-and-forth resulted that produced a few big laughs from the crowd.
When Jimmy told John that he wrestled naked, Cena said, “I wrestle in jorts.” Then Kimmel replied, “JORTS ARE WORSE THAN BEING NAKED!” The crowd ate that up.
Finally, John Cena took the stage, totally nude, while covering his bathing suit area with the Best Costume category envelope. It was a moment of hilarious irony with nudity taking over the Best Costume category, as everyone saw Cena.
Cena did a quick change afterward, so nobody on television actually saw him nude. It was still a hilarious moment, and also proved that the 16x World Champion is now a beloved Hollywood star at this point.
John Cena is going to try to make it back to do something for WrestleMania 40. He also strongly hinted that he will wear jorts as well.
Cena’s last match took place in Saudi Arabia at Crown Jewel. He needed surgery on both of his arms after his loss to Solo Sikoa. Then, he was back to Hollywood after the SAG-AFTRA Strike concluded.
SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more, as we approach the road to WrestleMania. You never know when John Cena will pop up next, or how much of him we will see.
WWE Superstars use social media all the time to connect with fans, hype their matches, and comment on society. Now, fans have one less Superstar to follow on Twitter/X.
Sheamus has been out of action since last year with a shoulder injury. Word is that his contract is up this year, but he still hasn’t returned. Now, the Celtic Warrior has taken himself off Elon Musk’s social media platform.
Sheamus Leaves Twitter/X
Although it is unclear why Sheamus would have nixed his Twitter/X account, that is the case. He hasn’t had any controversial posts, but he still exited the site.
His hiatus from WWE television aligns with a significant shoulder injury he’s been dealing with. Coincidentally, this absence also corresponds with the nearing expiration of his WWE contract, prompting speculation among fans regarding his potential re-signing with the company.
Sheamus is known for his active presence on Twitter, often providing updates on his status during his WWE break. That being said, he hasn’t upset anyone or had any reason to deactivate his account. Even though that is the case, his sudden deactivation of his Twitter account has come as a surprise to many.
What’s Next For Sheamus
It is very possible that WWE is freezing Sheamus’ contract, so he can’t leave so soon. We will have to see when he returns, but the Brawling Brutes faction was also disbanded in the meantime.
SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, in case there are new updates. Hopefully, Sheamus will be back soon, because you know if would rather not miss WrestleMania 40.
Chad Gable really wanted to show wrestling fans that his potential Intercontinental Championship opportunity does indeed mean more for him.
On WWE Raw, Gable will be one of the six participants competing in a gauntlet match to earn a shot at Gunther and his Intercontinental gold at WrestleMania 40. Gable had his first chance on a September 2023 episode of Raw, but came up short.
However, a fire was lit under him when Gunther made his daughter cry and ever since, Gable has been adamant at facing the unprecedented champion once again. That point was further hammered home on social media over the weekend as Gable posted a new vignette of himself expressing how important Monday’s match is to him.
“I’ve been running the gauntlet in my own head since that match with Gunther last September. Trust me, the only tears you wanna wipe off your child’s face are tears of joy, but if I want that chance, a new gauntlet stands in front of me. “
Gable says the match is full of “demons” of his past but that him going battling those is a chance at redemption for him.
“It’s a rare chance to rewrite history, we don’t get those every day so I intend to claim it and become a beacon of perseverance that my fans and my family can be proud of so I will endure, because for Chad Gable, this match just means more.”
Monday’s gauntlet match has implications larger than could possibly be put into words, but I created this piece to do my best to convey what this opportunity means to me above and beyond just Wrestlemania.
Coming from a storyline perspective, Gable and Sami Zayn are the two stars in the match who have made the greatest case to compete against Gunther at WrestleMania. The other participants in the fight are Ricochet, JD McDonagh, Bronson Reed and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Some extremely tragic news coming out of Japan on Sunday as All Japan Pro-Wrestling Star Yutaka Yoshie has passed away. Backstage following his tag match on Sunday, Yoshie’s health “suddenly deteriorated” and was quickly taken to a hospital in Tasaki City. Yoshie was only 50 years old.
Yahoo Sports reports that Yoshie teamed with Ryo Inoue to face Hokuto Omori and Ryoji Choi, but nothing notable stood out that may have seem to affect Yukata’s well-being. No cause of death has been discovered at this time. AJPW issued a statement following the passing of the notable talent.
“Yutaka Yoshie, who was participating in the Takasaki tournament held today, passed away on March 10, 2024. After Yutaka Yoshie returned to the waiting room after the game, his condition suddenly deteriorated and he was rushed to a hospital in Takasaki City, but he never returned home. We would like to remember Yutaka Yoshie’s achievements during his lifetime and pray for his soul to rest in peace. All Japan Pro Wrestling.”
The promotion also announced that the airing of those particular tapings will be postponed in light of Yoshie’s passing.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, who won the IWGP Tag Team Championships with Yoshie, took to social media to mourn the loss of his partner.
Yoshie was set to celebrate his thirty years in the wrestling business as he was brought up training in the same class as Satoshi Kojima. He made his debut under NJPW in 1994.
We at SEScoops would like to extend our prayers and condolences to Yutaka Yoshie, his family and friends at this time.
