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“This is Insane”- Drew McIntyre Thanks CM Punk For Bringing Out The Worst In HIm

Bishal Roy
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Drew McIntyre is thankful to his arch-nemesis CM Punk for their epic promo segment ahead of WrestleMania 40.

On the March 25 edition of Raw, McIntyre, CM Punk, and then-WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins traded personal shots. The segment gained traction due to Punk coercing McIntyre to mention Vince McMahon, who is not mentioned anymore in WWE due to allegations. This happened after the Scotsman referred to himself as ‘The Chosen One,’ the nickname that McMahon gave him.

Punk is one of the best talkers in WWE and he possesses commendable promo skills. Speaking with Alex McCarthy of Mail Sport, McIntyre thanked Punk for the segment and said that he knew that the former WWE Champion would bring his ‘A-game’ during the exchange. He said:

“I have to thank him for that I guess. One thing I can thank him for. If he’s got that microphone you know he’s bringing his A-game and perhaps the first time we were in the ring together he was still finding his feet being back in WWE. I think he realized – I know he realized, I could see it in his eyes – this isn’t the same Drew and I had his number the first time we were in the ring together, and I stomped his stupid little arm.”

‘Guns loaded’

‘The Scottish Warrior’ realized that CM Punk would bring his prime version of himself in the battle and the former kept his artillery ready. McIntyre is grateful for the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with Punk on the mic and admitted that the “insane” segment escalated quickly. He said:

“The second time, I could see it in his eyes, ‘Right, I’m back, I’ve got all my guns loaded,’ and this is the CM Punk of old. And I knew I could either step up to his level or I can drown and I don’t belong at his level. So it was cool to have that opportunity to go back and forth and have people go, ‘Oh my god, this is insane.’ When you thought it couldn’t get anymore insane it kept escalating and escalating. You have to be quick on your feet and you have to know exactly who you are in this industry if you’re going to compete at the top level.”

McIntyre once again thanked Punk for the segment and even praised the addition of Seth Rollins. He said:

“So I can say thank you to him for showing in that segment everybody that said well, Drew just went to-to-toe with Punk in his prime, on fire. And Seth also added to that segment in what has become something of a legendary segment. It’s all people talk to me about recently.”

While CM Punk recuperates from a torn tricep injury, McIntyre is sidelined with an elbow injury. ‘The Scottish Warrior’ was set to face The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor in the first round of The King of The Ring tournament. 

However, he was not medically cleared and was replaced by Jey Uso, who punched his ticket to the next round. CM Punk and Drew McIntyre will lock horns at a later date and reports suggest that it might be at SummerSlam in August.

AEW To Host Five Collision Tapings In Arlington, Texas In Lead Up to All In: London 2024

Thomas Lowson
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AEW’s road to the company’s second-ever All In pay-per-view will see the roster stay in Arlington, Texas for a series of Collision tapings. 

In a statement released by AEW, it was confirmed that the city will host five Collision tapings at the Esports Stadium, starting with the July 20 show. Not only that, but the deal ensures that Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor 2024 will also happen in the Esports Stadium on Friday, July 26. 

AEW President and CEO Tony Khan was excited about the deal with Arlington. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the City of Arlington for AEW’s first-ever events at Esports Stadium. This AEW summer series will add to the rich legacy of major professional wrestling events held in the great state of Texas and serve as the ultimate springboard for AEW: All In London.”

Arlington Sports Commission Executive Director Matt Wilson was similarly excited to host the Collision tapings in the city. 

“We are honored to team with Tony Khan and All Elite Wrestling for this incredible opportunity. The ability to host TNT’s wildly popular AEW: Collision program is another milestone achievement to bring worldwide events to Arlington and shine a global weekly spotlight on our beautiful city.”

Five episodes of AEW Collision will air from the Esports Stadium. 

This is a much different move from AEW’s usual method of weekly touring and will mark the longest period that an AEW show has stayed in one place since the pandemic. At this time, no matches have been confirmed for All In: London 2024, but the show has already seen over 40,000 tickets sold for Wembley Stadium. 

More information about the upcoming AEW Collision episodes in Arlington, including how to purchase them, can be found at AEWTix.com

Gunther Addresses Reports of Scrapped Brock Lesnar WrestleMania Match

Anutosh Bajpai
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Gunther isn’t sure if a Brock Lesnar match is in the cards for him anymore.

There were strong rumors before WrestleMania 40 that The Ring General was on his way to face The Beast Incarnate in a big showdown at the Grandest Stage of Them All. The company had planned to build this rivalry up starting at the 2024 Royal Rumble.

All plans for the former Universal Champion, however, were scrapped by the creative team when Lesnar was linked to the Vince McMahon sex trafficking lawsuit.

The former IC Champion addressed the rumors about his planned match with Lesnar at WrestleMania in an interview with DailyMail. Gunther claimed that he also heard something about it:

The Ring General explained that he has always been presented as the final boss in different phases of his WWE career, whether it be his run as the UK Champion or the most recent IC title reign. Brock Lesnar similarly was the final boss of the whole WWE for a long time. To reach the position the former UFC champion was in, the Austrian star has to get in the ring with him.

I’m More Than Up For It: Gunther

(Photo: WWE)

Gunther also discussed the potential of a future showdown between the two. He noted that he is not informed about the current status of Brock with the company, but he is more than ready for something like that if it comes his way:

“We’ll see if there’s a chance for it to happen again. I’m more than up for it. How the situation is exactly right now, I’m really not that informed about it, to be honest. I think we had that one face off in the Royal Rumble, the reaction that was there and that was a confirmation for me.”

Triple H confirmed during the post-WrestleMania 40 press conference that Brock Lesnar was not done with the company and was just resting at home.

Considering the gravity of the accusations against Vince McMahon, it’s very much possible that we may never see Brock Lesnar on WWE TV again if he gets implicated in the proceedings of the case in any way.

Though the company is certainly keeping their options open by not completely cutting ties with Brock the same way they have done with the former chairman of the boards. So there is a distinct possibility that he could return to act as ‘The Final Boss’ for Gunther down the line.

WWE-Nike Bloodline-Inspired Air Jordan Sneakers Coming In January 2025

Thomas Lowson
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Sneaker fans worldwide will be able to acknowledge Roman Reigns and The Bloodline with a new set of shoes set to launch next year. 

The new shoes are black with blood-red stylings, according to mock-up photos shared by Sneaker News. The shows will be available at select Jordan Brand retailers in-store, online, and at Nike.com. The snazzy new footwear will retail for $200 USD. 

The new Bloodline-inspired Sneakers will retail for $200 USD. 

Roman Reigns & Sneakers

The Tribal Chief’s love of sneakers is no secret. In matches, Reigns often wears sneakers instead of traditional wrestling footwear. Speaking to Complex in 2021, Reigns recalled wearing Jordans when he announced that his leukemia was in remission in 2019. 

“I felt so much confidence… That was one of those situations where I was able to come out of the Roman character and just be Joe. And that’s why you saw me the way I was. That’s why I was wearing the Jordans. Just kind of a casual look. For the most part for the Roman character, especially earlier on I stayed in the fatigues and the boots and stuff like that. But from that moment, I took that character armor off and exposed the real me.”

Roman Reigns Out of the Ring

The former Universal Champion hasn’t been seen on WWE programming since his loss to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40 but he’s not been taking it easy. The Tribal Chief has been shooting a heist movie that’ll include Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer and others. 

While Reigns is off WWE TV, his presence continues to be felt. In his absence, Solo Sikoa has become the new leader of a new Bloodline that includes Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. Paul Heyman has been noticeably concerned about the change that Sikoa has claimed that the order to take leadership of the faction came from Reigns himself. 

AEW Collision Spoilers For Saturday, May 18th

Thomas Lowson
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Fans were in store for a stacked AEW Collision taping this week as the promotion continues on the road to AEW Double or Nothing. 

On AEW Dynamite, Darby Allin made his return to programming to be revealed as the fourth man for Team AEW at the upcoming pay-per-view. The quartet of Allin, Bryan Danielson, and FTR will face The Elite in Anarchy In The Arena at Double or Nothing. 

AEW Collision Spoilers [5/18/2024]

Here are the spoilers for the May 18, edition of AEW Collision: 

  • Will Ospreay defeated Shane Taylor. Post-match, Roderick Strong and The Undisputed Kingdom attacked Ospreay but he took out Mike Bennett and Matt Taven and escaped unscathed
  • Bryan Danielson & FTR defeated Lance Hoyt and The Righteous. The Righteous attacked Dax Harwood with a steel chair after the match and Archer hit Blackout on a chair on Cash Wheeler. Danielson and Daniel Garcia made the save. 
  • Orange Cassidy pinned Brother Zay. Trent Beretta was at ringside and was interviewed after the match. Trent challenged Cassidy to a ‘wrestling match’ at Double or Nothing, saying Cassidy had cheated to beat him in the past. Cassidy and Beretta scuffled before being pulled apart. 
  • Hook defeated Johnny TV with Taya Valkyrie
  • Katsuyori Shibata defeated Rocky Romero

Bryan Keith defeated Beefcake Boulder of the Iron Savages

  • A segment took place that saw Jay White and The Gunns on the stage with a beaten PAC. 
  • Serena Deeb defeated Anna Jay. ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm stole the flag for Deeb’s dojo and Storm undressed behind it, wrapping herself in it to disrespect Deeb.
  • Nick Wayne defeated Jack Cartwheel

This was the order of the matches as they were taped. It is possible that they could air in a different order when AEW Collision goes on the air this Saturday. 

Tammy ‘Sunny’ Sytch Fearing She’ll Die In Prison Due To Improperly Treated Blood Clot

Thomas Lowson
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Tammy Sytch fears that her life will end behind bars due to an issue with her leg that those running the prison she’s at will allegedly not treat. 

Sytch, who is best known for her career as Sunny in the WWF, was sentenced to 17 years in a Correctional Institute for her role in the car crash that killed Julian Lasseter in 2022. Sytch had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges against her but later changed her plea to no contest. That means she did not admit guilt but would not fight a conviction against her. 

Despite being incarcerated, Sytch recently spoke with TMZ and shared concerning news about her health. The issue began when Sytch noticed a swelling in her left leg which ranged from the top of her knee to her toes. Sytch brought the issue to officials at the prison who reportedly did not treat her. 

Sytch could “barely walk on my leg” as of last week and after testing was diagnosed with a blood clot that requires blood thinners. Getting that medication into her body has been an ordeal however and she’s now fearing she’ll die because of the situation. 

“All that’s been going through my mind for the past three weeks is, ‘Oh, my God, I’m going to follow in [my ex-husband’s] footsteps and die of a blood clot just like he did because I can’t get medical treatment at this prison.'”

Sytch is not due to be released until January 2040. 

Sytch went on to say that the situation is “pretty bad” and that she will insist on care at an off-site hospital if things get any worse. She is not due to be released until January 2040. 

Liv Morgan Discusses The Role Of The Riott Squad In Her WWE Career

Nick Lombardi
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Before Liv Morgan became WWE’s Queen of Extreme, she began her wrestling career as a member of The Riott Squad. A trio of NXT standouts which featured Morgan, Sarah Logan, and the team’s fearless and conniving leader Ruby Riott (now known as Ruby Soho in AEW). During an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the former Women’s Champion provided some insightful commentary on her formative time with the trio. 

When asked about as chapter in her career where she saw a lot of personal improvement, Morgan said it was when she got called up to the main roster in late 2017. Shenoted how being a part of the Riott Squad as a rookie on the main roster helped her shed self-doubt and insecurities about her in-ring work. Furthermore, she stated how the team’s heavy work schedule helped her get good “reps” in.

“Honestly, probably when I got called up to SmackDown. I don’t know what it was, I think because in NXT, I felt like I was trying to make it to the next level so I felt, I guess very insecure because I felt like any mistake I made would enable me from making it to the next level.

Then when I finally got called up, I didn’t really have that fear anymore. So I don’t know, it’s just I was able to flow better. I had less pressure and less fears and I had The Riott Squad with me, I owe so much to Ruby and Sarah for kind of taking me under their wing and guiding me and teaching me.

So I feel around that time is when I really progressed. Also we were doing so many live events. When you’re doing so many reps it’s hard not to get better because we were just working so much.”

While The Riott Squad lasted for a little over two years on the WWE main roster, the trio never quite conquered the women’s divisions of RAW and SmackDown like they would have liked. The team was essentially dissolved in April 2019, when Morgan was drafted to SmackDown in a “Superstar Shakeup”. 

Despite their eventual breakup, the three talented stars remained good friends through it all. In 2021, Liv Morgan reposted a photo of all three stars getting matching tattoos to commemorate the anniversary of their debut on the main roster, dubbing November 21st as “Riott Squad Day”

Liv Morgan looks walk out as Champion at The King and Queen of the Ring

Morgan is set to go one-on-one with World Women’s Champion Becky Lynch at the King and Queen of The Ring Tournament in Saudi Arabia next week. 

The 29-year-old star has never defeated Becky Lynch in a one-on-one match, and her last PLE title win was last summer. When she and Raquel Rodrigez won the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Morgan hasn’t held single’s Gold since 2022. 

Becky Lynch won the World Women’s Championship on the April 22nd edition of Monday Night RAW, shortly following Rhea Ripley’s relinquishing of the belt due to an injury caused by Liv Morgan. The Man of WWE won the title in a grueling 14-woman Battle Royal, last eliminating Morgan to secure the win. 

Liv Morgan’s main event status has been called into question several times by her critics,  but a win over one of the biggest female stars in WWE would instantly silence them. 

WWE Announces Wrestler Injury, Tournament Substitution

Nick Lombardi
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Following a vicious assault from the returning trio Gallus, WWE Superstar Ivar was one of several laid out at the closing of this week’s edition of NXT. Unfortunately, it seems as though Ivar will not be able to get his revenge anytime soon. 

According to WWE, Ivar has sustained an injury following the backstage attack and will be “out of action indefinitely”. Along with Ivar, Gallus took out Wes Lee and Josh Briggs. The three men were set to take part in a triple-threat-match the following week to decide the #1 contender to Oba Femi’s NXT North American Championship.

While Ivar’s status for the upcoming triple-threat match is still up in the air, WWE has decided to remove the former RAW Tag Team Champion from the ongoing Speed Tournament. 

The tournament was set to name a #1 Contender to face current Speed Champion Ricocohet. The company announced via social media that Apollo Crews will replace Ivar and face Tyler Bate in the Semi-Finals of the tournament.

Ivar did comment on the announcement, only posting broken heart emojis on X. 

At this time, it’s unknown if Ivar’s injury is legitimate or a part of a larger storyline with Gallus. WWE has been faced with a bit of an injury bug as of late, with a seemingly ever-growing list of top talent sidelined with injury. Names include Drew McIntyre, Asuka, CM Punk, Rhea Ripley, and more. 

Ivar himself dealt with an undisclosed injury earlier this year, causing him to be deemed “medically unable to compete” on the March 25th edition of Monday Night RAW. The high-flying Viking would return to action soon after.  

Ivar’s been flying solo since his tag team partner Erik was injured in September 2023. In November of that year, Erik announced that he had undergone successful neck fusion surgery. Recently, Erik revealed that he is receiving Stem Cell treatment as part of his recovery.  

AEW Touts Triple Main Event For Double Or Nothing 2024

Aaron Varble
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All Elite Wrestling is now promoting a “Triple Main Event” for this month’s AEW Double or Nothing 2024 pay-per-view. The three bouts, each getting equal billing on the Las Vegas marquee, include:

1. In the first main event, Willow Nightingale defends the TBS Championship against the debuting Mercedes Mone. Match order aside, this will mark the first time a women’s match has headlined an AEW PPV. 

2. The second main event match is Swerve Strickland, with Prince Nana, defending the AEW World Championship against Christian Cage, who will be accompanied by Killswitch, Nick Wayne, and Mother Wayne. The Patriarch certainly raised the stakes this week by busting Swerve open by using a glass picture frame of his family.

3. The third main event is an Anarchy in the Arena match. The Elite, consisting of Kazuchika Okada, Jack Perry, Matthew Jackson, and Nicholas Jackson, will face Team AEW, which includes Bryan Danielson, Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood, and Darby Allin. The daredevil AEW star made his return to television this week, having taken some time off due to injury.

AEW Double or Nothing 2024 

Triple Main Event

Six matches have been announced for the upcoming PPV, scheduled for Sunday, May 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada:

  • Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Mercedes Mone – Singles match for the AEW TBS Championship
  • Roderick Strong (c) vs. Will Ospreay – Singles match for the AEW International Championship
  • “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) (with Luther and Mariah May) vs. Serena Deeb – Singles match for the AEW Women’s World Championship
  • Swerve Strickland (c) (with Prince Nana) vs. Christian Cage (with Killswitch, Nick Wayne, and Mother Wayne) – Singles match for the AEW World Championship
  • The Elite (Kazuchika Okada, Jack Perry, Matthew Jackson, and Nicholas Jackson) vs. Team AEW (Bryan Danielson, Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood, and Darby Allin) – Anarchy in the Arena match
  • Adam Copeland (c) vs. Malakai Black – Barbed Wire Steel Cage match for the AEW TNT Championship

Paul Walter Hauser In Talks To Portray Wrestling Legend Mick Foley

Aaron Varble
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Actor Paul Walter Hauser is excited at the prospect of playing Mick Foley and is ‘literally talking to him right now’ about turning this dream into reality. 

Hauser is no stranger pro wrestling himself. He’s graced the squared circle on several occasions and boasts a record of 3-0. Many of his matches are hardcore in nature, involving weapons and violent stunts. During an interview with Mike Roe for The Wrap, Hauser reveals that he’s trying to secure a role that is near and dear to his heart.

“I’m literally talking to Mick Foley right now about the potential of playing him in a movie or limited series,” Hauser tells The Wrap.

“I don’t know which and I don’t know how, but he and I have become friendly, and I think he knows that that could be a really great stroke of genius in casting me to play him.”

Hauser shares that he’s received offers to play wrestlers before. While he’s excited to work on a Mick Foley project, he won’t just sign on to play a wrestler because he likes the sport. He takes his work very seriously and takes pride in selecting roles that truly resonate with him and stories that he wants to share.

“If TNA or AEW or MLW wanted to sign me, I would literally take that into consideration to be part of a contracted role somewhere,” Paul Walter Hauser to The Wrap.

Hauser says that Mick Foley doesn’t look like the typical ‘bodybuilder wrestler, which works in his favor. He joked that his own body type is more similar to stockier wrestlers like Foley and the late Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart.

In an industry overflowing with larger-than-life personalities, Mick Foley’s life story remains among the most captivating. There’s a reason his life story is a New York Times best-seller, which would make getting a project like this greenlit a lot easier.

Hauser keeps a busy career in Hollywood, but he always makes time for wrestling and tries to blend those worlds whenever he can. Earlier this year, he brought pro wrestling to the Emmy Awards by name dropping the nWo, the Dudley Boyz and more during his acceptance speech.

Paul Walter Hauser returns to the ring when he competes in the 40-person MLW Battle Riot event on Saturday, June 1 from Atlanta, GA.

Shark Week Hosted by John Cena Starts Sun. July 7 on Discovery

Aaron Varble
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Society has changed a lot over the years, but two constants that have remained cultural favorites for decades are Discovery’s ‘Shark Week’ and a certain jorts-wearing WWE Superstar with a penchant for dad jokes. This year, those worlds are colliding.

Discovery has announced Shark Week 2024 kicks off Sunday, July 7 and will be hosted by John Cena. Last year’s week was hosted by Hollywood star Jason Mamoa, with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson serving as Master of Ceremonies.

This is notable due to Discovery’s connection to Warner Bros. Discovery and, by extension, AEW. It is likely that Cena will appear in promotional campaigns airing during All Elite Wrestling’s shows on TBS and TNT, similar to what we’ve seen with his obstacle course show Wipeout.

The 16-time WWE Champion is currently on another hiatus from the company, thanks to his demanding Hollywood schedule. He was last seen during WrestleMania 40 weekend, where he had a cameo spot in Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns’ main event Bloodline rules match for the Undisputed WWE Championship. He then wrestled an impromptu match on WWE Raw the following night.

What is Shark Week?

The annual, week-long television block on the Discovery Channel featuring shark-based programming originally premiered on July 17, 1988, and it kept returning thanks to strong turnout in the ratings.

Over the years, Shark Week has only grown in popularity, becoming a major hit on the Discovery Channel. Since 2010, it has held the record as the longest-running cable television programming event in history. 

CW Confirms NXT Will Remain On Tuesdays This Fall

Aaron Varble
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NXT is moving to The CW, but fans won’t have to worry about changing which night of the week the show is on.

WWE has announced new television deals, clarifying upcoming changes for NXT. Starting in October, NXT will move to the CW network but will continue to air on Tuesday nights. This ensures that fans will not need to adjust their viewing habits.

Previously, it was confirmed that WWE SmackDown will remain on Fridays when it transitions to The USA Network in mid-September. RAW will also stay on the USA Network until the end of the year, after which it leaves linear cable entirely and finds a new home at Netflix. 

WWE’s New Television Deals

NXT has signed a five-year media rights agreement with The CW, valued between $20 million and $25 million per year, reflecting a 70% increase from its previous contract with NBCUniversal’s USA Network.

Friday Night SmackDown will begin airing on the USA Network starting September 13, 2024. NBC has secured the U.S. broadcasting rights for SmackDown, agreeing to pay $287 million annually, totaling over $1.4 billion for a five-year deal.

WWE RAW will move to Netflix in January 2025 but will continue airing on the USA Network until the end of 2024, despite the current deal expiring in October. For these additional three months, WWE will receive $25 million from the USA Network, preceding their new $500 million annual deal with Netflix, which will last for 10 years.

WWE 2K24 ECW Punk Pack Review: Excellent Start To Season Pass

Tyriece Simon
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WWE 2K24 fans can rejoice as the series has released the ECW Punk Pack from their Season Pass. The latest downloadable content features ECW legends The Sandman, Terry Funk, and The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley & D-Von Dudley). It also spotlights WWE fan favorite CM Punk, who returns to the video game series after his last appearance in WWE 2K15. 

When WWE 2K24 was revealed on January 22, fans wanted Punk to be playable at launch. Unfortunately, the game’s roster was already set, and the developers decided to make him a part of their DLC. 

The beloved wrestling game offers fans the option to buy Season Pass for $39.99 or the ECW Punk Pack as a standalone for $9.99. I’ve played with the new characters from the DLC enough to share my review, which I’ll rate from 1 to 10. 

WWE 2K24 Delivers On The Realism

As the case for the base game, WWE 2K developers did an incredible job making each wrestler from the DLC look stunning. The game captures each character model to look as realistic as their counterparts. 

For example, Punk looks like he is currently on TV, with great detail, from his tattoo to the greys in his beard. I was also pleasantly surprised by how much care the developers put into each character’s entrance. It’s very noticeable when Punk comes out on the stage and does his signature pose; the fans chant his name loudly as they do each week on TV. 

Another fun detail is when The Sandman makes his entrance and smashes a beer can on his head; he starts to bleed like he did during his career. Unfortunately, he doesn’t make his signature walk from the crowd but instead comes from the stage. It’s unclear why the developers could not add this feature to his entrance. However, I appreciate that they try to make The Sandman entrance unique. 

WWE 2K24 may have its issues, but it undeniably does a great job of capturing the performers realistically. Each ECW Punk Pack character model makes me appreciate how far wrestling games have come over the years. 

Move Set For Each Character Is Great

One of my concerns was if WWE 2K24’s latest DLC would include the signature move set of each character. For the most part, I can say that the WWE 2K developers did a great job of getting the in-ring moves with a few omissions. 

The noticeable move missing from my playthrough with The Dudley Boyz was not having their popular assisted Diving Headbutt to the groin. It would’ve been nice if fans would’ve been able to recreate a move that is signature to their style. However, the 3-D is in the game and could be done from the corner. Another excellent inclusion for longtime Punk fans is that the Pepsi Plunge(Avalanche Pedigree) is his super finisher in the game. 

I wish certain moves were included with each wrestler. However, it’s not enough to bring my enjoyment down from playing with them. The WWE 2K developers captured most of their signature and think fans will appreciate what they put into the game. 

Conclusion

I think WWE 2K24 ECW Punk Pack is an excellent start for Season Pass. Fans may complain about specific decisions, like The Sandman’s entrance, that don’t capture each character to their fullest potential. That said, I enjoyed playing with the addition to the already-loaded roster and can’t wait to play against other gamers online or local with them. 

This DLC sets the tone for what fans should expect for the following four packs later this year. Hopefully, they can also deliver as well as the ECW Punk Pack for character detail and signature moves. 

I give WWE 2K24’s latest DLC ECW Punk Pack a 9 out of 10. 

Drew McIntyre Ruthlessly Mocks CM Punk For Hyping His WWE 2K24 Character

Bishal Roy
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CM Punk hyped his return to WWE 2K24 in style and he took cheeky jabs at his arch-nemesis Drew McIntyre in the process. However, ‘The Scottish Warrior’ is not a man to hold back his thoughts and fired back at Punk. 

The Chicago legend is making his return to the game as a playable character for the first time in ten long years. ‘The Second City Savior’ is among several other legends as part of the downloadable content, ‘ECW Punk Pack’ that the WWE 2K24 gamers can access with a Season Pass. WWE legends such as Terry Funk, Dudley Boyz, and Sandman are also part of the pack. Taking to his Instagram account, CM Punk posted a video message to promote the game and took a jibe at McIntyre. Here is what he said:  

“Good news, everybody. CM Punk is finally available to play in WWE 2K24. It’s making waves on the internet, so you know Drew McIntyre’s watching it. I’m put in the Punk Pack, that includes myself and some hardcore legends from ECW like Sandman, The Dudleyz, and the most hardcore legend of all, Terry Funk.”

“Now Drew, if you are watching this, let’s face it, it’s on the internet, so you’re watching it. You can finally play as your favorite wrestler and human being, me. CM Punk. Hope you have a terrible day, pal.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C6_zjoxJeKF

Drew McIntyre responds

‘The Scottish Warrior’ noticed Punk’s remarks and responded on X. He played a video clip of Punk in the WWE 2K24 game where he could be seen hobbling after performing a top rope move. ‘The Scottish Warrior’ yet again mocked Punk for his injury and wrote: 

“lol he’s in the game for one day and already hurt”

CM Punk sustained a torn tricep injury at Royal Rumble 2024 and McIntyre has been taking credit for the same. He has been mocking Punk for the same ever since. Punk is currently sidelined but he has shown impressive recovery after surgery. He even dropped the brace six weeks after undergoing surgery. 

As Punk has showcased a great recuperation, reports suggest that he might be back in a matter of the next few months and even compete at the SummerSlam Premium Live Event in August. 

New CyberFight President Aims To “Strengthen Relationship” Between NOAH & WWE

Thomas Lowson
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0

Pro Wrestling NOAH and WWE could be working a lot more closely in the coming months, at least if the new president of CyberFight has his way. 

Yasuaki Okamoto has been appointed the new President of CyberFight Inc, the parent company of NOAH. During an introductory press conference, Okamoto shared that his goal is to strengthen the promotion’s relationship with WWE. 

Okamoto’s appointment and goals with WWE wasn’t the only major announcement. In the press conference, it was confirmed that Keiji Muto has been appointed as a NOAH scouting advisor

Muto competed for years for Pro Wrestling NOAH and is best known for his legendary tenure as The Great Muta. It’s fitting that Muto was part of the same press conference in which Okamoto shared his goals in relation to WWE. In January 2023, WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura was granted the opportunity to face Muta at a NOAH show as part of the latter’s retirement tour. 

WWE Working With Others

For a very long time, WWE refused to work with other companies though that stance has softened considerably in recent years. The 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble saw then-IMPACT Knockouts Champion Mickie James while TNA Knockout World Champion Jordynne Grace was part of the 2024 match. 

Even the idea of AEW and WWE working together can’t be counted out, with Tony Khan being open to a ‘World Cup’ event featuring talent from both companies. WWE President Nick Khan is considering potential collaborations with other promotions though nothing is currently publicly confirmed to be in the works. 

Asuka Confirms Her Knee Injury, Says She’s Very Grateful To Damage CTRL

Bishal Roy
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Damage CTRL member Asuka has revealed to her fans that she is dealing with a knee injury.

Taking to her YouTube channel ‘Kana Chan TV’, the former WWE Women’s Champion stated that she is taking her time off after Backlash: France Premium Live Event to treat recover from a knee injury. In her vlog, Asuka expressed her gratitude towards Damage CTRL teammates, Dakota Kai and Kairi Sane for their help during the European tour. She revealed that he had not been at her best. She wrote the following caption in the video:

“After the Backlash of my European tour, I had to take a break to treat my knee that I had been hurting for a while. My partners Kairi and Dakota helped me a lot during this tour as I could not move at my best. I am very grateful to both of them.”

At the end of her vlog, she wrote “See you soon.”

Injury scare

Back in March, reports emerged that Asuka suffered a possible knee injury and missed house shows due to the injury. It took place during an edition of SmackDown and fans in attendance noted that the Japanese wrestler was hobbling in the ring which raised concerns.

However, at a WWE Live Event in Springfield, Illinois on March 23, Asuka made her return to in-ring action. She joined forces with Damage CTRL teammates, IYO SKY and Kairi Sane, and faced the team of Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair & Naomi in a losing effort. 

Asuka’s last match before her hiatus took place at WWE Backlash: France earlier this month. The powerful team of Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair dethroned Asuka and Kairi Sane to capture the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Meanwhile, in the Queen of The Ring Tournament. ‘The Empress of Tomorrow’ was replaced by Dakota Kai, who endured a loss against Lyra Valkyria in the First Round match. Check out the latest results of the tournament below:

Liv Morgan Efforts To “Save” Her Family Led To Early Struggles & Pressure In WWE NXT

Thomas Lowson
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Raw Superstar Liv Morgan was determined to “save” her family when she joined WWE, which led to the future Women’s Champion questioning all of her decisions. 

Morgan was hired by WWE after her job at Hooters put her in touch with a wrestling coach. Speaking on the Insight podcast, the Raw Superstar admitted that her early days in WWE were much different than what she expected. 

“It was overwhelming. I thought because I was a fan, I would be great right away, because I loved it so much. But it was so hard for me. I was very bad for a very, very, very long time.”

Morgan’s love of wrestling started in her youth and she was able to enjoy WWE programming despite her family struggling financially. On the podcast, Liv explained that she had a goal to help her family which resulted in a lot of self-imposed pressure.

“I feel like I put a lot of pressure on myself because I’m like ‘I’m going to save my family. I’m going to make it to WWE and I’m going to change their lives.’ So I had all this pressure on me. I feel like anything I’m doing wrong, oh my gosh, I’m going to get fired… But eventually I, finally, improved and steady improvement. It was a journey. It was much harder than I’d thought.”

Liv Morgan put a lot of pressure on herself in WWE NXT. 

Morgan would eventually be called up to the main roster as one-third of Absolution in 2016, which is when she was able to recognize that she was talented and those talents were being recognized. Since then, she has become a Money in the Bank winner, a two-time Women’s Tag Team Champion, and a SmackDown Women’s Champion. Morgan is hoping to add more gold to her trophy cabinet at WWE King And Queen of the Ring. 

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

Update On Oklahoma’s Stance On Transgender Wrestlers After Warning AEW Over Nyla Rose

Thomas Lowson
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The state of Oklahoma is reportedly considering a rule change that’d allow transgender wrestlers to face those of their gender identity. 

In December 2023, AEW received a warning after Nyla Rose competed against Alejandra Lion at a taping in Oklahoma City. The motion made by Sports Commission member Larry Lovelace said that AEW would face “punitive action” if they allowed Rose to compete against women in the state. 

Now, it appears that those in the Sooner State are reconsidering their stance. Records obtained through a public records request show that Commission Administrator Jim Miller informed AEW SVP Chris Harrington that allowing Rose to wrestle violated state rules regarding matches “between males and females.” Miller’s email to Harrington adds: 

“For your information the Commission is currently in discussion to possibly change this rule. However if it is determined by the Commission that the rule should be changed it will have to go thru [sic] the legislative process for rule-making and would not be in effect until July 2024.”

Oklahoma had previous warned AEW not to use Nyla Rose. 

Miller has since retired from his position as Commission Administrator and quietly exited the role in March 2024. He has since been replaced with Diana Fletcher who did not wish to comment on the matters related to the December 2023 match. 

AEW President Tony Khan expressed his support for Rose in April 2024 and said he was “disappointed” by the position and the warning. Khan was noncommital when asked if the statute will prevent future events in Oklahoma but to date no events in the state have been announced. Khan’s support for Rose is no surprise as AEW has various LGBTQ+ inclusive programs and has shown support for other LGBTQ+ wrestlers on its roster. 

Another Incident

This situation isn’t the first time that rights to compete have been discussed in the state of Oklahoma. In 2022, Konner Vaughn became a licensed wrestler in the state. He was subsequently banned from having any matches against fellow men as he transitioned from female to male years early. 

When Vaughn asked the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission to reconsider their stance, they did not return his emails. Vaughn is currently not involved in wrestling and said the “soul-crushing” statute by OSAC played a huge role in him hanging up his boots. Vaughn has said he hopes to return to wrestling in his home state if the rules are changed. 

Liv Morgan Shares How Role At Hooters Landed Her Dream Job With WWE

Thomas Lowson
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Liv Morgan’s dream of becoming a WWE Superstar may have remained just a dream if not for her time behind the bar at the popular establishment Hooters. 

Since joining WWE in 2014, Morgan has become one of the company’s most popular women in addition to being a multi-time champion. On the Insight podcast, Morgan recalled how working at the right Hooters helped turn her in-ring dreams into a reality. 

“Everyone at Hooters knew I loved wrestling. I’d be doing my bar shifts, I’d put WWE on the TV… everybody knew it was my thing. Before my time [at Hooters] there was a wrestler who will not be named who used to manage this specific Hooters.”

This unnamed wrestler clearly had a lot of love for his old job as he would also visit his specific Hooters whenever WWE was in town, which led to a meeting with Liv. 

“Me being the big WWE fan that I was, I saw this wrestler come into Hooters and I knew they were exactly and I introduced myself… I talked to this wrestler for a while and I was like ‘I want to wrestle!’ And they were like ‘Haha, yeah.’ And I just spit all my wrestling knowledge to them and ‘Okay, you really do love wrestling.’

“So they introduced me to this man Joe DeFranco. He’s a world-renowned strength and conditioning coach. He only trains professional athletes and he actually trained Triple H on a weekly basis so I went to his gym and he threw me right in with his NFL guys.”

Liv Morgan was able to put her WWE love to use at Hooters. 

Despite having no formal workout experience, Morgan’s tenacity impressed DeFranco, who would pass her name to those in WWE. By October that year, Morgan was under contract and made her debut as a Tyler Breeze fan during his NXT TakeOver: Rival entrance. The rest, as they say, is history, and now Morgan finds herself one of the top women in all of wrestling.

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

Rossy Ogawa’s Marigold Promotion Reveals Championships Ahead of Debut Event

Thomas Lowson
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The roster of the new Marigold promotion will compete for a World Championship and a United National Championship once the first event takes place later this year.

Marigold, the brainchild of STARDOM founder Rossy Ogawa, was confirmed in April 2024 after speculation that Ogawa was looking to make a new company. It was allegations that Ogawa was ‘poaching’ talent from STARDOM that led to his termination from parent company Bushiroad. 

Tokyo Sports gave fans their first glimpse at two of the championships that will be defended under the Marigold banner. The Marigold World Championship features a red strap with silver plates while the United National Championship features a white strap with silver plates. It is currently unclear how the inaugural champions will be decided. 

These won’t be the only titles that the roster of Marigold will compete for. There will be two more titles to be introduced, according to the report, but there is no word yet on what those titles will represent. 

The United National Championship (above) and World Championship (below.)

Marigold Fields Forever

Marigold’s first event will come on May 20 and will take place at the iconic Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. This inaugural event will be broadcast on WRESTLE UNIVERSE and will offer both English and Japanese commentary. The show will feature Giulia, who despite reports that a WWE move is guaranteed, will make a handful of appearances for Marigold per year. The former NJPW Strong Women’s Champion will team with Utami Hayashishita to face WWE NXT alum Sareee and Bozilla. 

Alalshikh: Saudi Arabia Looking for Royal Rumble & WrestleMania In 2026 or 2027

Thomas Lowson
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The 2026 WWE Royal Rumble and possibly WrestleMania 42 could take place in Saudi Arabia if higher-ups with the Middle Eastern Kingdom have their way. 

During an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour podcast, Saudi GEA chairman Turki Alalshikh was asked about plans for the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania to happen in Saudi Arabia. Alalshikh explained that “we are talking around 2026-2027.”

Alalshikh’s hopes for the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania in 2016 are hardly unfounded. A recent report revealed that Saudi authorities are hopeful that both shows will take place in the nation in the future. If so, it’ll be the first time either the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania has taken place outside of North America. 

Events In Saudi Arabia

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

As for the Royal Rumble, WWE held its ‘Greatest Royal Rumble’ in 2018 with the titular 50-man match being won by Braun Strowman. The event sparked controversy given that no women were allowed at the event though Saudi Arabia has since gotten rid of this ban. 

Alalshikh at a WWE Crown Jewel press event with Paul Levesque and Stephanie McMahon-Levesque.

At the time, it was reported that Saudi authorities had requested Yokozuna and The Ultimate Warrior for the Rumble match despite both having been dead for years at that point. Though it wasn’t Yokozuna, WWE did involve sumo-wrestler Hiroki Sumi into the match. 

WWE’s next event in Saudi Arabia will be King And Queen of the Ring. The May 25, event will see the finals of the two titular tournaments as well as various title matches. 

Jey Uso Knows WrestleMania 40 Match With Jimmy Uso Let People Down

Anutosh Bajpai
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Jey Uso knows that his WrestleMania 40 match with brother Jimmy Uso didn’t live up to the expectations and he believes that time constraints were the reason for it.

The Raw star recently had an interview with DailyMail where he opened up about things such as splitting up with his twin brother, choosing his ring gear, and more.

The former tag champion was then asked for his thoughts on how the match between the two brothers played out. Jey explained that getting a singles WrestleMania match against his brother was still surreal but he did feel like the bout failed to live up to the expectations:

“To be honest, it was still a dream match, just me and my brother. I kind of felt I kind of let the people down, though. It was all due to timing issues, so our match was fairly quick. Sometimes you’ve just got to roll with it. It is what it is. “

Uso said that the positive side of it is that they were able to check that box off. The former Bloodline member claimed that he isn’t mad at the other matches and he is just glad that he and his brother got a WrestleMania moment.

There Might Be Another Time For It: Jey Uso

Prior to the bout, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi had talked about potentially getting involved in the fight between his sons in some capacity.

When asked about it, Jey Uso said that he always wanted his dad to be involved in some way whether it be in the match itself or the storyline leading up to it:

“Hell yeah, I always wanted my dad involved, whether it be a referee… I just don’t think my dad could have kept up, just getting up and down, because referees, they’re doing like, push up burpees the whole match too, they’re getting a great workout. Maybe like a go home promo, just some kind of cool promo segment. There might be another time for it.”

Jey also talked about his increased popularity since leaving the Bloodline and his unique entrance that has been garnering attention from not only fans but the WWE officials as well. You can check out the future plans for his entrance here.

Spoiler Results For 5/21 Episode of WWE NXT, Battleground Match Announced

Thomas Lowson
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The results are in for the May 21, episode of WWE NXT which was taped following the May 14, episode of the gold brand. 

The double-taping has occurred due to the upcoming WWE King And Queen Of The Ring PLE that will take place on May 25, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. WWE wants certain producers and agents that work weekly NXT shows to make the trip to Jeddah for the latest event in WWE’s lucrative deal with Saudi Arabia. Rather than a live WWE NXT without many of the brand’s producers and agents, WWE felt it was better to have the full staff on board and tape the show in advance. 

WWE NXT Spoilers – May 21

Here are the spoilers for the May 21, episode of WWE NXT: 

Fallon Henley defeated Thea Hail in a NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match qualifier. Chase U were at ringside for the match but were ejected after Ridge Holland was spotted with a chair that Henley had introduced into the equation. Post-match, Jazmyn Nyx came out and attacked Thea while Fallon looked on from the entrance.

Wes Lee and Joe Coffey were declared co-winners in a triple-threat North American Championship qualifier which also included Josh Briggs. Interestingly, Coffey was in the match replacing Ivar but there’s no word on why he wasn’t in the match. Oba Femi was on commentary. 

Axiom and Nathan Frazer defeated Luca Crusifino and Channing Lorenzo (with Tony D’Angelo and Adriana Rizzo) to retain the NXT Tag Team Championship. The No Quarter Catch Crew came in through the crowd to attack D’Angelo, distracting Crusifino and Lorenzo. 

Jaida Parker defeated Brinley Reece to advance to the ladder match for the NXT Women’s North American title at NXT Battleground. 

Lexis King came to the ring and talked about how it is great to be him and mentioned how he has been on a winning streak as of late. He then lost to Dante Chen who celebrated with Mr. Stone after the match. 

NXT Champion Trick Williams spoke about being attacked two weeks ago and how Noam Dar was attacked last week. Trick made clear he did not attack Dar but Meta-Four (except for Lash Legend) didn’t believe him. Joe Coffey appeared and said they are likely wondering why someone who will challenge for the North American Title is out there. Wolfgang and Mark Coffey attacked Trcik from behind and attacked Je’Von Evans who tried to help Williams. 

Natalya and Karmen Petrovic defeated Lola Vice and Shayna Bazler. Post-match, Vice attacked Baszler, but the Queen of Spades caught her and locked in the Kirifuda clutch. Referees came out to separate the two and NXT GM Ava announced they’ll face off in an NXT Underground match at NXT Battleground. 

Ricky Starks Is As Oblivious About His AEW Absence As You Are

Anutosh Bajpai
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Ricky Starks has no idea why he has been kept off AEW TV.

The young star has not been seen on AEW programming since the March 30th episode of AEW Collision. He and tag team partner Big Bill were defeated by Top Flight in a tag team title tournament match during the show.

Starks addressed his unexplained absence from TV during a recent interview with WhatCulture. He was asked if he’d be a part of the upcoming Double or Nothing PPV on May 26 and Ricky claimed that he doesn’t know:

“I really have no clue. It’s just a very interesting time, I feel like. I wish that I was on Dynamite, or I wish I was on Dynasty. I wish I was on these things, but I think at a certain point, just for my own sanity, I can’t go too crazy about it because the proof is in my work and my effort that I’ve constantly given.”

The 34-year-old said that he constantly gives 1000% effort and the biggest lesson he has learned is not to worry too much about the things that are not in his control.

I Have No Answers: Ricky Starks

(AEW)

Starks’ latest match with AEW saw some last-minute changes. An audible was called for Top Flight to go over in the bout after the wrestling star seemingly got hurt while taking a tandem DDT.

The former FTW Champion further addressed his health status during the interview. He confirmed that medical issues are not the reason for his prolonged absence from the ring:

“I’m not hurt. Even that night [on AEW Collision], I specifically stated, hey, I’m not hurt. I was just being cautious about it because at the moment, I didn’t know what was happening, especially with this side of my body. So I wasn’t hurt. I was never put on an injury list or anything like that. I have no answers.”

He reiterated that he has no clue why he isn’t involved in any ongoing feud. Ricky Starks did note that receiving messages from concerned fans is encouraging for him.

Starks’ former tag team partner Big Bill recently joined hands with Chris Jericho. This signifies the end of the partnership between the former AEW tag champions.

What is the real issue preventing the former champion from returning to AEW programming is anyone’s guess. We hope that he will be back on TV entertaining the fans once again very soon.

Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match Set For AEW Double or Nothing 2024

Thomas Lowson
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AEW TNT Champion Adam Copeland hopes to end his war with The House of Black at Double or Nothing in the confines of a barbed wire-clad Steel Cage. 

The match was made official on the May 15, episode of AEW Dynamite and comes after weeks of feuding between the two sides. Copeland will face Malakai Black at the upcoming pay-per-view. He has previously retained his title against both Buddy Matthews and Brody King. 

Copeland had made the challenge following last week’s AEW Collision, where he retained the title against Kyle O’Reilly. On Dynamite, the Rated-R Superstar was mentally and physically tormented by the faction and both he and Reilly were attacked by the House of Black. 

Backstage, Black accepted the challenge and accepted Copeland’s request for a Barbed Wire Steel Cage match. The Rated-R Superstar could lose more than his title though, as Black revealed that should he beat Copeland, the WWE Hall of Famer would bend his knee to the House of Black.

AEW Double or Nothing 2024

Here is the card for AEW Double or Nothing 2024 as it currently stands. 

  • Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Mercedes Moné (AEW TBS Championship)
  • Roderick Strong (c) vs. Will Ospreay (AEW International Championship)
  • “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) (with Luther and Mariah May) vs. Serena Deeb (AEW Women’s World Championship)
  • Swerve Strickland (c) (with Prince Nana) vs. Christian Cage (with Killswitch, Nick Wayne, and Mother Wayne) (AEW World Championship)
  • The Elite (Kazuchika Okada, Jack Perry and The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson, and Nicholas Jackson)) vs. Team AEW (Bryan Danielson, FTR (Cash Wheeler, and Dax Harwood), and Darby Allin) (Anarchy In The Arena Match)
  • Adam Copeland (c) vs. Malakai Black (AEW TNT Championship, Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match)
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