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“I Tried” – Shawn Spears Disappointed He Wasn’t In This Year’s WWE Royal Rumble

Bishal Roy
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Each year Royal Rumble Premium Live Event promises massive surprises and returns. Well, it has come to light that Shawn Spears, who is currently performing in NXT, aimed to be a part of this year’s Royal Rumble. 

Royal Rumble 2024 took place at the Tropicana Field in St.Petersburg, Florida in January and the event was filled with some memorable moments and surprising debuts. Fans certainly loved what they witnessed and the event lived up to the expectations. 

However, ‘The Reaper’ couldn’t make it to Men’s Royal Rumble match that was won by Cody Rhodes.  Nevertheless, the following month, Spears, who parted ways with AEW, made his shocking return during the February 27 edition of NXT.

Shawn Spears opens up on his plan for Royal Rumble return

Speaking to Fightful, Shawn Spears stated that he “shot his shot” but he doesn’t think he got in early enough for Royal Rumble. 

“All I will say is that, I shot my shot. I just don’t think I got it in early enough. I think I was too late. But I did shoot my shot. I tried. All I can do is, ‘Hey, how about this?’ and then I let it go. I let the rest play out as it can.I think I was a little late to the party. So you never know. That’s what they tell you, right? You never know.”

During the interview, Spears also stated that he preferred to use the ‘Shawn Spears’ name when he decided to make a comeback to WWE and even NXT head Shawn Michaels was in favor of the idea. 

Shawn Spears has competed in a couple of matches on NXT following his return and racked wins over Ridge Holland and Uriah Connors. 

We will have to wait and see what’s in store for him in the coming days.

LA Knight’s Candid WWE Confession: Walking the Thin Line Between Push and Backlash

Aaron Varble
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Few WWE Superstars saw the same giant boost in momentum over the past year that LA Knight received. His gimmick and catchphrases clicked with the WWE Universe in a big way, but there was some concern on his part that things were moving too fast.

LA Knight has seen a lot of people get pushes and fans resist that change. He did not want to run into the same situation at all. While he is appreciative of everything WWE gave him, he also knew that he was walking a very thin line between fan acceptance and disdain.

Knight Talks His Big Push

LA Knight sold a ton of merchandise, and he kept getting spotlight matches. Through it all, fans still chanted back with him as he hit every one of this famous slogans.

While speaking to Busted Open Radio, LA Knight was quite honest about his genuine fear that WWE might have been pushing him too hard. This came after co-host Bully Ray suggested that fans may become sick and tired of the act eventually.

He did not want to see any backlash from fans, because he was constantly in a top spot. He certainly wanted to avoid the perception that the company was shoving him down their throats.

”There’s so many different ways to look at that. Maybe there was a little too far of a push a little too fast and that’s not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but a little bit of a steady build going into a championship match or something like that.”

”As far as going to the U.S. Championship or the Intercontinental Championship or something like that but jumping straight into the WWE Championship back at Crown Jewel was a little fast to where I almost worried that it might make people go, ah! They’re not gonna do this? They’re not gonna shove him down our throat like this? Are they? Because there is that potential. At the same time, right now, I think I’m in a damn good spot… I don’t know if I’m selling myself short so much as I’m just cautiously optimistic.”

LA Knight x WrestleMania 40

LA Knight will battle AJ Styles at WrestleMania 40. This is a match that may have been building for a long time. Styles and Knight shared the locker room together in TNA for years. Now, they will have a chance to throw down at the showcase of the immortals.

WWE fans have not rejected LA Knight yet. Even The Rock back, they are ready to participate in every chant, as he receives a big pop as well. Only time will tell what is next for LA Knight, but WWE is obviously not going to drop his push just yet.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling world. You never know what will break next, so please keep checking back throughout the day for more of the headlines you need!

Afa Anoa’i Set To Undergo Surgery On Friday

Bishal Roy
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We have an update on WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoa’i, who is set to undergo surgery soon.

Afa is part of the esteemed Anoa’i wrestling family that runs deep in pro wrestling history. The legendary lineage has provided some iconic names and has made immense contributions to the business. Sadly, the 81-year-old Afa has been struggling with his health. 

One-half of the famous Wild Samoans recently sustained a sustained several fractures in his back after taking a fall. He was hospitalized and has undergone treatment with specialists due to the severity of the situation.

Afa’s Surgery and Health

Afa is now scheduled to undergo surgery this Friday, March 22, according to PWInsider. 

It’s been a stressful year for Afa and his family. Earlier this year, he had a bout with pneumonia and suffered a mild heart attack. His health further deteriorated when he encountered a second heart attack. He showed great determination and resilience through recovery and was released from the hospital in January.

We at SEScoops send him well wishes and positive thoughts as he prepares for the procedure this week.

Mark Henry To Attend Inaugural Shad Gaspard Memorial Cup, JTG To Compete

Dominic DeAngelo
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The wrestling world will forever mourn the loss of Shad Gaspard, but Da Pope Elijah Burke has put something very special together to commemorate his late colleague.

The inaugural Shad Gaspard Memorial Cup will take place on April 20 in Jacksonville, FL with eight men competiting in the tournament which includes Gaspard’s Cryme Tyme tag partner JTG. Also competiting in the tournament are the following names:

  • KC Navarro
  • Kenny King
  • Jay Rios
  • T.I.M.
  • Thom Latimer
  • General Obazo
  • 3Prince Agballah

AEW star and WWE Hall of Fame Mark Henry will be in attendance to honor Gaspard.

“We Loved Shad. I loved Shad. I’m there.” 

All proceeds from the event will go towards Burke’s Love-Alive charity, whose mission is to “improve the quality of life to less-advantaged individuals, families and communities through humanitarian effort and charitable donations in Jacksonville, Florida and surrounding areas.” You can donate or purchase tickets at the Love-Alive Charity website.

Shad Gaspard Died A Hero

Gaspard will forever be known to put his son Areyah ahead of himself. On Sunday May 17, 2020, Gaspard and Areyah went to Venice Beach and both were caught in a rip current. When a rescue team came to pull them to safety, Gaspard made certain that Areyah went first telling, rescuers to “take my son.” However, Gaspard got pulled by the current and tragically drowned, with his body being found days later. Gaspard would still wrestle from time to time, but really took a focus on a career in Hollywood, even writing a wrestling television pilot “PinFall” that was getting a lot of eyes on it. He called it a series a tribute that all his fellow wrestlers had gone through.

Shad Gaspard was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2022 being the recepient of the Warrior Award.

AEW Hall of Fame: Tony Khan Knows Exactly Who He’d Want To Include First

Thomas Lowson
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AEW has yet to establish its own Hall of Fame, but Tony Khan has a clear image of who he’d like to see be the first two inductees. 

While WWE’s Hall of Fame opened its (hypothetical) doors in 1993 with the induction of Andre the Giant, AEW hasn’t created its own way of acknowledging talent of the past. It’s not hard to see why as, at five years old, the promotion is still relatively young. 

AEW’s Hall of Fame

Tony Khan addressed the possibility of  a recent interview with Comic Book, Tony Khan discussed a possible AEW Hall of Fame. While Khan didn’t confirm that any plans were in place, he did know who he’d like to see inducted. 

“Certainly the first two people that come to mind that we would have to honor would be Sting and Mr. Brodie Lee. Two of the greatest champions and two of the greatest people we’ve ever had in AEW, and in very different circumstances.”

Khan added that he’d like to see somebody inducted who never got the chance to compete in an AEW ring, that being Jay Briscoe.

“He was my friend and was friends with a lot of people in the locker room. He was one of the greatest wrestlers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Potential Hall of Famers

RIP Brodie Lee

WWE’s Hall of Fame

We don’t know when (if ever) AEW will set up a Hall of Fame, but WWE will induct it’s 2024 class in just over two weeks. Paul Heyman, the US Express, Bull Nakano, Thunderbolt Patterson, and Muhammad Ali have been announced for this year’s class. 

WWE Star Sonya Deville Opens Up About Ongoing ACL Recovery Struggles

Aaron Varble
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Sonya Deville wants to make a return back to the ring ASAP. She is working hard, but the struggle is real.

While repairing herself from a devastating ACL injury, Sonya Deville must be careful. She recently disclosed to fans that she still doesn’t have 100% trust in her injury recovery progress just yet. So, she’s taking it easy, but still putting in the work.

Deville Gives Injury Update

Sonya Deville suffered an ACL tear on the July 28th episode of SmackDown, and that was terrible timing. She was 1/2 of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions at the time.

She is currently rehabilitating her injury. Despite her ongoing recovery efforts, she admitted to still lacking trust in her ACL, which has posed challenges for her workouts and agility drills.

During a post on Instagram, the former Fire & Desire member let fans know how her progress is coming along at this point.

“Today we did a lot of jumping which I’m not going to lie, was pretty daunting at first. Because my ACL is still recovering, and I don’t trust it that much. But once I did a couple of reps I got the hang of it and was getting a lot more confident. Actually, feeling pretty good about it. Then we did some agility footwork drills, which again were pretty awkward at first because my leg is not used to moving that fast. It felt pretty good once I got started.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C4wfwn6Nt-o

Sonya Deville’s Busy WWE Hiatus

Deville married her long-time fiancé Toni Cassano over her WWE break. That was certainly a happy day.

Sonya Deville has kept herself busy during her WWE hiatus. She got a role in a movie where she plays a police officer, and she is still making progress on her WWE return. She also had that pesky trouble with a gun possession charge dropped.

We will have to see when Sonya Deville makes her way back to WWE. She obviously wants that day to come sooner than later, and her fans will certainly be waiting for that day to come.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more, in the pro wrestling world. Please keep checking back for constant updates.

AEW Drama: Britt Baker Addresses Rumors of Problems with Mercedes Mone

Aaron Varble
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AEW brought in Mercedes Mone, and the pro wrestling world paid attention. Now, it appears that some are trying to find trouble when it’s not there.

Britt Baker has been out of action for a while, and she went all of 2023 (and 2024 so far) without cutting a single promo on live television. She also saw something churning in the rumor mill about how she feels about AEW’s latest blockbuster signing, and she had to dismiss it.

Baker Clears the Air

Mercedes Mone debuted in AEW at Big Business, unveiling a ‘CEO’ persona and expressing her desire to impact the women’s division. On this week’s episode of Dynamite, Mone reiterated her goal to expand the company’s reach globally.

However, rumors surfaced regarding discontent among some wrestlers in AEW regarding Mone’s contract and pay. After all, Mone is supposedly making the most out of any female in the business right now.

In response to a fan’s speculation, Britt Baker clarified on social media, where she outright denied any real-life tension with Mone and dismissing the report as fake.

Baker asserted in her comment that the Facebook post is fake. She also picked a few choice words to make her point.

“This is a fake Facebook post you dumb f*ck. Excuse my language, Trips. You can all post your apologies in the comments below.”

Mone is All Elite

Mercedes Mone is just getting started in AEW, but she hasn’t mixed it up with Britt Baker yet. At this point, AEW fans are still waiting to see the company’s resident dentist in the ring again. At this point, they are still waiting.

Mone looks like she is going to go for Julia Hart’s TBS Title first, but this may be a swerve. There are a lot of options for Mone, including settling her unfinished business with Willow Nightingale.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more from the pro wrestling world. You never know what will break next, but we will be here with all the headlines you need.

Throwing in the Towel: Vince McMahon’s Former Allies in WWE Have Given Up Defending Ex-CEO

Thomas Lowson
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Vince McMahon no longer has any defenders in any form within WWE, close to two months after his resignation from the promotion. 

Janel Grant’s daming lawsuit against WWE and itsformer chairman alleges that she was a sexual slave during her time and was trafficked by McMahon to various men in the company. McMahon has denied all wrongdoing and has claimed that the lawsuit is rife with fabrications.

Throwing in the Towel

During the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed a shift in attitude regarding the former Chairman. Meltzer said that those who have previously defended McMahon have stopped, seemingly believing there’s no viable defense for him anymore. 

“People who were even in a situation where they’d been defending other people in the company, nobody bothers to try and defend Vince. 

“It’s almost like they’ve thrown in the towel on him. It’s like, ‘He’s gone and we can’t even try to defend him’.”

Ronda Rousey’s Strong Words

One name who certainly won’t be defending McMahon is Ronda Rousey. In her new memoir Our Story, the ex-Superstar says that McMahon is akin to Emperor Palpatine, the chief antagonist of the Star Wars movies. Rousey adds that it’s hard to know where the evil McMahon character ends and the actual person begins. 

What Have WWE Superstars Said? 

Rousey isn’t the only notable name to weigh in on McMahon. After McMahon’s resignation, Triple H said he had not read Janel Grant’s lawsuit. 

At the same Royal Rumble 2024 press conference, Cody Rhodes called the McMahon situation a dark cloud over WWE. 

Seth Rollins was disgusted with what was claimed in the lawsuit. The World Heavyweight Champion has said if the claims are true, he hopes everyone gets what they deserve. 

John Cena has taken a different approach. Cena has made clear he still loves McMahon, despite what has happened. While Cena did speak of the importance of accountability, his comments did spark controversy for how glowing he was of the ex-chairman. 

Daily Drop (3/21): Notable WWE Exit, Multiple AEW Title Changes

Aaron Varble
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Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Thursday, March 21. 

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 16

Last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite was a three-hour show, which included Rampage. The Dynamite show saw two title changes, as Kazuchika Okada won the Continental Title and Adam Copeland finally won the TNT Title from Christian Cage in an I Quit match.

Now, let’s get into it…

WWE:

– TKO Stock Boom: The TKO stock saw a surge in price over the last day. Many analysts are contributing that boom to the upcoming Netflix deal. There is a lot of optimism. 

– WWE Shop Is Also Booming: Have you checked out the WWE Shop on the Road to WrestleMania 40? We highly suggest it, so don’t miss out and click here to see what they have to offer!

– GM Surgery: SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis needs surgery. We will have to see how long that keeps him out of action.

– Former Voice Going Elsewhere: There is a new report saying that MLW may be interested in Mauro Ranallo. His voice could add a lot to that company’s television product.

– WWE Exec Exit: John Porco left WWE last month. He had been with WWE since June 1999, initially serving as a Public Relations Coordinator before transitioning to the role of Senior Vice President of Live Events Marketing.

– WrestleMania Card Size: We ran a report yesterday saying that WWE is trying to keep each night of Mania to around 7 matches.

– WWE NXT Rating: The latest episode of NXT on 3/19 recorded its lowest viewership since July 4 last year, attracting only 569,000 viewers, marking a 3% decline from the previous week. However, there was a notable increase in the 18-49 demographic, which saw a 12% rise to 0.18.

AEW:

– Kenny Omega x John Cena: The 16x World Champion made it clear to Kenny Omega that he can see him. This came after Omega complimented Cena in a huge way last week.

– Copeland on Blank Canvas: Adam Copeland said that he and Mercedes Mone were essentially given blank canvases in AEW.

– Toronto Tribute: Adam Copeland’s gear for AEW Dynamite this week was a direct tribute to the attire he wore during his last WWE match in Toronto against Sheamus. 

– Tony Speaks on Scapegoat: Tony Khan made it clear that he’s watching Jack Perry’s work in NJPW. He also said that he is doing good things, so we’ll have to see when he makes an AEW return.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

Looking ahead, here are some of the major upcoming shows on the horizon:

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

April 7: WrestleMania XL Sunday from Philadelphia, PA.

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

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

Unagi Sayaka Gets Title Shot In Her MLW Debut at 3/29 War Chamber Event

Thomas Lowson
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Fans of Major League Wrestling will soon get to see Unagi Sayaka in action as the popular Japanese star is set to make her debut soon. 

On Twitter, MLW shared a promo highlighting Sayaka’s impending arrival. Given the young star’s colorful costumes and personality, it’s fitting that the promo video was a bright, colorful affair. 

MLW War Chamber

Sayaka will make her in-ring debut at the upcoming MLW War Chamber event. Not only will she be competing, but she’ll be in action for the MLW World Women’s Featherweight Championship. The card for the show is as follows: 

  • Janai Kai (c) (with Promociones Dorado (Salina de la Renta and Jesús Rodriguez)) vs. Unagi Sayaka: MLW World Women’s Featherweight Championship
  • Timothy Thatcher vs. Matt Riddle
  • Alex Kane (with Mr. Thomas) vs. A. J. Franci$
  • Team MLW (CozyMax (Satoshi Kojima and Shigeo Okumura) and The Second Gear Crew (Matthew Justice and 1 Called Manders)) vs. World Titan Federation (Tom Lawlor, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Richard Holliday, and Josh Bishop) (with Mister Saint Laurent): War Chamber Match

Matches for Star Jr. Mads Krügger, Kosei Fujita have also been announced but their opponents have not been named. MLW War Chamber 2024 will take place on Friday, March 29, from The Coliseum in St. Petersburg, Florida.  

Who is Unagi Sayaka?

The 34-year-old Sayaka is currently working as a freelancer but is known for her time in STARDOM. She Is a former Artist of STARDOM champion and has also competed in Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling and All-Japan Pro Wrestling. 

Currently, Sayaka is the DDT-Pro Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship, a title she has held on five occasions. The unorthodox title allows champions of any gender and multiple people can hold the title at once. 

The gold goes even further than WWE’s Hardcore or 24/7 Championships as Animals and inanimate objects, including a pint of beer, a steel ladder, and Vince McMahon’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star have all been champions. Stefan the Dinosaur, a stuffed dino Sayaka often carries with her, is a former champion. 

‘Evolving’ Drew McIntyre Puts Seth Rollins On Notice Ahead of WWE WrestleMania 40 Clash

Thomas Lowson
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The ‘evolved’ Drew McIntyre is focused on taking the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40 thanks to the return of his “killer instinct.”

The Scottish Warrior will challenge champion Seth Rollins on April 7 as part of WrestleMania 40: Sunday. McIntyre earned the title match by winning the Men’s Elimination Chamber match last month in Perth, Australia. The upcoming title match will be the third World Championship match for both Rollins and McIntyre. 

Drew McIntyre Has Evolved

McIntyre has undergone a character shift as of late with the Scottish Warrior once again embracing a heel role in WWE. McIntyre has taken credit for CM Punk’s injury and has claimed that he ‘saved’ WrestleMania by keeping Punk off the show. Sitting down with Evan T. Mack, McIntyre spoke about his evolution and how it differs from Seth Rollins. 

“I’ve found myself at the right time because we need a savior of the industry. We have the savior of WrestleMania, the savior of Raw, and the savior of WWE and it’s Drew McIntyre, with my new evolved personality.

“Evolved, not like Seth Rollins, where he changes his personality every eight months or something because he doesn’t know who he is. I’m the same guy. I’ve been for years. I’ve just evolved.”

Seth Rollins’ Changes

While McIntyre may be the heel, it’s hard to ignore the often dramatic changes in Rollins’ character. The Architect has changed drastically from his days in the Shield and his currently colorful persona is in stark contrast to his ‘Monday Night Messiah’ character from just a few years ago. 

Drew McIntyre’s Killer Instinct

Drew McIntyre, according to himself, hasn’t changed like Rollins, but he has shown a more vicious side on TV. In the interview, Drew was pleased that his ‘killer instinct’ is back. 

“I was a little naive and a little too nice about [things.] The killer instinct I used to have… And it cost me for a couple of years. If you look at my past few years, very successful on television, but we came to those big matches and I think I lost about 12 in a row or something.

“What it came down to, was I was making silly, silly mistakes relating to not having that killer instinct I used to have. Now it’s back.”

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

Like Being Hit With A Cattle Prod: The Undertaker Reveals Effect Famous Move Had After Years Of Damage

Anutosh Bajpai
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The Undertaker has had one of the most illustrious careers in the history of wrestling that spanned across multiple decades. The former World Champion reached a larger-than-life status that very few performers have attained in the history of sports through his work over this time. This fame however also came at a cost.

During a recent Patreon Q&A, The Dead Man was asked which was the hardest move for him to perform during his career. Undertaker discussed the considerable damage he did to his body in the thousands of matches he wrestled. He then revealed that during the later stages of his career, performing his signature Guillotine Leg Drop sent a shock up through his spine:

“The one that really at the end, and nothing really bothered me as far as my move set until the end of my career. But that Guillotine Leg Drop on the apron, by the end of my career it was sending shivers right up my spine like I was getting like electrical, like somebody was hitting me with a cattle prod every time that I would drop that leg on the apron.

Because there’s no give at all to the apron. That’s where everything is tied in and it’s pretty solid there. I would get pretty good height on that thing. I think that’s probably what took out my right hip, is dropping that that Guillotine Leg Drop. It was probably the hardest thing.

And the tombstone just at the very end kind of started to bother me because my knees were getting kind of chewed up. But for the most part of my career, it was nothing really. It just kind of snuck up on me one day.”

That Was Pretty Stiff: The Undertaker

When asked if he ever thought about the wear and tear early in his career, The Undertaker discussed how you don’t think about these things in your youth. Looking back at it now, however, the former champion wonders if he should have restrained himself from using the more destructive moves as regularly:

“When you’re young and you’re healthy and you got that S on your chest. You’re like, you’ll live forever. Nothing’s ever gonna bother you. Then one day you wake up and you can barely walk.

It’s like, ‘Wow, maybe, I should have used that a little more judiciously. Maybe I should’ve used Hells Gate a little more. But yeah, that Guillotine Leg Drop, that was pretty stiff.”

The Undertaker also touched on the subject of Owen Hart’s death during the episode. He revealed his thoughts on having to perform at the 1999 PPV after the tragic incident. You can check out what he said here.

If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

WWE 2K24 Ratings: Developer Explains How They Work & Address Controversies

Thomas Lowson
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A WWE 2K producer has shared what exactly goes into the often controversial, much-discussed rankings of playable characters. 

Earlier this month, WWE 2K24 was released and has proven to be another hit in the series. Once more, the game features rankings for the Superstars, which often appear on WWE programming. These rankings are often heavily-discussed and during an interview with the Squared Circle Pit, WWE 2K24 producer Bryan Williams spoke about what goes into an in-game ranking. 

“For us on the design side, we’re really big on character differentiation and making sure that when you select a character that they are of their appropriate hierarchy on the card. Not everybody can be a Roman Reigns. You have people that are at the tippety top of the card and then you have people that are not, but there’s no slight on anybody.”

Williams added that in contrast to previous years, WWE 2K24’s ratings were determined much more on what sort of year a Superstar has had since the previous game’s release. 

“We kind of take all that into account to see, did they hold championships? Were they winning more than they were losing? Are they consistently pushed?”

Controversial Ratings

During the February 26, episode of WWE Raw, Michael Cole spoke about WWE 2K24. The veteran broadcaster said the character ratings in WWE 2K games are “always controversial.”

Kurt Angle is in WWE 2K24 and many fans have been angered by his rating. The WWE Hall of Famer, Olympic Gold Medalist, King of the Ring, and World Champion has an 89 rating in the game. On social media, fans argued that this ranking was too low and pointed at Logan Paul’s 90 rating as proof Angle should be higher. 

A Very Real Controversy

Though fans often debate whether a Superstar should be ranked higher or lower than another, one Superstar this year sparked a controversy out of the confines of the ring. GUNTHER was given an 88 rating for WWE 2K24, which caused concerns among some fans. 

88 is known as a Nazi dog whistle which allows Nazis to signal their beliefs to others covertly. A simple numeric alphabet code (A=1, B=2, etc) sees 88 translated into HH (Heil Hitler.) While WWE 2K did not address this directly, GUNTHER’s rating was changed to an 89. 

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

Adam Copeland: AEW Is A “Blank Canvas” for Myself & Mercedes Mone

Thomas Lowson
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0

Adam Copeland is excited about the fresh opportunities that AEW provides for both himself as well as the recently debuted Mercedes Mone. 

The former WWE Women’s Champion debuted for AEW at the Big Business episode of Dynamite. Mone had hardly been subtle in the run-up to the show, making clear to fans that she was in Boston, MA, her hometown and the host of Big Business, mere hours before the show.

A Blank Canvas

Copeland and Mone may have made their names (or rather their other names) in WWE, but now both ex-Superstars are seeking a fresh start under Tony Khan. Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Copeland spoke about the ‘CEO’ and what her arrival in the All-Elite promotion means. 

“For her, AEW is a blank canvas with a brand new palette of paint. For me, it was the same. I saw Swerve, The Young Bucks, Jon Moxley, Hangman Page, Kenny Omega, Claudio, FTR, all these names I’ve never crossed paths with.

“It’s the same with Mercedes–think of how much fun she’s going to have here. Think of all the new opponents.”

Mercedes Mone’s Possibilities

There’s no shortage of new opponents for Mercedes Mone to face now she’s in AEW. Right now, it appears that Mone’s path is leading her to the Julia Hart and the AEW TBS Championship. Britt Baker certainly wants a piece of Mone, as she said last year she was “hoping and praying” that the ex-Superstar joined AEW. 

Mone & Copeland on Dynamite

Both ex-Superstars had huge roles to play on the March 20, edition of AEW Dynamite. Mone opened the show by talking about her journey to AEW before being cut off by Skye Blue and Julia Hart. Willow Nightingale and Kris Statlander made the save for Mone, though Willow did have some issues with Mone. The pair faced off in May 2023 in the match that saw Mercedes suffer her career-threatening injury. 

AEW Dynamite was much kinder to Adam Copeland, who captured the TNT Championship in the show’s main event. Copeland’s second win of the TNT title saw him defeat former friend Christian Cage in an I-Quit match. 

Ronda Rousey Had To Hide Her History of Concussions To Continue Competing

Thomas Lowson
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Ronda Rousey had to hide years of concussions in order to be allowed to continue competing, the former WWE Superstar recently revealed. 

Rousey’s new memoir ‘Our Story’ is set to hit shelves next month and is expected to be a gripping read. In the book, the former WWE Superstar and UFC fighter doesn’t hold back and makes her views clear on Vince McMahon. 

Ronda’s Concussion History

Recently, Ronda Rousey appeared on the Never Before Told podcast to discuss her new book and her time in wrestling. When asked about a potential return to the ring, Rousey said that it’s not possible. The former Women’s Champion added that she had a history of concussions which she felt she had to keep a secret. 

“My concussion history, I had to keep secret for years so I would be able to continue to compete and perform. That’s basically why I had to retire.”

Ronda Rousey Post-WWE

Rousey’s WWE tenure ended at SummerSlam 2023 when she lost to Shayna Baszler in the first MMA Rules match. While Rousey said in October that she was retired, she’d make a surprise return to the ring outside WWE later that month. In November, Rousey made an appearance for Wrestling Revolver and shocked fans by appearing for the Tony Khan-owned ROH. 

What’s Next? 

Ronda Rousey’s days in the ring are seemingly up, but the former champion hasn’t left the business behind entirely. Rousey will be appearing at WrestleCon in Philadelphia next month where she will be meeting fans and signing copies of her book. 

More Reading Material

Rousey’s book isn’t the only hotly-anticipated wrestling memoir set to be released. Next week, Rousey’s nemesis Becky Lynch will release her ‘The Man’ and the reviews so far have been glowing. Lynch’s new book even found its way to the White House when Lynch attended as part of the recent St. Patrick’s Day celebration. 

AEW’s Britt Baker Hits Back At “Dumb” False Claims Of Issues with Mercedes Mone

Thomas Lowson
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Britt Baker and Mercedes Mone may both want to be the top woman in AEW, but that doesn’t mean there’s heat between the pair of former champions. 

Mone arrived in AEW during the Big Business episode of Dynamite, following weeks of speculation that she’d be joining. Mone had hardly been subtle in the run-up to the show, making clear to fans that she was in Boston, MA, her hometown and the host of Big Business, mere hours before the show.

Mone’s Recent Comment 

Mone is poised to do big things in AEW though a recent comment by the CEO has raised some eyebrows. Shortly before her debut, Mone spoke about her WWE run as Sasha Banks and said she is confident she will wrestle for WWE again one day. 

Britt Baker’s Response

Mone’s comment has reportedly led to some heat within AEW as many felt it was a poor move for her to speak about returning to WWE shortly before her All-Elite arrival. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer was the first to report of Mone’s comment not going down well with those in the company. 

When a Twitter account insinuated that Britt Baker had spoken with Meltzer and was his source, the former AEW Women’s World Champion made clear this was not the case. 

The account in question doubled down on their claim that Baker had been the source for Meltzer. When they said this was an example of a woman fighting harder against the success of another woman, Baker responded yet again. 

Britt Baker & Mercedes Mone

It’s ironic that this account is claiming that Baker spread news of the roster being unhappy, as the DMD has been wanting to see Mercedes join AEW for some time. Last August, Baker went as far as to say she was hoping and praying Mone would join AEW following her in-crowd appearance at All In. 

The Undertaker On Wrestling After Owen Hart’s Passing: I Don’t Know That Was The Right Thing To Do

Anutosh Bajpai
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The death of Owen Hart at WWE Over The Edge 1999 remains the most tragic incident to ever have taken place during a wrestling show. The decision to continue the PPV even after the veteran’s fall will forever be a controversial topic.

The Undertaker who was one of the stars that had to go out there and perform after the incident was recently asked about it during a Patreon Q&A. The WWE Hall of Famer explained that mentally it was one of the toughest days of his life, and questioned the decision to keep the show going even after Owen’s passing:

“Wow. Man, [it was] such an interesting time period. We’re all grinding, just trying to do the best that we could but trying to process the information that somebody just passed away due to some, whatever, the rigging accident.

A guy that you spent tonnes of time with and seen every day for years and you just losing. One minute he’s there and then the next he’s not. Then you have to go out and put the pieces together and try and perform, it was probably one of the most difficult…definitely, mentally one of the toughest days I think I’ve ever had.

If you go back and you watch the footage of that, you can see it on everybody’s face. There’s just a huge element to the match and everything that’s going on. You can just tell that no one really wanted to be out there. Like I said, it’s still very raw and you’re processing this information, but you also are trying to entertain these people. You lived by that motto back then ‘the show must go on.’ I just don’t know that that was the right thing to do.”

We Were Hoping It Wasn’t True: The Undertaker

The Undertaker defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin to win the WWF Championship in the main event of the pay-per-view. He noted that nobody celebrated the title win and detailed the mindset of the locker room after the show had concluded:

“Although we’d already been told, it was kind of like you still didn’t believe it. When we came back we were hoping that something miraculous had happened and it wasn’t true. It was such a tough night. Hindsight being 20-20 [we should have stopped the show] but you also have an arena full of people too.

I don’t envy or didn’t envy Vince McMahon having to make that decision. It was a tough call in the heat of it. I just know it was extremely difficult to go out and do my job that night. It was tough man, we tried to do the best with what we had.”

If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

Who Was Carmelo Hayes’ Masked Man On 3/19 WWE NXT?

Thomas Lowson
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The identity of the masked man who aided Carmelo Hayes on the March 19, episode of WWE NXT isn’t a secret anymore. 

During the show, Trick Williams was ready to fight Hayes but was confronted by Melo’s henchman. A figure then appeared on stage, pretending to be Hayes, which allowed the former NXT Champion the distraction to jump his former ally. 

Masked Man Revealed

The figure who appeared on the stage was none other than head WWE NXT referee Darryl Sharma, aka Adrian Butler, Fightful Select reports. Sharma and the masked man could be seen wearing identical shoes during the show. 

Sources within WWE NXT also confirmed to Fightful that Sharma was the man in question. 

Who is Darryl Sharma? 

Before donning the stripes as a WWE NXT official, Sharma wrestled under the name ‘Hornet’ around the world. He is a student of the Battle Arts Academy, owned by WWE alum and current TNA name Santino Marella. At the academy, he trained in both wrestling and MMA. He ranked #437 in the PWI 500 ranking in 2016 but joined WWE in November that same year to be a referee. 

Sneak Attacks

Carmelo Hayes is hardly the first Superstar to use subterfuge to get the upper hand. As seen in the video below, several wrestlers have used disguises and other tactics to take out their opponents. 

What’s Next? 

Melo and Trick will face off at NXT Stand & Deliver on April 6, mere hours before WWE WrestleMania 40. The show will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA, less than a mile away from the Lincoln Financial Field that’ll host WrestleMania. 

Adam Copeland’s Gear On AEW Dynamite Included Nod To Final WWE Match

Aaron Varble
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Adam Copeland puts a lot of thought into his ring gear during special matches. He had quite a contest against Christian Cage in Toronto this week. He also had gear made up, and some fans might recognize the theme.

Edge wore Maple Leaf themed gear in his final WWE match in Toronto, a homage to his Canadian roots. Now, returning to Toronto for an AEW Dynamite main event as Christian Cage, Adam Copeland continues to honor his heritage with similar attire, symbolizing his enduring connection to the city.

Adam Copeland Gear

In a meaningful nod to his Canadian roots, Edge covered his ring gear in Maple Leaf-themed attire during his final WWE match in Toronto, a gesture that resonated deeply with fans and symbolized his connection to the city. That was his final WWE match, but his pro wrestling journey was far from over.

Now, in a twist of fate, Adam Copeland was set to return to Toronto, this time under an AEW banner. As Copeland stepped into the main event spotlight of AEW Dynamite, he continued to honor his Canadian heritage by donning Maple Leaf-themed gear, bridging the past and present while paying homage to his wrestling legacy in the city where it all began.

In the end, Copeland was able to beat Christian Cage in an I Quit match to claim the victory. We’re not sure if it was the Maple Leaf design on the tights, but we’re guessing it didn’t hurt his chances.

What’s Next For Copeland in AEW

Adam Copeland chased the AEW TNT Title for a while. He briefly won that title before at Worlds End, but Christian Cage was able to quickly win the belt back. Now, it appears that Copeland will get a much longer run with the title than under five minutes.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more from all over the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for more updates as more headlines break from all over the pro wrestling world. 

Rated R Champion: Adam Copeland Wins TNT Title From Christian Cage In Brutal ‘I Quit’ Match

Aaron Varble
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Adam Copeland entered AEW as a WWE Hall of Famer already. Now, he as picked up a title in another company. Copeland’s big chase of Christian Cage and the TNT Title has come to an end once again.

On AEW Dynamite this week, Adam Copeland took on Christian Cage with the TNT Title on the line in an I Quit match. In the end, the Rated R Superstar was able to claim the gold after a bloody contest to become a two-time TNT Champion.

Christian vs Adam Copeland

The rivalry between Christian Cage and Adam Copeland has intensified since the former Edge joined AEW last year. Copeland’s return sparked a heated confrontation, leading to an ‘I Quit’ match for the TNT championship in their hometown of Toronto on AEW Dynamite.

The match included a few foreign objects, backstage brawls, and there was also blood. Both Cage and Copeland tore each other apart during the live show on TBS.

Despite interference from The Patriarchy, Copeland received backup from Daddy Magic and Daniel Garcia. Finally, with Cage handcuffed and vulnerable, Copeland delivered a final blow, forcing Cage to submit as a new TNT champion was crowned.

What’s Next

We will have to see what is next for Adam Copeland in AEW. This was a big night for Title Changes for Tony Khan’s company. Kazuchika Okada opened up the show this week by winning the Continental Title from Eddie Kingston.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, as we continue down the road toward AEW Dynasty and beyond. Keep checking back throughout the day for constant updates.

Nick Aldis Confirms Injury & Future WWE Television Status

Dominic DeAngelo
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Nick Aldis has indeed sustained an injury and was playfully shocked as to how the “dirt sheets” picked it up.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider first reported that Aldis injured his arm and that he’s heard it’s something that could require surgery. Sure enough, Aldis confirmed that news and he actually just got off the cutting room table and his SmackDown duties won’t change despite the repair.

“Yes, I just got out of surgery for a ruptured bicep tendon, and yes, the sheets had it within minutes. God bless ’em. Must be a slow news day…anyway it was a freak accident, I’m on the mend, and I will continue to fulfill my obligations.”

Aldis made his WWE television debut the very same night he was appointed by SmackDown GM Triple H. Aldis got his start in that role back in October 2023, but people greatly know him as the star who put the NWA Worlds Title back on the map. Aldis re-established the NWA brand by defending the “Ten Pounds Of Gold” all over the globe. Arguably, his best rival during that time was this year’s WrestleMania main-eventer Cody Rhodes.

Aldis and Rhodes squared off at the original All In back in 2018 and Rhodes defeated Aldis for the championship, holding the same gold that his late father did. Aldis ended up regaining the championshi[p back at NWA 70. The two stars have yet to have a rubber match, but if Cody happens to finish his story and win the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship, there could very well be gold on the line once more between “The American Nightmare” & “The National Treasure.”

And New: Kazuchika Okada Wins First Championship In AEW

Aaron Varble
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The pro wrestling world was turned upside down when Kazuchika Okada ended up in AEW. He had a WWE offer on the table, but he decided to join Tony Khan’s roster instead, during AEW Dynamite this week, Okada made his single’s debut, and it was for a title.

Okada battled Eddie Kingston during the March 20th episode of AEW Dynamite. That Continental Title match was a banger, and it saw a new champion crowned.

Okada’s Title Win

Eddie Kingston put his Continental Title on the line against Okada during this week’s Dynamite. Since they operated on Continental Title rules, The Young Bucks were not allowed at ringside.

The Young Bucks were shown backstage, watching on headsets from the producer positions, sitting next to Tony Khan.

This match was stiff, and fans were on fire, chanting for both competitors at certain points. Both Okada and Kingston proved that they are not going to quit without a fight.

Finally, Okada nailed the Rainmaker, and he won the match. We can only assume that Okada will bring a lot of attention to the Continental Title and continue to elevate its stature.

First Challenger

After his win, PAC came out to confront Okada. It appears that we know who will face Okada first for his new title. They certainly hyped an eventual match between Okada and The Bastard.

NJPW Departure & AEW Future

Okada was a treasure in NJPW for years, as his matches were proclaimed as some of the in any year. Then he decided to seek out his fortune in America, and he picked AEW.

After joining The Young Bucks, they fired Kenny Omega. It only seems reasonable to assume that an Okada vs Omega match is coming down the line. The Cleaner is currently out of action with diverticulitis, and there is currently no projected timetable for his return.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more from all over the pro wrestling world. You never know what can happen next, especially since Okada is now a champion in AEW.

Nic Nemeth Challenges Established NJPW Veteran For Windy City Riot

Dominic DeAngelo
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Nic Nemeth continues to make moves since becoming a name free agent and his most recent might have put himself between a “Stone Pitbull” and a hard place.

The IWGP Global Champion took to social media to lay down a challenge New Japan makes its way to Chicago, IL on April 12,, but before he did, he made clear that he wants a piece of NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi when he’s healthy, and he’s willing to put his gold on the line against “The Ace.”

“I will take on anyone, any time, any place and I see New Japan has a show in Chicago, April 12, Windy City Riot! You better believe ‘The Wanted Man’ is gonna be there, and I’m calling you out cause I want the hardest hitters there are! Tomohiro Ishii! Ishii vs. ‘The Wanted Man’, Windy City Riot – you hit hard, but I hit harder. Chicago, April 12, let’s rock.”

Nic Nemeth Wrestling Career So Far After WWE

Nic Nemeth was released by WWE back in September of 2023, and once he officially became a free agent, the former Dolph Ziggler hit the ground running by making an appearance at January’s Wrestle Kingdom and later showing up at TNA Hard To Kill.

Nemeth later did become the IWGP Global Champion by defeating David Finlay at New Beginning. As for TNA, Nemeth just defeated former TNA World Champion Steve Maclin at Sacrifice and is set to face Moose for the World Title at Rebellion.

Nic isn’t just keeping his wrestling work inside the ring ropes, however. Just last week he made his debut as a new co-host on Busted Open Radio.

Tony Khan Breaks Silence on Jack Perry’s NJPW Stint: He’s Watching The Scapegoat

Aaron Varble
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Jack Perry’s AEW absence continues, but his time in NJPW is still going strong. Now, Tony Khan has commented on things.

It was previously reported that Tony Khan is very upset at Jack Perry. He is the reason why CM Punk was fired from AEW, and Khan apparently has nothing for him. Now, Tony Khan is speaking on Jungle Boy in NJPW, and he sees the great things he’s doing.

Tony Khan Speaks on Jack Perry

Tony Khan expressed his views on Jack Perry’s recent endeavors in NJPW during a recent interview with Comic Book Nation. Perry’s absence from AEW dates back to his suspension following an altercation with CM Punk at All In last August. Then, the former Jurassic Express member made a surprise debut for NJPW at Battle in the Valley earlier this year, where he symbolically tore up his AEW contract.

In NJPW, Perry has adopted the moniker “Scapegoat” and participated in the New Japan Cup, progressing to the quarterfinals. It seems that fans are questioning whether this is a work or a shoot.

When questioned about the potential continuation of Perry’s current persona upon his return to AEW, Khan remained ambiguous, praising Perry’s achievements in NJPW and emphasizing his development within the promotion.

Well, I think you gotta stay tuned. Absolutely, Jack’s doing great things in New Japan. The New Japan Cup – he’s had a great run. He’s established himself over there. He feels he’s the ‘Scapegoat.’ But he’s doing great things, and he’s wrestling for a great promotion, and it’s been great tracking Jack’s progress in New Japan. And I think he’s done excellent work there.

Jack Perry’s AEW Suspension

CM Punk’s departure from AEW occurred following his altercation with Perry and subsequent return to WWE in November. It is interesting that Punk has returned to WWE, gotten injured, and he’s already making big headway on his return from injury; meanwhile, Jungle Boy Jack Perry is nowhere to be seen in AEW.

Jack Perry’s AEW suspension reportedly ended months ago, but he was never brought back to television. Although some thought he might have made a good Devil, that role went to Adam Cole.

Now, we will have to see how this road might take Jack Perry back to AEW, but Tony Khan seems happy with that he’s doing in NJPW.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more from all over the pro wrestling world. You never know what will happen next, but we will be here with all of the headlines! 

Mamma Mia: MLW Eying Mauro Ranallo For Commentary Role

Aaron Varble
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The pro wrestling scene can shift on a dime at this point. MLW has a lot of money to spend, and they may just invest in their commentary team.

MLW is exploring the possibility of bringing veteran commentator Mauro Ranallo back into the wrestling world, with talks underway for a potential collaboration. Ranallo, known for his work in WWE and other combat sports events, could make a wrestling comeback with MLW after being absent from the pro wrestling scene for some time.

MLW & Mauro Ranallo

Fightful Select reports that a longtime commentator known for both combat sports and pro wrestling has been absent from the wrestling scene for a considerable time, but that might soon change.

Reports suggest that MLW has been engaging in discussions with Ranallo regarding a potential role within the promotion. While no deal has been finalized, there appears to be genuine interest from MLW’s side, especially considering Ranallo’s prior collaborations with MLW owner Court Bauer on a Strikeforce project. 

Ranallo’s departure from WWE in 2020 led him to focus primarily on calling combat sports events, such as the main event of IMPACT Rebellion in 2021. 

Mauro Ranallo’s WWE Exit

Mauro Ranallo discussed his departure from WWE in the past, as he highlighted the mental strain of the environment without casting it negatively. Ranallo said the challenging nature of WWE made it difficult for his mental wellbeing. 

He also said that there was added stress working under Vince McMahon while expressing personal struggles within the system. He recounted his desire to work with WWE as a broadcaster and his evolving role, including shifts in commentary teams and formats, ultimately leading to his decision to prioritize his mental health.

Despite his exit from WWE, Ranallo remained engaged in combat sports announcing, notably calling the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. boxing match last month.

WWE & MLW’s Lawsuit

With MLW recently securing a $20 million settlement in an antitrust lawsuit against WWE, the promotion seems financially poised to pursue Ranallo, who has been absent from the pro wrestling landscape for some time.

In January 2022, MLW launched legal action against WWE, accusing the wrestling giant of using coercive tactics to deter third parties from collaborating with MLW, particularly citing interference in potential deals with media outlets like Vice TV and Tubi.

After nearly two years of legal wrangling, WWE and MLW finally reached a settlement in December 2023, bringing closure to the acrimonious dispute. Recent revelations from TKO Group Holding’s 2023 business report unveiled on Tuesday shed light on the terms of the settlement, disclosing WWE’s commitment to pay a substantial $20 million sum as part of the agreement, marking a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings and clarifying WWE’s financial obligations resulting from MLW’s antitrust lawsuit.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling world. You never know what story will break next, but we will be here with all the headlines you need!

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