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The Rock Rejected Saudi Arabia Match Against Roman Reigns In Favor Of WrestleMania

Aaron Varble
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WWE fans are not happy about The Rock coming back to take Cody Rhodes’ match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. It appears that tonight’s press conference in Las Vegas will clear up a lot of things.

The Rock called his shot at WrestleMania 40 when he returned during the Day 1 episode of RAW. This included him calling out the Head of the Table in his own way.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer mentioned that there were some in WWE who thought that The Rock wrestling in Saudi Arabia was a better plan. The Rock wanted Mania, and that’s what is happening.

“Dwayne wanted it to be Mania, and that’s true. You know, there are people who thought it might be better on another show. I know people who suggested the idea of Saudi Arabia for Dwayne and Cody for WrestleMania, but Dwayne wanted WrestleMania.”

It was then stated that “whatever they are doing” for WrestleMania will very likely be made clear tomorrow at the press conference in Las Vegas. 

“Whether they do two matches, with Roman wrestling twice, or whatever to do to make this thing work, I was told that it will likely be completed by the end of the press conference. I was told that is the plan.”

The Rock seemed very confident that they have a very important event in Las Vegas. He made a very bold claim that fans will be talking about that night forever after he landed in Sin City.

The Rock’s WrestleMania 40 Booking Possibly Changing

There has been a significant amount of negative fan reaction following The Rock’s return. However, WWE has not communicated any internal guidance or instructions on how to address this fan discontent.

When I asked if any of this fan backlash will change these prospective WrestleMania plans, I was told, “there’s no chance in hell.”

After asking around a few days later, I received another note that said, “No chance this changes unless The Rock backs out. This has been The Rock calling the shot since January 1st.” That is when Rock showed up on the Day 1 episode of RAW and made his first head of the table comment.

I double-checked to ensure everything was in order. I was informed that if there are any changes, they’re being kept tightly under wraps. It seems that Roman Reigns vs The Rock is indeed on track.

It was confirmed once again to me today that Rock vs Roman is still happening as of this morning, it’s not a triple threat, and Rock is not a referee for Cody vs Roman either. 

While what unfolds in Vegas is typically kept in Vegas tomorrow’s event at the T-Mobile Arena will likely play a significant role in shaping WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia on April 6th and 7th. 

SE Scoops will have complete coverage of the entire WrestleMania kickoff press conference in Las Vegas. It may be a very important event, so you might not want to miss it.

Chelsea Green: Wrestling Isn’t About Winning To Me, It’s About Making People Feel

Thomas Lowson
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Wins and losses may matter to many wrestlers, but Chelsea Green is far more concerned with making audiences feel something whenever she’s in the ring. 

Green returned to WWE at last year’s Royal Rumble though her comeback would be historic for all the wrong reasons. Green’s five-second stint in the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble match would prove to be a record-short tenure. Despite this initial setback, Green has gone on to become a WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. 

Chelsea Green On Wins

With her character work, Green is often a highlight of Monday Night Raw thanks to her hilarious antics, though this doesn’t always translate into wins in the ring. On the most recent edition of the Insight podcast, Green explained that her motivation in the ring is much more than getting a W. 

“Fans and wrestlers, sometimes I think that we’re all so caught up in winning. And I’m just not. I’ve been doing this [for] ten years. It’s not about winning. It’s about making people feel a certain way. And when I became the ‘Hot Mess’ in IMPACT [Wrestling] that’s when I realized. That’s when the light bulb friggin’ flashed in my face. ‘Oh wow, people don’t care.’ People don’t care when I’m cool and winning and when I won the championship. They cared that I turned crazy. They care that I feel like their crazy best friend. I feel like their crazy ex-girlfriend.”

Green then recalled receiving praise from singer-songwriter John Mayer years ago during her time as the ‘Hot Mess.’

“John Meyer sat in front of me at All In and said ‘Oh my God, you remind me of a lot of people I dated.’ That’s the feeling I want you to feel with a character. I don’t need you to go home and be ‘Wow, she’s a real winner!’ … It’s not about the winning, it’s about the way that I make them feel with whatever, my facials,  my ridiculous comments, whatever it is. And if that’s making people laugh, great. If that’s making people annoyed, even better. 

Chelsea Green on WWE’s Plan

A year on from her chaotic return at the Royal Rumble, Chelsea Green is a regular on WWE TV. Speaking on the podcast, Green admitted that what WWE had planned for her following her return differed from her ideas. 

“I had a plan, WWE had a totally different plan and I went along with it because as long as you’re giving me something to work off of, I will absolutely build a backstory. I will absolutely build this and make this into a character. Just give me a hint. Just sprinkle something that you want from me and I’ll make it something because that’s what I like to do.”

Green was ready to go all the way with her management-complaining ‘Karen’ character and even ensured that her husband Matt Cardona would be on board. 

“I tried to cut my hair like a ‘Karen’. I tried to go all the way. I wasn’t allowed [but] Matt said he’d totally be okay with it and that’s our thing. Let’s just ask each other.”

Green’s most recent match saw herself and Piper Niven lose to Natalya and Tegan Nox at this week’s WWE Main Event taping. Chelsea Green recently explained her attire at this year’s Royal Rumble event… 

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

Mercedes Mone Says The “Sky’s The Limit” For Her As AEW Arrival Buzz Grows

Thomas Lowson
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The sky’s the limit for Mercedes Mone, and those skies could be over the arena of an AEW event if recent buzz is to be believed. 

On this week’s AEW Dynamite, Tony Khan confirmed that the March 13, episode of Dynamite will emanate from the TD Garden in Boston, MA. Both the location and the show’s name of ‘Big Business’ has led to buzz that the show will mark the AEW arrival of Mercedes Mone. 

Known as ‘The Boss’ in WWE and ‘The CEO’ of women in New Japan, Mone has seemingly already been signed to AEW and has been on AEW’s payroll since early January.  The former WWE Superstar appeared in the crowd at AEW All In last year and Tony Khan has often spoken positively about Mone. 

The Sky’s The Limit for Mercedes Mone 

Quickly after Khan’s announcement, Mone took to Twitter to share the following message: 

I remember when couldn’t pay the rent

Now I own the whole building that I’m living in

Sky’s the limit when you’re never giving in

You get in, you ride it out

And don’t look back again.

Fans may recognise this as lyrics’s the Mone’s WWE theme song ‘Sky’s The Limit’ during her tenure as Sasha Banks. Judging by the comments, many took this as another sign that Mone is soon going to be confirmed as All Elite., 

Mone has been out of action since May of last year when she suffered an ankle injury in a match with AEW/ROH’s Willow Nightingale. This injury led to an audible being called and Willow defeating Mone to become the first NJPW Strong Women’s Champion. 

Watch: WWE’s Jade Cargill Splashes Aubrey Plaza In New Mountain Dew Commercial

Thomas Lowson
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It’s unclear when we’ll next see Jade Cargill compete in a WWE ring, but the ex-AEW star recently brought it to Aubrey Plaza in a Mountain Dew commercial. 

Cargill signed with WWE in September, shortly after her tenure with AEW came to an end. The former & inaugural AEW TBS Champion made her WWE TV debut on the Fastlane kick-off show and has since made appearances on WWE Raw, SmackDown, and WWE NXT. 

At the Royal Rumble PLE, Jade made her in-ring debut for WWE. Cargill was the #28 entrant in the match and would score three eliminations. After throwing out Nia Jax, Becky Lynch, and Naomi, Cargill was eliminated by the returning Liv Morgan. 

Jade Cargill’s Commercial

Of all of the women to be Jade’s first singles opponents as a WWE Superstar, actress Aubrey Plaza was unlikely to be anybody’s top pick. This week, Mountain Dew premiered a new commercial featuring Plaza to promote their Baha Blast drink. The actress, known for roles in Parks & Recreation and Scott Pilgrim speaks about having a blast no matter what, including when she’s in the ring. Jade, who is mentioned by name, then performs a dive from the top rope on Plaza. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUg1XA8-U9A

Jade Cargill Impressing Backstage

Cargill was initially going to be on the Raw brand, but it is not clear if that is the plan. Sources who spoke to SE Scoops said that Cargill was very professional at the Rumble event. People there were impressed with how well she has fit in with WWE and how quickly she has done that. 

WWE WrestleMania 40: Schedule Of Events Taking Place In Philadelphia

Thomas Lowson
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WWE is coming to Philadelphia, PA for WrestleMania 40, but the City of Brotherly Love will be hosting plenty of non-WWE events. 

With WrestleMania being the biggest show of the wrestling calendar, it’s no surprise that other promotions will flock to Philadelphia where wrestling fans from around the world will be gathered.

Thursday, April 4

Cheap Heat Live will be a huge convention on the Thursday before WrestleMania and will take place at the FringeArts center in Philly. The event will feature special guests and conversations. Tickets have sold out. 

DDT Pro Wrestling will be returning to The Collective during WrestleMania week on April 4. The show will take place at 1301 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard. Tickets (of which only a few remain) can be found here. 

WaleMania will be coming to Philadelphia for the annual party mixing music and pro wrestling. The show will feature surprise guests and a performance from the platinum-selling rapper Wale. Tickets can be found here. 

Meanie Mania will be hosted by the Blue Meanie from the McCusker’s Tavern is on the corners of 17th & Shunk. The venue is just 10 minutes from the famed 2300 Arena (aka the ECW arena). Meanie Mania will feature Dr. Fisher’s Medical Weight Loss & Aesthetic Centers along with The Mind Of The Meanie Podcast.

Friday, April 5

Wrestling REVOLVER and House of Glory Wrestling will team up on the Friday at the Trinity Center for Urban Life. The show will see a title vs. title match pitting HOG’s Champion Santana against REVOLVER’s title Alex Shelley. The show will be aired on TrillerTV+ and tickets can be found here.

Ray Gootz & Josh Alba will present their ‘Big Ass Extreme Comedy Bash‘ at 2350 South Swanson Street, right next door to the historic ECW arena. The show will pay tribute to the spirit of Extreme with a no-holds-barred uncensored comedy show and will start at 11:30 pm. Attendees can “Prepare to be shocked. Prepare to be awed. But more importantly, be prepared to laugh!” The event is BYOB and tickets, starting at $20, can be found here. 

The go-home episode of WWE SmackDown before WrestleMania will take place from the Wells Fargo Center. Following this event, the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place. Currently, no names have been confirmed for SmackDown or as inductees into the Hall of Fame. Tickets can be found here. 

Saturday, April 6

NXT Stand and Deliver 2024 will see the rising stars of the gold brand face off at the Wells Fargo Center. Due to the event later in the day, the show will take place with a special start time of 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Tickets are available here. 

WWE WrestleMania 40: Saturday, will take place later that same day. Currently, no matches have been confirmed for the show. The show will happen at a slightly earlier time than usual. 

Sunday, April 7

The Lapsed Fan will be hosting their Bozos, Biceps, and Bulls**t Brunch at the Punch Line Philly comedy club on Laurel Street. The live podcast will see hilarious comics try and predict matches and grapple with the intricacies of being a wrestling fan. Events will be hosted from 6:30 pm onwards, with $0.25 of each ticket sold benefitting the Comedy Gives Back fund. Tickets and more information can be found here. 

WWE WrestleMania 40: Sunday will take place on April 7 and like the previous day, will be at the Lincoln Financial Field. Currently, no matches have been confirmed for this specific date either. 

Monday, April 8

WWE Monday Night Raw will happen from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The post-Mania Raw is considered one of the most exciting and unpredictable nights of the year, thanks in part to a raucous international crowd. Tickets can be found here. 

Cody Rhodes Dominates WWE Merch Sales As The Rock Scrapes Into Top 10 Ranking

Thomas Lowson
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The ‘We Want Cody’ movement has taken hold of WWE’s merchandise department, with the American Nightmare proving to be the promotion’s top seller. 

Since returning to WWE, Rhodes has consistently been among WWE’s top merchandise sellers, both at live events and online. In the face of The Rock’s return, Cody has once again come out on top when it comes to merchandise. 

Wrestle Features reports that on February 7, Rhodes merchandise made up five of the ten best-selling items on WWEShop.com. Not only does Rhodes have half the field covered, but American Nightmare merchandise holds the top three spots for best-selling merchandise.

The Rock’s new ‘People’s Champion’ shirt made it on the list but in the #10 spot. The Brahma Bull has received a hostile response from WWE fans since his return last week, with many believing he doesn’t deserve a title match with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 over Cody Rhodes. 

What’s Next?

The Rock, Roman Reigns, and Cody Rhodes will be present at today’s WrestleMania 40 kick-off press conference. Many suspect that Rhodes will confirm who he will face at WrestleMania during this media event. Rhodes will also compete at Elimination Chamber: Perth later this month. Neither The Rock nor Roman Reigns are expected for the event.

WWE WrestleMania 40 will take place on April 6, and April 7, from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. The show will be WWE’s fifth two-night WrestleMania, a format that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What has Cody Rhodes had to say about the ‘We Want Cody’ movement… 

Grayson Waller Can’t Wait To See The Rock ‘Finish The Story’ at WrestleMania 40

Thomas Lowson
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Grayson Waller is hoping to see a story finished at WrestleMania 40, but now the lengthy, compelling story of Cody Rhodes. 

On last week’s SmackDown, Rhodes graciously stepped aside to allow The Rock to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. This booking decision has been reviled by fans. Despite being one of the most popular Superstars of all time, The Rock’s return is now WWE’s most-disliked YouTube video. It’s not just online that this disdain has been shown. At a WWE live event, fans booed a video showing The Rock’s return on SmackDown.

Finish the Story

While the WWE Universe is vehemently on the side of the American Nightmare, not everyone is against The Rock. On Twitter, WWE shared footage of the Great One arriving in Las Vegas for today’s press conference. In a tweet of his own, Grayson Waller welcomed the “boss,” a nod to The Rock’s role as a TKO Board member. Waller added that he hopes to see Rock “finish your story” in a nod to Cody Rhodes’ storyline. 

What’s Next? 

The Rock, Roman Reigns, and Cody Rhodes will be present at today’s WrestleMania 40 kick-off press conference. Many suspect that Rhodes will confirm who he will face at WrestleMania during this media event. Rhodes will also compete at Elimination Chamber: Perth later this month in Waller’s native Australia. Neither The Rock nor Roman Reigns are expected for the event. 

WWE WrestleMania 40 will take place on April 6, and April 7, from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. The show will be WWE’s fifth two-night WrestleMania, a format that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

What has Cody Rhodes had to say about the ‘We Want Cody’ movement… 

Sting & Darby Allin Win AEW Tag Team Titles On Dynamite This Week

Aaron Varble
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Sting will wrestle his final match at AEW Revolution on March 3rd. Fans are gearing up for that big night in pro wrestling history, and it appears that Sting and Darby Allin will enter into that match as champions.

Sting & Darby Allin Win AEW Tag Team Gold

Big Bill and Ricky Starks put their AEW World Tag Team Titles on the line against Sting and Darby Allin during the February 7th episode of Dynamite. This match was the main event of the night.

AEW also received an overrun for the match, pitting the two teams against each other in a competitive tag team match. The crowd was also very excited to see the AEW World Tag Team Titles defended in such a high-stakes situation.

The match was full of good spots, including Sting and Allin nailing Big Bill with multiple Stinger Splashes in the corner. This was before Allin nailed a Coffin Drop on Big Bill to the outside.

Later on, Sting kicked out of a spear from Ricky Starks after he hit the exposed turnbuckle. Starks also hesitated a bit before landing that move. Eventually, Sting nailed a Scorpion Death Drop on Starks and won the titles.

They didn’t get to celebrate long, because the Young Bucks jumped them to end Dynamite with a beat down this week.

Sting’s Memorable Moment

Sting has won a lot of titles before in his career, but this marks his first title run in AEW. It is fitting that Sting and Darby Allin will have that run together, because the entirety of Sting’s time in AEW has been alongside the former TNT Champion.

SE Scoops will have more updates on Sting’s final weeks as an active pro wrestler. This was definitely a big night for his career.

Mercedes Mone Has Been On AEW’s Payroll For A While

Aaron Varble
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Tony Khan confirmed during the February 7th episode of AEW Dynamite that Boston’s TD Garden is getting a special episode of the company’s flagship show in March. Mercedes Mone is expected to debut in Bean Town, and there is a lot more to unpack.

How Mercedes Mone Ended Up In AEW

It was previously reported at the end of December that WWE was in talks with Mercedes Mone, but those discussions ended without an agreement, similar to previous negotiations with AEW. It was said that they hit a financial roadblock. 

However, talks with AEW carried on, and Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that sources indicate that an agreement was reached around that time. This likely explains why WWE openly acknowledged the conclusion of their talks.

There was consideration of announcing or debuting Mercedes, but ultimately, the decision was made to postpone any such plans for the TD Garden event. Several possibilities were reportedly discussed, but the announcement of the February 7 show and the March 13 show date had been finalized for several weeks.

The report also noted that it is believed that Mercedes has been on AEW’s payroll since January. 

The company announced a TD Garden episode of Dynamite, specially titled Big Business which is to feature Mercedes, who has been on the company’s payroll since at least early January.

Mercedes Mone Needed To Recover

Mercedes hurt her ankle during a NJPW Strong Women’s Title match against Willow Nightingale. That match put her on the shelf for a long time, and it stalled a lot of momentum. 

When Fightful reportedly inquired about rumors suggesting Mercedes could be featured as early as New York’s Grand Slam show, sources indicated that Mercedes was far from being ring-ready at that time. This information was corroborated by NJPW sources, who indicated that Mercedes was not cleared and had not resumed training. 

They also mentioned that the footage Mercedes posted was older. Interestingly, New Japan sources expressed an expectation to continue working with Mercedes, as it had been discussed internally.

AEW Big Business: Tony Khan Announces Special Dynamite From Boston on 3/13

Aaron Varble
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Tony Khan promised a big announcement during the February 7th episode of AEW Dynamite. He did just that, as they are taking Big Business to Boston.

Tony Khan’s Big Announcement

During AEW Dynamite this week, Tony Khan appeared to make a big announcement. He revealed an upcoming episode of AEW Dynamite will be a massive night for his company.

Tony Khan revealed that AEW Dynamite is going to Boston on March 13. The night will have a special name, as they will call it Big Business.

“Big Business is going to be one of the most important nights in AEW and a night the entire pro wrestling industry is going to remember.”

What’s Next

It was previously reported that Boston’s TD Garden arena is set to host AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. This came before Tony Khan announced a date. Ticketmaster already established a page for the general public on-sale, scheduled for Saturday, February 10 at 10 am EST. Additionally, the TD Garden has created a Facebook Event for Dynamite on March 13.

Of course, Mercedes Mone is from Boston. So, her arrival in the company is almost a guarantee for that big night. SE Scoops will have more updates as they are available. 

The Rock Arrives In Las Vegas Before WWE WrestleMania 40 Kickoff Event

Aaron Varble
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Fans may be a bit upset about The Rock showing up to take Cody Rhodes’ match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. The match is not set yet, but it appears that things will get locked down in Las Vegas on Thursday. Dwayne Johnson already made the flight, and he’s there.

The Rock Arrives in Las Vegas

The Rock travels in style, and he made it to Vegas a day before his big WrestleMania kickoff event at the T-Mobile arena. He seemed ready for whatever waits for him at the event. 

WWE dropped a video of The Rock arriving in Las Vegas to hype the WrestleMania kickoff show event. Obviously, they want a spotlight on The People’s Champion.

The People’s Champion has arrived in Las Vegas! @TheRock is ready for an iconic face-off with @WWERomanReigns tomorrow at the #WrestleMania XL Kickoff live from @TMobileArena.

When The Rock vs Roman Reigns was Booked

I previously reported that The Rock called his shot for this WrestleMania match on January 1st when he showed up for the Day 1 episode of RAW. His Head of the Table comment was heard loud and clear. 

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that WWE actually booked the T-Mobile Arena far in advance. This event wasn’t a late addition to anyone’s schedule.

“They had booked T-Mobile for Thursday with The Rock long ago, like someone there mentioned it in passing. It was, ‘it’s not like you can get T-Mobile Arena four days in advance for something that we’re changing.’ This thing was booked way in advance. This thing was, you know when I mentioned January 3rd, to make a date and have an agreement on January 3rd, there was pretty much an understanding well before that. They kept that one quiet. However it plays out, whatever it is, it’s working.”

Chances of The Rock’s WrestleMania 40 Booking Changing

There has been a ton of negative fan reaction since The Rock’s return. WWE has issued no internal word or memo about how to handle that discontent from fans.

When I asked if any of this fan backlash will change these prospective WrestleMania plans, I was told, “there’s no chance in hell.”

After asking around days later, I received an additional note that said, “No chance this changes unless The Rock backs out. This has been The Rock calling the shot since January 1st.” That is when Rock showed up on the Day 1 episode of RAW and made his first head of the table comment.

I checked once again, just to make sure that everything was in line. I was told that if there are any changes, then they’re being kept very close to the vest. By all appearance, Roman Reigns vs The Rock is happening.

What happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas, but tomorrow’s event at the T-Mobile Arena will certainly help shape WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia on April 6th and 7th. SE Scoops will have more updates as they are made known.

TNA Wrestling Talent Meeting Addressed Releases If They Are Upset About Scott D’Amore’s Firing

Aaron Varble
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Scott D’Amore had a lot to do with the popularity that Impact Wrestling had, and under Anthem’s ownership, he spearheaded a change back to TNA Wrestling. Now, he is gone, and talent are a bit shell-shocked by it all.

Releases Addressed During TNA Wrestling Meeting

It is very interesting that TNA Wrestling went from a successful re-branding straight into firing D’Amore. This subject was addressed by talent in two video conferences today, and Haus of Wrestling reports that one got a bit “chaotic.”

The idea was then addressed that some talent are not happy about the situation. This is when Tommy Dreamer stated that anyone who wants to discuss their release from the company may do so in a private manner. 

 It was said to have gotten chaotic after they broke the news that D’Amore was no longer with the company, as many were loyal to him. Kim asked everyone to mute their lines, and we believe some talents were allowed to speak.

The all-talent call concluded with Tommy Dreamer telling talent that if they were unhappy and wanted to be released from their deals, they could have those discussions with the company privately.

More Information on Mandatory Meetings After Scott D’Amore’s TNA Firing

Initially, it is reported that there was a belief that talent had the option to leave their contracts, but further discussions revealed this may not be the case. One source reportedly indicated that potential releases would likely depend on the perceived importance of the talent to the company. 

For instance, Jordynne Grace was cited as someone unlikely to be released given the attention she garnered after the WWE Royal Rumble. It also remains to be seen who has asked for their release from TNA Wrestling, if anyone has.

During the second call, both the production team and other staff members, alongside talent, were reportedly present. Several Anthem executives, including President and CEO Leonard Asper, CCO Ed Nordholm, HR advisor Michelle Hall, new TNA President Anthony Cicione, VP of Business Ariel Schnerer, and VP of Sales Anthony Burroughs, participated. 

Burroughs addressed the call and expressed a desire for more TNA integration in other Anthem shows, similar to the involvement of Eric Young and Frankie Kazarian. The call was characterized as a motivational speech.

Who is Anthony Cicione, the new President of TNA 

With a tenure of 16 years at Anthem, Cicione has managed technical operations and supervised multiple cable and digital channels. Before joining Anthem, he worked as a sports content producer, notably contributing to The Score’s success by introducing WWE programming.

In addition to his role as President of Entertainment, Cicione will oversee the day-to-day business operations of TNA Wrestling, leveraging over 30 years of executive-level management experience.

CM Punk’s Dog Larry Included In Limited Edition Non-WWE Action Figure Set

Aaron Varble
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0

WWE fans are waiting for CM Punk’s return to the ring, as he suffered a triceps injury that needed surgery during the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble match. In the meantime, they can place an order for a rare action figure before the Second City Savior makes his big comeback.

New CM Punk Action Figure

CM Punk is known as “The Best in the World,” and he is back in WWE. Mattel currently handles WWE’s official action figures, but now one with Punk’s likeness is hitting the market in a deal that was possibly pre-existing before his 2023 Survivor Series return. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C3DPO0TuEJr

Punk has teamed up Zombie Sailor as an addition to their Heel and Faces line of figures. The official CM Punk Heels and Faces figure is now available for pre-order exclusively on zombiesailor.com.  

There is a huge bonus to this, because for the first time ever, fans can also get their hands on Larry, CM Punk’s trusty K-9 sidekick, as a bonus inclusion with the figure. This is a first for Punk figures, and that will make this a big selling point, for sure.

This is not a paid ad

How To Order CM Punk Figure

These CM Punk figures are set to be available for approximately two weeks only, after which they will be vaulted forever, with no plans to offer them again. This exclusive figure is made to order, meaning no extra units will be produced beyond the pre-order period.

Fans wanting to own a piece of wrestling action figure history can secure their CM Punk and Larry figures now, with shipments estimated to start in late summer or early fall.

For more information, here’s the link to purchase this limited time action figure set with CM Punk and Larry.

Roman Reigns Arrives In Las Vegas Representing His Super Bowl Team Of Choice

Dominic DeAngelo
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Roman Reigns has an earlier commitment in Las Vegas before the Super Bowl, but he may be wearing one NFL team’s jersey come Sunday.

Reigns arrived in Las Vegas on Wednesday ahead of the WrestleMania Kickoff Press Event going down this Thursday.  First to step off the jet was Roman’s counsel, Paul Heyman before Reigns sauntered down, sporting a San Francisco 49ers track jacket. He may be called “The Tribal Chief” but that tribe does not reside in Kansas City.

Reigns may just be a 49ers fan, but at least one 49er is a fan of WWE. During the Super Bowl media days, 49ers tight end George Kittle cut a promo about how he feels about the notorious situation between Cody Rhodes and The Rock. Kittle proposed that The Rock special guest referees the showdown between Rhodes and Reigns, but is excited for the prospect of all that may unfold two months from now in Philadelphia.

(Not Kansas City) Chief Creative Content Officer Triple H caught wind of Kittle’s comments and said “The People’s Tight End knows what’s up…”

The road to WrestleMania continues through Sin City before heading to the City of Brotherly Love and the Kickoff event is a first for this TKO era. The event will go down at the T-Mobile Arena, right across the street from Allegiant Stadium where the Super Bowl will take place. Scheduled to appear at the T-Mobile arena are Reigns and his assumed opponent for WrestleMania, The Rock as well as Rhodes, Triple H, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair and Montez Ford.

Seth Rollins Hates the ‘Awful, Terrible, Disgusting’ Vince McMahon Situation (Video)

Thomas Lowson
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WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins has weighed in on the Vince McMahon scandal, branding it a “disgusting situation.”

McMahon re-signed from TKO and WWE last month, following a lawsuit filed by ex-employee Janel Grant. Miss Grant claims that McMahon was sexually abusive to her and that he trafficked her to others in the company, including a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. McMahon has denied the allegations against him and, via a spokesperson, has claimed the lawsuit is rife with “obscene made-up instances that never occurred.”

McMahon’s long-time confidante John Lauriniaitis is also named in the lawsuit as one of the men Grant was allegedly trafficked to. The former WWE Head of Talent has claimed he is a victim in this situation, not a predator. 

Seth Rollins Weighs In

WWE has wisely not addressed the McMahon lawsuit on programming, a far cry to the 2022 scandal which saw McMahon appear on TV multiple times before his resignation. Speaking to Maggie & Perloff this week, Rollins was asked for his thoughts on the McMahon scandal. 

“It’s awful. It’s terrible. I hate it. It’s a disgusting situation.” 

What’s Next? 

While McMahon has resigned from WWE, it is believed he still may have some power in the company. Comments from Grant’s legal representative Ann Callis have indicated that Miss Grant has no intention on settling this matter out of court, and it has been suggested that other women may come forward. 

As for Seth Rollins, he will continue to recover from his injury suffered during his match with Jinder Mahal last month. Rollins has vowed to be ready for WrestleMania 40, but with his original opponent CM Punk injured with a torn triceps, it remains to be seen who he’ll face in Philadelphia. 

John Cena Couldn’t Stay Silent About Drake’s Private Video Leak

Aaron Varble
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You never know what each day will bring when you spend time on social media. The entire world was shocked to discover why Drake’s name was trending this week, and now they all know his big secret.

A video of Drizzy leaked online showing off his package. This spread like wildfire, causing tons of memes, parodies, and it will no doubt influence rap lyrics until the end of time.

The overall opinion is that Drake is packing, but there is no clear sign where this leak came from. No, we will not be posting the video here on SE Scoops, because that wouldn’t make our advertisers happy. Also, it’s not hard to find at all nowadays if you really want to see it.

That Drizzy leak ended up on a ton of timelines, and John Cena apparently wasn’t spared from seeing the video, either.

Cena, who also knows a thing or two about rapping, commented on Drake’s little mishap online. While he didn’t use any caption on Instagram, as usual, Cena dropping a meme of “Drake The Snake” said all he needed to.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C3Do1D2ucxQ

Drake Reacts to Video Leak

In case you’re wondering if this is another Fake Drake situation, Champaign Papi commented via his Instagram story to clear up the misconception. 

He admitted that is him with a joke that shows he’s taking the situation in stride.

“I wasn’t hiding my meat from the world, I was hiding the world from it,” Drake wrote on that Instagram story. Apparently, John Cena saw it too, and now we have this incredible Jake Roberts and Drizzy mash-up as a result.

Drake’s reaction via Instagram story

WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts, who was inadvertently dragged into this controversy, let John Cena know he can ‘see’ him.

‘Terminated’ – Scott D’Amore Out As President Of TNA Wrestling

Aaron Varble
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Impact Wrestling is now TNA Wrestling once again. That welcomed change back to a nostalgic name brought some fans back, but Scott D’Amore is now out.

TNA Wrestling announced the contract of company President Scott D’Amore has been terminated. Anthony Cicione has been named as his replacement.

In a press release issued Wednesday afternoon, TNA Wrestling states:

“The move aims to further integrate TNA Wrestling into Anthem’s Entertainment Group, of which Cicione is the President, leveraging the entire Company’s resources to add more value in areas including production, distribution, marketing, viewership, customer acquisition, digital revenue streams, ad sales and sponsorships, digital tech operations, and more.”

D’Amore had been with TNA since 2003, held many key leadership positions and played a vital role in the return of the TNA Wrestling brand last month. 

“Anthem thanks him for the commitment he brought to the business, the talent, and the people who work outside the ring.”

This is a move that few, if anybody, saw coming, based on reactions from prominent wrestling journalists on social media. D’Amore has been the face of of Impact Wrestling’s rebrand back to TNA Wrestling, and now he’s out 3 weeks into that rebrand,

Who is new TNA President Anthony Cicione?

For the past 16 years, Cicione has served at Anthem, overseeing technical operations and managing various cable and digital channels. Before joining Anthem, he worked as a producer of sports content, notably contributing to the success of The Score by introducing WWE to the channel.

Apart from his role as President of Entertainment, Cicione will assume responsibility for overseeing the daily business operations of TNA Wrestling. With over 30 years of executive-level management expertise, he brings a wealth of experience to the organization. 

Cicione has served with Anthem for 16 years, overseeing technical operations and various cable and digital channels. Before joining Anthem, he was instrumental in elevating The Score’s success as a producer of sports content, notably by securing WWE programming for the channel.

Reactions

Here are some reactions from the wrestling world to Scott D’Amore’s surprise removal as President of TNA Wrestling:

What’s Next

While we are not sure about the details about why, because this is a brand-new story, it is a shocking turn of events to see Scott D’Amore removed as TNA President. D’Amore championed the company’s shift back to TNA Wrestling as well, and he seemed to have morale up in the locker room as well. as fan interest.

SE Scoops will have more information on the breaking story as more information is made available. Please keep checking back for more updates.

How WWE Has Decided To Handle Negative Fan Reactions To The Rock

Aaron Varble
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The Rock made his return to WWE during the Day 1 episode of WWE RAW. He called his shot to face Roman Reigns at that time, and that WrestleMania dream match is now set, but it is also a nightmare for some. Ironically, most fans would rather see The American Nightmare instead of Rocky.

WWE’s Reactions To The Rock’s Reception 

It was reported on Fightful Select that there is no official mandate on how to handle the anti-Rock sentiment in the fan base right now. At this time, they are taking it on a case-by-case kind of thing, but it is also interesting to note how they handle this situation.

The Rock’s daughter, Ava, is the General Manager on NXT, and the company decided to mute fan reactions when she was on screen. Just her presence brought boos from the NXT Arena crowd.

There was no official mandate on how to handle anti-Rock reactions. It was taken on a case by case basis with the lead producer making the calls. The crowd chants were muted for Ava Raine. 

I was also able to confirm that there is no plan in place, memo, or official directive about how WWE will handle negative reactions about The Rock. They are apparently playing this situation by ear.

The Rock’s Daughter Took Fire

The Rock’s daughter received death threats from fans. She was not shy about bringing this to the public. Apparently, that did not help things.

Ava deactivated her Twitter/X account a short time later, leaving the platform as heat from her father’s booking spilled into her notifications.

WWE Carrying On With WrestleMania Plans

Fans may be very upset at The Rock right now, and they are flooding his mentions on social media. That will not alter their plan, because Dwayne Johnson has been booed before. 

The Rock’s $30 million deal to take a seat on the company’s Board of Directors was also connected with this match. I was explicitly told that only one thing can change the company’s direction, and that is The Rock changing his mind. 

Last night, a tenured member of the creative team told me straight up: “We have not been told of any change. That doesn’t mean the plan hasn’t changed. Or won’t change. Or this is all a plan anyway. It just means we’re not being told.” 

Vince McMahon Still Holds Influence In WWE After His Resignation

Aaron Varble
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Vince McMahon resigned from WWE after the bombshell lawsuit from Janel Grant included heinous allegations of sexual assault, intimidation, abuse of power, and sex trafficking. McMahon quit after that story broke, but he may still have some influence.

Vince McMahon’s Current Influence in WWE

We previously reported, via The Hollywood Reporter, that TKO CEO Ari Emanuel and TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro urged McMahon to resign in light of the allegations, although he denied them. McMahon remains under federal investigation in addition to facing the lawsuit.

It was also noted that McMahon may retain some influence in TKO, even after his resignation. This comes in the form of all the stock he still owns, so selling and using his leverage in some way is possible.

This influence could stem from the significant amount of TKO stock he retains, comprising approximately 10% of all outstanding shares.

Sources say that even while McMahon was no longer an active member of the executive team, he would weigh in on creative decisions, reaching out to employees by email and text with suggestions. While McMahon used his power as controlling shareholder to reinstall himself, the new TKO is firmly controlled by Endeavor, making any sort of official comeback unlikely. Just a couple of months after the TKO deal closed last September, McMahon filed with the SEC to sell some $700 million worth of stock in the company, a sizable chunk of his holdings. That being said, he still owns a big portion of the firm, representing about 10 percent of shares outstanding. It may not be enough to reappoint himself to the board, but enough to carry influence.

According to a report by Robert Fishman of Wall Street research firm MoffettNathanson dated January 29th, if McMahon were compelled to sell more stock to cover his legal expenses, it could adversely affect the price of TKO stock. Thus, McMahon’s influence on the company remains, albeit indirectly, due to this factor and potentially other factors as well.

Vince McMahon Can’t Come Back Like Before

While it’s improbable for Vince McMahon to make an official return to TKO and WWE since he no longer holds the controlling stake in WWE after the Endeavor acquisition, there’s speculation that he could still exert influence within the company.

This is not the first time that Vince stepped down from WWE due to Janel Grant’s situation, but fans did not know all the details during the first go-around. During his brief retirement in the latter part of 2022, McMahon continued to offer input on creative matters within the company, where he did make some changes remotely.

It is also important to note that Vince McMahon has no clear direction back to his previous seat on WWE’s Board of Directors. He gave that up, and he no longer has the majority ownership necessary to make any big calls or vetoes. 

Seth Rollins Says WWE Doesn’t Need The Rock For WrestleMania 40 Match

Aaron Varble
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The Rock returned to WWE and took Cody Rhodes’ spot at WrestleMania. WWE is in the middle of a booming period right now, and there is a mindset out there that they simply don’t need him right now.

Seth Rollins Shoots on The Rock

This morning, Seth Rollins appeared on the NFL Network’s Good Morning Football show to discuss the WWE WrestleMania 40 situation. He certainly had a lot to say.

It was confirmed that The Rock replaced Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, where he is set to face Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. While it’s not 100% confirmed, there’s speculation that Rhodes might challenge Rollins for the World Heavyweight Title at the event. 

During the interview, Rollins mentioned that while they acknowledge The Rock’s presence, WWE doesn’t necessarily rely on him, given the company’s consistent profitability.

Rollins expressed his thoughts on The Rock potentially joining the WrestleMania excitement. Rollins acknowledged WWE’s current success, mentioning sold-out arenas and recent major deals with networks like USA and Netflix. He stated that if The Rock wants to be part of this momentum and join him at WrestleMania, he understands. Rollins emphasized his respect for The Rock’s achievements both in and out of WWE but reminded that The Rock would be riding alongside him in this venture.

“Look at the numbers. Look at who’s been on Monday Night Raw for the last ten years more than anybody. It’s me. I get the credit, not him. So he can come in, he can get what he wants. He can take his little piece, and then he can go back to Hollywood and do this thing because we got this thing. We don’t need you. We love to have you, but we don’t need you, big guy.”

What’s Next For The Rock

Roman Reigns vs The Rock is set, and the only thing that could change it at this point is if Dwayne Johnson decides against the match. He’s been booed before, and he doesn’t mind the reaction as long as fans are engaged.

WWE has a WrestleMania kickoff event slated for Las Vegas on Thursday. SE Scoops will have full coverage of the event, no matter what happens.

AEW Returning To Boston’s TD Garden, Hometown Of Free Agent Mercedes Moné

Michael Shalik
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Boston’s TD Garden arena will host AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. 

AEW has yet to announce this date, but Ticketmaster has already has a page set up for the general public on-sale, scheduled for this Saturday, February 10 at 10am EST. The TD Garden also created a Facebook Event for Dynamite on 3/13.

AEW President Tony Khan is set to make one of his big announcements tonight on Dynamite. This announcement was reportedly set to be made a few weeks ago, but was reportedly delayed for a very good reason.

What will Tony Khan announce on Dynamite?

TD Garden is one of the largest NBA arenas in the country. It has a maximum capacity north of 19,000. 

AEW first ran the arena last summer. According to Wrestletix, 8,945 tickets were distributed for Dynamite: Blood & Guts on July 19, 2023.

Ticket sales have been lukewarm in recent months, so they’ll need a major attraction to make this show a success on short notice. If anything spikes interest with wrestling fans, it’s a debut.

There’s several A-list free agent ready to make an impact, including Kazuchika Okada, Mustafa Ali, Mandy Rose, Ronda Rousey, Alex Hammerstone, Jacob Fatu and more.

Mercedes Mone AEW Debut

There’s also Boston’s own Mercedes Moné. The wrestler, actor and entrepreneur formerly known as Sasha Banks is right up there with the most valuable free agents out there, along with Okada. 

WWE and AEW executives have publicly expressed interest in working with Moné, who enjoys unprecedented leverage in her negotiations (thanks, competition!). We know she’s had talks with both companies.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful and Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Podcast, two of wrestling media’s most reliable insiders, have reported that Moné is AEW-bound.

Based on all of these factors, it does appear that Mercedes Moné’s AEW Debut will take place on the March 13 Dynamite from Boston. 

We’ll have coverage of Tony Khan’s latest big announcement here at SEScoops later tonight.

Vince McMahon’s WWE Resignation Came After Advisement From TKO Execs

Aaron Varble
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Vince McMahon announced his resignation as TKO Executive Chairman and from the TKO Board of Directors about two weeks ago, and we are still getting new information. This decision came shortly after former employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against McMahon, WWE, and former executive John Laurinaitis on January 25th. McMahon was also advised to resign by some very powerful people.

Vince McMahon Was Advised To Resign From WWE

The lawsuit from Grant accused McMahon of various offenses, including sex trafficking, emotional abuse, and sexual assault, garnering significant mainstream attention. That bombshell lawsuit also went public shortly after The Rock joined the TKO Board of Directors and WWE announced that Raw would be moving to Netflix in 2025.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, TKO CEO Ari Emanuel and TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro urged McMahon to resign in light of the allegations, although he denied them. McMahon remains under federal investigation in addition to facing the lawsuit.

Those concerns culminated the evening of Jan. 26, when Emanuel and TKO president and COO Mark Shapiro called McMahon and told him it would be in the best interest of the company for him to resign. He agreed, and submitted his resignation. “He will no longer have a role with TKO Group Holdings or WWE,” WWE president Nick Khan wrote in a memo to staff at 8:30 p.m. that evening, announcing McMahon’s resignation to employees.

Slim Jim’s Situation

Slim Jim initially paused its promotional partnership with WWE ahead of the Royal Rumble. That could have been a slippery slope of sponsors leaving WWE, but Vince put a stop to that with his resignation.

Slim Jim released a statement on the matter after they re-entered the WWE fold later on. It was made very clear that Vince McMahon’s resignation was the catalyst for the return to their previous sponsorship arrangement.

“After the departure of Vince McMahon, and discussions with WWE TKO senior leadership, Slim Jim has decided to re-enter the Royal Rumble.”

AEW Dynamite (2/7) Set To Have An Overrun

Bishal Roy
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AEW President Tony Khan recently announced on social media that this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite will have an overrun. 

On February 6, AEW CEO Tony Khan took to Twitter/X to hype up the fans for the February 7 edition of AEW Dynamite. In the post, he announced the card and revealed that the show would have an overrun. However, it is not known how long the overrun will be.

The announced card for the February 7 episode of AEW Dynamite is below.

  • Tony Khan has a big announcement
  • Tornado Tag Team Match for AEW Tag Team Championships: Ricky Starks & Big Bill (c) vs. Sting & Darby Allin
  • Winner Receives AEW World Title Match At Revolution: Swerve Strickland vs. Adam Page
  • Chris Jericho vs. Konosuke Takeshita
  • Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, & Bryan Danielson) vs. Mascara Dorada, Hechicero, & Volador Jr.
  • AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Match: Toni Storm vs. Red Velvet (Deonna Purrazzo on commentary)

Fans are buzzing as Tony Khan has been slated to make a massive announcement on this week’s AEW Dynamite. Last week, it was revealed that Khan would be making an announcement. Ever since AEW fans have been excited as to what would be the major announcement.

Some of the fans are speculating that it could be confirmation that NJPW star Mercedes Mone has inked a dealwith AEW. Khan is expected to rope in Mercedes Mone after talks with WWE broke down over money. 

Meanwhile, other fans believe that it will be the announcement of new AEW Women’s Tag Team Titles. 

We will have to wait and see what Tony Khan has in store for the fans.

Inaugural Champions will be crowned at Thursday’s Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling Relaunch Event

Tyriece Simon
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Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling is set to relaunch this Thursday. The promotion founded by the late Dusty Rhodes returns after 20 years for its relaunch event from the Nightmare Factory in McDonough, Georgia. 

While the card is still being determined, TCW has announced two matches to crown their new champions. 

The first title match was announced on February 1 by TCW on Twitter. The promotion shared that Angelica Risk will take on Hyena Hera for the inaugural Nightmare Factory Women’s Championship. Both wrestlers have a history with each other and trained at The Nightmare Factory. 

Angelica Risk vs. Hyena Hera

The last time they faced each other in singles action, Hera defeated Risk at WrestleMerica The Reckoning on August 13, 2022. Although Hera won, time has passed, and both will have something to prove in their matchup for the title.

After announcing their first title match, the Georgia-based promotion shared on February 4 on Twitter that the Nightmare Faction Championship will also be decided. All Elite Wrestling talent Aaron Solo will face Adrian Ward for the inaugural title at Thursday’s event.  

Solo wants to start the year well and make history as the first Nightmare Faction Champion. He had difficulty last year by being on the losing side in most matches in AEW. However, he has a chance to remind fans of his ability in the ring and potentially build momentum in his career for 2024. He faces Ward, who will also be motivated to win gold and a notable win over the AEW star. 

Both matches will likely be featured in the event, but the company has announced another interesting match.

QT Marshall Involved In Eight-Man Tag Team Match At TCW Relaunch Event

Longtime wrestling could be in for a treat after TCW announced their latest match added to the card. The promotion recently revealed on Twitter that an eight-man tag team will be on the show, featuring a mix of independent wrestling talent and WCW legends. 

Eight Man Tag Team Match

In eight-man tag action, QT Marshall will team with Glacier, Scotty Riggs, and Luther Riggs to face Sunny Daze, Owen Knight, Duncan Mitchell, and Adam Priest. Glacier, Riggs, and Biggs have competed in TCW in the past, so they are being billed as the TCW All-Stars. All three haven’t competed in a wrestling ring for some time, which could make for an interesting match for fans in attendance. 

The promotion is seemingly still finalizing the card, but they have shared that Ricky Starks and Matt Cardona will appear. Fans looking to attend the relaunching of TCW may need to RSVP soon as the event card continues to take shape. 

AEW May Snipe Top Free Agent From WWE

Aaron Varble
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WWE has their eyes on the entire pro wrestling world, but they aren’t bringing everyone in who is on the free agent list. Although there were reports that Kamille is going to WWE, it appears that she is closer to becoming All Elite.

AEW May Snipe Kamille From WWE

WWE seems to have missed the opportunity to sign Kamille, who is a notable talent that might be heading to All Elite Wrestling as they aim to enhance their women’s division. This comes as a bit of a surprise, because reports were that she was WWE bound.

Kamille was a regular in the NWA since October 2018. She was expected to join WWE and possibly work in NXT. However, she was spotted backstage at the January 18th Dynamite event, sparking speculation about a potential move to AEW. 

According to PW Insider, the former NWA Women’s Champion is no longer anticipated to join WWE, despite past offers for an NXT deal. Discussions seem to have stalled, and she is reportedly engaged in “deep discussions” with AEW.

Why Kamille May Pick AEW over WWE

A move to AEW for her is seen as a more promising destination for Kamille. Joining AEW could also align with her ambition to pursue acting. It would also give her more freedom on her schedule.

We have no idea how much more Tony Khan is offering someone like Kamille to come in. Mercedes Mone is also rumored to be making her AEW debut very soon, and Khan was able to make that happen after WWE’s talks with the former Sasha Banks hit a financial roadblock.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this story. Keep checking back for more updates as they are made available. 

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