One NXT Superstar’s days with WWE may be numbered if a new contract with the promotion isn’t finalized in the coming weeks or months.
Fightful Select reports that Dijak’s WWE contract is up in June of 2024. The former Retribution member signed a five-year deal with WWE in 2019. At the time, WWE signed many Superstars to lengthy contracts to prevent anyone from leaving for AEW, which had launched in January of that year. It is unclear at this time if WWE and Dijak are currently in talks over a new deal. It has been stated for other contracts that WWE is leaving things much closer to the expiration date before entering talks.
Dijak in WWE
Dominik Dijakovic was initially offered a contract from WWE in January 2017, but that offer was pulled following a legal threat from ROH, who still had him under contract. The following month, Dijakovic opted not to re-sign with ROH, and his signing with WWE was confirmed by the company that September.
Initially part of the NXT brand, Dijakovic was one of the gold brand’s prominent stars but failed in efforts to capture the NXT and NXT North American titles. In September 2020, he was revealed as a member of Retribution under the name T-Bar, which he’d continue to use after the group’s split in early 2021. In 2022, Dijakovic returned to WWE NXT, now dubbed Dijak. His most recent match saw the veteran defeat Joe Gacy in a No Disqualification match at last weekend’s NXT Vengeance Day event.
Dijak recently had some choice words for fans spamming WWE NXT Superstar posts with pro-Cody Rhodes messages…
Cody Rhodes got emotional acknowledging the outpouring fan support he’s been receiving since last Friday after this week’s episode of Raw went off air.
The American Nightmare defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in a bull rope match in the main event of the Red Branded Show. After the win, however, he was attacked by Drew McIntyre and the broadcast ended with the Scottish Psychopath standing tall.
Drew stayed in the ring after the show ended until Sami Zayn made the save for Cody. After McIntyre retreated, Zayn spoke to Cody and put over the fan support for the son of Dusty Rhodes:
“You told me you hadn’t been looking on your phone so you might not be aware of this but a lot of people have been talking about you this week. Look man, a lot of people have a lot of opinions and a lot of guys back there probably have a lot they’re gonna say to you, but the truth is it doesn’t matter what they have to say to you.
It doesn’t even matter what I think I have to say to you. What matters is what they have to say to you. And I’m pretty sure they’ve got three words for you that I’ve been hearing all week online. Three words that I’ve heard when you guys were walking into the building. Three words that you kept screaming before the show even started. Cody, I think these people have three words for you… [crowd chanting We Want Cody].”
Cody Rhodes Gets Emotional
The former AEW star then addressed the crowd himself. Cody Rhodes mentioned how the unprecedented support of fans has made him an emotional mess and said that it’s all he has wanted since he was a little boy:
“They’re freaking out right now cause I’m bleeding. So I gotta definitely go get it looked at but those three words…well all I can say is this – since I was a little boy who grew up loving everything. For you to want me is special because I have always wanted you. I love you guys so much. I’m sorry I’m an emotional mess.
Please, let’s hear it for the man who came in and just saved my ass, Sami Zayn. It’s been a wonderful night, a long night. I hope all of you come back the next time WWE is here in St. Louis. This crew has done an incredible job. Samatha has done an incredible job. I love you guys all very much. Have a great night, drive safe, be safe. We love you. Good Night.”
WWE heavily leaned into the fan reaction to the SmackDown segment featuring the Rock on Raw this week. However, they used it to sell the upcoming WrestleMania press conference and fans will have to tune in on Thursday to hopefully get some answers about Cody’s future.
PW Insider reported to confirm that The Rock will wrestle at WrestleMania 40. He will take on Roman Reigns as well.
It was reported that, “multiple sources have noted that The Rock is 100% performing in the ring at WrestleMania 40. That is a done deal and, as we noted on Saturday, likely something that was contractually locked in as one of the milestones Rock would be involved in as part of his TKO Board of Directors deal. We were told there is ‘no scenario’ where Rock is not wrestling Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, unless something unforeseen happens, like an injury.”
We previously reported that The Rock’s WrestleMania match was also a part of him taking a seat on TKO Group Holdings’ Board of Directors.
Previous Report About The Rock and WrestleMania
As I previously reported, I asked around about this situation with The Rock. I was told that this is a complete “power play” on Dwayne Johnson’s behalf. Upon asking if this situation is like when he tried to muscle his way into the DC Cinematic Universe with Black Adam, I was told that is a “great analogy.”
So much has gone down in the last 18 hours.
I was told that Seth vs Cody was booked when Punk was injured. A triple threat match with Roman v Rock vs Cody was “never on the table.”
Regarding The Rock, the word for replacing Cody was “a power play.” I was told “It's so heavy”…
When asking if the fan backlash is noticed within the company, that was also confirmed. It’s impossible to ignore at this point, as USA Today, TMZ and more have already run headlines about how fans are upset about The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ spot on the show of shows.
I followed up after Johnson broke a report saying that WWE is monitoring the situation and things could change with Rock vs Roman.
Yes. WWE realizes that they are in a hole that they need to dig themselves out of.
After asking 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.
Rock vs Roman is locked in, but I was told over the weekend that creative has been working on the rest of the Mania card.
Just enjoy the show, even if you think it should be Cody instead of The Rock.
Seth Rollins vs Cody Rhodes is the new match, something that was booked after CM Punk was taken out of action with an injury during the Rumble match. Now, fans have a much different WrestleMania 40 ahead, and they have yet to warm up to the idea.
WWE Fans Are Not Happy
Fans voiced their displeasure after The Rock returned on SmackDown. They want to see Cody Rhodes finish his story.
WWE fans are very upset about this booking. They hijacked the opening segment of WWE RAW this week with “Rocky Sucks” chants.
“We Want Cody” signs were also handed out in the crowd to add to the drama. No matter how much WWE tries to turn the American Nightmare into a martyr, he isn’t getting that Mania main event against Roman Reigns from The Rock.
The ‘We Want Cody’ movement was in full swing during this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw.
The February 5, 2024, episode of Raw was the first following Cody Rhodes’ decision to step aside and allow The Rock to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 instead. This booking has been met with backlash from fans, who believe that Cody’s story should be finished at WrestleMania by dethroning Reigns as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Despite being considered the ‘People’s Champion’, the fans have turned on The Rock, with the video of his return being WWE’s most disliked video.
In photos shared online, fans displayed signs making it clear that they wanted to see Cody Rhodes challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. It has been reported that these signs were handed out to fans. While it has been speculated online, there is no hard evidence that these signs were created by WWE.
We Want Cody signs at this week’s WWE Monday Night Raw.
The Rock is Booed Yet Again
While The Rock didn’t appear on this week’s Raw, the crowd in St. Louis made their feelings known on the People’s Champion. During the show, a video was played hyping the Great One’s return on last week’s SmackDown. That video was booed by the crowd in St. Louis, a far cry from the response The Rock usually receives.
CM Punk is out of action with a triceps injury. He had successful surgery and plans to make a big comeback. That being said, WWE may want him to appear in the meantime.
WWE’s Alternative Plan For CM Punk
Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that Punk attended the Smackdown event in Birmingham, having undergone surgery in the area the previous day. Additionally, he made several appearances at the Performance Center in Orlando, leading many to speculate about his future involvement.
Ace Steel, who is a close associate of Punk, potentially revealed that WWE is interested in him providing commentary on the Wrestling Perspective Podcast this week, set to release Tuesday on Fightful. When asked by Dennis Farrell about Punk’s potential role on WWE TV until his return, Steel hinted at the possibility.
“Definitely, they want him commentary, they want him on commentary. I don’t know that they go that route since they did an injury angle to pull him out since they did the storyline on him; [Drew] stomps on his arm. There’s the physicality that puts him out. I personally don’t want to see him in an onscreen role unless it’s in the meantime he’s doing NXT or something. I really don’t want to see him on the same show as Drew Mcintyre because his sole focus would be going after Drew Mcintyre. “Well, I can’t fight you. Well, I’m gonna try.”
“We see people hit by cars and forktrucks and all these things, you know. Still, I feel like the fact that they did the injury that a lot of people think they, they put the storyline to it now that a lot of people think it’s, he’s faking it, which is hilarious that it’s a storyline 100% which of course it’s wrestling. So, you’ve done so many of those, like, oh, well, let’s do this where he hurts guys.”
CM Punk’s Cancelled WrestleMania 40 Plan
CM Punk was supposed to face Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40. Sadly, his injury during the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble match put him out of action for a number of months.
During WWE RAW this week, they provided an update on CM Punk. The Second City Savior showed a lot of confidence that he will make a full recovery and comeback. SE Scoops will have more information as new updates are made available.
Coming off her victory in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match, Bayley was tasked with choosing her opponent for WrestleMania 40. While initially eyeing WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, Bayley ultimately decided to challenge her now former ally, WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY.
With Bayley vs. IYO SKY locked in, WWE announced that the WrestleMania challenger for the WWE Women’s World Championship will determined inside the Elimination Chamber later this month. So far, one woman has qualified for this grueling match stipulation.
On Monday’s WWE RAW, Becky Lynch and Shayna Baszler competed in the first qualifying matchup, making a callback to their WrestleMania 36 clash over the RAW Women’s Championship. Despite a valiant effort, Baszler’s fate would repeat itself, as Lynch defeated her with a Manhandle Slam to claim the first spot in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match.
Next week, Liv Morgan and Zoey Stark will battle to secure the second slot. Ahead of their qualifier, Morgan delivered a backstage promo, highlighting her six-month absence from WWE programming due to injury. Now that she is cleared to compete again, Morgan is not only eager to challenge Ripley for the WWE Women’s World Championship, but also to enact some revenge on her for taking her out of action last July.
Rhea Ripley To Defend Women’s World Championship At Elimination Chamber
Before she can get to WrestleMania, Rhea Ripley has one obstacle in front of her — a title defense at Elimination Chamber.
During tonight’s episode, WWE RAW General Manager Adam Pearce informed Ripley that she will put the WWE Women’s World Championship on the line against Nia Jax at the upcoming premium live event. This title match was made after Jax recently unleashed a pair of attacks on Ripley.
Should Ripley retain her championship there, she will then move on to face the winner of the Women’s Elimination Chamber in a title match at WrestleMania 40.
The 2024 Elimination Chamber PLE will emanate from the Optus Stadium in Perth Australia, airing live on February 24.
Seth Rollins opened up WWE RAW this week, and he commented on how big his pop was. Then he mentioned SmackDown and said that he smells what’s cooking. This received a lot of boos from the crowd, and then Rollins said, “I think it sounds like you guys want Cody.”
Rollins said that he wants Cody too, and then fans booed the idea of that WrestleMania match instead of Rhodes vs Reigns. When Cody asked, “what do we wanna talk about?” The St. Louis crowd chanted, “Rocky sucks” and “We Want Cody.” This was followed by even more “Rocky sucks” chants.
Rollins admitted he didn’t expect to hear that chant. Michael Cole asked if it’s 1996 on commentary.’ There were also tons of “We Want Cody” signs in the crowd, which were handed out.
Then, Rollins pressed Cody once again to accept the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania. He wanted to know he’s better than he was when they faced off before.
Seth Rollins asked Cody if he’s going to fight him at WrestleMania, and the fans booed. Suddenly, Drew McIntyre came out to insert himself into the situation. He begged Cody to finish his story, and the fans agreed.
Rollins told McIntyre that he wouldn’t get a match against him for the title, because he’s beat him twice. Then Drew reminded Seth that Cody already beat him three times.
The segment ended with McIntyre nailing a headbutt on Rollins, and then Cody knocked Drew out of the ring. The WrestleMania match with Cody vs Seth was not officially booked, but fans certainly let WWE know how they felt about The Rock.
What Would It Take To Change Roman Reigns vs The Rock at WrestleMania
As previously reported, the match between The Rock and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania is confirmed. Despite any fan opinions, The Rock insisted on this contest, and it’s set to proceed as planned.
Due to CM Punk’s injury, WWE adjusted the lineup, resulting in Seth Rollins facing Cody Rhodes instead. The possibility of a triple threat match involving Cody, Rock, and Roman was never considered.
Additional information confirms that the current arrangement is unlikely to change unless The Rock withdraws. This decision has been under The Rock’s control since January 1st, when he first asserted his authority on the Day 1 episode of RAW.
SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this story as more information breaks. The Rock is one of the biggest names in entertainment, but that doesn’t seem to sway WWE fans who were set on seeing Cody Rhodes finish his story.
WrestleMania. The Showcase of the Immortals. The Superbowl of Wrestling. The Show of Shows. The Grandest Stage of Them All. The Biggest Sports Entertainment Show of The Year.
If there is one thing that WWE has been consistent about the last 4 decades, it’s selling the story of WrestleMania. With the constant hammering of the importance of the show, they have made it a legend in and of itself.
This legend has reached a point where attending the event is a bucket list item for any wrestling fan and competing on the show is a dream that every aspiring wrestler holds in his heart while entering the squared circle for the first time.
It’s hardly a surprise that Main Eventing WrestleMania is the highest honor in all of Sports Entertainment. The fact that names such as Harley Race, Dusty Rhodes, Eddie Guerrero, Goldberg, and CM Punk have never been in one only shows that it takes the combination of all four – skill, popularity, timing, and luck for a superstar to reach this pinnacle.
Considering all these factors, it’s hardly a surprise that The Rock, someone who has experienced the phenomenon 5 times in his career before, can’t resist the urge to do it one last time before he calls it a career. The big question, however, is if it’s the right time for it?
The Rock vs. Roman Reigns – A Match Made In Heaven?
The Rock vs. Roman Reigns is a WrestleMania Main Event. The Rock vs. Roman Reigns is THE WrestleMania Main Event. There is no arguing this point.
With almost 400 million followers on Instagram, The Great One is far ahead in terms of popularity and global recognition than the next 9 WWE superstars combined. As John Cena likes to say, The Rock is in a whole other universe of his own.
This is not to say that Roman Reigns is any less. ‘The Big Dog’ already possessed all the tools that he needed to become one of the greatest performers when WWE strapped the rocket to his back in the aftermath of The Shield’s breakup.
Since the start of The Tribal Chief era, however, Reigns has shown that he is also proficient in using all these tools together. The work that Roman has put into his character is something that aspiring wrestlers will be studying for a long time to come, to learn what it truly means to achieve a larger-than-life status.
With everything these two individuals have achieved in their respective careers, the impact of a collision between them will be impossible to replicate. It’s almost impossible to argue why this match shouldn’t Main Event a WrestleMania, but that’s the keyword -almost.
Cody Rhodes – An X Factor
Cody Rhodes has proven he’s ready to be the face of WWE and take on all the responsibilities that entails
If there is one thing fans have made clear in the aftermath of the events of Friday, it’s that they will not be giving in to this booking decision so easily, if at all.
But why?
There are many who are confused about the reaction of the fans. After all, The Rock vs Roman Reigns IS the bigger match.
It’s the match that will make the most buzz. It’s the match that will make the most headlines. It’s the match that will make the most money.
Cody Rhodes’ story is not about beating Roman Reigns and even then, he can face Roman anytime down the line, but a match like The Rock vs Roman Reigns only happens…. once in a lifetime.
So why fans are insisting that it should happen this year? Well, it’s because WWE told us so.
If you look at the same time last year, people had many different ideas about who should end Roman Reigns’ undefeated streak. From Seth Rollins to Drew McIntyre and from Sami Zayn to Jey Uso, every contender had a group of fans rooting for them and giving good reasons why their chosen name should be the one that gets the glory.
All this changed however on April 3, 2023.
It was the night after Cody Rhodes’ disheartening defeat at the hands of The Head of The Table the day prior. All the scenarios, all the possibilities that fans had envisioned for the end of Roman’s streak had been used up and for the first time in many months, they had no idea what to expect from this unprecedented run next.
This changed when Cody Rhodes showed up on RAW. While he had worked the whole year to get to Mania 39 and then failed, Rhodes proclaimed that he was not giving up the chase. And WWE let him do so.
While the two stars went on a different path from there, the American Nightmare never lost sight of his bigger goal. From that moment on, the stories of these superstars intertwined in a way that finishing the story became the synonym to ending Roman’s streak.
Match after match, promo after promo, and show after show, Cody worked hard to rebuild the momentum he had lost. And every time he poured his heart into this effort, one more fan bought into his story.
From that moment on, to Royal Rumble this past week, there had been nobody else who fans had in sight to end Roman’s undefeated streak and they had been patiently waiting for the time to come, until plans changed.
The Big Mistake
WWE’s big mistake isn’t booking The Rock vs Roman Reigns, it’s shunning Cody Rhodes on the way to it.
For a whole year and even longer than that, people have bought into the story that Cody is the one. That all the complaints about Roman’s reign have been null, that we are being prepared for a story with as epic of an ending as has been its run.
And now they have gone ahead and changed it.
Hello darkness, my old friend…
It’s important to understand here that people are NOT against a match between Roman Reigns and The Rock. If anything, I’d love to see this showdown and all that it will bring, just not at the expense of the only full-time talent in this mix.
This moment, THIS MATCH, is the one that belongs to Cody.
It’s not so much about making the biggest WrestleMania headline. It’s much more about the people who bought tickets to a house show in a lesser-known city 5 months ago. Who went there not expecting Roman Reigns, or The Rock. They were there to see Cody Rhodes. Now once again, they want to see Cody Rhodes.
What’s next?
Will Cody Rhodes regret his decision?
It’s not like WWE doesn’t know what happens when you test people’s patience beyond the limit. From the Yes Moment! to KofiMania, fans have shown that once the line is crossed, they are willing to go to great lengths to make the company realize their mistake.
Yes, The Rock vs Roman Reigns is still the bigger money match, but the new WWE management now has to decide whether they are willing to trade in the trust of their fans for it.
It wasn’t long ago that pictures of half-empty WWE arenas were a common occurrence, and they were willing to try the most ridiculous of ideas to stop the ratings from falling even further next week – all because they had lost the trust of the fans.
Yes, The Rock is the biggest star on the planet, but if the last few years have shown anything it’s that even the Great One is not invisible.
The failure of the relaunched XFL and the debacle that was the attempted takeover of the DC Universe is still fresh in people’s mind, and now the People’s Champion has to decide if he’s willing to trade in his equity with the only fans that will always welcome him back with open arms otherwise.
Conclusion
WWE can still go ahead with their plans, and as fans, we can’t really stop them. But they won’t be able to stop the fans from reacting to it either.
It’s the one situation where they can’t have their cake and eat it too.
If there is one show The Rock should really be thinking about saving, it’s Elimination Chamber and not WrestleMania.
Over 45,000 fans have bought tickets for the event at Optus Stadium and they’re expecting a grand show. With the absence of notable names such as Seth Rollins and CM Punk, WWE desperately needs to come up with a plan to make the event a success and a half-baked conclusion to the Rhodes vs Roman saga ain’t it. An appearance from TKO’s latest board member, however, could be just the thing it needs.
The Rock needs to realize that a WrestleMania Main Event is not just a match, it’s the personification of the passion that fans hold in their heart. It’s not just about winning and losing, it’s about the dedication that people show by tuning in to episodes of Raw and SmackDown week after week.
For everything he has done for the business, The Rock deserves one last adventure, one final send-off and he deserves it without any controversies. It should be an occasion that fans can cherish for a long time, not something that fans remember as an unjust calamity that came at the cost of hard-working talents.
It’s time that talents coming in for a headline realize that they have to respect the people who have held the fort down in their absence. If not they should be ready to face the consequences. I doubt The Rock wants that for his return match after more than a decade. I doubt Ari Emanuel wants that for the first WrestleMania Main Event under his management.
That’s why I say, The Rock can have his WrestleMania main event, justnot this year.
Mustafa Ali’s hopes to pick up championship gold when his ‘world tour’ rolls through TNA Wrestling later this month.
On January 25, Mustafa Ali appeared in a video package on TNA Wrestling television, stating that the company has undergone several changes recently. As a part of his political campaign though, Ali vowed to bring a “different kind of change” to TNA Wrestling — one that will seemingly impact TNA’s X-Division.
Following his original message, Ali then interrupted a backstage segment involving X-Division Champion Chris Sabin. In this vignette, Ali noted that can change is necessary, and only achieved when one faces their fears head-on. Ali also declared that the “fearful” need leadership to guide them, implying that he may soon assume that responsibility.
With Ali’s eyes now directed at Sabin, TNA Wrestling has confirmed the two will square off at the No Surrender event in New Orleans on February 23. There, Ali will challenge Sabin for the X-Division Championship, while simultaneously marking his official TNA in-ring debut.
BREAKING: @SuperChrisSabin will defend the X Division Championship against @MustafaAli_X on February 23rd at #NoSurrender LIVE on TNA+ and YouTube for IMPACT Ultimate Insiders!
Ali was released from WWE in September 2023 in the days following the launch of TKO Group Holdings. Upon the completion of his 90-day non-compete clause, Ali revealed that he had a stacked lineup of bookings on the independent circuit. Now, he looks forward to making his debut for TNA Wrestling as well.
As of now, TNA has announced two other matchups for No Surrender, one of which is a rematch that will see Moose defend the TNA World Championship against the previous titleholder, Alex Shelley. Elsewhere, Gisele Shaw will cash in her title shot against Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace after winning the Knockouts Ultimate X match at Hard To Kill last month.
Cody Rhodes stepping aside and allowing The Rock to wrestle Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40 is the hottest topic in wrestling. Trends were jump started, and many fans are a bit upset about the direction that they are going with things.
Fans Upset By WrestleMania 40 Direction
Some people are urging fans to ‘let it play out,’ but the vocal majority of fans on social media are outraged that the American Nightmare will not ‘Finish The Story’ at WWE’s grandest stage for the second consecutive year.
Everybody has an opinion about the matter, including Pat McAfee, who is now back doing commentary on WWE RAW each and every week alongside Michael Cole. This pairing was made once again due to Wade Barrett getting moved to SmackDown after Kevin Patrick was removed from the blue brand and fired.
Pat McAfee’s Take on The Rock vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40
The #WeWantCody debacle went down in the final segment of Friday’s SmackDown. On Monday’s Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, McAfee acknowledged that WWE fans are incredibly pissed that Cody surrendered his ‘WrestleMania moment’ to The Rock the way he did.
Pat McAfee went on to note that he was bummed out, and he does know what’s going to happen moving forward. He loves everyone involved in this booking fiasco, but the overall feeling is that they feel bad for the American Nightmare.
“Now, I love Cody Rhodes. I love The Rock and just love Roman Reigns. So, I’m very torn on this entire thing, but the Internet was not happy. I’m bummed out…. we’re all pretty bummed out for Cody, but also very pumped if this is a Rock-Roman situation. I don’t know what’s going to happen”
What’s Next For The Rock and Roman Reigns
This Thursday, WWE will host a special ‘WrestleMania 40 kickoff’ at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV at the T-Mobile arena. Several top Superstars will be on hand, including The Rock Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley and more.
WWE has yet to confirm The Rock vs. Roman Reigns as the main event of WrestleMania 40, but they’re advertising that Rock and Reigns will have an “iconic face-off” at this free fan and media event.
Fans are not happy about The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ spot at WrestleMania. Due to this, they are taking to social media and his daughter, Ava, is taking fire.
The Rock’s Daughter Ava Taking Fire From Angry Fans
Ava used to be a member of the Schism faction with Joe Gacy. The faction is now over, and she is onto her next assignment. Even though she is far away from her father’s match with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, fans are still giving her a hard time.
The fan reaction over The Rock taking Cody’s spot at Mania has been immense. The company took fire from all over the place, mainstream outlets picked up the scent of a controversial story. Naturally, everyone is talking about The Rock, and it’s not in a great way.
Ava does not want anything to do with the controversy that her father is in. She logged onto Twitter/X to make it very clear that she just wants to be the General Manager of NXT, and do her job.
can ya’ll just leave me out of this ffs i’m busy running a SHOW
can ya’ll just leave me out of this ffs i’m busy running a SHOW
The Rock’s daughter also replied to let fans know that some are taking this way too far. She said, “death threats over a situation i have nothing to do with … bffr.”
death threats over a situation i have nothing to do with … bffr
It’s hard to believe that fans are reacting this negatively toward The Rock’s WWE return, but this is where we find ourselves today. The circumstances for this match were not there, as many wanted to see Cody Rhodes finish his story.
After asking around, I was told by a source in WWE that there is, “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.
Later this month, WWE will head to the land down under as they host the 2024 Elimination Chamber premium live event from Perth, Australia. While no matches have been announced, this officiail poster indicates that this event will serve as a major homecoming for WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, a native of Adelaide, Australia.
Ripley has seen a significant rise in her stock over the last two years. As she continues to wreak havoc with her fellow Judgment Day members, Ripley has also kept a firm grip on the WWE Raw women’s division and the WWE Women’s World Championship — a title she has successfully defended against the likes of Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya, Ivy Nile, and Zoey Stark.
High Praise From ‘The Hitman’
Outside of her in-ring accomplishments, Ripley’s menacing character has also attracted the attention of many viewers, one of whom is WWE Hall of Famer Bret “The Hitman” Hart.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, Hart issued praise for Ripley’s character, specifically pointing toward the realism that she conveys through her on-screen portrayal.
“I really like her a lot. I really like her poise, her staying in character and sort of living her.. she seems like she’s adapted a character that’s fun to play, and she’s playing into that, full tilt,” Hart said.
“She’s putting that realism into it; that’s what I miss in a lot of wrestling today, just making it feel more real, and she makes it feel pretty real all the time.”
With Elimination Chamber on the horizon, Rhea Ripley is not only thrilled about returning to her home country, but also about the possibility of defending her title in front of them.
During a recent interview with Sam Roberts, Ripley noted that she would embrace the opportunity to defend her WWE Women’s World Championship inside the grueling Elimination Chamber structure.
Mick Foley hopes that the scandal around Vince McMahon doesn’t make fans forget the highly entertaining character and accomplishments of the ex-WWE Chairman.
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 John Lauriniaits and 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.” .
Mick Foley on Vince McMahon
A WWE Hall of Famer, Mick Foley worked with McMahon for years and in the past has described the ex-Chairman as like a father figure to him. Speaking on an episode of his Foley is Pod show, the three-time World Champion addressed the allegations.
“I don’t know all the facts but man, it’s really ugly. I feel very similar, just like that ‘dead inside feeling’ the way I had in 2007 after the Benoit murders and man, I hope it doesn’t take away from people’s amazing memories of all the things that Mr. McMahon created or helped create including my character and the programs that I was in and was such a big part of it.
“I wish he really just stepped aside, you know, the first time and we just heard a little hint of these allegations.”
During the show, Foley also reflected on how much McMahon’s approval meant to him during his career.
“His belief in me made all the difference in the world from just being another guy to being, you know, one of his main guys during that Attitude Era.”
Jade Cargill had the entire pro wrestling world watching her as she decided to leave AEW for WWE. Tony Khan admitted that he offered her more than she asked for to stay with his company, but she decided to seek employment under Triple H’s booking instead. Now, fans are waiting to see what’s next.
Jade Cargill’s WWE Main Roster Status
Jade Cargill’s long-awaited in-ring debut went down at the 2024 Royal Rumble event in the #28 spot. This was a big surprise, and she is currently a top free agent on the main roster.
PW Insider noted that, as of this writing, WWE has not landed on a brand assignment for Jade Cargill. Months ago, she was supposed to be on RAW, but that could have changed at this point.
WWE Already Impressed By Jade Cargill
I asked around before Cargill’s Royal Rumble debut, and I was told that there are lots of plans going around for her. She is someone who a lot of people want to work with, and her ultimate brand assignment and hype should reflect how desired she is.
WWE signed Jade Cargill, and made a statement as she showed up during the Fastlane kickoff show a short time later. Then she wasn’t seen at all, except for short cameos during RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. She was backstage for most of those brief interactions, never revealing her entrance music or seeing her actually take to the ring.
After Cargill’s debut for the company, I was told that there was “a ton of buzz about how professional Jade Cargill was backstage, how impressive she is up close, how well she fit in, and how quickly she did that.”
On that note, a report got out after the Rumble that Cargill blew some spots. I was told that was not the case at all, and she was praised for her performance. That amazing pop for her entrance was also noticed by everyone.
A report got out after the Rumble that Jade Cargill blew some spots. Not true.
I was told Jade Cargill was universally praised backstage for her performance in the Women's Rumble.
Also, that massive pop for her debut was 100% noticed by everyone backstage.
After her appearance in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match, fans are eager to see what’s next for her. Now, we will have to see how she carries on that momentum from this point on.
PW Insider has been able to confirm that Tiffany Stratton has officially concluded her tenure with NXT and will now be exclusively featured as a full-time talent on Friday Night SmackDown.
Stratton is on the blue brand now, where she will mix it up on the main roster from now on.
Rumors were circulating backstage at Monday’s Raw about Tiffany Stratton’s standout performance in the Royal Rumble match, It is interesting that Stratton is on SmackDown now, because putting her on RAW would align with WWE’s tendency to keep real-life couples on the same brand, as Stratton is in a relationship with Ludwig Kaiser. Now, this move has split the couple between brand lines.
In January, Stratton concluded her rivalry with Fallon Henley in a distinctive “ranch hand or servant for a day” match at New Year’s Evil. The aftermath featured notable vignettes highlighting Stratton’s comical challenges while contributing to ranch duties.
When WWE Decided On Tiffany Stratton’s Main Roster Call-Up (Exclusive)
I reported yesterday that Tiffany Stratton received her main roster call-up. This was quite obvious due to the fact that she walked out of that office with a SmackDown contract last week.
I was additionally able to confirm that Tiffany’s women’s Royal Rumble appearance in the #29 entry marked her main roster call-up. It was the plan to call her up with that match, and now she is a full time main roster talent.
It’s Tiffy Time!
Tiffany Stratton has big things in store for her. She gets it, and is going to be an amazing addition to SmackDown.
I was told the main roster wanted her, and they planned for the Rumble to be her call-up. Unlike Breakker, she was not spur of the moment at all.
I also reported that Bron Breakker is expected to be on the RAW brand. His call-up was spur-of-the moment, and happened quickly, thanks to Brock Lesnar getting pulled from the men’s Royal Rumble match.
Although Breakker replaced Lesnar in the Royal Rumble match, I was told as of last week that he will not be getting the matches that were planned for The Beast Incarnate, which was Dominik Mysterio at Elimination Chamber and then GUNTHER at WrestleMania 40.
SE Scoops will have continued coverage of Tiffany Stratton on SmackDown, and everything else going on in the pro wrestling world. Stay tuned for more updates!
Bret Hart still has a bone to pick with Goldberg, and he hasn’t forgotten about that concussion that he alleges ended his career in the squared circle.
Bret Hart Shoots Hard on Goldberg
At WCW Starrcade 1999, Bret Hart and Goldberg faced off in a match that was one of The Hitman’s final outings in the ring.
While speaking to Fox Sports Australia, Bret Hart stated that Goldberg’s style of pro wrestling is not how it’s done. He actually hurt people in the ring, blacked eyes, broke bones, knocked out teeth, and Hart isn’t okay with it being that real in the ring.
While reflecting on his wrestling style, Hart emphasized his commitment to technical proficiency, ensuring that holds like the headlock looked genuine. He contrasted this with contemporary wrestlers, citing instances where they find themselves in the wrong position after a move and have to readjust, which he views as a failure in his wrestling academy.
Additionally, he criticized the trend of wrestlers diving over the top rope onto multiple opponents, deeming it unrealistic. Hart expressed disdain for the prevalence of chops in matches, considering it a deviation from the true artistry of wrestling. That led him into burying Goldberg a bit.
“There’s a lot of great wrestlers out there that can deliver great matches. But there’s so many wrestlers out there that are subpar in my opinion, that don’t know what they’re doing out there. And they allow themselves to rely on things like chops, which I think is sort of like cheap heat – you get a reaction, but what’s your reaction? You’re whipping a guy across the chest with your hand? Okay, so you’re hurting some guy for real, for some stupid reason. And the crowd sort of reacts to it.
“In my understanding of pro wrestling, anytime anyone does anything to you that hurts, for real – chopping, putting blisters on your chest when you go to your room or bed, anytime anyone does things to you for real, they’re in the wrong business. They’re doing it wrong. Because you’re not supposed to get hurt. You’re not supposed to come back to your dressing room that night, or to your hotel room and have a big lump on your head and a black eye and your teeth are knocked out. That’s Bill Goldberg wrestling. That’s not how it’s done.”
The kick to the head resulted in a severe concussion, but Bret Hart believes he experienced an additional concussion during the match, particularly when he applied the ringpost figure four. Furthermore, Hart believes he suffered two more concussions in matches over the subsequent week. In the end, he holds a ton of resentment toward Goldberg to this day.
Hart wrestled 9 matches in WCW after that Starrcade match with Goldberg. On June 24, 2002, Hart suffered a stroke. Then, he participated in a handful of matches for WWE in 2010 and 2011. Sadly, he hasn’t wrestled since, but he definitely has a lot to say about the business.
Rossy Ogawa is pushing back on the allegations levied against him by Bushiroad, the company that owns the Stardom women’s wrestling promotion he helped launch over a decade ago.
In a statement that’s rocked the wrestling world, Bushiroad announced it has terminated its agreement with Ogawa. The company claims he’s been caught poaching Stardom athletes and staff members and he’s gone effective immediately.
Stardom noted on Twitter that talent was informed of the shakeup Saturday evening.
Stardom wrestlers and staff were notified last night that Mr. Rossy Ogawa’s contract was terminated effective immediately.
Rossy Ogawa is not taking this matter lightly. He maintains his innocence, says the public still does not know ‘the truth of the matter’ and is most concerned with the talent.
“Suddenly, after yesterday’s show, I was notified that my contract would be terminated,” Ogawa wrote on X (formerly Twitter.
“The truth of the matter may be told someday. I’m worried about the players right now. Thank you for supporting Stardom for the past 13 years. From now on, it will be Stardom created by Bushiroad.”
Ogawa, alongside wrestling veterans Fuka Kakimoto and Nanae Takahashi, founded Stardom in 2010. Prior to the launch of STARDOM, Ogawa served as a co-producer for All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling (AJW).
On the heels of Rossy Ogawa’s exit, the Wrestling Observer reported that Taro Okada and Oyawa, the Bushiroad Fight merchandise manager, will be taking over the booking responsibilities for STARDOM. Neither has previous experience in booking wrestling shows.
Stardom’s roster is loyal Ogawa, because he helped many of them break into the business. There is concern within Bushiroad that we could see a mass exodus leave Stardom and follow Ogawa wherever he goes next. A lot of Stardom contracts are set to expire next month, so we won’t have to wait long to see ‘the other shoe drop’ in this developing situation.
The agreement for The Rock to battle Roman Reigns at WrestleMania was finalized weeks prior to Cody Rhodes winning the Royal Rumble. This was not a deal they made public, but it was part of his appointment to TKO’s Board of Directors.
The Rock’s Big WrestleMania 40 Deal
Last month, The Rock was appointed to the TKO Board of Directors. As a component of the arrangement, he acquired complete ownership of the “The Rock” name and received $30 million in company stock.
Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio, that The Rock wrestling Reigns at WrestleMania was also part of the agreement. This deal was made on January 3rd, and that begs the question as to why WWE still booked Cody Rhodes to win the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble match.
When (Rock) made the deal on January 3 to come in (facing Roman at WrestleMania) was part of the deal. Why Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble is a question that I cannot answer because nobody will answer it for me.
Apart from Nick Khan and Ari Emanuel, very few individuals, if any, were informed about the arrangement for Rock to challenge Reigns at WrestleMania. The prevailing sentiment backstage during the Royal Rumble was that it would be Rhodes vs. Reigns.
I reported on January 28th that, “The only people who really know what is happening with Rock are the people at the very top of the company, and they are all playing it very close to the vest.” This was after Cody Rhodes won his second consecutive Royal Rumble match and punched his ticket to WrestleMania 40.
The only people who really know what is happening with Rock are the people at the very top of the company, and they are all playing it very close to the vest.
WWE now intends to incorporate the negative response to Rhodes being excluded from the WrestleMania main event into the storyline. Dave Meltzer continued to explain that everything played out in this way, but there is no way to tell how the storyline will advance from this point on.
(It) played out the way they wanted it to play out. The plan as of Friday night was Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes and we’ll see how it plays out because now they’re trying to turn it into a story and we’ll see how the story goes.
The Only Way WWE Would Change WrestleMania Main Event Plan
I previously reported that The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ spot at WrestleMania was seen as a “power play.” When inquiring if this situation resembles his attempt to enter the DC Cinematic Universe with Black Adam, where he wanted to take control of the operation, I was informed that it’s a “great analogy.”
WWE is also well aware about fan backlash. It has become impossible to overlook at this point, with USA Today, TMZ, and other outlets running stories about fans being upset over The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ spot against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40.
When inquiring whether the fan backlash could alter the prospective WrestleMania plans, the response was, “there’s no chance in hell.” The only thing that could change the direction for WrestleMania’s main event at this point is Dwayne Johnson changing his mind.
WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes might not have finished his story yet but popular rapper Killer Mike did. However, the good times didn’t last long as he got arrested.
Last month, Killer Mike was spotted standing next to Cody Rhodes at the end of WWE SmackDown in Georgia on January 19. He was seen holding a sign that read “We Finish Our Story on February 4.” Mike was referencing the Grammys as he was nominated for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for “Scientists & Engineers,” and Best Rap Album for Michael.
What you know about Hard Times Blues?!!! @codyrhodes said he's bringing the championship home, and come February 4, I'm doing the same with these Grammys.
‘The American Nightmare’ recently won the Men’s Royal Rumble for the second time and fans believed that he will challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. However, it seems that he is not ‘finishing his story’ yet. Rhodes has made the way for The Rock to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40.
While Cody Rhodes is waiting to ‘finish his story’, Killer Mike has finished his story at the Grammys. He won all three awards. However, the celebrations didn’t last long as he was arrested.
Killer Mike arrested
Killer Mike was detained by Los Angeles police after an altercation at the Crypto.com Arena, the venue where the Grammy Awards were held, as per BBC. He was booked on a misdemeanor charge but later released. It has come to light that he is scheduled to appear in court later this month.
This incident occurred shortly after he won three Grammy awards.
The pro wrestling world is deeply saddened after the premature death of Actwres girl’Z star Asahi, who was 21.
Asahi made her debut at the age of 14 for Ice Ribbon at the iconic Korakuen Hall when she faced the former All Japan Women’s Champion Manami Toyota.
Asahi began wrestling in 2017 and competed for Ice Ribbon, Actwres girl’Z, Kani KING Produce and several other promotions.
In 2020, she decided to temporarily step away from the ring to balance her duties to the sport and school. She went on to make a comeback the following year.
In 2023, Asahi concluded her contract with Ice Ribbon and joined Actwres girl’Z. She had initially planned a three-to-six-month loan, but she decided to become part of the new promotion officially. Her final match took place on January 31st.
Actwres girl’Z announced that their February 9th show in Shinkiba had been canceled for now, with an announcement set to be made later.
Asahi passes away
The Japanese women’s wrestling promotion recently made the tragic announcement that Asahi passed away due to an “unexpected accident.” Dark Puroresu Flowsion reported that the accident was a car crash but that has not been officially confirmed.
The company’s statement reads:
“We would like to inform you that Asahi, a member of our company, has passed away due to an unexpected accident. We would also like to inform you that the Shinkiba performance on February 9th has been canceled for the time being. We will inform you about the future within the next day or two.
We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has supported Asahi so far.”
There is no love lost between Cody Rhodes and his arch-rival Shinsuke Nakamura.
‘The American Nightmare’ was recently at the end of a brutal attack from the Japanese superstar. Rhodes was involved at Saturday’s live event at Knoxville Civic Coliseum in Knoxville, TN where he faced Nakamura in a Street Fight. It was at the same event that Cody Rhodes shared a heartwarming moment with a fan. Though he came out on top in the match, things didn’t go in his favor when he got backstage.
Rhodes and Nakamura had been involved in a storied-rivalry last year. The two have locked horns multiple times over the last two months, with Rhodes defeating Nakamura on Raw last month. they will face each other yet again.
Shinsuke Nakamura attacks Cody Rhodes
In a video clip captured by WWE, Rhodes can be seen making his way to the backstage area but Nakamura launched a blindsided attacj with his trademark red mist. The 2024 Rumble winner could be seen shown writhing in pain on the ground as the clip ended.
Following this incident, in a tweet, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce made the announcement that Cody Rhodes will square off against Shinsuke Nakamura in a Bull Rope match on Monday. In the past, they have also had a few bullrope matches at live events. However, this will mark the first time that they will collide in a bullrope match on live WWE programming.
Cody Rhodes has been a fan favorite and recently won the Men’s Royal Rumble match and fans had been anticipating him to ‘finish his story.’ However, Rhodes stepped aside to allow The Rock to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. This booking decision met with a lot of flak from the fans. Read more below:
WWE’s NXT brand held their Vengeance Day event on Sunday night, and the pro wrestling world didn’t know what to expect. No titles changed hands, but they certainly gained a lot of momentum as the brand hits the road to Stand & Deliver on WrestleMania weekend.
WWE NXT Vengeance Day’s Big Finish
Ilja Dragunov faced Trick Williams in the main event of WWE NXT Vengeance Day at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, TN. The two left it all in the ring, bleeding hard way, about a minute into the match. Then Dragunov was able to pull down the win.
The talk among fans shifted to the final angle of the show. Following the match, Carmelo Hayes betrayed Williams, assaulting him with a chair multiple times, ending their long partnership.
The post-main event actions were shrouded in secrecy, with rehearsals limited to those directly involved in organizing the sequence, according to Corey Brennan of Fightful Select.
“There was a lot of secrecy surrounding the main event aftermath, as rehearsals for the main event were kept to those who were directly involved in putting it together.”
The event kicked off with the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals, pitting Hayes and Williams against Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin. The heels secured victory, claiming the tournament trophy. Now, Breakker and Corbin are one of the top teams in NXT, as Melo and Trick are no longer together.
What’s Next For Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes
The NXT roster is now on the road to defend her NXT Women’s Title at March 5th’s Roadblock event. Then Stand & Deliver is coming on April 6.
Odds are, Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes’ feud is far from over, and fans will see the two collide soon enough.
There are a lot of stories going around in the pro wrestling world, especially concerning WWE Superstar releases and the reasons behind it. Now, Maria Kanellis has stepped up to address some of those misconceptions.
Maria Kanellis Speaks Out About Her WWE Departure
Maria Kanellis addressed the misinformation surrounding her WWE departure, clarifying several points. Contrary to some reports, her initial release in 2010 occurred when her contract expired, and she declined a renewal at one-third of her male counterparts’ salaries.
Despite initial assurances of change upon her return, she said WWE’s treatment did not align with expectations, especially concerning family planning. She emphasized that Mike Bennett’s request for his release was separate from her situation. Contrary to rumors, WWE did not facilitate rehab for Mike, and they were misled multiple times about their storyline.
“There are a lot of reports about things that happened when I was in WWE. Most of them are just wrong. Some are rumors circulated by WWE loyalists, bots, or ‘news’ organizations on the WWE payroll. Here are some facts: When I was “released” by WWE the first time in 2010 my contract was up and I refused to sign for one third what my male contemporaries were making. When I went back, I was told by many people I trusted that WWE had changed. WWE knew we were planning on adding to our family when we resigned. Mike asked for his release, I did not. Mike never went to WWE rehab. Nor did they pay for any rehab. We were lied to many times about our storyline and what direction it was going. I fought back against it to no avail. We were never paid millions of dollars in WWE. We had the average contract for WWE for 6 months. We are not millionaires and we don’t live in a mansion. I hope this helps people separate fact from fiction.”
Maria refutes claims of earning millions, highlighting their average WWE contract duration of six months and dispelling notions of a lavish lifestyle. Her aim is to provide clarity amid the mix of facts and fiction.
What’s Next For Maria Kanellis
When it comes to what she’s doing now, Maria replied to a fan to say how proud she is of her current work in ROH.
“I love what I am doing. I have watched the tag team division in @ringofhonor get better and better since July of last year. These guys are working their asses off to represent the division that has given us some of the Best Tag Team Wrestling in the world. I can’t wait to see what it looks like in a year.”
SE Scoops will have continued coverage of ROH, AEW, WWE, TNA and every other company making waves in the pro wrestling world. We will have to see what Maria Kanellis says next, but she certainly addressed some popular rumors in this situation.
The Rock’s return to WWE brought a big reaction from fans. Interestingly enough, they weren’t leaping with happiness about the Black Adam star’s return to the company, because he was taking away Cody Rhodes’ spot against Roman Reigns on the grandest stage of them all.
John Cena Reacts
John Cena’s Instagram is famous for posting without any captions. The 16x World Champion’s latest post fell into that trend, and the photo he picked spoke 1,000 words for him.
Cena simply dropped a photo of The Rock and Roman Reigns’ stare-down from SmackDown. That one appearance for Dwayne Johnson sparked a huge controversy within the pro wrestling community, and Cena can see that by the comments he received.
Almost immediately, Cena’s post was pounced on by upset Cody Rhodes fans. Tons of fans commented to say that Cena should be posting a photo of the American Nightmare, while others simply replied to say, “We Want Cody.”
The Rock received a very similar reaction with his own WrestleMania hype post last night. Those fans are quite brutal online, and you can check out that story here.
WWE Not Changing Their Plan
WWE fans are expressing their disapproval of The Rock returning to replace Cody Rhodes in a WrestleMania match. While WWE may not have anticipated this reaction, they likely hoped for increased fan support for Cody Rhodes in this situation.
Despite the fan backlash, it appears that the WrestleMania match involving The Rock and Roman Reigns will proceed as planned. Sources indicate to me that unless The Rock withdraws, the match is set in stone, with The Rock having asserted his influence since January 1st, notably during his appearance on the Day 1 episode of RAW, when he called his match with that head of the table reference.
As the story unfolds, SE Scoops will provide ongoing coverage. Despite The Rock’s massive popularity, WWE fans initially anticipated seeing Cody Rhodes face Roman Reigns at this year’s Mania to finish his story.