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Cody Rhodes vs Shinsuke Nakamura Announced For Raw After Backstage Attack

Bishal Roy
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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 Did Everything They Could To Keep NXT Vengeance Day Finish A Secret

Aaron Varble
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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. 

Maria Kanellis Clears Up Misconceptions About Her WWE Departure

Aaron Varble
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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.”

https://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis/status/1754337867843744198

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.”

https://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis/status/1754341660253675586

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. 

John Cena Acknowledges Roman Reigns vs The Rock WrestleMania 40 Match

Aaron Varble
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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.

WWE Expected Cody Rhodes Would Be Seen As ‘A Martyr’ With WrestleMania Switch-Up

Aaron Varble
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The Rock returned to WWE so he could take Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania match against Roman Reigns. Fans are not happy about this, and they’re rallying behind Cody. That was apparently WWE’s plan.

WWE’s Plan For Cody Rhodes’ Replacement

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stated that WWE expected to make a martyr out of Cody after The Rock took his spot. That intention to turn him into an even bigger babyface was there, but the end result of The Rock getting booed might not have been in the cards.

I don’t know what they were expecting, but they were expecting for Cody Rhodes to turn into Daniel Bryan, yes. That one, they were expecting, to make Cody Rhodes into a martyr and make him a bigger babyface out of that. Were they expecting people to boo Dwayne, I don’t know, because you know, I’ve asked that one, and I haven’t gotten a straight answer. 

WWE fans have been quite open about the fact that they do not 100% approve of The Rock coming back to take Cody Rhodes’ match. This might not have been something WWE really planned for, but they certainly expected for fans to love Cody Rhodes even more coming out of this situation.

WWE’s Response To The Backlash

Fans are speaking out in a big way about this WrestleMania match, but that doesn’t mean it will do any good. I was explicitly told that this match is still happening.

After asking around, 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.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this story as more information breaks. The Rock is one of the biggest names in entertainment, but WWE fans were already set on seeing Cody Rhodes take on Roman Reigns on the grandest stage of them all again this year.

STARDOM Founder Rossy Ogawa’s Shock Departure Will Bring Talent Departures

Thomas Lowson
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Rossy Ogawa, the founder of and Executive Producer of STARDOM Wrestling, has been cut from the promotion with immediate effect. 

Bushiroad, the parent company of STARDOM and New Japan Pro Wrestling, issued a statement on Monday announcing the news. According to a statement issued by Bushiroad:

“We have recently become aware that Mr. Rossy Ogawa has been poaching a number of Stardom athletes and staff members, and we have decided to terminate this agreement.”

This is a major shakeup to the Japanese women’s wrestling scene that will bring far-reaching ramifications. A talent exodus could be coming, because many STARDOM wrestlers are loyal to Ogawa. According to the Wrestling Observer, Bushiroad was of the mindset that Ogawa was  as going to leave and start his own company with a lot of the Stardom talent.

Bushiroad ‘sincerely apologized’ for any concerns fans may now have regarding Stardom’s future and vow to ‘make concerted efforts to further develop Stardom and to deliver excitement to our fans.’

AEW President Tony Khan apparently shares this view, and tweeted out the following .GIF in response to the news of Ogawa’s exit.

Who will replace Ogawa?

Taro Okada and Oyama, the Bushiroad Fight merchandise manager, will immediately take over as the bookers for STARDOM. Neither has any previous experience as bookers, though Okada was part of a pro wrestling club that held matches during his college days.

Max Caster References “Freaky” Vince McMahon In Rap Promo at Indie Event

Thomas Lowson
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Vince McMahon’s days in WWE may be over, and that provided AEW’s Max Caster with some ammunition during a recent rap at an independent wrestling event. 

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.”

Max Caster on Vince McMahon

An AEW Trios Champion, Max Caster appeared at the Alpha-1 Wrestling event on February 4. During his pre-match rap promo, the Acclaimed wrestler made reference to the scandal surrounding the 78-year-old ex-Chairman of WWE. 

“You wanna try me on the mic? Get a different plan cause I’m freaky with the words like I’m Vince McMahon.”

This is not the first time that Max Caster has name-dropped McMahon’s name. During a May 2023 edition of AEW Rampage, Caster poked fun at Dutch, saying he had the “worst mustache since Vince McMahon.” This was a nod to McMahon’s infamous lop-sided facial hair that he had debuted mere weeks before Caster’s barb. 

In June 2022, Caster took another dig at McMahon, this time due to the initial allegations of sexual misconduct. Caster said that “Honestly I had something to say but somebody made me sign an NDA!” This rap also made reference to Donald Trump, a WWE Hall of Famer and friend of McMahon. 

How WWE Feels About Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns Mocking Each Other’s Titles

Thomas Lowson
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Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins may be taking shots at each other’s championships on TV, but that isn’t an issue for WWE management. 

Following Cody Rhodes’ win in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match, both Rollins and Reigns would take digs at the other’s championship. On Raw, Rollins stated that Rhodes should face him at WrestleMania 40, instead of the Tribal Chief. Rollins called Reigns’ Undisputed WWE Universal Championship a ‘Hollywood’ title who those who politick their way to the top, while his title is for the workhorses like Cody’s father Dusty. 

Not to be outdone, Reigns appeared on SmackDown to dismiss the World Heavyweight Championship held by Rollins since May of last year. Reigns made it clear that the title held by Seth is a runner-up prize for those unable to dethrone him. 

WWE’s Response

Two of WWE’s top Superstars have been belittling the company’s top two championships, but that isn’t an issue according to higher-ups who spoke to Fightful Select. One higher-up said “Look who we’re in business with now” when asked about these digs, a nod to WWE being partners in TKO with UFC, where this kind of trash-talk is more commonplace. 

The source added that they want to create a discussion among fans and that both champions have a reason to say their championship is more valid than the other. Ultimately, it’s up to fans to decide if they find the title defended more to be the more valid, or if they prefer the title with a richer history that has been held by Reigns for over three years. 

Carmelo Hayes Turns On Trick Williams To Close Out WWE NXT Vengeance Day

Aaron Varble
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WWE’s Vengeance Day main event match saw Ilja Dragunov defend the NXT Title against Trick Williams. The Tennessee crowd was more than ready for the match, as they chanted “WHOOP THAT TRICK” loudly. The end of the night included a shocking moment that fans will be talking about for weeks to come.

Trick Williams’ NXT Title Match

Trick and Ilja battled in a match where they were both bloodied. Trick was already busted open in the first match of the night, one where he and Carmelo Hayes lost the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic final to Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker. Then Trick busted Dragunov’s nose open early on in their match.

This match got the crowd to a boiling point, and then Dragunov was able to pull off the big win. This came after several dramatic moments where it appeared that Trick Williams would pull down the title.

The Mad Dragon retained his title at Vengeance Day. In the end, Carmelo Hayes told Trick Williams that he’s his boy, and “you were so close.” Suddenly, the moment Trick’s back was turned, Melo’s face changed.

Carmelo Hayes Turns On Trick Williams

Hayes nailed Williams with a chopblock, which sent the big man down holding his knee. Then Carmelo got a chair from underneath the ring to lay down a few chair shots on Trick’s knee for good measure.

This turn has been coming for a while. Now, Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes are officially broken up. As “F*ck you Melo” and “Melo Sucks” chants rang out from the crowd, he left with a satisfied look on his face.

As Carmelo Hayes left, he blamed the crowd, saying “you made me like this, it’s your fault.” We will have to see what’s next for Melo and Trick.

Lyra Valkyria already retained her NXT Women’s Title during Vengeance Day. That match was changed into a triple threat match by a big surprise as Lola Vice cashed in her Women’s Breakout Tournament contract.

What’s Next

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.

WWE NXT Vengeance Day took place on February 4, 2024, at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee, marking the first NXT livestreaming event to be held in Tennessee. 

NXT Star Says Pro-Cody Rhodes Spamming Is Sending the Wrong Message

Thomas Lowson
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Are fans of Cody Rhodes sending the wrong message by spamming various WWE accounts in support of the American Nightmare? One NXT Superstar thinks so. 

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. 

DIJAK Comments

WWE Superstars, for the most part, have been silent about the backlash to the booking decision. With that said Logan Paul recently threw his support behind Rhodes, while Ricochet has stated that fans are showing a toxic side. 

Now, NXT Superstar DIJAK has shared his two cents on the response from fans to this controversial booking. Taking to Twitter, DIJAK spoke about fans spamming the comments section of NXT: Vengeance Day in support of the American Nightmare. DIJAK argued that fans are sending the wrong message and if they insist on spamming accounts, they should stick to the relevant ones. 

What’s Next? 

The Rock and Roman Reigns will be at a WrestleMania 40 press conference later this week. Cody Rhodes will be on this week’s Raw where he’ll face Shinsuke Nakamura in a Bull Rope match. The American Nightmare will also be at Elimination Chamber: Perth later this month, an event neither The Rock nor Reigns are expected to be at. 

Mysterious ‘Three Faces’ Promo Airs During WWE NXT Vengeance Day

Aaron Varble
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You never know what can happen in WWE, and they proved that during Vengeance Day. A mysterious promo for what could be a new Superstar aired, and fans have a ton of questions.

Mysterious NXT Promo

At NXT Vengeance Day, a vignette conveyed a concise message. Displaying on-screen text, it stated, “A man has three faces. One that the world sees… one that his family sees… and the real one that no one sees, reflecting the evil he truly possesses.”

Nobody was actually seen in this promo, but the words got a lot of fans wondering what is going to happen next.

This three faces tale is similar to an old Japanese proverb. This leads many fans to assume that WWE is bringing in someone from Japan. We do not know who this new Superstar might be, but rumors of Okada or Giulia are certainly floating around the fan base right now.

What’s Next

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. We will have to see when WWE NXT reveals this mystery.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this mystery, and so much more in the pro wrestling world as more information is made known.

Lyra Valkyria Retains WWE NXT Women’s Title at Vengeance Day Despite Lola Vice Creating Impromptu Triple Threat

Aaron Varble
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WWE NXT Vengeance Day took place on February 4, 2024, at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee, marking the first NXT livestreaming event to be held in Tennessee. The event brought some notable moments, including a massive one for Roxanne Perez.

NXT Women’s Title Match at Vengeance Day

Lyra Valkyria defended the NXT Women’s Title against Roxanne Perez at Vengeance Day. This match had the Tennessee crowd on fire, but they didn’t know what to expect.

Lola Vice won the Women’s Breakout Tournament. With that win, she had a guaranteed contract for a title shot. Midway through Roxanne and Lyra’s match, right after Perez nailed Pop Rocks, Vice ran down to make this a triple threat match.

After the match carried on a bit more, Roxanne Perez nailed Pop Rocks again, but Tatum Paxley ran in and took her out of the ring. The pandemonium ended as Lyra nailed Night Witch on Lola Vice instead, and she secured the win to retain the NXT Women’s Title.

 What’s Next?

Lyra Valkyria 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. 

Her future opponents have not been determined yet, but odds are, they will address that in the coming weeks on NXT’s weekly USA Network television show.

Efforts To Remove Brock Lesnar From WWE 2K24 Are Underway

Aaron Varble
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Brock Lesnar didn’t make his planned WWE return after Janel Grant’s lawsuit dropped. There is a belief that he may not be back, and gamers anticipating laying out their friends with Lesnar’s F5 in WWE 2k24 might be a bit bummed right now.

Allegations Against Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar was not named in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE and John Laurinaitis. A former UFC Heavyweight Champion who was working on a new contract with WWE was mentioned, and that was not a good look for Lesnar.

It is alleged that the Beast Incarnate wanted a video of Grant urinating, and then he wanted a “play date” as part of his new contract. The date couldn’t be arranged, but it happened, according to the damning allegations in the lawsuit.

Brock Lesnar Getting Erased By 2K

2K Already nixed Lesnar from their SuperCard mobile game. Now, the former Universal Champion is seemingly out of WWE 2K24. Mike Johnson reported on PW Insider that 2k is making strides to remove Lesnar from the game

It would appear that 2K, as a licensee for WWE, is following the company’s lead after WWE backed off on using Lesnar last weekend at the Royal Rumble event.

“Going forward, PWInsider.com has been told by sources familiar to the matter that we should expect to see Lesnar downplayed (if not outright removed as he was in the Supercard game) as much as possible going forward by 2K and potentially other licensees.”

Lesnar was scheduled to make his return and kick off his WrestleMania season storyline. However, in light of the lawsuit filed by Janel Grant against WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis a few days prior, the company decided to ‘withdraw’ Lesnar’s participation.

WWE’s Plan For Brock Lesnar

WWE planned for Brock Lesnar to face Dominik Mysterio at Elimination Chamber and then GUNTHER at WrestleMania. The company was forced to figure out other things after Lesnar was pulled from creative.

Although Bron Breakker replaced Lesnar in the Royal Rumble match, and solidified his main roster call-up, I was told that he is not getting Lesnar’s planned matches at Chamber and Mania. I also exclusively reported that he will be on the RAW brand when he gets things going.

The Rock’s WWE WrestleMania 40 Hype Post Flooded By Angry Cody Rhodes Fans

Aaron Varble
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WWE fans have reacted in a big way after The Rock made his return to television, skipping over Cody Rhodes in the process to claim a match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. It seems that Dwayne Johnson can’t post anything at this point without getting flooded by upset fans.

The Rock’s Latest WrestleMania Post

Although it hasn’t been 100% confirmed yet, the current WrestleMania match is The Rock vs Roman Reigns. This match was booked for WrestleMania 37, but they couldn’t get things lined up. Now they will finally hold the match at WrestleMania 40, but fans’ aren’t happy.

The Rock posted on Instagram to include a few reactions to his WWE SmackDown return. There were a couple live reaction videos, and it was overall positive. The caption he picked let everyone know that he is playing the long game as the People’s Champion.

This is gonna be so much fun.Long game.~ people’s champ

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C27CCdhu-c5

That post wasn’t up for very long before Cody Rhodes’ fans flooded it. The top reaction was “We Want Cody,” and many others commented to show their disapproval. This is not the kind of response that The Rock is used to getting.

The Rock’s Recent Activity

The Rock had a few big losses in a row. The XFL failed to make money, and Black Adam was panned in the box office. Young Rock was also cancelled by NBC after only three seasons.

Then his WWE return was met with a huge backlash. As of this writing, it appears that Dwayne Johnson is playing the “long game,” but fans don’t seem to be 100% down with how he’s playing.

WWE Sticking To WrestleMania 40 Plan (Exclusive)

As I previously reported, this match is locked in. The Rock wanted the contest against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, and it is happening, no matter what fans think. CM Punk’s injury caused WWE to pivot and put Seth Rollins vs Cody Rhodes instead. A triple threat match with Cody vs Rock vs Roman was never on the table, either.

After asking around, 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.

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.

The Thrill Of The Chase Continues: Cody Rhodes Will Come Out On Top, No Matter What Happens At WrestleMania (Editorial)

Dominic DeAngelo
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Cody Rhodes not facing Roman Reigns at WrestleMania is at bare-minimum, bittersweet, but to a great deal of the WWE fanbase, it’s much more than that.

The Rock stepping the line to face his nephew had to feel like an “American Nightmare” scenario for Cody Rhodes fans on Friday. The full video clip of the segment on SmackDown has already become WWE’s most disliked YouTube clip of all time and so from a creative standpoint, that should give WWE a cause for pause if it hasn’t already. WWE clearly has a “Yes Movement Pt. Deux” on its hands. But as Cody mentor DDP once quipped, “that’s not a bad thing, but a good thing.”

Bryan Danielson was the fan-appointed favorite and for good reason. Just like Cody, the 2014 Daniel Bryan had synergy with wrestling fans and there was no denying riding with him was the move that should have been done. Poor Batista found himself in The Rock spot and he, along with Orton, became the unfortunate conduits for fan ire. Could that segment on SmackDown do the same for The People’s Champion?

The moment has gotten a lot of heat from fans, but how it was executed from all parties involved was beautifully done. Reigns immediately re-established the ability to hang with anyone behind the stick, but Cody became the main man to lay the groundwork for everyone involved. Sure, Roman went scorched earth on Rollins and his ‘Big Gold,’ but that can simply be chalked up to his manipulative ways. Plus, Seth did the same to Roman’s hardware on Monday, calling it a “Hollywood” championship.

It was Cody who helped bring Roman’s Title back to relevance, conjuring up the lineage from the Bruno Sammartino days. If WWE wants to make both titles feel equally desirable, a confrontation between Roman and Seth would do wonders.

Fans are hung up on Rhodes willingly calling an audible with The Rock usurping him in Philly, but Cody’s story ties perfectly into that match up that fans feel scornful of: the aspect of family.

Why does The Rock want Roman? His nephew has corrupted the Maivia and A’noai legacy and turned it into something self-serving. Cody knows all about legacy. The loving ties he has to his late father have been something fans have cherished throughout Cody’s story, so Cody would be the perfect man to understand The Rock’s intentions of wanting to end Roman’s reign. This is all the reason you need to have those respective matches at WrestleMania 40. Which leads me back to “Yes Movement Part Deux”

Can The Rock really be the recipient of boos in Philadelphia? The City of Brotherly Love have shown they aren’t above throwing batteries at Santa Claus, so yes, absolutely. However, it’s a match that has to happen and no matter what, despite what’s being said, it is the proper stage for it to go down on. The fans are who can ultimately change the course of what truly transpires at WrestleMania. Perhaps this feedback will force WWE’s hand in Cody really finishing his story, not just against Seth, but Roman too or maybe even The Rock.

At the very least, it will continue to add an unexpected chapter to Cody’s story: “‘The Thrill Of The Chase’ Continues” – a chapter Dusty originally penned. These hard times will pay off for The American Nightmare, because he has the fans on his side.

Mark Henry’s Son Jacob Henry Commits To Wrestle For University of Oklahoma

Aaron Varble
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Mark Henry is a WWE Hall of Famer, and he’s very proud of his body of work in the ring. Now, it is his son’s turn to get the spotlight, but he’s doing so under the bright lights in Boomer Sooner Country.

Jacob Henry Is A Boomer Sooner

Jacob Henry, son of Mark Henry, has announced his commitment to wrestle for the University of Oklahoma. He boasts an impressive high school athletic background. Prior to his senior season.

Jacob Henry’s High School Career

Jacob Henry attended Austin (Texas) Lake Travis, participating in wrestling, football as well as track and field. During his junior year, he achieved notable shot put throws of 50-7 and 50-6, securing a top-four finish in the Texas 6A 285-pound weight class. In his sophomore and freshman years, he consistently demonstrated strength with shot put throws ranging from 48-10.5 to 49-8.

On the gridiron, Jacob Henry showcased his domination in the 2022 football season at Lake Travis. He concluded the junior season with impressive stats, tallying 46 tackles, 4 tackles for loss (TFL), 2 sacks, and 6 quarterback hurries. In his sophomore year, he recorded 28 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 QB hurries. This solid performance reflects his skill and impact on the wrestling mat.

Jacob Henry has a wrestling record of 50 wins and 6 losses, with 36 pins, 3 tech falls, and 1 major decision. His rank value is 1.04 as of January 31, 2024, and these stats cover the period since February 4, 2023.

Jacob Henry’s connections extend to his father, Mark Henry, a former professional weightlifter and one-time World’s Strongest Man. Mark Henry is still employed with AEW, and he has a gig on Busted Open Radio.

Naturally, this gives Jacob Henry an edge over many. Obviously, Jacob Henry is destined for great things, and he’s doing it in Oklahoma. Jim Ross must be very happy about this announcement.

Response Over the Jacob Henry News

Mark Henry reacted on Twitter/X to say: “I am beyond proud of you Jacob. I know that nobody will work harder than you. Now you can add the University of Oklahoma fanbase as family. First honor God, then the Henry name, now the school that you represent. Hookem! and Go Boomer Sooner!”

He then proceeded to flood his timeline with an Instagram link to his son’s big announcement, replying to a variety of random tweets for the next hour or so. Obviously, the World’s Strongest Man is incredibly proud.

Big E replied to this announcement to say, “Maaaaaan. Thrilled for you, Jacob! Been so beautiful to watch your ascent.” Jacob has a cheering section that is certain to grow by leaps and bounds very soon.

Swerve Strickland also commented to remark, “Let’s go,” as Matt Cardona also sent his congratulations to Mark Henry’s son over this big announcement.

Ricochet Calls Pro Wrestling Fans Online Toxic In Response To WrestleMania Backlash

Aaron Varble
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The Rock’s return to WWE caused some fans to unleash fury online. They are not happy at all about how Cody Rhodes lost his spot to Dwayne Johnson, and, while he is a constant Cody Rhodes supporter, Ricochet is speaking out about this.

Ricochet Speaks Out

Initially expected to be in the main event of WrestleMania 40 against Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal championship, Cody Rhodes shifted gears on a recent episode of SmackDown, opting to bring out The Rock instead, passing the torch for that WrestleMania main event match. Now Roman Reigns is in for a showdown with The Rock instead. 

This decision sparked a strong reaction from the Internet Wrestling community, with overwhelming support for Rhodes and negative comments directed at The Rock and WWE. This was noticed by everyone, and WWE even realizes that fans aren’t happy. The match with Rock is on now, and that’s not changing. Ricochet had to speak out after seeing his timeline full of disgruntled fans.

Taking note of the situation, Ricochet shared his perspective on social media. While acknowledging himself as Cody Rhodes’ supporter, he labeled the Internet Wrestling Community as a toxic space. This is something he said he saw amplified in recent memory.

First, let me say there is no bigger Cody supporter than me, ask @SamanthaTheBomb

2nd, you guys have shown me how truly toxic the IWC is haha

Ricochet then sent out a second tweet a short time later, one where he made things very clear about how he feels about The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania spot.

WWE Won’t Be Changing Their Plans

Although fans may want to cry out for a change, that is not happening. Now, it is The Rock vs Roman Reigns. As I previously noted, I was told that there is “no chance in hell” that they’ll give that match back to Cody Rhodes. That exact wording was used, but unlike Vince McMahon’s regime, who was known to make calls along this line, the fact is that The Rock is behind this as a massive power play. 

Booker T To Miss NXT Vengeance Day & Weeks of TV Over Medical Procedure

Thomas Lowson
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Tonight’s NXT Vengeance Day event will sound much different than expected, as Booker T will not be commentating on the show.

On Twitter, the two-time WWE Hall of Famer shared that a medical procedure will keep him from the latest Premium Live Event of the gold brand. Booker will also miss the next few weeks due to this situation and thanked the fans for their support. 

Booker T Behind The Desk

Booker has been a commentator for WWE NXT since October of 2022, and calls the action each week with Vic Joseph. Booker’s tenure with NXT has allowed him to remain close to Roxanne Perez, who was mentored by Booker before she joined WWE. 

Booker’s role as an NXT commentator isn’t his first time behind the desk. In February 2011, shortly after his return to WWE, Booker was revealed as the new color commentator for SmackDown. He has also had multiple stints as a commentator for WWE Monday Night Raw. 

WWE NXT Vengeance Day

Here is the card for WWE NXT: Vengeance Day as it stands: 

  • Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker vs. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams (Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals)
  • Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Roxanne Perez (NXT Women’s Championship)
  • Oba Femi (c) vs. Dragon Lee (NXT North American Championship)
  • The Family (Tony D’Angelo, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, and Adriana Rizzo) vs. Out The Mud (Lucien Price, Bronco Nima, and Jaida Parker) (with Scrypts)
  • Dijak vs. Joe Gacy (No Disqualification Match)
  • Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Trick Williams (NXT Championship)

Backlash Over Cody Rhodes Losing WrestleMania 40 Spot To The Rock Will Not Change WWE’s New Plan

Aaron Varble
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The Rock showed up during the February 2nd episode of WWE SmackDown, and the backlash has been considerable. The YouTube video of the segment, although it has now topped 4 million views, is also the most disliked video in the history of their YouTube channel. Now, another notable name has joined the crusade. That won’t change their plan, because Dwayne Johnson is back to get his match at WrestleMania against Roman Reigns.

Backlash After The Rock’s Return

Fans were not happy about The Rock taking Cody Rhodes spot, no matter how WWE booked it. That moment in the ring where Cody and Rock shook hands has been analyzed by many, and few have drawn a positive conclusion.

Hashtags started and fans cried out for The Rock to give that match back, one that Rhodes earned after winning his second Royal Rumble match in a row. That hasn’t happened, but it’s not because of lack of support. 

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that there was a sense of shock backstage when The Rock showed up to take Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania spot. There was also a hope that fan backlash might sway WWE’s decision for The Rock vs Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. Sadly, that is not happening and WWE is continuing with their plan.

Cody Rhodes Gets Backup From Gabriel Iglesias

Comedian Gabriel Iglesias is a super-fan, and he’s been spotted at WWE and AEW shows. He loves pro wrestling, and it appears he is also a member of the Nightmare Family.

The famously Fluffy comedian posted on Twitter/X to drop a photo of himself with Cody Rhodes. Along with this photo, he included a very simple message that he wanted fans to retweet.

#WeWantCody was the message, and he also included three clapping hands emojis for good measure.

WrestleMania 40 and The Rock (Exclusive)

For what it’s worth, 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.”

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 was also able to confirm that Brian Gewirtz was brought back to the company, but only to work on The Rock’s things. He was a head writer for WWE until Rock took him to work at Seven Bucks Productions, where he is currently the SVP of Development. 

After asking if any of this fan backlash will change these prospective WrestleMania plans, I was told, “there’s no chance in hell.” Yes, that was the exact wording used. No, Vince McMahon is not involved in this picture at all, but The Rock is definitely flexing in a huge way.

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.

Update: WrestleMania Continues To Evolve

I was further told that the only person who could change this match is The Rock himself. I was told by a tenured member of the creative team that, “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.”

Cody Rhodes went on to make a decision to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. This caused The Rock to slap him during the company’s Las Vegas WrestleMania kickoff event in the T-Mobile arena. 

SE Scoops will have continued updates as more information is made known. The Rock is not out of this picture yet, and he still wants the match.  He told Triple H to “fix” things as the Las Vegas event closed out.

The Walking Dead Author Joins Forces with Chris Jericho for New Film

Aaron Varble
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Chris Jericho’s career is not limited to the pro wrestling ring. He is known for stepping on a stage and rocking out with Fozzy, but he has also landed a few acting gigs in the past. Now, he has another role outside AEW.

Chris Jericho’s New Acting Gig

Deadline reports that Chris Jericho is embarking on a new project, teaming up with The Walking Dead author Jay Bonansinga for the psychological thriller “Self Storage.” The film is based on Bonansinga’s 2016 novel of the same name. Lew Temple is featured as the lead character, John Fitzgerald, but Jericho also has a part in the project in a supporting role.

The movie revolves around a heroin-addicted father and his son accidentally locking themselves inside a self-storage unit. Their survival hinges on a battle with demons, both real and manufactured by drug withdrawal.

Bonansinga is known for directing the short films “City of Men” and “Stash,” will take on the director’s role, working from the script he also wrote. The movie is set to be executive produced by Jericho’s Babyface Assassin Productions, alongside Bonansinga, Jeff Siegel for Delirium Tremens, and Jason Cherubini for Dawn’s Light.

Chris Jericho’s Previous Acting Experience

Jericho has previously starred in productions like “Country Hearts Christmas” and “Terrifier 2.” We also cannot forget how he played a klansman in the “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.”

In addition to his film ventures, the former AEW World Heavyweight Champion is still a full-time wrestler. He is currently scheduled to wrestle Konosuke Takeshita on the upcoming episode of Dynamite.

Allegations Against Chris Jericho

Although the controversy has somewhat faded, due to Vince McMahon’s scandal taking every headline for weeks, Jericho just came out of his own scandal. He was called out for having NDAs signed to keep stories out of the public, and then allegations involving Kylie Rae surfaced. The former AEW star added fuel to the fire by reacting to one tweet concerning those allegations.

Maria Kanellis Hopes ‘Justice Is Served’ In Vince McMahon WWE Scandal

Dominic DeAngelo
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Maria Kanellis wants light to be shed on the darkness of the ongoing Vince McMahon allegations, which gets muddier by the week.

Just as WWE was set to celebrate Royal Rumble weekend, the Wall Street Journal released information on a 67-page lawsuit against McMahon and heinous allegations of sexual assaullt against former employee Janel Grant.

Kanellis, a former WWE talent, has already gave her thoughts on McMahon in the past, but offered a new response since John Laurinaitis’ legal counsel issued a statement, claiming that he himself was a victim of Vince’s power.

“All the news coming out is horrible. Many of us experienced or heard rumors of different levels of evil for years. Some tried to speak up to build momentum to change the culture in WWE. Many times we’ve been called bitter or crazy. Others have been paralyzed by fear. I just hope justice is served and I hope this brings some people peace. I pray for all of the victims, the ones that have spoke up, the ones no longer with us, and the ones that suffer in silence.”

https://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis/status/1753488593828421905

It’s not just former employees who have commented on the McMahon allegations as Cody Rhodes, Shawn Michaels and Triple H have all been asked to address the matter. Michaels was the latest, stating that everyone in NXT is aware of the matter and called it an incredibly sad situation. Both Cody Rhodes and Triple H were asked about Vince during the Royal Rumble Press Conference on Saturday and gave their own degree of a response.

Watch: Cody Rhodes’ Heartwarming Gesture Towards Impaired Fan at Live Event

Bishal Roy
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WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes has yet again shared a heartwarming moment with a fan.

‘The American Nightmare’ has earned a reputation for his genuine kindness and memorable interactions with fans throughout his career. Despite being a larger-than-life figure in the world of pro wrestling, he has always made an effort to connect with his fans on a personal level.

Cody Rhodes often takes time to meet fans, sign autographs, and take photos at events. Whether it’s a major wrestling show or a small indie event, Cody’s humble nature has left a lasting impression on fans. He certainly goes out of his way to make each encounter special and ensures that fans feel appreciated and valued.

Cody Rhodes interacts with an impaired fan

At a Saturday’s live event at Knoxville Civic Coliseum in Knoxville, TN. Cody Rhodes spotted a fan who was impaired. In a video clip that surfaced on Twitter, ‘The American Nightmare’ read out the fan sign saying: 

“Legally blind but trying to see Cody Rhodes”

Cody then left the ring, went over the barricade, and hugged the fan before signing an autograph as the fans cheered on.

Cody Rhodes recently won the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. While everybody though that he would challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion,The Rock entered the fray. 

‘The Great One’ made his huge return on Friday’s episode of SmackDown and it stirred new controversy. The Rock took Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania main event spot against Roman Reigns.

We previously reported how WWE fans have spoken out against The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ spot and they have even started a trend of Justice for Cody on social media as well as bombarding WWE’s posts on the matter.

WWE Trying To Figure Out How To Erase Vince McMahon From Company History

Aaron Varble
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Vince McMahon resigned from WWE after Janel Grant’s lawsuit was brought to the public. When Slim Jim pulled their Royal Rumble sponsorship, it could have been a slippery slope of dominoes falling after that, but they returned after Vince left. Now, it appears that 2k doesn’t want to even feature him. The company is also trying to figure out a way to erase him all together. 

Allegations Against Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon faces accusations of sexual trafficking, sexual assault, and misconduct from former WWE employee Janel Grant. She also alleges that McMahon shared explicit content of her without consent, involving WWE personnel, undisclosed executives, and wrestling stars.

In the aftermath of the sexual trafficking lawsuit, Vince McMahon resigned from WWE and TKO Holdings, vowing to challenge the allegations and maintaining their complete baselessness.

WWE 2K24 Reportedly Taking Action With McMahon

WWE 2K24 is set to be released in a matter of months. The game is pretty much ready when it comes to the bigger elements, and Mr. McMahon could be a big part of that. Now, 2k is reportedly trying to do what they can to lighten the McMahon factor in the game.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer approached this subject of McMahon and 2K. He said that the 2K team is trying hard to figure out a way to erase Vince McMahon from their game.

Not only that, but they are also making an attempt to erase Vince from WWE history totally. That may be impossible, but they are going to do everything they can to avoid showing him, or mentioning him in any way.

“They are trying to figure out a situation on how to get him out of the video game, and they’re trying to — which may not be possible, you know, and trying to figure out a way to erase him from history, which is completely impossible, you can’t do it, you know.”

“It’s a very unique and interesting situation that we’re probably going to be hearing about constantly.’

The new WWE 2K24 game will feature a Forty Years of WrestleMania mode. It will be very difficult to tell the forty-year story of the show of shows without mentioning Vince McMahon. He is undoubtably in many cut scenes throughout the storyline of that feature, but now it appears he may hit the cutting room floor.

WWE has totally nixed others in the past, erasing them to the best of their ability. Interestingly enough, Rita Chatterton received that same treatment, as her allegation of sexual assault against Vince McMahon is now seeing a new spotlight.

When WWE 2K24 Will Be Released

WWE 2K24 will drop on March 8, 2024. Fans can already pre-order the game online.

WWE 2K23, reviewed favorably by SEScoops, was launched on March 14th, 2023, available on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

SE Scoops will continue monitoring the evolving story of Vince McMahon, and whatever else happens next. It will be interesting to see how much of McMahon they are able to scrub from WWE 2K24.

Nic Nemeth To Star in ‘Absolute Thunder’ Film Adaptation of Sci-Fi Wrestling Comic Book

Thomas Lowson
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TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Nic Nemeth is set to star in a new wrestling-themed film based on a popular comic book series. 

The ‘Wanted Man’ has been announced for Imagos Films‘ live-action adaptation of Kyle Starks’ comic book, The Legend of Ricky Thunder, though the film will be called Absolute Thunder. Nemeth will star as Thunder, a legendary wrestler who is forced to face the crushing truth that his run at the top was all scripted. As if that isn’t bad enough, Ricky also has to deal with the fact that aliens are real and plan to take over the world through the power of pro wrestling. 

Nic Nemeth Comments

In a press release, Nemeth said that when he was presented with the project, he couldn’t say no in good conscience. 

“Kyle Starks’ comic book was presented to me out of the blue, and wow was it beautiful, fun, awesome, and wholesome. So I could not, in good conscience, say no! Second of all, I AM Ricky…we all are haha!”

Absolute Thunder director Don Thacker has described the movie as 80s action comedy meets 90s anime. He has also said the film will tell a “wholesome story about friendship, confidence, self-esteem, and wrestling. So much wrestling.”

Nic Nemeth On the Big Screen

Absolute Thunder won’t be Nemeth’s first time in a leading role. In 2016, he portrayed Ray Thompson in WWE Studios’ own Countdown. The film sees Thompson try and prevent a terrorist attack at a WWE event while saving the life of a child hostage. Ziggler portrayed a robotic version of himself in The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania! He will also star in Drugstore Jone, a new comedy set to release this month. 

Justin Gabriel: Vince McMahon’s Bats**t Crazy, But You Have to Be to Be a Billionaire

Thomas Lowson
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Vince McMahon may be crazy, but perhaps craziness is what it takes to reach the heights he has reached, according to one former Superstar. 

McMahon re-signed from TKO and WWE last week, 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.”

Justin Gabriel on Vince McMahon 

One person who worked under McMahon for years as a WWE Superstar was PJ Black, better known as Justin Gabriel. On a recent edition of the Cafe de Rene podcast, Black was asked by Rene Dupree for when he realized McMahon was “bats**t crazy.”

“From day one. I mean all billionaires, I work with a lot of billionaires and I know a lot of billionaires so you have to be crazy to think on that level, you know? But I mean there’s a fine line between crazy and genius. And at the end of the day he is a genius. Say what you want about him, he’s a genius. He’s a self-made billionaire. Anyone who’s a self-made billionaire is crazy and a genius and comes with a lot of different labels.

“I’ve always had good interactions with him he’s he’s definitely a strange character, yeah. Bats**t crazy is the way to describe him. But you know like I there’s a good way to describe that and a bad way right I only saw the good sides of that so [I was]very fortunate. Very fortunate.”

Justin Gabriel on John Lauriniaitis

Former McMahon confidante John Lauriniaitis is also named in the litigation, though has claimed that he’s a victim in this situation, not a predator. On the show, Black recalled his relationship with ‘Johnny Ace’ and how his brothers once worked for the promotion run by Black’s father. 

“He loved me. Because he’s the guy that signed me. He kind of knew who my dad was because his two younger brothers worked for my dad back in the day… they were big stars in South Africa. They looked great and my dad had them come to the ring with motorcycles and they had the badass metal music. They were just so over in South Africa and little did I know I was gonna get signed by their older brother one day.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESLgsHkbuC4

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

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