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Heartfelt Promise: Cody Rhodes Vows to Attend Young Fan’s 5th Birthday Celebration

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Cody Rhodes has fans all around the world, and they are all too aware that he is one of the best babyfaces on the planet. He’s known to go above and beyond for the fans, and this is no exception.

Rhodes, who is known for his genuine connection with fans, recently pledged to attend a young supporter’s 5th birthday celebration following a WWE live event. Of course, this was captured on video and now we have the clip here.

Known for his ability to prioritize fan interactions during WWE live events, and sometimes going viral in the process, this is no exception. Rhodes consistently takes time to greet fans, sign autographs, and take photos with his Nightmare Family at ringside. He’s also known to engage in banter from time to time.

Best Birthday Party Guest Ever?

During a recent WWE Live Event in North Charleston, Rhodes noticed a fan holding a sign inviting him to their upcoming fifth birthday party. While engaging with the fan, Rhodes inquired about the date and volunteered to bring a gift or a casserole. That was followed by accepting this young fans’ offer.

Should I go to his birthday party? When is it, June 25th? Am I supposed to bring a gift? I could bring a casserole. I’m supposed to bring a casserole to his 5th birthday which is gonna be on a Wednesday. North Charleston, should I do it? My answer is yes.”

Cody Accepting Fan Invites

This is nothing new for Cody Rhodes. He once agreed to be the best man at a fan’s wedding as well. We’re not sure if he followed through with that yet, but he has a very busy schedule with WWE.

Only time will tell if Cody is able to make that June 25th birthday party in North Charleston. It seems like he is marking off the day for this young fan.

SEScoops will have more on this story if additional details are made available. Keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines on the stories you need.

Daily Drop (3/18): WWE’s Becky Lynch Meets Joe Biden, AEW Star Swerve Strickland Rocks Rolling Loud LA

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Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Monday, March 18. Yesterday saw some big headlines, and today will be another big one on the road to WrestleMania. Let’s get right into today’s Daily Drop!

Days until WrestleMania 40: 19

WWE:

Becky Lynch represented WWE and Ireland at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day. She posed with President Joe Biden, and he apparently gave his endorsement to The Man to win against Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40.

Brian Gerwirtz pushed back on the narrative that The Rock went over time during SmackDown last week. He claims that Rock went 30 minutes UNDER his allotted time.

Cora Jade was spotted at Rolling Loud Los Angeles, and she captured a ton of attention in the process.

The Rock fired back at the idea that people don’t like his foul mouth. He doesn’t seem to care what anyone thinks about what he has to say, which fits his heel moniker perfectly at this point.

Full WWE Raw Match 3/18 Card:

  • Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax
  • WrestleMania WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Miz & R-Truth vs. “Indus Sher” Sanga & Veer
  • WrestleMania WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: “Alpha Academy” Otis & Akira Tozawa vs. “The New Day” Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods
  • WrestleMania WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Creed Brothers vs. “DIY” Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano

AEW:

– After making his debut for AAA, Parker Boudreaux said that AAA is one of his new homes. We’re not sure about his AEW status, but he hasn’t been back there in a year at this point.

Kenny Omega had a glowing review of John Cena’s career.

El Hijo del Vikingo had to relinquish his AAA title due to injury.

Swerve Strickland performed at Rolling Loud Los Angeles. It looks like he received a great reception during the festival.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events:

  • WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
  • WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
  • AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
  • Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.

Psicosis Expresses Gratitude to Fans For Support During Medical Emergency

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WCW legend Psicosis has expressed his gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support and for providing financial assistance during this difficult time. 

On Thursday, February 15, Psicosis suffered a fall while working and he wasn’t sure regarding the seriousness of the injury. A few days passed and the veteran star’s pain was not subsiding. This is when Fellow Luchador Damian recommended him to get medical evaluation and the diagnosis revealed a serious injury.

After he arrived at the hospital, scans showed that Psicosis had sustained a broken right hip. He was informed that it required emergency surgery. The procedure was a success and he will need a significant amount of time to recuperate. Psicosis has disclosed that he has been given a timeline of six months.

Psicosis thanks the fans for the support

Taking to his Twitter/X account, Psicosis issued a statement detailing the scary incident. He revealed that he is in absolute rest and some shed light on his recovery period. 

The 52-year-old star also thanked the fans who donated to the GoFundMe campaign that has been launched to assist the wrestling veteran during his recovery:

“On February 15, 2024, I suffered a fall at work. At the time, I didn’t know how serious the fall was. A few days passed and Damian recommended that I go to the hospital because the pain was not subsiding.

I took his advice and went to the hospital where they informed me that my right hip was broken. The doctors recommended that I stay in the hospital and undergo emergency surgery.

Thank God, the operation was a success and I am currently in absolute rest with the company of my family. However, I will be in recovery for the next 6 months.

My friend Ruben from Masked Republic opened a GoFundMe to raise funds to support me with different expenses that will arise during my recovery time.

I thank you all for your support during this time.

Psicosis made his wrestling debut in 1989 after being trained by Rey Mysterio Sr. In America, he is known for his stints with WCW where he mainly competed in the company’s cruiserweight division. 

During this time, he wrestled alongside people such as Juventud Guerrera, and Rey Mysterio Jr. and also held the Cruiserweight title for a short period. 

Over 50 donations so far have brought more than $7500 of the $20,000 goal. Wrestling veteran Chris Jericho has made a hefty donation of $3500 to help his former colleague. You can also donate to help the former champion here.

We at SEScoops wish Psicosis a swift recovery.

Larry Zbyszko On Scott Hall Never Becoming A World Champion

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Larry Zbyszko was good friends with Scott Hall and knew that “The Bad Guy” was in a very unique class.

Larry was a special substitute co-host on “The Snake Pit” and was covering his 1997 WCW Starrcade match against Eric Bischoff, but touched upon a lot of other topics in his career, including his feud with Scott Hall. Zbyskzo became a big babyface in the the battle, becoming one of the top “soldiers” in the WCW army against the NWO.

While forever a historical figure in the world of pro wrestling Scott Hall never happened to win a World Title for a major wrestling promotion. He was slated to become the AWA World Champion, but happened to see the writing on the wall  for the company and decided to leap to WCW. Zbyszko was asked by host Marcus DeAngelo why The Lone Wolf never held “big gold.”

“If you’re over like Scott was, it doesn’t matter if you’re the world champion or not, in terms of drawing money and being of value,” Zbysko said. “Scott did a great job. God, it was such a sad thing. He had some problems, but he had the ability to come walking out with the toothpick and made [being a bad guy] cool.”

Zbyszko goes on to say that it broke his heart that Scott Hall was going through substance abuse issues, noting how Hall made a night of wrestling easy for him.

March 14 marked two years since Hall passed away, but his impact on the business will always carry on. Just recently at Elimination Chamber, Becky Lynch paid homage by wearing “blood drip”-themed ring gear.

Please credit “The Snake Pit” and h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Brian Gewirtz Pushes Back About The Rock Going Over Time On SmackDown

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The Rock rocked Music City on Friday’s WWE SmackDown and happened to do so with extra time to spare, according to former WWE Head Writer, Brian Gewirtz.

WWE was in Memphis, TN for SmackDown and it was The Rock who kicked off the festivities. Unlike he did in past weeks, The People’s Champ didn’t run down the hometown of Elvis, calling it “home” himself as he got his start there as Flex Kavana with Memphis Wrestling. However, the gloves came off when it came to Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes, and particularly, Cody’s mom, which was The Rock’s main target.

However, a report from Fightful Select said that The Rock went over way his time for the segment and that one match was cut for time. The Rock going over was reportedly expected with accomodations likely set, but Brian Gewirtz took to social media to dispel the notion that The Rock ran late.

“The segment went 30 seconds under its allotted 20 minutes.”

Gewirtz has been The Rock’s go-to guy as a writer since both were in WWE  and the two have obviously played a big role since getting back into the WWE fold. 

Whether The Rock does go over time, it really “doesn’t matter” considering he’s such a huge star and is on WWE’s Board Of Directors. He notoriously has found different routes to get the word out about promoting his SmackDown appearances by utilizing social media and has already cut several memorable promos that he also sprinkled with colorful language not suited for television.

MLW Once Upon A Time In New York Results: Matt Riddle vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr., Kojima In Action

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This recap was originally written by SEScoops’ staff writer Dominic DeAngelo on MLW.com

It’s a big weekend as MLW presents Once Upon A Time In New York! Who is the first person to welcome the Melrose Ballroom but Cesar Duran! He promises some intense lucha action and makes the challenge to Salina de la Renta to bring her best luchadores to Azteca Lucha on May 11 in Chicago to challenge his roster. He also promises a female luchadora to challenge Janai Kai but who comes in but Zayda Steel and Brett Ryan Gosselin. They take exception to Duran thinking he’s going to step in front of the line for a Featherweight title shot and Zayda eventually asks him why lucha libre promoters are so shady. Up pops Salina de la Renta on the screen. She disparages the intellect of BRG & Zayda (combined) and she accepts Duran’s challenge for Chicago as Rocky Romero unleashes shots on an Azteca henchmen.

BRG calls Rocky John Stamos and makes his way to the ring for the opening match.

MATCH 1
Scramble Match
Brett Ryan Gosselin vs. Love, Doug vs. Ichiban vs. Marcus Mathers vs. Dyln McCay vs. Cannonball

Before Cannonball can even make it to the entryway, AKIRA and Jake Crist jump him which causes an all-out brawl between The Calling & The Response. Cannonball is left laying but the match is underway.

Big highlights from the likes of Marcus Mathers & McCay as both use their tag team synergy to control a good deal of the bout. Love, Doug proves that love is a battlefield in this one, but does get caught with a beautiful tornado DDT by McCay. Cannonball does come to and dominates as expected. However, BRG proves himself to be the opportunist when he downs Doug and puts his feet on the ropes for the 1-2-3.

WINNER: Brett Ryan Gosselin

MATCH 2
Bad Dude Tito (presented by Salina de la Renta) vs. Azteca 66

What a major signing by Salina de la Renta and Promociones Dorado as Bad Dude Tito walks out to the ring and he’s sure to make short work of Azteca 66. A massive lariat followed up by a Scott Steiner-esque screwdriver gets him the easy 1-2-3.

WINNER: Bad Dude Tito

Next up, out comes Mister Saint Laurent to introduce WTF’s latest signing in AJ Francis. Francis goes down to the ring to rip apart New York City which prompts Alex Kane, Faye Jackson and Mr. Thomas to come out. Kane makes clear that BOMAYE is for the people and NYC is the people. Francis says that Kane let down their elders by losing the World Title to in Black History Month. That prompts Mr. Thomas to handle business and the fight begins.

MATCH 3
AJ Francis vs. Mr. Thomas (with Alex Kane & Faye Jackson)

What a straight up FIGHT this match starts out as and both men clearly have the power to topple one another. Mr. Thomas has a bit more speed but gets caught by Francis who pulls Thomas up for a massive powerbomb.

However, Thomas later catches Francis off-guard with a leaping hurricanrana! He then splashes Francis in the corner. MSL gets on the apron for a quick distraction and Francis picks Thomas up for the Cash Out! 1-2-3!

WINNER: AJ Francis

The feed is cut by CONTRA and Mads Krule Krugger and he promises a new army of new soldiers in the Sentai Death Squad. “A reckoning is coming.”

MATCH 4
Zayda Steel vs. Delmi Exo

Salina de la Renta is on commentary as Zayda and Delmi are well aware of the stakes in this match. There’s some good grappling in this match and the momentum teeters back and forth in the favor of both Featherweights.

Zayda has an impressive flurry and channels Steve Blackman by sweeping Delmi’s leg. Eventually, an Azteca henchman hops on the ring apron which stops Zayda from hitting the Killswitch. Exo shows her savvy and catches Zayda with a Delmi Driver for the pinfall victory.

WINNER: Delmi Exo

Post-fight, out comes Cesar Duran who offers his hand to Delmi and she accepts. Zayda begins to talk trash to Salina on stage and she gets a hard shot from Janai Kai! All out chaos ensues! Cesar wants Janai to put her title right now on the line, but Salina says that he doesn’t control the show.

MATCH 5
Davey Boy Smith Jr. (with MSL & Joshua Bishop) vs. Matt Riddle

Riddle is beginning the feel like Public Enemy #1 for the World Titan Federation and him and Davey Boy Smith Jr. are going to be a battle for ages. It sure is as submissions are applied and power strikes are unleashed. DBS channels moves from his Hart Dungeon legacy including a Crippler Crossface and Uncle Bret’s Sharpshooter!

However, Riddle’s resiliency and MMA background comes in great handy. DBS seems to have the win with a sitdown pin, but it’s Riddle who rolls him over for the 1-2-3!

WINNER: Matt Riddle

You know it’s a big night in Major League Wrestling when Court Bauer comes out for a big announcement and being from NYC, Court is ready to go, but the feed cuts and Mads Krugger has a target in sight: it’s Bauer. A legion of the Sentai Death Squad comes out and begins ambushing Bauer and the roster! So many fighters are laid out and sure enough, CONTRA had their clutches on Court. Thankfully, SGC and league officials come out to attend to Bauer and the victims from CONTRA.

MATCH 6
Magnus (with Cesar Duran) vs. Star Jr. (presented by Salina de la Renta)

This is a much different type of lucha fight as Magnus and Star Jr. do a great deal of brawling on the outside. Both men do utilize their high-flying including an amazing over-the-top senton flip over the ring post to the outside by Star Jr.!

Magnus fights on, but does get caught with a MASSIVE superplex. Star Jr. gets to the apron and does a springboard double stomp for the pinfall finish! A big win for Promociones Dorado and Salina’s bid for Mistico’s Middleweight gold!

WINNER: Star Jr.

Duran soon gets his retribution. Cesar is seen whistling and happens to walk up on a fallen Rocky Romero. He puts coins over his eyes and it seems like El Jefe has taken out Salina’s Numero Uno!

It’s main event time.

MAIN EVENT
Alex Kane & CozyMax vs. WTF (Tom Lawlor, Richard Holliday & Joshua Bishop)

Okumura and Holliday duke it out, but eventually reach a stand-off. Okumura tags in Alex Kane and Holliday turns in Lawlor. These two have the grapple game down. However Lawlor utilizes his kicking strength but it’s not long before Lawlor gets caught with a CRISP belly-to-belly suplex. It’s a near fall for the former World Champ.

Big double suplex by Kane and Okumura as they get another two count. Lawlor soon manages to roll Okumura over to his corner and one half of CozyMax is isolated.

Holliday and Okumura are the two to go at it for a bit and then it’s back to Lawlor and Kane. Bishop finally gets in the mix and shows his pure strength against Kane, but it was Kojima who made a blind tag to Kane’s back while in the corner. Kojima may have an injured MCL, but that doesn’t stop him from hitting a beauty of a Lariato! He covers: 1-2-3!

WINNERS: CozyMax & Alex Kane

Post-fight, the celebration is about to begin, but in comes Davey Boy Smith to tip the scales. WTF takes over the ring as they beat down their three opponents. Suddenly backstage catches word of a brawl between The Calling & The Response. It’s just all-out unruliness as it’s ultimately the World Titan Federation who stand tall!

Rikishi Excited For Jey Uso vs Jimmy Uso ‘Dream Match’ At WrestleMania 40

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WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi is thrilled to know that his sons, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso will lock horns at WrestleMania 40 next month.

The sibling rivalry between Main Event Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso has been boiling for months now. It was at WWE SummerSlam last year that Jimmy crossed his brother Jey during the Tribal Combat match against Roman Reigns. It cost Jey the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Jimmy would later explain that he did it to protect his brother. This wasn’t the only time something like this happened.

Most recently Jimmy Uso went on to distract Jey and once again cost his brother the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Gunther during the Febraury 19th Raw. Tired of his brother poking his nose in his business, Jey Uso issued a challenge to his twin brother and Jimmy accepted.

Rikishi is delighted for Jey Uso vs Jimmy Uso

On Rikishi Fatu Off The Top, the legendary WWE superstar was questioned about what has been labeled as a dream match. It seems that Rikishi is excited about the match being booked because of his relation to both the stars and of course, due to the significance it holds for the whole Bloodline. Here is what he said:

“That’s exciting news. Man, I’m excited, to be able to have the boys out there. Another historic…Bloodline, family tree, news, whatever you want to call it, but to have my two sons out there on WrestleMania finally going after it together,

This is a big deal for the whole fans everybody. You’re finally gonna see the dream match, Uso vs. Uso, Yeet vs. No Yeet. It’s gonna be exciting. I’m very happy to be the last to know about it.”

Fans have witnessed plenty of sibling rivalries in the past and this match at ‘The Grandest Stage of Them All’ will certainly script some career-defining moments for them. 

Rikishi has teased getting involved with the Bloodline story for long and he could very well play a part in this clash in some way. 

WrestleMania 40 takes place on April 6 & 7 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

End Of An Era: WWE Hosts Its Final Event At Historic James Brown Arena in Augusta, GA

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WWE’s Road to WrestleMania saw the Superstars travel to Augusta’s James Brown Arena, for what will be the final time. 

Over 6,000 fans attended the final WWE event at the James Brown Arena for the show that took place on March 17. It was fitting that Georgia’s own Cody Rhodes headlined the show with a hard-fought victory over Drew McIntyre. 

The historic venue is set to close this summer and will be rebuilt from the ground up, the new facility is expected to open sometime in 2026. 

WWE Augusta Results

Here are the results of WWE’s final event in the James Brown Arena: 

  • R-Truth def. Dominik Mysterio by DQ
  • R-Truth & New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) def. Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, & Dominik Mysterio)
  • AJ Styles def. Carlito
  • WWE Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) def. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler
  • Sami Zayn def. Shinsuke Nakamura
  • LA Knight def. Solo Sikoa
  • Omos def. Akira Tozawa
  • Naomi & Bianca Belair def. IYO SKY & Kairi Sane
  • Street Fight: Cody Rhodes def. Drew McIntyre

Wrestling at the James Brown Arena

WWE’s biggest event at the historic venue came on December 3, 2006, when WWE-ECW held its first, and last, brand-exclusive pay-per-view. December to Dismember saw 4,800 fans watch on as Bobby Lashley became ECW World Champion in the first, and last, Extreme Elimination Chamber match. 

WWE also hosted several untelevised events at the venue, the first being in February 1985. The show’s main event saw Tito Santana defeat Intercontinental Champion Greg Valentine via count-out, meaning ‘The Hammer’ kept the gold. WCW also hosted untelevised events at the arena. 

TNA World Title Matches Set for April 2024 Starrcast Downunder Convention

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Championships from TNA Wrestling will be on the line in Australia next month as part of an event that’ll see some of the biggest stars in wrestling go ‘down under.’

The Starrcast Downunder convention will take place from April 11 to April 14, from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Guests named for the convention include Bret Hart, Mickie James, Eric Bischoff, Bull Nakano, SoCal Val, Alicia Fox, Powerhouse Hobbs and Chris Masters, among others. The event will be presented by Oceania Pro Wrestling (OPW), in partnership with Visit Victoria. 

TNA Wrestling at Starrcast

The upcoming convention will see plenty of TNA participation. It has been announced that TNA World Champion Moose will put his title on the line against Josh Alexander. The challenger never lost the title but his record-breaking reign ended in 2023 due to an injury. This match will go down at the Australian Stampede on April 13 at the Selkirk Stadium, and will be curated by Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart.’

On the women’s side of things, the HER event will be hosted by Mickie James and will also see TNA gold on the line. TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace will defend against Delta, the most dominant force in the Australian wrestling scene. That show will take place on April 12 from the Selkirk Stadium.

In addition to the three TNA talents named in these matches, Starrcast Downunder will also see KUSHIDA make an appearance. 

TNA Wrestling in Australia

Starrcast Downunder will mark TNA’s return to Australia after hosting its Down Under Tour in the summer of last year. That tour saw the roster, host shows at the Equex Centre in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. 

Parker Boudreaux Says AAA is ‘Home’ Amid AEW Hiatus

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WWE had Parker Boudreaux in their NXT brand for a while, and he performed under the name Harlow. Now, he is off to new ventures, and it appears that he is branching out into a new home as well.

Parker Boudreaux recently showed up at a AAA show. Fans had a lot of questions about his AEW status, because it’s been a year since he has been seen on Tony Khan’s shows. Now, Parker has something to say about his situation.

Parker Boudreaux Speaks

During the AAA event on March 17, Parker Boudreaux made an unexpected appearance. As part of his debut, he targeted Octagon Jr. and Mecha Wolf, prompting El Mesías to intervene and confront Boudreaux. Now, fans are wondering what is going on with his status in the pro wrestling world.

In an Instagram video by Lucha Libre Online, Parker Boudreaux discussed his debut with AAA and his motives for being there. He made it clear that AAA is a new home for him, but it isn’t the only one.

“I’m here to show the whole world that I’m the big guy, the most versatile young athlete/wrestler there is on the market right now, and I’m with AAA, one of my new homes. I can’t wait to show the whole world what’s up,” Boudreaux stated.

He hinted at ongoing developments between himself and Mesías, urging fans to stay tuned for further updates. He seems to have something brewing in AAA, but that doesn’t include Tony Khan’s company.

Parker Boudreaux has been absent from wrestling since March 2023. He was taken out of action with an injury, and he hasn’t been seen since. Now, we have to wonder if the former NXT Superstar’s time in AEW is over.

What’s Next For Parker

Parker did not say that he is 100% gone from AEW. Tony Khan did remove him from the Mogul Affiliates stable when he was injured, and Swerve Strickland went in another direction with his faction.

At this point, Parker will keep making a lot of noise wherever he goes. At this point, fans should expect him to display a raw dominance in the ring. Hopefully, he gets plenty of chances to show fans what he is capable of in the future.

SEScoops will keep our eye on this story, and so much more, as it develops. Keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines and updates! 

WWE NXT’s Cora Jade Steals the Show While Attending Rolling Loud Los Angeles Festival

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WWE has a few Superstars who are out of action with injuries, and NXT lost a big asset when Cora Jade was taken out of action. Despite that injury setback, she’s not going to let it interfere with her concert experience.

Cora Jade was recently spotted at Rolling Loud in Los Angeles. She had a big smile on her face while posing for social media. It was obviously great to get out for the big music festival.

Rolling Loud LA x Cora Jade

Cora Jade may be out of action with an ACL injury, but she still commands attention whenever she is spotted. She took the opportunity to attend Rolling Loud in Los Angeles, and it was quite a show.

In a recent update shared on her Instagram, Cora Jade unveiled snapshots of herself at the Rolling Loud concert. Despite wearing a knee brace, she was very happy to be there.

Artists like Future, Metro Boomin, Chief Keef, and NLE Choppa were featured at the concert, but Cora Jade wasn’t the only pro wrestling representative there. In fact, Swerve Strickland had a spot on the big lineup.

Cora Jade lives in Orlando, so this was quite a trip for her. She obviously had no issue flying out to Los Angeles for the show, even with her injury.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C4ouG9fPgmS

Jade’s Injury

Cora Jade’s journey in pro wrestling faced its share of obstacles. She tore her ACL recently, and she’s on the mend now. That sad injury came just months after she returned to the ring from a long hiatus.

Despite the setback, she hasn’t allowed it to dampen her spirits. It’s good to see Cora Jade is getting out there. Hopefully, she will be back on NXT television soon enough.

SEScoops will have more from this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling world. You never know what will happen next, especially with so much going on.

Handshake Deal: NJPW Talent Was Working Without A Contract Until Recently

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Pro wrestling contracts are very important to the business. It helps companies lock down talent to make sure they can use them for later. Then again, contracts are not essential in every case.

It seems that NJPW star Gabe Kidd has actually been working without a contract. This has left him working for the company for well over a month on a handshake deal.

Gabriel Kidd’s Contract Status

According to Fightful Select, Gabe Kidd’s contract with NJPW was expected to expire in January. It lapsed, leaving him without a contract for approximately a month and a half.

Despite this contract situation, he continued to participate in key events such as the major cage match with Bullet Club War Dogs in February and New Japan Cup matches in March.

Now it is reported that Kidd has inked a new deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling. The specifics of the contract terms have yet to be disclosed. During the past few weeks, Kidd has been in Japan, actively participating in matches for the New Japan Cup shows.

Gabe Kidd in NJPW

Gabe Kidd is known for his contributions to Bullet Club and Bullet Club War Dogs, the 26-year-old wrestler is viewed as a potential rising star within NJPW. Now, it seems that he will be sticking around NJPW for even longer.

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

The Man Goes To Washington: Becky Lynch Represents WWE With President Joe Biden

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Becky Lynch has been afforded a ton of great opportunities in her career. Now, she can add meeting President Joe Biden to that list. The Man was in Washington DC today for St. Patrick’s Day, and she had quite a time.

President Biden met with Becky Lynch today, as she represented Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day. She was received a vote of confidence from Biden as he said that she is going to win it all.

Becky Goes To Washington

Becky Lynch attended an event at the White House alongside other prominent Irish figures on St. Patrick’s Day. Following the occasion, she shared her thoughts on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to represent both Ireland and WWE.

It was an honor to represent Ireland & @WWE for St. Patrick’s Day at the @whitehouse. @POTUS said Becky Balboa is winning it all in Philly, had myself a pint, and even classed up the library with a little gift

Now that The Man has the POTUS’ endorsement, it looks like she is going into WrestleMania 40 with even more steam. We will have to see if this boost of confidence gives Lynch added motivation for the grandest stage of them all.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C4oooJMsACe

Becky Lynch’s Book

Becky Lynch’s autobiographic, Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl, is available for pre-order right now. She made sure to bring a copy of it with her for her White House visit as well.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, on the road to WrestleMania. Please keep checking back frequently for more details on the stories you need.

Flowers Received: Kenny Omega Hails John Cena’s Contributions to Pro Wrestling Industry

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John Cena has done a lot in his career as a 16x World Champion. Not only that, but his contributions to the overall industry has not gone unnoticed. 

Kenny Omega gave John Cena flowers for his contributions to professional wrestling during a recent Twitch stream. He said that Cena is what the face of a pro wrestling company should be at this point.

Omega Speaks on Cena

During a recent Twitch stream, Kenny Omega shared his admiration for John Cena and the significant impact Cena has had on the professional wrestling industry. They have never shared the ring as part of the same company, but Omega certainly sees Cena.

Kenny Omega expressed his admiration for John Cena, highlighting Cena’s significant contributions to the professional wrestling industry. Despite not having personally met Cena, Omega praised him as a great professional wrestler who has made an immense impact on the business. 

 “No, I have not [met Cena], but I think he’s great. Great professional wrestler. He’s done an incredible amount for the business, I don’t think anyone will be able to match anytime soon. The reason why is because Cena wasn’t doing anything for the sake of an accomplishment or trophy or recognition.”

“People went out of their way after the fact to say, ‘look at all this stuff John is doing in his off time.’ Maybe he even laughs at it himself, but for the amount of effort he has put in to make people’s lives better, whether it be Make A Wish, fans at the arenas, or autograph signings, it’s a great example for what the face of a company should be or for the face of the industry. I’m a very big proponent of John Cena. I think he’s incredible.”

Cena and Omega

Omega and Cena represent contrasting paths within the wrestling world. While Omega has carved out his niche outside WWE, Cena’s tenure as a WWE mainstay embodied his status as a symbol of sports entertainment. Despite these differences, Omega’s acknowledgment of Cena’s achievements underscores the mutual respect that exists among wrestlers, regardless of company lines.

Only time will tell if Kenny Omega and John Cena ever meet. Odds are, Omega has Cena’s respect as well. So, a possible future meeting between the two might go very well.

John Cena’s career in Hollywood keeps him away from WWE. He is also not planning on wrestling into his 50s. Kenny Omega, on the other hand, is sitting out of action right now as he recovers from a diverticulitis attack.

After all, when John Cena met MJF, things went very well. Cena also asked the Salt of the Earth when he plans on playing for a different team. 

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more. Please keep checking back for more updates as they are made available. 

Shawn Spears Pitched WWE For “Perfect 10” Royal Rumble Return

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WWE has seen some exciting returns over the past year. NXT fans were very surprised to see Shawn Spears return to the brand, but they almost saw him on a much larger stage prior to that.

It turns out that Shawn Spears made a pitch to WWE for him to be a part of the 2024 Royal Rumble match. Of course, that proposed plan did not pan out.

Shawn Spears’ Pitch

Leading up to the 2024 Royal Rumble, some fans expressed a hope for Shawn Spears/Tye Dillinger’s return to WWE as the number 10 entrant, playing on his “Perfect 10” persona.

In his first post-AEW interview with Fightful, Shawn Spears confirmed that he had indeed pitched ideas for the Royal Rumble. He mentioned that he had “shot his shot,” for that idea to go down. Unfortunately, the plans for the Rumble had already been finalized by then, so Spears didn’t make the Rumble match.

What’s Next for Shawn Spears

Shawn Spears is back in NXT, where he has a lot of upside to what he brings to the table. He is a veteran who could benefit the brand in many ways. Only time will tell if he gets another Royal Rumble appearance, but fans will be waiting for him in the 10th entry.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, as we continue. Keep checking back throughout the day for the updates you need on every big story.

Charlotte Flair Advertised For WWE SmackDown During Injury Hiatus

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You never know who might show up on the road to WrestleMania 40. It appears that Charlotte Flair might make her presence felt on SmackDown later this month, even though she is currently injured.

Despite the fact that she is injured, Charlotte Flair is now being advertised for the March 29th Friday Night SmackDown episode at The Mohegan Sun Arena. This is a very interesting turn of events, but the card is always subject to change.

Charlotte Flair Advertised During Injury

Charlotte Flair faced a challenge after sustaining a knee injury during a December 8th, 2023, Friday Night SmackDown episode, necessitating surgery. Despite this setback, recent updates reveal a remarkable recovery as she diligently undergoes rehabilitation.

Flair surprised fans by returning to the gym in rapid fashion after her ACL surgery. She obviously doesn’t want to waste any time when it comes to her return.

In an interesting turn of events, promotions for the upcoming March 29th Friday Night SmackDown episode at The Mohegan Sun Arena feature Charlotte Flair. However, it remains uncertain whether she will make an appearance during the show.

Despite her absence from WWE television due to injury, Charlotte Flair has been confirmed for WWE World on April 6th as well. That being said, her appearance on the promotional graphic makes some fans wonder if The Queen will also be present for the March 29th SmackDown episode. 

What’s Going On Here (Exclusive)

I reached out to inquire about Charlotte Flair appearing on this graphic. I was told that she is still out of action, and she is not booked. There are several reasons why an absent Superstar would be advertised by a venue, because if is not an official promotion that the company can necessarily control. 

It is possible that they are using a generic graphics, but other Superstars featured include Carlito, Jimmy Uso, LA Knight, Austin Theory, and Bianca Belair. It is interesting that no Superstars are listed in the advertisement, but Flair is certainly featured up front. That being said, she would have also been featured up front on any SmackDown graphic that they made up and sent out prior to her injury.

At this time, Flair is still working hard toward her return from injury. She is not booked for any WrestleMania match, because her current return date is expected for Fall 2024.

What’s Next For Charlotte Flair

Meanwhile, Flair’s husband, Andrade el Idolo, has made his return to WWE and is now part of the RAW brand. This goes against WWE’s usual practice of not separating couples across brand lines.

The future holds intrigue for Charlotte Flair, but it appears she will indeed be present for the road to WrestleMania 40 in some respect with her announced appearance at WWE The World on April 6. Hopefully, it won’t be long until she makes a full return to the ring.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, as we continue down the road to WrestleMania 40. Keep checking back throughout the day for even more headlines that you need.

AJ Styles Drops WrestleMania Message: LA Knight Won’t See Him On SmackDown

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AJ Styles jumped LA Knight at Elimination Chamber, and now the two will battle at WrestleMania 40. That being said, they might not get a lot of face time with each other prior to the showcase of the immortals.

Styles dropped a video message on social media where he proudly proclaimed that LA Knight won’t see him on SmackDown before they throw down in Philly.

The Match Setup

LA Knight was on hand this week to issue a challenge for WrestleMania. AJ Styles was there to accept that challenge, and he did so by pulling off another brutal sneak attack. Now, Knight has vowed to take Styles apart, but he will have to get his hands on him first.

AJ Styles was bold and happy to announce on Twitter/X that he will not be on SmackDown. He said that LA Knight will see him at WrestleMania 40 for their match. That being said, fans may not see much of Styles until then.

Interestingly enough, that LA Knight segment on SmackDown this week was not included on the internal rundown. The fans in Memphis were certainly happy to see it go down, as they gave Knight a great ovation.

LA Knight’s Road to WrestleMania

LA Knight was a fan favorite in the Elimination Chamber, but he didn’t win the match. AJ Styles jumped him and made it very difficult for him to win the match after assaulting him out of nowhere. This week on SmackDown, LA Knight finally had a chance to talk about it. This resulted in a WrestleMania 40 challenge.

Fans flocked around LA Knight over the last year, and his popularity has grown a ton since then. Now, we will have to see how he performs on the grandest stage of them all. Odds are, even if AJ Styles isn’t on SmackDown, LA Knight will keep their feud hot with his promo work.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more, on the road to WrestleMania. You never know what can happen next, but we will be here with the headlines you need.

WWE Comeback: Kelly Kelly Wants Her Twins To See Her Wrestle

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WWE gets in your blood, and it’s hard to shake it from your system. This is especially true for a WWE Hall of Famer like Kelly Kelly. She wants to wrestle in front of her children, so a WWE comeback is not off the table.

When asked about a possible WWE return during a recent virtual autograph signing, Kelly Kelly seemed very open to the idea. She wants her twins to see her wrestle.

Kelly Kelly Talks WWE Comeback

Kelly Kelly has left WWE behind and is focusing on other things. Now going as Barbie Blank, she is still known to book appearances in the pro wrestling world. She is also apparently still open to the idea of a WWE return.

The former WWE Divas took part in a virtual signing for RDP Promotions. She was asked about a possible WWE comeback down the road. She actually didn’t shut the door on the idea, as she seemed open to the prospect. 

She responded, ”I would be open to a comeback… We’ll see. I want my twins to come and watch me one day so…”

On May 29, 2020, Blank was engaged to bodybuilder Joe Coba. They exchanged vows on April 9, 2021, in Oak Glen, California. On March 28, 2023, Blank announced her pregnancy with her first child. In April, she shared the news of expecting twins, and on September 10, she welcomed her son Jaxon Matthew and daughter Brooklyn Marie.

Kelly Kelly in WWE

Kelly Kelly was once part of WWE’s women’s division, and she is now a WWE Hall of Famer thanks to those contributions. She started her journey in the company’s version of ECW and rose to become a Women’s Champion. Though currently inactive in WWE, she recently expressed interest in returning.

During her six-year tenure as a full-time wrestler from 2006 to 2012, Kelly Kelly achieved significant milestones during her time in WWE. She held the WWE Divas Championship once and the WWE 24/7 Championship once. In addition, she won a Slammy Award for Divalicious Moment of the Year in 2011. Kelly Kelly was also recognized by Pro Wrestling Illustrated, being ranked No. 15 in the PWI Female 50 in 2011.  

Since then, she has made occasional appearances for WWE, including three women’s Royal Rumble matches, the latest being in 2022, and a Battle Royal at the Evolution pay-per-view in 2018.

SEScoops will be here for any further updates on Kelly Kelly, or anything else in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back throughout the day for constant updates.

Watch: Cody Rhodes Shares Touching Moment with ‘Mini Cody’ Fan At WWE Live Event

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Raw Superstar Cody Rhodes has once again proven to be a man of the people with a recent interaction at a WWE live event. 

At the untelevised event in Augusta, Georgia, Rhodes was set to compete against Drew McIntyre in the show’s main event. Before going into combat with the Scottish Warrior though, Cody noticed a young fan dressed as him in the crowd. Rhodes plucked the lucky young fan out of the crowd and the duo hit Rhodes’ signature ‘WHOA’ pose. 

Not only did the young fan get a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but they also got to see Rhodes win. The American Nightmare bested McIntyre in the main event which was also a Street Fight. 

Cody Rhodes & The Fans

This is hardly the first time Rhodes has gone the extra mile to make a show special for a fan. Recently, Rhodes got up close and personal with a visually impaired fan at a WWE event who held a sign saying they were trying to see him. This heartwarming interaction came about mere weeks after Rhodes agreed to be the Best Man at a fan’s wedding.

At WWE live events, Cody has been competing in Extreme Rules matches and has been gifting pieces of a broken table to those in the crowd. After the final live Raw of 2023, Rhodes went even further and gifted a Christmas Tree to a fan.

Speaking of the Holidays, Rhodes made one young fan’s season extra special by sending a signed Cody Rhodes authentic weight belt. More recently, Rhodes gave a different kind of gift to a fan; the gum of Rhea Ripley.

Stealthy Dominance: Omos’ Quiet WWE Streak Goes Unnoticed

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WWE only has so much time on television, so they can’t fit every Superstar on the screen each week. Someone like Omos takes up a lot of real estate on camera, but he hasn’t been seen in a while.

Omos is still working WWE house shows. As a special attraction, he is doing his thing. He also racked up an impressive state in the process, as the big man from Nigeria now has 25 wins over Akira Tozawa in a row.

Omos’ Impressive Stat

Omos has not graced WWE television screens since his return at SummerSlam following a hiatus post-WrestleMania. Despite occasional appearances at live events, Omos’s television presence remains notably absent.

While speaking to SEScoops, Omos admitted that he is a special attraction, and he shows up when there is money to be made. He’s done some work in recent memory, but it’s been under the radar unless you’ve been at WWE live events.

During a WWE house show on Saturday, Omos continued to showcase his dominance by securing his 25th consecutive victory over Akira Tozawa, a streak dating back to last July. With a 15-1 record in 2024, Omos maintains an impressive track record following his notable 33-4 performance the previous year.

WWE’s Plan For Omos

As a special attraction, there are no concrete creative plans for Omos yet. While he occasionally competes in live events, Omos’s absence from TV programming persists.

I exclusively reported that WWE is holding Omos for the right time. I asked about Omos’ current creative status, and was told that WWE is “holding Omos for the right program for either him or an opponent who could use a big win.”

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling business. Please keep checking back for even more updates.

The Rock Hits Back Over Un-PG Language Criticism: ‘I Shoot from the Hip!’

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The Rock couldn’t care less that there have been issues with the language he uses on WWE programming and has declared that he is shooting “from the hip.”

On the March 15, episode of SmackDown, the Brahma Bull brought back his Hollywood theme and performed in a special ‘Rock Concert.’ The Bloodline member took aim at Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes, two men he’ll face at WrestleMania 40: Saturday. 

Criticism of The Rock

While The Rock has been entertaining since his return, his comeback is starting to rub some within the promotion the wrong way. The Rock went too long with his segment on SmackDown, leading to the Legado del Fantasma Vs. LWO tag match being cut short

As sources exclusively told SE Scoops, talent were recently reminded about adhering to the company’s PG guidelines on TV and social media. This has led to some resentment in WWE as many see a double standard and believe The Rock is getting special treatment. The former WWE Champion has been able to curse in his social media promos and opened his most recent promo with an “are you f***ing kidding me?”

The Rock Responds

On Instagram, The Rock had a fiery response to the notion that his language is crossing a line on WWE programming. The Great One argued that he’d “rather be real than not.” He added, “I talk from the heart, shoot from the hip, and try to always have fun.” The Rock signed off with his self-prescribed new moniker as the ‘Final Boss.’

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Daily Drop (3/17): The Rock Stirs Controversy On WWE Roster, AEW Star Returns To Ring After Year-Long Hiatus

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Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Sunday, March 17. This was quite a 24-hour period for pro wrestling news. So, let’s not waste any more time and get right into things!

Days until WrestleMania 40: 20

Before we get started, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! This is a special time for a lot of people, so please be safe and have a ton of fun today!

WWE

The Rock caused a bit of a stir backstage when his profanity got a little wild. WWE recently sent out a memo to remind talent that they need to tone the language down online. This edict obviously didn’t apply to The Rock.

SEScoops just dropped an interview with Zelina Vega, where she discusses her WrestleMania dream matches. It’s a good read, and you may check that out here.

– The Rock’s segment on SmackDown this week went way over time, but that didn’t shock anyone backstage considering who we’re talking about here.

It was also reported that one match on SmackDown was cut big time to save minutes after The Rock went long.

– Apparently, Seth Rollins had no clue that NSFW photo of himself and Becky Lynch would be in her new book.

– Speaking of Becky Lynch, The Man is going to The White House for St. Patrick’s Day.

Ja Morant had a reply to The Rock dragging him on SmackDown for that gun controversy. Obviously, he didn’t see that shot coming, no pun intended.

AEW:

– AEW was able to snag Will Ospreay, but there are some WWE Superstars who are unhappy that Triple H let him go to Tony Khan. They have their reasons to be a bit disappointed as well.

– The Infantry advanced to the next round in the AEW tag team championship tournament on Collision.

– Adam Copeland pulled a very dangerous weapon out during AEW Collision, he called it “Spike.” He intends to use that as Copeland vs Christian Cage is set to go down on the 3/20 episode of Dynamite.

– Parker Boudreaux made his big debut at a AAA event on March 16th by launching an assault on Octagon Jr. and Mecha Wolf. The attack was eventually stopped by El Mesías. This marks Parker’s first time in a ring on television since 3/3/23.

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Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events:

  • WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
  • WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
  • AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
  • Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.

Injured El Hijo del Vikingo Vacates AAA Mega Title, New Champion to be Crowned Next Month

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El Hijo del Vikingo has vacated the AAA Mega Championship due to an injury that the now-former champ unfortunately suffered last month

The injury in question happened during a match in the López Mateos Arena. Vikingo was assessed at the venue and it was believed he had damaged a ligament in his right knee. His match was called off and he was tended to backstage. 

AAA Mega Title Vacated

The AAA Mega Championship has been vacated due to the Vikingo’s injury. The promotion announced that a new champion will be crowned at Triplemania XXXII Monterrey on April 27. Alberto El Patron won a triple threat match against Cibernético and Psycho Clown to qualify for the upcoming AAA Mega Championship match. 

Vikingo won the title back at TripleMania Regia II in December of 2021. His 828-day reign is the longest in the title’s history. He also boasts the record for the most title defenses, with his 23 defenses being more than double of El Texano Jr. who holds the #2 spot with 11 defenses.

El Hijo del Vikingo’s Setbacks

This is the latest setback for Vikingo, who suffered a significant injury in late 2023. Vikingo suffered a hip injury at an ROH event when a dive went wrong and was seen using a wheelchair after the match. That incident happened just one month after Vikingo collapsed backstage at AAA TripleMania XXXI: Mexico City. On social media, a video backstage made its way around, showing the Vikingo down backstage and being stretchered away.

Becky Lynch On Finding Work in a Manhattan Pub: ‘I Just Looked For Anything Irish’

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WWE’s own Becky Lynch was able to find work behind the bar of a Manhattan pub after looking for any iconography that reminded her of home. 

Years before The Man made her name in WWE, Lynch arrived in New York City with $2,000 in her bank account, of which close to one-third was spent in her first day in the city. Speaking to the New York Post, Lynch recalled finding work in 2010, hoping that her Irish-ness would help convince pubs in the Big Apple to give her a shot. 

“I just walked around… [looking for] anything that had an Irish flag or had an Irish name or a little harp outside.” 

Lynch would eventually find work at the Hibernia Bar in Hells’ Kitchen, which prides itself on being an ‘authentic’ Irish pub. Lynch said that her gift of talking which WWE fans would come to appreciate years later helped her immensely.

“I was their first experience in hiring a waitress. I wasn’t the best, but I could banter, so the customers liked me, tipped me and it meant I kept my job.”

Finding a Place to Stay

While Lynch had found work at Hibernia, she still needed a place to stay. Ironically, her apartment in New York would also be located above an Irish pub. Though the place had no job opportunities, the bartender from Kerry, Ireland suggested she rent the room upstairs for $500 a month. 

“The room had a sink, twin bed and barely enough room to put a suitcase. There was a communal shower and toilet down the hall.”

What’s Next for Becky Lynch?

Lynch will be in action on the upcoming episode of Raw, where she will face Nia Jax. The two have been at odds for months, with Jax looking to prove she is deserving of a Women’s World Championship shot.

Looking ahead, Lynch will have her hands full when she challenges WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40. Lynch earned a shot at the Australian by winning the 2024 Women’s Elimination Chamber match.

Super Grizz Beats AEW’s Satnam Singh At Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

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Satnam Singh has (literally) towered over the competition in AEW, but came up short against Super Grizz at a recent basketball game for the Memphis Grizzlies. 

During the halftime of the Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game, Singh appeared and was set to wrestle five men. Only four showed up, however, and they were easily dispatched of by the AEW star. 

During the third quarter of the game, Singh’s fifth and final opponent showed up and turned out to be Super Grizz, the mascot of the Memphis team. Grizz got Satnam to his knees, hit a superkick, and targeted Jeff Jarrett on commentary. The finish of the unique match saw Grizz hit a crossbody from the commentary booth onto Singh in the ring to get the win. 

More Basketball Adventures

While Singh didn’t leave the game with the win, he and Jeff Jarrett did spoil the evening for Memphis hero Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler. Jarrett and Singh were on hand to steal a lifetime achievement title from the famed commentator who was being recognized in his native Memphis. 

Satnam Singh in AEW

Singh made his in-ring debut for AEW on the June 8, 2022, edition of Rampage. He would spend his first month undefeated, with his first loss being as part of a six-man tag match at Fight for the Fallen 2022 in July. 

Singh has competed a total of 20 times in AEW. He currently boasts a 13-7 win/loss record. His most recent match was at the inaugural AEW House Riles event in June 2023, where he and Jeff Jarrett defeated Brandon and Brent Tate. He competed for the AEW Trios Championships at AEW All Out last September.