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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. 

Trish Stratus, Dark Side of the Ring Nominated for Canadian Screen Awards

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The upcoming Canadian Screen Awards will have a pro-wrestling flair thanks to the nominations of Trish Stratus and VICE series Dark Side of the Ring. 

 The 12th Canadian Screen Awards will take place from May 26 to May 31, from the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto. The ceremony will be hosted by Canadian comedian, actor, and screenwriter Mae Martin. 

Trish Stratus Nominated

The seven-time WWE Women’s Champion is nominated for the award of Best Host or Presenter, Factual or Reality/Competition for her role as part of Canada’s Got Talent. The full nominees list is as follows: 

  • Gerry Dee, Family Feud Canada
  • Lindsay Ell, Howie Mandel, Lilly Singh, Trish Stratus and Kardinal Offishall, Canada’s Got Talent
  • Jonny Harris, Still Standing
  • Brooke Lynn Hytes, Traci Melchor and Brad Goreski, Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. the World
  • Alan Shane Lewis and Ann Pornel, The Great Canadian Baking Show

Dark Side of the Ring Nominated

Dark Side of the Ring is up for several awards, including for ‘Factual Series.’ The episode that focused on the life and legacy of Abdullah the Butcher is up for the ‘Visual Research’ award. In the world of editing, the show is up for the award of ‘Editing in a Factual Program or Series’ as well as ‘Editing in a Documentary Program or Series.’

Dark Side of the Ring is also in the category of ‘Photography in a Documentary Program or Factual Series.’ For directing, the show has been nominated for the ‘Documentary or Factual Series’ award. 

WWE Superstars Working at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X Has Been Years In The Making

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Shayna Baszler’s role at the upcoming Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X is the culmination of years of a deal trying to be reached between the indie promotion and WWE. 

The two-time WWE NXT Women’s Champion will be part of Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport event that will take place during WrestleMania week. This is a huge get for GCW as WWE has historically been against allowing their talent compete elsewhere, though that stance has softened in recent years.

Years in the Making

Baszler’s role at Bloodsport X is a huge deal and isn’t the first time Barnett has made the effort, Fightful Select reports. Years ago, Barnett inquired about the possibility of Jessamyn Duke working Bloodsport while she was under WWE contract. Duke was said to be open to the idea but WWE said no. 

Duke had trained with Barnett in the past and had MMA experience thanks to her time on The Ultimate Fighter and UFC. She has not competed in WWE or UFC since her 2021 release.

Getting in Touch

Barnett made the call and personally requested that Baszler appear on the GCW Bloodsport show. It’s reported that he and Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque have known each other for years. 

Working Together Again? 

When the news of Baszler’s involvement with Bloodsport was made public, some suggested that WWE and GCW were working together “again.” This is in reference to a photo that surfaced in 2022 featuring Brett Lauderdale and Stephanie McMahon. At the time, the sight of the pair, alongside GCW talent and staff, in a suit at WrestleMania led to rumors that the two companies were working together. 

This wasn’t the case and WWE had some fun with the rumors as company reps didn’t shoot down the notion, but later definitively denied the connection. The ‘Mania suite belonged to Orange Crush, a co-owner of Jersey Championship Wrestling and McMahon was on hand to greet everyone, regardless of affiliation. Sources told Fightful that both WWE and GCW got a good laugh out of the “harmless” rumors. 

Jeff Jarrett Steals Lifetime Achievement Title from Jerry Lawler At Memphis Grizzlies NBA Game

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Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler was recently celebrated in his native Memphis, but the WWE Hall of Famer did not have long to celebrate thanks to Jeff Jarrett. 

At a Memphis Grizzlies game, Lawler was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Title in recognition of his contribution to Memphis Wrestling in and out of the ring over decades. This brought out Jeff Jarrett, who was on hand to introduce his AEW ally Satnam Singh. The pair took the award from Lawler much to the disdain of the fans in attendance. 

During another timeout, Jarrett cut a promo to the fans. The AEW star and WWE Hall of Famer said he was going to take over Grind City Wrestling. The Memphis Grizzlies would lose 112-118 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in an action-packed game. 

Jerry Lawler and Jeff Jarrett

This is hardly the first time that Lawler and Jarrett have gotten into things at a Memphis Grizzlies game. Back in 2018, the pair didn’t just have an altercation but had a match at a game. The bout in question saw Jarrett hit Lawler with a guitar while the referee was down and pinned the Memphis legend. 

Jarrett and Lawler’s history extends far back than 2018. The two feuded in the USWA during the early 1990s, often with championship gold on the line. Despite this, the pair would also hold the USA World Tag Team Championships together on four separate occasions. Jarrett would also hold those same titles with Lawler’s son the late Brian Christopher twice. 

Paul Walter Hauser Beats Matt Cardona with Flaming Table Spot – Next Match Announced

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Emmy Award-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser has another accolade to his name after defeating the ‘Indy God’ Matt Cardona at a Wrestling REVOLVER show.

Hauser and Cardona have been at odds for some time, and Hauser even referenced Matt during his Emmy acceptance speech. Not to be outdone, Cardona vowed that he’d shove Hauser’s Emmy where the sun doesn’t shine during their match. 

Hauser Beats Cardona

At the Wrestling Revolver Ready or Not event, Hauser got the win over Cardona. The match saw involvement from Cardona’s manager Steph De Lander as well as WWE/TNA Hall of Famer Bully Ray. The finish of the match saw Ray come to the aid of Hauser, who put Cardona through a flaming table to get the win. 

What’s Next? 

After the match, Hauser cut a promo saying he may work in Hollywood but he comes from the pro wrestling fans of this world. He asked Bully Ray whether he thinks he could hold his own against Sami Callihan. 

That brought out the self-professed ‘Death Machine.’ Callihan angrily accepted Hauser’s challenger and said the match would take place during WrestleMania weekend in Philadelphia next month.

The match will be part of a week of festivities surrounding WWE’s annual Showcase of the Immortals. On Friday, April 5, Wrestling REVOLVER will team with House of Glory Wrestling for interpromotional competition. The show will see a title vs. title match pitting House of Glory World Champion Mile Santana against REVOLVER’s Champion Alex Shelley.

Unexpected Souvenir: Cody Rhodes Gifts Fan Rhea Ripley’s Gum After WWE SmackDown

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Cody Rhodes is a man of the people, and that sometimes calls for him to answer strange requests from fans. He recently demonstrated this fact in a big way.

It seems that one fan really wanted Rhea Ripley’s gum as a souvenir. Thankfully, they asked Cody Rhodes for that little keepsake, and the American Nightmare obliged.

Cody Rhodes Fulfills Fan’s Strange Request

This week’s Friday Night SmackDown was live from Memphis, Tennessee. During the show, they laid important groundwork for WrestleMania 40. However, one peculiar incident involving Cody Rhodes and a fan went down after the show.

Following the conclusion of WWE SmackDown this week, two dark matches took place, with Rhea Ripley and Cody Rhodes participating separately.

This is what opened the door for a fan who shared videos and a photo on Twitter, revealing that he requested Cody Rhodes retrieve the piece of gum Rhea Ripley threw into the ring. Rhodes obliged and handed him the chewed-out gum.

The fan posted, “I’m gonna be judged hard for this but oh well . Last night @RheaRipley_WWE spat her gum out & it landed in the ring. Then later on @CodyRhodes was making his way around ringside for pics/autographs. I asked him if I could have Rhea’s gum & yep… (No I did not chew it).”

Cody’s Road to WrestleMania 40

Cody Rhodes is well aware of the fact that he is a massive babyface on the road to WrestleMania 40. He will team up with Seth Rollins to take on The Rock and Roman Reigns during the first night of WrestleMania 40. Then, on night two he will battle Roman Reigns with the WWE Undisputed Universal Title on the line.

The Rock originally had a much different plan for Mania. Cody was going to sit out, thanks to a kayfabed injury, and the Great One vs Roman Reigns was going to headline the show of shows. That was not the plan, and you can check out all the drama around that change here.

Fans have flocked to Rhodes, and those fans earned the nickname of Cody Crybabies from The Rock. Only time will tell if The Great One accepts Cody’s one-on-one challenge, but the Grandson of a Plumber will keep doing everything he can for fans in the meantime.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more from all around the pro wrestling world. Please keep checking back for more updates as additional information is made known on the road to WrestleMania. 

WWE SmackDown Match Cut For Time After The Rock’s Musical Promo Ran Long

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The Rock gets to do a lot of things that normal WWE Superstars aren’t allowed to do. This includes going over time, and he certainly took full advantage of his position this week on SmackDown.

We previously reported that The Rock’s musical promo ran over time this week on the March 15th episode of SmackDown. Now, we know one match that was cut down from two segments to just 11 minutes, which is a good indication that this is where WWE trimmed the show for The Rock’s overrun. Angel Garza and Humberto’s match was initially slated for two segments, but it ultimately lasted for a total of 11 minutes, including both their entrances and the post-match segment.

WWE Made Edit to Match

The Rock had quite a time on SmackDown this week. His freedom is evident, and as a member of the TKO board of directors, there isn’t much that is off limits. He obviously doesn’t have to wrap things up when they tell him he’s run out of time.

Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo’s match was actually slated to go longer, but that wasn’t what happened when the show went live.

Angel Garza & Humberto’s match was scheduled for two segments. It ended up getting 11 minutes with entrances and post match.

The Rock’s Latest Controversy

I exclusively reported that a recent memo emphasized the need for talent to follow PG guidelines on TV and social media. Despite this, The Rock’s use of profanity, like in a recent promo, raised questions among talent about double standards. They wondered why he was allowed to curse while others weren’t.

I learned that The Rock’s viral promos, where he frequently curses, including opening his recent social media promo with “are you f*cking kidding me?” about Cody, has made some talent raise questions. There’s a sense of a double standard at play, especially considering it’s Dwayne Johnson we’re discussing.

It appears that The Rock has the freedom to use profanity liberally on social media, while the rest of the roster is expected to adhere to PG guidelines. Additionally, there’s questioning among talent about why The Rock receives special treatment.

The sentiment among some is that, “even if he is the big movie star, shouldn’t everyone play by the same rules? So he can curse and use that to get over, but everyone else is handcuffed?”

SEScoops will keep a close eye on this story for additional updates. You never know what will break next, especially on the road to WrestleMania 40.

Seth Rollins Had No Clue Risqué Photo With Becky Lynch Made Her New Book

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Becky Lynch has done a lot in WWE, and so has her husband, Seth Rollins. It seems that when they were champions at the same time, the WWE power couple took a photo in the buff, with only their titles covering them. It was a big shock when that photo ended up in The Man’s new book.

A photo of Rollins and Lynch clad only in their titles is in her new book. It turns out that Seth Rollins had no clue that photo was going to see the light of day.

The Infamous Photo

Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins are both important figures in WWE history, each having achieved multiple world title reigns. Recently, there has been a surprising revelation concerning Lynch’s upcoming book, “Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Girl.” During a period of time when the couple was covered in gold, they took full advantage of that opportunity and snapped a winner of a photo.

Scheduled for release on March 26th, Lynch’s book has garnered attention ahead of its launch due to leaked pages circulating online. One particular page features a NSFW photo of Lynch and Rollins, both rocking only their WWE Championships. The photo was captured after WrestleMania 35 when their relationship started.

In an interview with The New York Post, Lynch disclosed that Rollins was taken aback by the inclusion of the NSFW photo in the book, as she had neglected to inform him beforehand.

“I could have sworn that I told him. Turns out, I must have had the conversation with myself and thought that I had it with him. Apparently I didn’t ask him about putting the picture in the book. But he just laughed, he thought it was funny. Thank God. That could have gone horribly wrong.”

Becky Lynch’s New Book

Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl is available on Amazon for pre-order now. You can pick up your copy by clicking on this link.

We will have to see how many copies of her book Becky Lynch sells. The fact that this photo made the book is a very good indication that some people will buy it just to have a memento like that around.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more. Please keep checking back for more updates.

LA Knight’s 3/15 WWE SmackDown Segment Was Not Included On Internal Rundown

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WWE has a solid plan whenever they enter into a live television broadcast. It turns out that one segment wasn’t on the run sheet for some reason.

LA Knight came out to cut a promo on AJ Styles this week on SmackDown. That all ended with a WrestleMania challenge. It turns out that Knight’s segment was a surprise for some.

LA Knight’s Situation on SmackDown

Kayla Braxton introduced LA Knight, and the Memphis fans popped for him big time. He had a lot to say about AJ Styles costing him the Elimination Chamber match.

In the end, Knight laid down a WrestleMania challenge, and Styles was quick to accept it. The Phenomenal One did this by attacking his future opponent with a steel chair.

Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that it seem LA Knight’s segment wasn’t even on the rundown in the first place. This left some very surprised that he showed up, because it was not in the early spoilers for the show.

LA Knight’s interview wasn’t listed on internal rundowns.

LA Knight’s Road to WrestleMania 40

LA Knight gained popularity among fans during the Elimination Chamber, despite not emerging victorious. However, his hopes were dashed when AJ Styles blindsided him during the match, making his victory prospects slim. This week on SmackDown, LA Knight addressed the incident, leading to a WrestleMania 40 challenge.

After traveling to Australia for the Elimination Chamber event, LA Knight was a favorite to win the match and secure a World Heavyweight Championship match against Seth Rollins. Suddenly, without any notice, AJ Styles jumped in the ring and took out LA Knight.

Styles wasn’t even booked for Elimination Chamber, so he was brought around the planet just to disrupt Knight’s plan and set up their WrestleMania 40 encounter.

We will have to see how WWE books the rest of WrestleMania 40. At this point, the show of shows if coming together. You can check out the updated card (so far) below.

WrestleMania 40 Card:

  • Night 1: The Bloodline (The Rock and Roman Reigns) vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins
  • Night 2: Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship
  • Night 2: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
  • Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton – Triple threat match for WWE United Stated Title
  • Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley for the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch for the Women’s World Championship
  • Gunther (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
  • The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Angel and Berto) vs. Four teams TBD in a Six-Pack Ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
  • AJ Styles vs. LA Knight in a Singles match
  • Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso in a Singles match

The Man in DC: Becky Lynch to Spend St. Patrick’s Day at the White House

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WWE Raw Superstar Becky Lynch will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in style with a trip to the White House. 

The annual celebration falls on March 17 each year and celebrates St. Patrick, who is believed to have died on the day. While initially a religious holiday, the day has become a day of celebration of Irish culture.

Becky Lynch at the White House

As St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, the date is of course significant to WWE’s first Irish-born female champion. Speaking recently to the New York Post, Lynch shared her unique plans for the annual celebration. 

“I got invited to the White House because I’m Ireland’s national treasure,” said Lynch. “It’s a significant Irish celebration, so I’ll be there.”

Lynch won’t be the only notable name to attend the upcoming White House celebration. Leo Varadker, who is Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minster) will also be in attendance and will likely speak with President Joe Biden, who is of Irish ancestry. 

What’s Next for Becky Lynch? 

Just one day after her Saint Patrick’s Day celebration, 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.

WWE Roster Not Shocked: The Rock’s 3/15 WWE SmackDown Concert Segment Ran Way Over Time

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The Rock took over SmackDown this week with a twenty-minute concert/promo. That being said, the company didn’t initially have that much time blocked off for him.

It is now reported that The Rock’s concert on the March 15th episode of WWE SmackDown actually ran long. That being said, this also wasn’t a huge surprise.

The Rock Runs Over Time

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that The Rock’s segment on SmackDown this week went way over time. Then again, this didn’t really surprise anyone, because we’re talking about Dwayne Johnson.

It was reported that, although The Rock’s musical segment went long, it was honestly expected to go longer than planned.

The Rock’s concert was only scheduled for one segment, but those backstage told us “of course” they knew it would go longer.

Triple H was also wise to book The Rock’s segment as the first in the two-hour show. This gave him a lot more room to be creative when it came to trimming the rest of the show to make room for The Great One.

Double Standard With The Rock

I exclusively reported that a recent memo from Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, and Dan Ventrille emphasized the importance of following PG guidelines on both television and social media platforms.

Despite this directive, The Rock has been observed using profanity, including opening a recent social media promo with “are you fucking kidding me?” in reference to Cody. This has led some talent to question why The Rock appears to receive special treatment, allowing him to curse while others are expected to strictly adhere to the guidelines.

There’s a sentiment among some talent that if The Rock, despite his status as a big movie star, can use profanity to connect with the audience, then everyone should have the same freedom to do so.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is made available. For additional headlines and stories, please keep checking back with us throughout the day!

Double Standard: WWE Talent Question The Rock’s Special Treatment After Internal PG Memo

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The Rock is back in WWE, and having a great time as a heel. It also seems that the rules don’t apply to him.

I can exclusively report that a recent memo emphasized the need for talent to follow PG guidelines on TV and social media. Despite this, The Rock’s use of profanity, like in a recent promo, has raised questions among talent about double standards. They wonder why he’s allowed to curse while others aren’t.

WWE’s PG Memo (Exclusive)

I am told that Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, Dan Ventrelle sent out a memo “the other week” about how talent needs to adhere to PG guidelines on TV and also on social media. The Rock, like most things in his life at this point, is getting a bit of special treatment.

WWE is under the TKO banner, and a publicly traded company. They also need to adhere to TV-PG guidelines. That being said, there seems to be an exception that is getting under some talent’s skin.

The Rock Getting A Pass (Exclusive)

I was told that The Rock’s viral promos, where he keeps cursing, including opening up his social media promo this week with “are you f*cking kidding me?” about Cody, has rubbed some people the wrong way. There seems to be a feeling that we are seeing a double standard, because we’re talking about Dwayne Johnson here.

It seems that The Rock is able to get away with dropping every flowery profanity he wants to on social media, while the rest of the roster are wearing PG handcuffs. I was additionally told that talent are asking why The Rock is getting a pass.

I was told that the thinking is that “even if he is the big movie star, shouldn’t everyone play by the same rules? So he can curse and use that to get over, but everyone else is handcuffed?”

The Rock Internal Pull In WWE & Beyond

The Rock will wrestle alongside Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 in a tag team match, but that was not the match he wanted. He wanted a singles match against Roman, but now he will face Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in tag team action. Dwayne Johnson’s original plan had to shift, and I exclusively covered that story as it unfolded.

Lia Maivia, the grandmother of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame next month. While WWE has yet to announce the news, this would make Maivia the final inductee in the Class of 2024, and The Rock had a huge hand in making that happen.

Dwayne Johnson is also on the TKO board of directors. This is something that a lot of people have brought into his storyline, and it might be more of a shoot than some fans realize. He is obviously afforded certain privileges, but he also isn’t back for the long-term at all.

The Rock will remain on the TKO board of directors. His seat also came with $30 million in company stock, and a WrestleMania match. He may come back for another match, but he will have to work it into his Hollywood schedule.

The Rock’s next movie, The Smashing Machine, will start shooting on May 1st. That doesn’t give him a lot of time after WrestleMania to get prepared fro his next project. SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, as additional information is made available. 

TNA Roster Shake-Up: Bully Ray’s Name Vanishes Without a Trace

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TNA Wrestling is going through a few changes, and we have extensively covered that transition. It also called for Scott D’Amore’s removal from the picture, and now it appears that another longtime member of the locker room may also be gone.

Bully Ray was recently removed from the TNA Wrestling roster page. This alteration was noticed by fans. At this time, we have received no official announcement from the company.

TNA Removes Bully Ray

Bully Ray’s absence from the TNA roster page has sparked intrigue among wrestling fans. Then again, he hasn’t been seen around the company since before they transitioned from Impact Wrestling to TNA Wrestling.

His last recorded match with Impact Wrestling took place on October 22, 2023, where he teamed up with Jordynne Grace to defeat KiLynn King and Steve Maclin. This event occurred during Impact Wrestling #1008, held at Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois, USA.

What’s Next For Bully Ray

The removal of Bully Ray from the roster list signifies a potential departure from TNA Wrestling. Despite this change, fans can still catch him on Busted Open Radio, where he continues to engage with the wrestling community and share his insights.

We will have to see what Bully Ray does next. He still has a ton to offer the pro wrestling world. We can only imagine what the future holds, but it appears that his time with TNA Wrestling has come to an end.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, just in case there are any updates. Please keep checking back for the headlines and stories that you need.

Reason Revealed: Austin Theory Explains Exaggerated Stunner Sell Job On 3/15 WWE SmackDown

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WWE Superstars are able to perform incredible feats in the ring, but you only get one take for live television. This week’s SmackDown saw Austin Theory’s timing off a bit, and fans let him have it.

The March 15th episode of SmackDown got fans talking for many reasons. During WWE Smackdown on March 15th, 2024, Kevin Owens delivered a stunner to Austin Theory, who then received an RKO in mid-air. The spot received criticism online for its timing issues, and Austin Theory had to chime in.

https://twitter.com/MrBurnerCFB/status/1768807632427507769

Theory Explains Himself

Austin Theory understands the business, and he also knows how to use social media. He explained this botch after his appearance on SmackDown this week, as he said he was dizzy.

It seems that Austin Theory thought he could jump over Owens and Orton to avoid any further damage, but he was wrong. An RKO came outta nowhere for Theory, and he took both finishers. So, he wasn’t late on selling the stunner at all, apparently.

Theory explained this in a video on social media, one that he shared on social media along with #SmackDown. Obviously, he realized that fans were dunking on his timing a bit, so he had to explain himself.

Austin Theory’s Place in WWE

Austin Theory doesn’t have a match at WrestleMania 40 just yet, but only time will tell where he ends up on the card. He’s stepping up in a big way, proving himself to be a real asset to Triple H, and that’s exactly why he has the spot he does in WWE.

Theory was also groomed for greatness as one of EVOLVE’s biggest talents years ago. He ended up in NXT, where he had a couple stints, but now he is one of the most hated heels on the WWE main roster, exactly where he should be. Hopefully, fans will let that hesitation on selling the stunner pass, because Austin Theory has plenty of memories to make in the future.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, just in case there are any updates on this story. Keep checking back for more of the headlines that you need.

Made Of Glass: Drew McIntyre Worried CM Punk Will Break Again Before Eventual WWE Encounter

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CM Punk is out of action with a triceps injury that he sustained during the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. Even though he’s out of action, Drew McIntyre is keeping things going in a big way, and he’s not letting go of his disdain for the Second City Savior.

Drew McIntyre recently made it clear that he wants a match against CM Punk. He’s just worried that Punk is made of glass, and he’ll break again before the match can happen.

McIntyre Speaks on Punk

Drew McIntyre’s journey in WWE since his debut on Raw has been marked by remarkable consistency and impressive performances. Despite facing initial setbacks, such as his loss to Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, McIntyre has since rebounded with determination and resilience.

In the Men’s Royal Rumble match, McIntyre showcased his endurance and skill, making it to the Top 3 contenders. However, a clash with CM Punk resulted in McIntyre’s elimination, albeit with a consequential injury to Punk. As Punk focuses on his recovery, McIntyre has continued to fuel their rivalry, hinting at future storylines and expressing his eagerness for a showdown at SummerSlam.

In a recent interview with the Gorilla Position, McIntyre emphasized his desire for the match while also expressing concern for Punk’s well-being, given his injury-prone history. Reflecting on their past encounter at the Royal Rumble, McIntyre highlighted his dominance in the ring, underscoring his physical prowess and the impact of his performance on Punk.

“Yeah, I just hope he’s careful. Just worried he’s going to injure something else during rehab. Man’s made of glass. I want that match. I really want that match.“

“I’m just concerned for him, especially wrestling someone like me. I’m a freaking monster in there…I got my hands on him. You saw what I did to him at ‘Rumble. I tore him to pieces. I chopped him to bits…[CM] Punk was black and blue. I ended up hurting him in there.”

Drew McIntyre’s Road to WrestleMania and Beyond

As McIntyre prepares for his upcoming title challenge against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania, he isn’t losing focus of Punk. The Scottish Warrior’s current contract situation is also interesting.

McIntyre has not re-signed with WWE. The last report we heard said that is being advertised well past his contract expiration date, but a new deal hasn’t been signed.

With the potential for the World Heavyweight Championship to be involved in McIntyre’s future stories, things are even more interesting. This is especially true if CM Punk may be in McIntyre’s future. After all, CM Punk vs Seth Rollins was the plan for WrestleMania before Punk’s injury got in the way. 

Mercedes Mone Makes Strategic Trademark Move After AEW Debut

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AEW secured Mercedes Mone months ago, but she just made her big debut. Now, it appears that she is gearing up to continue cashing in on every piece of intellectual property she can.

Mercedes Moné filed to trademark the term “Bo$$ton” via her company Soulnado, Inc, on March 14. That Bo$$ton word was used on the Big Business poster to hype Mercedes’ impending debut without directly promoting it.

Mercedes’ New Trademark

As reported by Fightful, the trademark’s description states: “Mark For: BO$$TON trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of hats; Shirts; Shirts and short-sleeved shirts; Sweatshirts; Hooded sweatshirts.”

“Bo$$ton” appears to be a play on the words “boss” and “Boston,” which is the hometown of Moné. Of course, she was The Boss in WWE, a trademark she didn’t take with her, along with her Sasha Banks name.

What’s Next for Mercedes Mone

Fans can probably expect to see some Bo$$ton clothing merch soon with this trademark. She already has an AEW t-shirt that is a play off her relationship to Snoop Dogg.

Moné recently debuted for AEW at the Big Business edition of Dynamite, in front of her hometown crowd in Boston. She was warmly welcomed, even expressing that she felt “so cool” like Steve Austin.

After Dynamite went off the air, Moné came out to the ring following a dark match between Willow Nightingale and Riho. Seeing Julia Hart and Sky Blue attacking Nightingale after the match, Moné, donning her new ring gear, rushed to her aid. She swiftly took out Blue and delivered her signature move, the Mone Maker, to Hart.

Mercedes Turned Down WWE

Moné received a “generous offer” from WWE before her debut in the rival promotion. However, her gut instinct led her to choose AEW instead. More details can be found here.

The women’s division at AEW played a big role in Mercedes Moné’s decision to sign with the company. While there’s no official word yet on her first match or opponent, Moné has hinted at potential feuds. She mentioned having “unfinished business” with Willow Nightingale, suggesting a possible rivalry. Britt Baker also expressed interest in facing Moné last year, hinting at another potential matchup.

Of course, Mone also got a bit of heat within AEW over that comment concerning how she believes she will be back in WWE. She said that before her debut, but she was still with the contract under contract for two months prior to that.

Ja Morant Responds to The Rock’s Mention of Gun Controversy at WWE SmackDown Concert

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Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant had an amusing response to The Rock taking a jab at him on last night’s Friday Night SmackDown. He saw The People’s Champ’s little remark about him like everyone else.

Ja Morant replied to The Rock’s dig at his gun situation by simply giving an animated gif in response. This paticular gif showed 50 Cent asking what TF did he do. 

The Rock’s Jab at Ja Morant

‘The Great One’ has embraced his heel side, and he has been dropping bombshells on the mic week after week. He also took over the blue brand with a musical segment for the Memphis crowd. 

During the musical affair on this week’s SmackDown, The Rock took a jibe at Morant and dropped a reference to his controversy involving a gun. “The Rock” sang the following:

“You’re simply an embarrassment, son. Just like Ja Morant when he’s waving a gun. I love you, Ja!”

Context 

NBA suspended the Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant for as many as 25 games without pay due to the gun controversy. This marked his second major suspension in a couple of months after his appearance on social media, waving a gun.

It’s worth noting that after he departed a social event in Memphis on May 13, Morant went on to take a selfie in a car and posed with his gun on a live stream. A statement from the NBA stated that he had already served an eight-game, non-paying suspension for having a gun on March 4 during a livestream at a club in the Denver area while also being intoxicated.

Ja Morant responds

Despite being in hot waters, Morant took the jab sportingly and responded to The Rock on social media. He posted the popular 50 Cent meme which was the “What I Do” meme from a previous dispute that 50 Cent had about boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.

Currently, Morant is recuperating from shoulder surgery and has been on the sidelines. Following his suspension, in January he sustained a separated shoulder which put him on the shelf for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, The Rock is set to team up with Roman Reigns and take on the team of Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night One of WrestleMania 40. If the heels win the big Mania match, then it will be Bloodline Rules for Cody vs Roman on night 2.

WWE Boom: Triple H Close To Raking Up Incredible Achievement For Sold-Out Shows

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WWE is on fire right now when it comes to their live attendance. The road to WrestleMania usually generates added interest, but this year certainly feels special. Triple H is close to raking up a nice achievement in the process.

The upcoming WWE Monday Night RAW event scheduled for March 18, 2024, at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC, currently has 947 tickets available out of a total setup of 12,770 seats, with 11,823 tickets already distributed. With just five days until the show and considering the strong ticket sales trend, this event has the potential to mark the 9th consecutive TV sellout if the streak continues.

WWE’s Big Business 

WWE’s touring business is thriving, showing no signs of slowing down as it approaches a significant milestone. Over the past eighteen months WWE has seen notable improvements across various aspects, including morale, booking, live attendance, and other key metrics.

In recent weeks, WWE has experienced a remarkable consecutive sellout streak and appears poised to reach a new achievement. Monday’s episode of Raw on March 18 marks the potential ninth consecutive sellout, with only 947 tickets remaining to be sold following the sale of 11,823 tickets at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC, as reported by WrestleTix on their Patreon.

If this show achieves a sellout, WWE will then go for the tenth consecutive TV sellout with SmackDown next Friday at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. The event is nearing a sellout already, with the latest update two days ago indicating only 90 tickets were available after selling 10,718 tickets.

What’s Next For WWE

The boost in WWE’s popularity does coincide with Triple H assuming control of main roster creative from Vince McMahon after the 2022 summer hush money scandal. Mr. McMahon did return, and there was a period where he made remote changes, but he is now totally out of the picture.

Only time will tell if WWE sees their business slow down. With WrestleMania 40 coming up in a matter of weeks, odds are that won’t happen any time soon.

SEScoops will have more on this story and so much more. Please keep checking back for constant updates for the stories you need.

WWE Talent Unhappy Over Will Ospreay’s AEW Move After Triple H Talks

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AEW pulled Will Ospreay in after making a big deal to secure his services. It seems that WWE was also in the running to get him, but AEW simply tried a lot harder, and now he is All Elite. This move might not have left a ton of happiness within in WWE.

Triple H is believed to have not realized Will Ospreay’s potential, and he didn’t lock him down with a contract. According to Dave Meltzer, there are some unhappy WWE Superstars due to the fact that The Game let Ospreay go to AEW.

The Set-Up For Controversy

Now that Will Ospreay has begun to gain attention in AEW shortly after officially joining the promotion, there is a prevailing sentiment that WWE overlooked an opportunity in not signing him when they expressed interest.

There are apparently individuals within WWE who believe that Triple H presented Ospreay with a less-than-ideal contract offer during their negotiations prior to Ospreay’s decision to sign with All Elite Wrestling last November. We previously reported that there are those who believe that he didn’t appreciate Ospreay’s abilities.

During a discussion on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer highlighted the perspective held by some within WWE that Ospreay could have been comparable to a younger version of AJ Styles when Styles initially joined the company in 2016. Consequently, there were feelings of disappointment among certain individuals within WWE regarding their failure to secure Ospreay’s services, given the high regard in which they held him.

Meltzer further elaborated on the perception of Ospreay within WWE, suggesting that while some saw him as potentially akin to AJ Styles in terms of talent upon his arrival, there was recognition that Ospreay possessed distinct attributes that set him apart, including a notably stronger charisma.

“AJ when he first came in there, and still now he’s a super talented guy, but the thing with Ospreay, it’s I know people in that company who are very, very high on him, and that were very upset. I don’t say very upset, but upset surely they didn’t get him because they knew he was this good. And they just thought that he’s a guy who can be like a real major player here.”

AEW’s Money Situation

WWE also didn’t jump on getting Mercedes Mone when they were in talks with her. The company did offer her a substantial contract, but it wasn’t enough to beat out Tony Khan.

Tony Khan’s substantial wealth isn’t solely derived from his role as a wrestling promoter. In addition to overseeing a wrestling promotion, he juggles various other endeavors, like his ownership of the Fulham Football Club in London and the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s worth noting that Tony’s father, Shahid Khan, boasts a net worth of 12.2 billion USD.

AEW has a lot of money, because TK has incredibly deep pockets. Only time will tell when he hits his salary cap, or if that day will ever come for the Land of All Elite. Either way, Will Ospreay is now a heel in AEW, and he’s getting some great exposure with a new audience who may not have followed him for years as others have who know him from NJPW.

SEScoops will have ongoing coverage of this story, and so much more. Keep checking back for the latest updates and headlines that you need.

Built to Last! WWE’s Natalya Revels In Unique 20+ Year Accolade

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WWE Superstar Natalya has proven that she’s built to last, considering the impressive streak she’s built for over 20 years. 

Natalya made her WWE TV debut in 2008, making her one of the longest tenured Superstars, regardless of sex, in the company today. She is also the wife of TJ Wilson, a WWE producer who worked under Tyson Kidd until his in-ring career ended due to injury in 2015. 

Natalya’s Unique Record

Given her lengthy tenure in the ring, you’d be surprised to learn that Natalya has been able to avoid long-term injuries throughout her career. On Twitter, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful pointed out that since 2004, the Queen of Harts has never been out of the ring for longer than three months. Responding, Natalya said she’s had luck on her side and has been fortunate enough to work with pros. The veteran added that she’s “built to F’N last” to explain how she’s been able to keep active in the ring. 

Natalya’s Accolades

Natalya is a former WWE Divas Champion, having held the title from November 2010 to January 2011. In 2017 she captured the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship from Naomi. She and Tamina won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships in 2017. 

The self-professed BOAT (Best Of All Time) also holds several Guinness World Records. They include: 

  • Most Matches in WWE History (Female)
  • Most Wins in WWE History (Female)
  • Most WWE Premium Live Event Matches (Female)
  • Most WWE WrestleMania appearances (Female)
  • Most WWE Monday Night Raw Matches
  • Most WWE SmackDown Matches

Health Setback: David Finlay Withdraws from NJPW Tournament

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There are a lot of plans in place for NJPW, but they can’t predict everything. Sadly, David Finlay is unable to wrestle as planned, and the company was forced to figure things out.

NJPW announced today that David Finlay will not compete tonight in Nagoya due to illness. He is currently undergoing evaluation at a local hospital. Hirooki Goto will advance to the semifinals via forfeit.

David Finlay is Out

In a recent announcement by NJPW, it was revealed that David Finlay would be absent from the event in Nagoya due to an unexpected illness. This was a bit of a surprise, because fans were expecting to see him.

With Finlay unable to compete, NJPW announced that Hirooki Goto would advance to the semifinals of the tournament by default. While Goto’s advancement was a result of Finlay’s unfortunate circumstance, it provided him with an opportunity to progress in the tournament that he didn’t pass up.

Who is David Finlay

With a rich wrestling lineage as a fourth-generation wrestler, David debuted in NJPW during the 2015 Best of the Super Jr. tournament. He then joined the New Japan Dojo. His road in NJPW included a tag team run with Juice Robinson, but now he is on his own.

After assuming leadership of Bullet Club, Finlay declared that the group was now exclusively for ‘savages,’ as he kicked out El Phantasmo and recruited Clark Connors. He then challenged for the NEVER Openweight Championship, winning over Tama Tonga in a brutal encounter.

Although Finlay lost the title to Tama later that October, he made a significant impact at Power Struggle in Osaka by attacking Will Ospreay and Jon Moxley after their US(UK) Heavyweight Championship match, destroying both belts.

In the aftermath, a new IWGP Global Championship was established, and Finlay claimed the inaugural title at Wrestle Kingdom 18. Now, he is still going strong in NJPW, despite his recent health setback.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more. You never know what will happen next, but we can’t wait to bring you all the headlines you need.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q-Ar6_mKIw