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Pat McAfee & Michael Cole Reunite As New WWE RAW Announce Team

Aaron Varble
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Pat McAfee’s music surprised fans in Tropicana Field as he kicked off the Royal Rumble event. He joined Michael Cole and Corey Graves to call every match on the show, even the Men’s Royal Rumble, where McAfee had an impromptu appearance in the match. Now, he is back on WWE television on a weekly basis.

Pat McAfee Is Back on WWE Television

McAfee’s “Let’s Goooo!” music kicked off WWE RAW this week. This appearance was more than Royal Rumble fallout, because Cole and McAfee are back together.

Michael Cole was happy to announce that McAfee is now back on WWE RAW as a full-time announcer for the red brand. He will be joined by Cole on the show every week, and they were very happy about this reunion.

Cole and McAfee work together very well, because they are legit good friends. Cole has spoken on many occasions how close he is with McAfee, and now the two real-life friends get to talk about pro wrestling on RAW for three hours every week.

Pat McAfee’s Previous WWE Experience

McAfee cut his teeth in WWE on the NXT brand. He not only got some commentary experience in, but he also had one impressive feud with Adam Cole, which resulted in a legit match. He later went on to become SmackDown announcer.

Austin Theory stepped up to face Pat McAfee at WrestleMania 38, in a match that was first thought to be Vince McMahon vs McAfee. That match was quite interesting, as it saw McMahon make his final WrestleMania appearance (probably ever) as he sold a Stone Cold Stunner like a lead balloon.

WWE Shaking Up Announce Teams

I broke the news that Kevin Patrick is off the SmackDown announce team.

Since then, we’ve learned the new SmackDown announce team has been finalized:

Endeavor instituted two-man announce teams with their new set-up. It appears that three-man teams are out now, which is what helped lead to Michael Cole and Pat McAfee’s reunion on the red brand. 

CM Punk Confirms During 1/29 WWE RAW That Injury Will Cost Him WrestleMania 40

Aaron Varble
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0

CM Punk competed in his first televised WWE match in almost ten years at the 2024 Royal Rumble. Sadly, he also suffered an injury during the contest.

CM Punk Addresses His Injury

It was reported today that CM Punk suffered a triceps injury during the Royal Rumble match. There was no official confirmation from Punk or WWE. Then, the Second City Savior addressed the WWE Universe to kick off RAW this week.

Punk made his way to the ring with his right arm in a sling. After saying that he hopes Cody finishes his story, Punk said he never believed in luck, but he feels unlucky.

“In the course of the Rumble, I tore my right tricep,” Punk admitted. He thought about taping it to work on that injury, but WrestleMania is not in the cards for him. He said that maybe main eventing WrestleMania isn’t in the cards for him after all.

Fans cheered for CM Punk as he continued on and said this is just a bump in the road. He’s overcome adversity countless times in the past, and he doesn’t focus on people who tell him that he can’t. His promo, although the message was terrible that he will miss Mania, was very motivational.

Then CM Punk said, “there’s always next year,” before Drew McIntyre interrupted him. McIntyre could only relate to Punk’s heartbreaking career setbacks. Then he said that “I’m not a spiritual person, but I prayed for this to happen,” to get a big heel reaction from fans. Then Punk said that he’s coming back for McIntyre upon his return.

What’s Next for CM Punk?

At this time, we do not have an exact return timetable for CM Punk. We can only hope that he gets that WrestleMania match eventually, but this year’s show of shows isn’t happening for Punk.

Punk suffered a triceps tear at All Out in Chicago in 2022 during the main event against Jon Moxley. Following immediate surgery, he remained inactive for over nine months before making his return for the debut of the Collision show. Now, he is dealing with another similar injury.

WWE Hall of Famers The Bella Twins Speak Out On Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis Allegations

Aaron Varble
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The pro wrestling world was shaken up in a huge way when Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon was made public. This lawsuit, which alleges sexual abuse, extortion, and assault, could break the company wide open if private texts and emails are exposed for all to see. To prepare themselves for what’s to come, Nikki and Brie Bella are now speaking out.

The Garcia Twins Respond

The Bella Twins are no longer in WWE, as they allowed their contracts to expire. Now as the Garcia Twins, they are doing their thing in the public eye. After those damning allegations against Vince McMahon, Nikki and Brie had to speak up.

The official Twitter/X account for the Garcia Twins sent out a public announcement about the recent lawsuit and the mountain of allegations that it included. It was made very clear that the WWE Hall of Fame team do not condone anything that the earth-shattering lawsuit alleged, and they support women in every way that they can.

We are shocked and disheartened with the recent allegations against members of the WWE. It has been a lot to process since we found out this past week as you all did. This is something we don’t stand for or condone from anyone no matter who they are. We want all women to feel safe and supported in the workplace and in their everyday lives.

The Bella Twins’ Connection to Vince McMahon’s Big Lawsuit

That lawsuit from Janel Grant wasn’t just against WWE and Vince McMahon, because John Laurinaitis was also named as a defendant. Laurinaitis is also married to Nikki and Brie’s mother.

John and Kathy Laurinaitis were married in 2016, years before the allegations in that lawsuit allegedly took place. Their wedding was also used as a storyline device on Total Divas. As of this writing, Laurinaitis has not released any public statement on this matter, but Vince McMahon’s camp sent out a response of denial.

It was also made clear in McMahon’s statement after his resignation from WWE that he was still claiming total innocence from the allegations in Grant’s lawsuit. SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this story.

Allegations In Janel Grant’s Lawsuit

Former WWE employee Janel Grant has filed a lawsuit against McMahon, accusing him of sex trafficking. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday morning, alleges that McMahon, while serving as WWE’s Chief Executive, subjected Grant to sexual abuse and exploitation. The suit claims McMahon coerced her into sexual relations under the promise of career advancement and later trafficked her to other men within WWE.

Grant, who signed a nondisclosure agreement with WWE in 2022, asserts that she first encountered McMahon in 2019 in their shared apartment building. McMahon purportedly promised her work at WWE and showered her with gifts. The lawsuit further claims that McMahon pressured her into sexual activities to secure her a job. Grant was hired as an “administration coordinator” in June 2019, a position the suit alleges McMahon created for her under John Laurinaitis. However, she reportedly had little work, leading to complaints from other WWE employees and Grant feeling her job was undeserved.

Grant further alleges that McMahon sent explicit messages, increased demands for sex, and used “toys” forcefully during intimate encounters, causing injuries. She claims McMahon shared photos and videos of her with other WWE executives and wrestlers, recruiting others within WWE to have sex with her, including then WWE head of talent relations John Laurinaitis. The suit alleges Grant’s mental and physical health declined, leading to McMahon sending her to a “celebrity doctor” in November, with McMahon later paying $20,000 for surgery.

The lawsuit contends that Grant was transferred to the talent-relations division in May 2021, working directly under Laurinaitis. A month later, Grant alleges McMahon and Laurinaitis locked her in an office, sexually assaulting her in turns, followed by McMahon assaulting her again a week later.

‘I think he’s guilty of all of this’ – Wrestling Legend Recalls Working For Vince McMahon

Dominic DeAngelo
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Dutch Mantell has always gotten bad vibes when he was around Vince McMahon and the Memphis wrestling legend thinks with the latest allegations where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

On his “Story Time with Dutch Mantell” podcast, Mantell and his co-host covered the 67-page legal document of the horrific allegations McMahon has been accused of.and Dutch thinks with all the NDAs signed that where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

“If he’s already paid out that much money, he’s guilty.”

Mantell then pulls from his personal experience with Vince McMahon and how he got some different energy from McMahon.

“I think he’s guilty of all of this and Vince is not right. I’ve always detected a vibe around Vince that something is off. 

“I didn’t know exactly what it was, but even talking to him sometimes, he’d look at you and you’d think, ‘What the f*** is he talking about?’ And then you get up and leave the room and you may not have even gotten an answer to the question you asked, but you got a lot of Vince’s vibe cause when he would walk into the whole room, the attitude in the room would change.”

Mantell then addresses the allegations that McMahon used sex toys on the victim, Janel Grant, named after WWE Superstars. Dutch believes this certain detail is so unique that nobody could conjure something up like that.

“This is only a detail that she would know. I mean, if I was a woman and I was making up stuff, I couldn’t even make that up so that’s what makes me think it’s real, that it really happened because that does sound like Vince.”

Mantell goes on to add that he doesn’t believe that we’ll see this matter go to trial and a settlement will be reached because other parties don’t want to be implicated and the damage is already done.

Please credit “Story Time With Dutch Mantell” and h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.

Becky Lynch Book Tour Kicks Off March 26 In New York City

Dominic DeAngelo
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Becky Lynch is going around to make towns for her forthcoming book.

With her autobiography, “Becky Lynch: The Man” coming out on March 26, Lynch. revealed that she’ll be hitting several book stores to sign copies of the book in person with fans. Lynch posted the following on social media.

“I can’t wait to share my story, in person, when The Man’s book tour comes around starting March 26th!”

Lynch is set to appear at the following book stores starting on March 26, the day the book hits stores.

Becky Lynch Book Tour Dates & Cities

  • March 26 at 123:00 PM ET: Barnes & Noble, Fifth Ave., New York, NY
  • March 27 at 6:00 PM ET: Bookends, Ridgewood, NJ
  • March 28 at 7:00 PM ET: Washington, DC
  • March 29 at 12:00 PM ET: RJ Julia Booksellers, Madison, CT
  • April 2 at 6:00 PM ET: Barnes & Noble, Philadelphia, PA
  • April 13 at 2:00 PM PT: Barnes & Noble, The Grove, Los Angeles, CA

Becky Lynch At The Royal Rumble

Lynch was one of the few favorites to win the Royal Rumble and “The Man” made her run-in at #21 and lasted over 20 minutes in the bout before being eliminated by a returning Naomi and a debuting Jade Cargill. The winner ended up being Lynch’s fellow Four Horsewoman, Bayley who entered the match at #3.

Where Lynch may land for WrestleMania is currently undetermined, but with Bayley likely challenging her current Damage CTRL teammate Iyo Sky for her title, Rhea Ripley still needs an opponent.

Ivy Nile On Her Aspirations In WWE, Standouts She Sees In NXT (Exclusive)

Ella Jay
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As she continues the transition to life on WWE’s main roster, Ivy Nile looks forward to partaking in some major premium live events and wrestling some notable competitors from RAW and SmackDown. 

During a recent conversation I had with Nile, she spoke about her aspirations on WWE’s main roster, citing a pair of powerhouses as women she’s particularly keen on working with.

 “I love working with huge, strong women because I feel like I’m really good at breaking them down,” Nile said. “I’ve worked with Lash Legends a lot in NXT and some of my favorite fights have been with her. Rhea Ripley [as well]. I just love working with these strong big women because it makes me want to match their energy and match what they can do. I’m like, ‘You can do that, I can do that.’

So to name a few, Nia Jax maybe. Bianca Belair, we’re [from] the same Knoxville place. I don’t know if I want to go toe to toe with her, maybe team up with her, maybe. I think the sky’s the limit. I’ll go toe to toe with anyone. Just because they’re bigger than me doesn’t doesn’t mean anything.”

In addition to competing with more main-roster talent, Nile is also aiming to land a  spot on some of WWE’s biggest events, such as Elimination Chamber, WrestleMania 40, and the 2024 Royal Rumble, which will take place on January 27.

“There’s so many things I’ve trained for that I didn’t know what was to come, but I’m ready for it,” Nile said. “So many people will be like, so you have this certain event in a couple of weeks, ‘Oh, I have to get ready.’ That’s not me. I’m ready.

It’s ambitious to say, this is my first year in, in RAW, we have Rumble coming up. We have Elimination Chamber coming up. We have WrestleMania. There’s so many things this year, dare I say, I want to get my hands on everything, but gosh, you just never know.”

NXT Standouts

While her focus on now centered on the main roster, Ivy Nile hasn’t forgotten about the up-and-coming stars in WWE NXT. In assessing the current landscape in NXT, Nile pointed out three competitors she has been particularly impressed with, all of whom Nile has previously shared a ring with.

“I worked with Fallon Henley a lot. I feel like she’s definitely starting to get more noticed and more eyes on her. And I think she is one of the sassiest and feistiest girls there. She definitely will pack a punch, let me tell you. We worked together a lot and she’s always just one of the hardest workers in the room. Kiana James is another one. To work with her, she is just incredible. She’s just always bringing out new things and just very, very fierce in everything that she does.

I think Roxanne Perez is also so, I wouldn’t say underdog at all, it’s just when you look at her, she just always surprises me in what she does. I can just feel her emotion and feel everything she’s doing. Every time I see her, she just elevates herself. And that’s so inspiring for myself to kind of just keep getting better if she’s elevating herself every single match. I think she’s amazing.

Read more from my interview with WWE Superstar Ivy Nile:

Liv Morgan Kept An Impressive Streak In Tact At The Royal Rumble

Ella Jay
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The 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble came equipped with several surprises, one of which was the return of Liv Morgan. The former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion had been out of action since sustaining a second shoulder injury — an injury that later resulted in her being written off WWE television in late July 2023.

After six months on the shelf, Morgan resurfaced in WWE’s Women’s Royal Rumble match on January 27, entering the field from the number 30 position. Morgan  was one of the final two competitors in the match, but was eliminated by the winner, Bayley. 

During an interview with Denise Salcedo, Morgan commented on her return, sharing her excitement to being back in a ring. 

“It’s been a journey the
last 6 months,” Morgan said. “It’s been a fight, it’s
been a struggle, so to come back at the
Royal Rumble in the coveted 30 spot, I
was very happy. I felt honored and
just happy to be back, happy to be back
doing what I love, doing my thing, came
really really really close, but I am
happy for Bayley, nonetheless.”

Despite a lengthy absense from WWE due to injury, Morgan returned to action just in time to keep an impressive Royal Rumble streak in tact.

“Last year
I came very close as well. I was also a
runner-up last year when Rhea beat me. I think Nattie and I are the
only superstars in WWE to be in all
seven women’s Rumble match, so I am a
little bit of a veteran in this match. Maybe next year will be my year.”

Liv Morgan Channels Christina Aguillera

Morgan paid homage to singer Christina Aguilera’s outfit from her Dirrty music video with her ring gear in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble:

WWE’s Reported Plan For CM Punk On 1/29 RAW After Injury

Aaron Varble
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CM Punk had his first match on WWE television at the Royal Rumble, but sadly, that resulted in an injury. Now, there is a plan for Punk, but it doesn’t include wrestling right away.

CM Punk is Injured

According to Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select, over the weekend, WWE had concerns about a potential significant injury to CM Punk. It was previously reported that Punk suffered a triceps injury, with PW Insider suggesting that surgery might be necessary, projecting a prolonged absence extending beyond WrestleMania.

Although information about Punk’s triceps injury was reported, there’s no official confirmation from Punk or WWE. At this time, fans should still expect to hear from Punk this week on RAW.

Punk suffered a triceps tear at All Out in Chicago in 2022 during the main event against Jon Moxley. Following immediate surgery, he remained inactive for over nine months before making his return for the debut of the Collision show.

WWE’s Plan For CM Punk On RAW Tonight

It is reported that Punk is currently listed for tonight’s WWE RAW, where it’s anticipated that he will address the reported injury. Internally, he was planned to face Seth Rollins at WrestleMania, who is dealing with a torn MCL and meniscus.

During the conclusion of the WWE Royal Rumble match, a WWE referee checked on CM Punk, inquiring about the need for medical attention. Punk declined, expressing his intent to complete the match. There’s no information suggesting that Cody Rhodes’s Royal Rumble win was a result of Punk’s injury.

WWE’s WrestleMania Plan For CM Punk

This is terrible timing for CM Punk, because he was set to take on Seth Rollins at WrestleMania. Now, with Punk out of the mix, they will need to figure out a new match for the Visionary.

WWE is in WrestleMania rewriting mode when it comes to Brock Lesnar as well. His Mania match against GUNTHER may be off, because his name was attached to the horrible allegations against Vince McMahon from Janel Grant’s lawsuit.

We can only hope that CM Punk is able to make it back in speedy fashion. 

CM Punk Injury: Torn Triceps Puts WrestleMania Match In Jeopardy, Surgery Likely

Tyriece Simon
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The ‘Road To WrestleMania’ may look bleak for WWE superstar CM Punk. He competed at WWE Royal Rumble on January 27 for the first time in over a decade and looked in good shape. However, fans noticed he favored his arm in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match. 

According to PWInsider, Punk suffered a torn triceps during Saturday’s Royal Rumble match. Sources indicate that he will need surgery, which would keep him out for 4-6 months.

‘The belief among sources we have spoken with is that post-surgery, CM Punk would likely need in the area of 4-6 months of recovery and physical therapy.’ 

Punk is expected to address the WWE Universe on the January 29 episode of Monday Night Raw from Tampa, FL.

How did CM Punk’s Injury Occur?

Fans have pointed out that Punk looked hurt after he took a Future Shock DDT from Drew McIntyre in the Men’s Royal Rumble match. The report noted that Punk allegedly told a referee during the match that it was his tricep. 

It’s unclear if this is the same tricep he injured in a match against Jon Moxley at AEW All Out on September 4, 2022.

CM Punk’s WrestleMania Plans In Doubt

This injury would likely remove him from a potential match against  WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins at WWE WrestleMania 40 in April. If he injured the same tricep against Moxley, he could be out of action for several months and possibly return in late 2024. 

While it seemed WWE was leaning towards a Punk and Rollins showdown at WWE WrestleMania 40, they have also teased WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther as the title challenger. On the January 22 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, ‘The Ringe General’ had an in-ring segment with Rollins and showed interest in becoming the  WWE World Heavyweight Champion. 

Although Punk vs. Rollins may have been in the works, a potential title vs. title match between Gunther and Rollins could make for a big program for WWE WrestleMania 40. If Punk is injured, hopefully, he can fully recover and reignite his feud with Rollins later this year. 

Naomi & Andrade’s WWE Brand Assignments Revealed Following Royal Rumble Returns

Aaron Varble
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WWE saw a few surprises during the 2024 Royal Rumble event. Naomi and Andrade both returned to the company, and now we have an update on what is next for them.

WWE’s Plan for Andrade

Andrade concluded his tenure with AEW at World’s End, in a loss to Miro. It was pretty clear that his return to WWE was happening. Despite expectations for an earlier debut, Andrade made his way back during the 2024 Royal Rumble event. 

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that Andrade was scheduled for tonight’s WWE Raw. Charlotte Flair, who advocated for his return, showed support backstage at the WWE Royal Rumble, as she helped prepare him for his big moment. 

Charlotte, who is on the Smackdown brand, is currently sidelined with a terrible knee injury. She may be out for about a year at this point, so the fact that they are on different brands isn’t a big deal.

Plans for Naomi in WWE

Naomi also returned during the 2024 Royal Rumble match. The Glow is anticipated to be featured on the Smackdown brand. 

Having previously performed in TNA under her real name, Trinity, Naomi openly communicated her return to WWE and likely participation in the Royal Rumble. TNA sources reportedly mentioned that it became apparent by the start of the year that Naomi would be concluding her time with TNA. 

WWE maintained interest in Naomi for over a year, but due to an informal hiring freeze, her return was delayed until after her TNA obligations were fulfilled. Now, she is back, and ready to battle on the blue brand, where her husband, Jimmy Uso, is still a top act as part of The Bloodline. 

Rhea Ripley Warns Bayley About Trusting The Wrong People

Ella Jay
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Prior to her victory in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble, Bayley loudly proclaimed that if she won the match, she intended to challenge WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley for her title at WrestleMania 40. Ripley, however, believes “The Role Model” should be looking elsewhere right now.

Following Bayley’s Royal Rumble win, ‘The Eradicator’ addressed this previous claim during an interview with Denise Salcedo, suggesting that Bayley may be better served by looking inward at her Damage CTRL stablemates, particularly WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY.

“I love Bayley. I think she’s great,” Ripley said. “I’ve danced with her in the ring a couple times, and we’ve teamed together with WarGames and all that.I want to say that she has love for me too, and she wouldn’t choose me for Wrestlemania and just throw away her ticket to WrestleMania like that. If I were her, I would keep my eyes on the people around her because it’s good to keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.”

As Ripley alluded to, recent months have seen the majority of Damage CTRL (IYO SKY, Dakota Kai, Asuka, and Kairi Sane) gradually distance themselves from Bayley. Coming off her Royal Rumble win, Bayley now has an opportunity to confront that divide head-on by facing SKY for her title at WrestleMania 40. 

For right now, though, wrestling fans will have to stay tuned to find out which champion Bayley will officially issue a challenge to. 

Assessing The Royal Rumble Field

While she didn’t partake in this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble, Rhea Ripley kept a close eye on the events that unfolded within the match. In surveying her potential competition, Ripley noted this year’s entrants thoroughly impressed her, making her even more excited to see who would eventually prevail. 

“I was just standing there watching it and I’m like ‘Yo, all of these women they’re competitors.’ I could easily step in the ring with any one of them and you would think that I’m in danger and I love that,” Ripley said.

“That’s a way that the women’s division is thriving and it’s all about competition. I live for that, so I was so over the moon and thrilled to see these women going in there and getting their opportunity to shine. Then watching the whole thing, like everyone did so exceptionally well. I’m proud of our division. We really showed everyone exactly what we’ve got and I’m very proud of them.”

This year’s field featured several surprises as well, including the returns of Naomi (also known as Trinity) and Liv Morgan. Recent signee Jade Cargill also made her official WWE in-ring debut, eliminating the likes of Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, and Naomi during her outing. 

Kevin Nash Praises AEW Star Jon Moxley: “He’s The Only One That Gets It On That Show.”

Dominic DeAngelo
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Wrestling legend Kevin Nash believes former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley is in a different class than everyone else in All Elite Wrestling.

The nWo founder spoke about AEW on the latest episode of his Kliq This podcast. Nash acknowledged he’s gotten heat for not watching AEW, but was able to watch last week’s AEW Dynamite due to a shift in his schedule.

Nash didn’t hold back while reviewing each match and segment of the show along with co-host Sean Oliver. He took issue with several creative decisions, but one segment in particular left him wanting more.

Jon Moxley brings realism to AEW

According to Nash, Jon Moxley’s pre-recorded backstage promo was the best part of the entire show. He’s seen it all throughout his legendary career and knows talent when he sees it. AEW has a lot of talented wrestlers, but Nash says Moxley is the only one who comes across like it’s real.

“There was a promo he cut a couple weeks ago where he was bloody and he was talking s*** about all the different, uh, belts that are out there and ‘he lost and he didn’t get one tonight.’ And it’s just like..

Moxley gets it. I think Moxley’s the only one that gets it on that show and he owns it. He comes across f******, like, real.”

Nash mentioned how bummed he was that that particular segment was the only thing Moxley was in the entire night. Elsewhere on the show, Nash appreciated the presentation of AEW World Champion Samoa Joe, but felt that HOOK came across as minor league due to the way he was dressed.

Moxley has been with AEW since the beginning and has stepped up for the company countless times throughout tumultuous times. 

Updated Timeframe For Mercedes Mone’s Return to Wrestling

Aaron Varble
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WWE lost Mercedes Mone and Trinity when they walked out of the company in May 2022. Since then, Naomi made her return to WWE during the 2024 Royal Rumble after a successful stint in TNA. Sasha Banks, on the other hand, has not returned. Now, the latest update casts even more doubt that will happen.

Update On Mercedes Mone’s Future

Mercedes Mone is no longer under any pro wrestling contract. That brought up big rumors about her WWE return, but it appears she is expected to appear elsewhere now.

There have been many developments for Mone over the past few months. Her NJPW contract expired, and she was free to discuss her future with another company, and that included WWE.

Although Mone and WWE were talking about her return, they seem to have hit a roadblock. Now, it is no longer anticipated that fans will see her WWE comeback, because another company is expected to snag her.

To provide an update on the situation, PW Insider has reported that Mercedes Mone will be back working in pro wrestling by March and “not for WWE.” This may disappoint some WWE fans, but at least she will be seen soon enough.

Although it was not explicitly stated, the current thought is that Mercedes Mone is going to end up in AEW. That debut has obviously not happened yet. AEW Revolution will take place on March 3rd in the Greensboro Coliseum. The event will see Sting’s final match, but it may also include Mercedes Mone’s debut for the company if this report lines up.

What’s Next For Mercedes Mone

Mercedes Mone just registered trademarks for, what could be, a clothing line. She has other options in the entertainment industry, as her acting career could see more credits than the Mandalorian down the line.

Bayley may believe that her story with Mercedes Mone will live on forever, but the former Sasha Banks is not making a return to WWE at this point. It will be interesting to see if her road brings her back to the company, but that isn’t happening this time around. 

Hulk Hogan Says Roman Reigns Would Have Been Top Star In Any Era Of WWE

Aaron Varble
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Roman Reigns’ historic journey as WWE Undisputed Universal Champion is still going. The book is not closed on a possible match against The Rock this year, and many eyes are on the Tribal Chief. Hulk Hogan is one man who certainly paid attention.

Hulk Hogan’s High Praise For Roman Reigns

Hulk Hogan praises Roman Reigns, acknowledging Reigns’ significant impact on the pro wrestling business. According to Hogan, Reigns’ success could have been substantial in any era of WWE’s history.

Currently holding the Undisputed WWE Universal title, Roman Reigns has an impressive reign spanning over 1,240 days. This extended tenure as a champion is a rare occurrence in recent years. Reigns has the opportunity to further etch his name in history by surpassing Hulk Hogan’s longest reign, which lasted for 1,474 days.

While speaking with Sports Illustrated, Hulk Hogan praised Roman Reigns a huge way. He said that the Tribal Chief would have been able to paint masterpieces in the ring, no matter what year it is.

“It takes a really long time to be able to transition and pivot on a dime the way he does. That’s how he paints masterpieces you’ve never seen before. He’s working on a whole different level.”

Sika Anoa’i, Reigns’ father, taught him the fundamentals of the business, which is evident in his matches. Hogan pointed out Reigns’ ability to evoke emotions, make the crowd angry, and keep them engaged in anticipation of a comeback. According to Hogan, Reigns learned these techniques in an old-school fashion from his father but has successfully adapted to the modern era. Hogan expressed his belief that Reigns is versatile and can adjust to any opponent, emphasizing his remarkable skills.

“Roman’s dad, Sika, he explained the ABCs of it all to him. Watch his matches and you can tell. You can see it in the way Roman creates emotion, understands how to make the crowd mad, and how he puts people on the edge of their seat calling for that comeback. Roman Reigns learned this all old-school from his dad, but he adapted to the newer era, too. He can do it all. Roman is adaptable to whoever he is wrestling. That’s important. At any moment in time, he can switch gears on you. He’s amazing, and he’d fit in any era.”

What’s Next

Roman Reigns was able to defend his Undisputed Universal Title at the Royal Rumble. He beat LA Knight, Randy Orton and AJ Styles in a fatal four-way match. Now, it appears that he will have to deal with Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, where the American Nightmare will have a chance to finish his story.

Backstage News On Bayley’s Historic Win At The Royal Rumble

Bishal Roy
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Damage CTRL leader Bayley is headed to WrestleMania 40 after a thrilling victory in Saturday’s 30-Woman Royal Rumble match. 

Bayley, a multi-time Women’s Champion in WWE, has earned an opportunity to show the world that she’s still a championship-caliber competitor. She’s also looking to build a legacy on par with her peers Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Mercedes Mone/Sasha Banks, which is no small task.

WWE regularly plans out big matches months in advance, but the company also makes changes to plans at the last minute on a pretty regular basis. The Royal Rumble winners set the course for the top matches at WrestleMania, so late changes to the winners would indicate that situation is still in flux.

According to PWInsider, WWE had Bayley booked to win the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble for quite some time and this was not a late decision. 

Bayley made history at the Royal Rumble

Bayley’s performance this past Saturday set a new record for the longest time spent a Women’s Royal Rumble  at one hour and three minutes.

After entering at #3 following Natalya and the returning Naomi, Bayley (with some help from Damage CTRL allies Asuka and Kairi Sane) eliminated  Candice LaRae, Indi Hartwell, Maxxine Dupri and finally Liv Morgan to win the 7th Women’s Royal Rumble.

Who was backstage at the Royal Rumble?

In other Royal Rumble news, several pro wrestling legends were backstage visiting.

Based on speaking with people at the event, as well as photos posted on social media, the list of special guests included Mike Rotunda, Brian Blair, Steve Keirn, Dory Funk Jr. & Marti Funk and Gerald Brisco.

WWE Saw Mixed Internal Reaction Of Relief & Happiness After Vince McMahon’s Resignation

Aaron Varble
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Vince McMahon is no longer with WWE, and that is a shocking adjustment that everyone will have to make. A bombshell lawsuit with heinous allegations forced this big move, and now we know how it was received within the company.

Latest on Vince McMahon Lawsuit

In the aftermath of Vince McMahon’s resignation from WWE, a series of legal developments unfolded. PW Insider has confirmed that the U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut, issued an electronic summons for McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE on January 26th. Each party had 21 days to respond after being served, although as of the last recording, no official service had been documented.

Internal Reaction To Vince McMahon’s Resignation

Internally, Vince McMahon’s departure brought mixed reactions, ranging from relief to happiness among staff and executives. Some believed the allegations in the Janel Grant lawsuit justified the outcome, while others welcomed the official distancing of McMahon from the company. Despite not actively leading WWE Creative, McMahon’s minimal role in 2024 ended with his resignation.

McMahon’s exit reportedly potentially opens the door for Stephanie McMahon’s return, although the transformed corporate landscape post-Endeavor’s ownership complicates her potential role. WWE President Nick Khan expressed the company’s desire to welcome Stephanie back, but the dynamics have shifted significantly.

After the news broke that McMahon had resigned, the initial response internally in WWE among staff and executives that PW Insider spoke with was a mix of relief and happiness. There were some who felt that McMahon got what was coming to him based on the allegations in the lawsuit filing by Grant. There were also some who were glad McMahon was now distanced “officially” from the company, as he was, as one source commented, “a black cloud hanging over everything even though he wasn’t involved in anything” anymore. 

Vince McMahon’s Final WWE HQ Visit

Vince McMahon’s last appearance at WWE HQ was during an all-hands meeting on January 23. It’s speculated that this might be his final physical presence inside a WWE building. Concerns arose internally about Endeavor possibly restructuring to establish a fresh start for the company. Those associated with McMahon might face challenges in the new WWE era.

Ari Emanuel, Endeavor’s owner, is expected to take decisive actions to protect WWE’s business interests. The sentiment is that he will not hesitate to remove anything or anyone that could potentially impact the company negatively. The post-Endeavor WWE operates under a different culture and corporate structure, signaling a significant departure from its previous identity.

WWE’s Slim Jim Drama

Slim Jim’s decision to “pause” its sponsorship deal, the largest in WWE history, played a pivotal role in McMahon’s resignation. That went down on the morning before the Royal Rumble event. This move also prompted other sponsors to reconsider their association, ultimately leading to McMahon stepping down faster than anticipated.

After Vince McMahon stepped down from the company, Slim Jim returned to sponsor the 2024 Royal Rumble event as planned. That included getting a commercial inserted into LA Knight’s entrance before the Undisputed Universal Title match.

The Weeknd Extends His ‘WrestleMania Streak’ To 5 Years

Samantha Schipman
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The Undertaker holds the most famous streak in WrestleMania history, but singer, songwriter and producer The Weeknd is building an impressive ‘WrestleMania streak’ of his own.

The 2024 Royal Rumble is in the history books and we’re now on the road to WrestleMania 40. Over the weekend, WWE began airing promo videos for its biggest weekend of the year and wrestling fans will hear a familiar voice serenading them in the months ahead.

Gasoline by The Weeknd is the official theme song of WrestleMania 40. Gasoline comes from The Weeknd’s Dawn FM album that was released in 2022. Interestingly, the album has produced the last two Mania theme songs, “Sacrifice” and “Less Than Zero,” respectively.

The Weeknd’s WrestleMania Streak

The Weeknd’s WrestleMania contributions began in 2020. 

  • WrestleMania 36: “Blinding Lights”
  • WrestleMania 37: “Save Your Tears”
  • WrestleMania 38: “Sacrifice”
  • WrestleMania 39: “Less Than Zero”
  • WrestleMania 40: “Gasoline”

He got fans buzzing on social media by posting the following on his Instagram story, a strong indication regarding his whereabouts this past Saturday night.

Flo Rida’s WWE contributions

The Weeknd is the new king of WrestleMania theme songs, but let’s not overlook the contributions of Flo Rida. He had three songs that were the official WrestleMania theme songs: “Wild Ones” featuring Sia (WM 28) and “My House” (WM 32). 

(Fun fact: “Wild Ones” won a GRAMMY in 2013.)

His third song was actually a song featuring him. He was on the track “Green Light” by Pitbull. That was the theme song for WrestleMania 33. 

According to The Smackdown Hotel, Flo Rida was featured four other shows. “Good Feeling” was the theme song for Survivor Series 2011. In 2012, “Let it Roll” was the theme song for Tribute to the Troops. 

WWE chose “How I Feel” for the theme song Survivor Series 2013. “GDFR” was the song choice for SummerSlam 2014.  

Flo Rida perfomed at WrestleMania 28 and 33. In 2016, Flo Rida also appeared on RAW where he participated in a battle rap with Bo Rida (Dallas). 

The Weeknd has yet to appear on any WWE programming. 

WrestleMania 40 will be live from the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The two night event airs on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7.

WWE May Cancel Brock Lesnar WrestleMania Dream Match After Connection To Vince McMahon Allegations

Aaron Varble
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Brock Lesnar was not specifically named in the earth-shattering lawsuit that Janel Grant filed against Vince McMahon, WWE and John Laurinaitis. The Beast Incarnate was heavily implied, as a former UFC Heavyweight Champion was mentioned. Now, that connection to this damning lawsuit has disrupted WrestleMania plans.

Brock Lesnar Plans Changed For The Royal Rumble 

Bron Breakker took over Lesnar’s planned creative for the Royal Rumble match. The entry point, eliminations, and his eventual elimination were all originally intended for Lesnar.

I was able to confirm that Breakker was called up to the WWE main roster thanks to that last-minute change. That being said, Breakker will not be taking Lesnar’s planned spot against Dominik Mysterio at the Elimination Chamber premium live event. 

WWE’s Original WrestleMania 40 Plans

Dave Meltzer reported during his daily update that Gunther was supposed to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. While it’s not confirmed that they were planned to have as an IC title match, that match is now on hold. 

The Lesnar creative which at this point he’s not going to be involved with unless they decide they would bring him back, was Lesnar vs. Dominik Mysterio in Australia and Lesnar vs. Gunther (I don’t know factually an IC title match but one would expect) at WrestleMania. Whether Bron Breakker gets those matches is not clear yet.

Brock Lesnar’s Connection To Vince McMahon Lawsuit

The Janel Grant lawsuit didn’t specify any wrestler but described one as both a former UFC Heavyweight Champion fighter and WWE talent. Given the timeline is 2021, it’s pretty easy to narrow down those choices, although it is important to reiterate that Brock Lesnar was not named.

The lawsuit stated that McMahon shared explicit photos with the WWE Superstar, who said that, “he likes what he sees.” Four WWE Producers and television production techs were also allegedly received this explicit content.

In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).

In December of the same year, McMahon allegedly provided Grant’s personal cellphone number to the unnamed WWE Superstar. The lawsuit claims that the wrestler requested a video of her urinating, and after she complied, he used derogatory language, calling her ‘b*tch.” She was also later told that sleeping with this talent was a part of his contract renewal, although a “play date” could not be arranged.

Otis Pens Emotional Note After His Mother Passes Away

Bishal Roy
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WWE Superstar Otis recently made a tragic announcement stating that his mother has passed away. 

The Alpha Academy member is certainly one of the most loved superstars in the company. His jovial character, and comedic antics, especially the ‘Caterpillar,’ has endeared him to the fans. He is currently a part of the tag team with Chad Gable and Maxxine Dupri, performing on Raw.

Otis remembers his mother

Otis took to his Instagram account and posted a slew of pictures featuring himself and his mother, who recently passed away. It included moments from his childhood as well. The former Mr. Money In The Bank, penned an emotional note in the caption. 

Otis stated that he is grateful for his mother’s role in his life. He is thankful to her for introducing him to the world of John Candy movies, for rocking out to the music of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Stevie Nicks together. He also recalled moments watching horror classics with his sister, KARI. 

Check it out below.

“Rest Now Forever Where Now there is no more Pain Because of you growing up I’ve Memorized every John Candy Movie Introduced and Jam to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Stevie Nicks Know all the Horror Classics watching with KARI (Sissy) I know you were weirded out me pursuing My Dream as a Wrestler but I said to you “Just something I have to Do Gaisan, Sorry I am You SON SON Tell Great Grandma “Kattle Kate Pallas” I’ll give her a run for her money in the ring up in Heaven See You down the Road, with you picking me up jaming to Tracy Chapman Fast Car – Niko.”

One of Otis’s most notable moments in WWE took place when he secured the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match in 2020. This victory earned him a guaranteed WWE Universal Championship match. However, his run as Mr. Money in the Bank ended at Hell in a Cell as he lost the contract to The Miz.

We at SEScoops send condolences to Otis.

Spoiler On WWE’s Current Plan For Top WrestleMania 40 Matches

Aaron Varble
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WWE started the road to WrestleMania with the 2024 Royal Rumble event. Now, we have a better picture of which matches fans should expect for the show of shows this year.

WWE’s WrestleMania 40 Plan

WrestleMania 40 is set to go down on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This will be a massive show, and some top matches have been reported already.

Dave Meltzer dropped a few matches on F4WOnline that fans should expect. It appears that fans will see Cody Rhodes get a chance to finish his story after all, as Seth Rollins and CM Punk’s match is actually going to happen.

Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed Universal Title seems to be confirmed, as Cody Rhodes declared his intention to go after Roman Reigns following his victory in the Men’s Royal Rumble match.

IYO SKY vs. Bayley for the Women’s Title: This match is anticipated for the Women’s Title, with IYO SKY challenging Bayley for the championship. We will have to see how that pans out for Damage CTRL.

Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch for the Women’s World Title: Another highly anticipated match is expected to feature Rhea Ripley challenging Becky Lynch for the Women’s World Title.

Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk for the World Title: A marquee match between Seth Rollins and CM Punk is expected for the World Title.

As the road to WrestleMania progresses, these matches are sure to generate excitement among WWE fans, and the event promises to be a memorable one with these anticipated showdowns on the card. The company will likely hit the ground running with an exciting RAW this week with the Royal Rumble’s aftermath.

WWE WrestleMania 40 Card (Reported):

Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes – WWE Undisputed Universal Title

IYO SKY vs. Bayley – WWE Women’s Title

Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch – WWE Women’s World Title

Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk – WWE World Heavyweight Championship 

How Jordynne Grace’s 2024 WWE Royal Rumble Appearance Came Together

Aaron Varble
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WWE fans were a bit shocked to see Jordynne Grace in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match. This surprising appearance made way for a couple amazing spots with Naomi and Ivy Nile, and there is a lot more behind that cameo in Tropicana Field.

Behind The Scenes Info

Sean Ross Sapp reported a bit more information on Fightful Select about TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace showing up at the Royal Rumble. It was noted that WWE had contacted external companies regarding potential surprise entrants for the Royal Rumble.

According to the report, WWE reached out to TNA over the weekend, and the arrangements were made for Jordynne Grace, who is still under contract with TNA, to appear during the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match.

It’s reported that Grace underwent a physical and blood work on Monday before flying to Florida on Thursday to participate in the Royal Rumble rehearsals.
Some within TNA had heard about this possibility earlier in the month, coinciding with broader WWE and TNA rumors.

Sources within WWE reportedly mentioned that both TNA and Jordynne Grace were cooperative and easy to work with throughout the process. This was obviously great exposure for their brand.

WWE Has Royal Rumble History With Knockouts Champion

In 2022, Mickie James appeared in the Women’s Royal Rumble match as Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion. She was still under contract with them at the time of her appearance with WWE. That was also a big moment for Impact, because the Knockouts Championship got exposure in the big WWE match. 

Pat McAfee Claims WWE Didn’t Give Him Heads-Up About Royal Rumble Match Entry

Aaron Varble
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WWE fans saw several surprises during the 2024 Royal Rumble event. Pat McAfee returned to commentary, and he got a spot in the Rumble match. It appears that WWE sprung that match spot on him.

Pat McAfee Speaks on his Royal Rumble Return

Pat McAfee’s entrance music was the first that fans heard during the Royal Rumble. Michael Cole was also incredibly happy to call the event alongside his real-life friend. McAfee’s night was only getting started as he added another big event to his WWE resume. 

While speaking about his experience in a digital exclusive, McAfee said he couldn’t pass up on the chance to return by the side of Cole and Graves when he was offered the commentary role for the evening.

“Yeah, coming back to get a chance to be in front of the WWE Universe is an absolute honor. I was told, ‘Hey, Pat, you wanna come back and commentate?’ I said, hell yes. The Royal Rumble, what an event. Stories can be written, where dreams can come true. ‘You want to commentate?’ I said, ‘Hell yeah,’ work with Michael Cole, the greatest of all time, alongside Corey Graves with a fresh baby, fresh mindset, fresh haircut. I said, ‘I would love to do that.'”

Pat McAfee Wasn’t Given A Heads Up

When it comes to his Royal Rumble match appearance, McAfee said that he had no idea that he was going to be in the match. Although Pat wasn’t dressed for the occasion, he went with the flow of things, and that included a very brief appearance in the match.

“All of a sudden, what, 22, I’m in the Royal Rumble? Nobody gave me a heads-up about that. Got my cowboy boots on. Michael Cole let me go in there. That was rude of him. I thought we were friends. Then there was a thing in there. Seven foot three, okay? You’re just looking up at a statue of a being.” 

“I see little Bron Breakker go like barking at me. I’m like, I’m not supposed to be in here. Why would I be in here right now? I’m not prepared for this. Also, who would I be to take a main event at WrestleMania spot away from somebody? So I got my ass out of there. Now I went back in because I thought to myself, wait a minute, am I just gonna be a coward? “I realized quickly, ‘Yeah, I think tonight I am.’ I went right back to the booth. And it was great. It was a great show,”

Pat McAfee may be busy with his ESPN gig, but he wouldn’t miss the Royal Rumble event. He was able to call the entire show, and he even returned to the commentary table after his short stint in the 2024 Royal Rumble match.

Bron Breakker’s WWE Main Roster Status After Royal Rumble Surprise

Aaron Varble
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The 2024 Royal Rumble event went down in Tropicana Field on Saturday, and the WWE Universe was treated to quite a show. The Rock may not have showed up, but Bron Breakker made his way to the ring in the #20 spot in the Men’s Rumble match. That was a very big moment for his WWE career.

Bron Breakker’s WWE Main Roster Call-Up (Exclusive)

Bron Breakker did not win the 2024 Royal Rumble match, but he had a great showing. The second-generation Superstar, who is son of WWE Hall of Famer Rick Steiner, also had a chance to eliminate some talent from the match.

In the end, Breakker threw out Jimmy Uso, Finn Balor, Ivar, and Omos. Then Dominik Mysterio eliminated the former NXT Champion. As he made his exit, Breakker also nailed JD McDonagh with a spear.

I asked around about Breakker’s status after the 2024 Royal Rumble, and I was told that match marked his official main roster call-up. Bron’s brand has not been determined yet, but the thought is that he will end up on RAW.

I was told that his, “brand is not determined because it happened so fast.” Breakker was a fill-in for Brock Lesnar in the match, because the Beast Incarnate was pulled from the event after his association with Vince McMahon’s lawsuit.

We will have to see how WWE uses Breakker in the weeks to come, because he is now on the main roster, but he was a replacement for Lesnar in the match.

What’s Next For Bron Breakker

Breakker will finish out his time in NXT, because he is still in the 2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic with Baron Corbin as his partner. In the past, WWE has allowed talent to appear on the main roster and NXT to wrap things up with the company’s third brand.

The barking in Breakker’s direction during the Royal Rumble match was not lost on anyone backstage. He is coming from NXT after establishing himself and doing practically everything there is to do in the brand. Now, it is his time to take on the main roster.

Wrestling World Reacts To The 2024 Royal Rumble

Anutosh Bajpai
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There was a lot of buzz among fans heading into the 2024 Royal Rumble and the event didn’t disappointing. From surprising debuts to big returns, it gave people a lot to talk about. Even the talent from different companies took on their social to react to the events of last night.

Jade Cargill, who made her official WWE in ring debut by entering the women’s Rumble thanked the fans for their support. She noted that it’s only the beginning of her journey and there is a lot more to come:

The TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace was very active overnight after making a surprise appearance in the Rumble. She made multiple tweets about her experience at the show while also indicating that we haven’t seen the last of her on WWE programming:

Cody Rhodes’ historic back-to-back Rumble wins elicited a response from many of his wrestling peers. Both his wife Brandi Rhodes and fellow AEW alumni Shawn Spears commented on his big moment:

There were multiple WWE stars who took on social media to react to their own performance on the show. This included people such as Zelina Vega, Pat McAfee, and Bronson Reed among others. These stars didn’t manage to win their respective matches but gave fans some memorable moments:

The event had a lot more going on in terms of storylines and real-life emotions. You can check out takeaways from the 2024 Royal Rumble here.

Bron Breakker Teases Main Roster Call Up After Royal Rumble Appearance: ‘This Is My Home Now’

Anutosh Bajpai
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Bron Breakker made his presence felt at the Royal Rumble event last night and it appears that he has no intention of going back to NXT after this.

The former NXT Champion was interviewed backstage after his impressive performance in the Men’s Rumble. When asked how he’s feeling, Breakker mentioned that he feels very grateful for the opportunity to make a statement:

“I feel very grateful right now. I feel what an opportunity tonight was for me to make a statement, and I thought I did that tonight 100%. Things didn’t go my way but I’m not done with the Judgement Day by any means.”

Bron Breakker Belongs To The Main Roster

Talking about his future in the company, Bron Breakker made his claim on a main roster spot saying that this is his home now:

“I think tonight I proved that I belong in the main roster, this is my home now. I’m ready for the work, I’m ready to prove to my peers and to the people, everyone out there who believes in me that this is where I belong and this is what I was born to do. I’m here. I’m ready to go.”

Bron Breakker entered the Royal Rumble at #20 in a spot that many believe was meant for Brock Lesnar. The Beast Incarnate was removed from the show due to his alleged connection with the Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon.

The NXT star ended up eliminating a number of talents including names such as Finn Balor, Ivar and even Omos. Breakker himself was eliminated by Dominik Mysterio and Bron’s remarks suggest that Dirty Dom has not seen the last of the heavyweight star.

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