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Matt Cardona Explains Why He Took A Flaming Table Spot From Paul Walter Hauser

Aaron Varble
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Pro wrestling has seen many celebrities step in to the ring for one reason or another. Those extra eyeballs on the pro wrestling world are always appreciated.

Matt Cardona knows what draws business, as the former Zack Ryder spent years in WWE. He is still going strong on the indies, and a recent run-in with Paul Walter Hauser also backed up his support of involving celebrities in the pro wrestling business. He even took a flaming table spot to prove his point.

Matt Cardona on Celebrities in Pro Wrestling

During a recent Pro Wrestling Revolver event, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray and actor Paul Walter Hauser (Cobra Kai, Cruella) joined forces against Matt Cardona to create a viral moment by sending him through a flaming table.

While speaking to Detroit News, Matt Cardona said of Paul Walter Hauser, “We were on better terms before he put me through a flaming table.”

Cardona also expressed his appreciation for mainstream personalities like Hauser joining the wrestling scene, citing the attention and spotlight they attract. Anything that brings that engagement is okay for the Broski.

“It brings more eyeballs to pro wrestling and it brings more eyeballs to me, and win, lose or draw, I’m all about the attention.”

Matt Cardona is set to appear in Detroit on 3/23 for Game Changer Wrestling’s Role Model event, where he is set to take on AEW star Danhausen. Cardona wants another match against Paul Walter Hauser, and he’s eyeing a showdown in July. 

Paul Walter Hauser in Pro Wrestling

Hauser is a lifelong pro wrestling fan. He once said that it is his dream to star in a film based on the Four Horsemen, where he wants to play Arn Anderson. He’s not finished in the ring, either. His next match is set for April 4 in Philadelphia against Sami Callihan in a Philadelphia Street Fight.

Major Bendies is selling a new pro wrestling figure of Paul Walter Hauser, which is available for $28.95. The figure depicts Hauser wearing a singlet, reminiscent of his ring attire at the Wrestling Revolver event, the same one where he sent Matt Cardona through a flaming table. They will only make as many figures as they receive pre-orders, so this is a limited time deal.

The upcoming Paul Walter Hauser action figures are available for pre-order on March 31st, and you may find more information here.

Trish Stratus Believes One WWE Superstar is “In A Whole Other League”

Dominic DeAngelo
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There is no one Rhea Ripley hasn’t impressed with her performance in recent times. WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus believes that the Judgement Day star is complete different level.

The Canadian Star was speaking on Brioux TV and she made note that the current WWE Women’s World Champion stands out. It’s not just because she holds the gold.

“Right now, I’m really loving Rhea Ripley. She’s in a whole other league. She brings so much and people love to hate her. When you’re a bad guy, but the crowd is loving you so much that they want to cheer you, that’s a special thing that you have that je ne sais quoi.”

Rhea Ripley

Rhea did really earn her way to the top of the card as she started off down in NXT, becoming the champion there before moving up to the main roster. 

Ripley and Charlotte Flair stole the show at WrestleMania 39 where she first captured the World Championship and has been on an unstoppable run ever since.

The Mami has always had the qualities of a star, but she has really picked up momentum since becoming a member of The Judgment Day, and developing a leadership-type role.

During the interview Stratus claimed that she took notice of Ripley early on, and recounted a story of meeting Rhea in her hometown of Toronto.

“She was waiting….there are times in wrestling where you think it’s not going to hit. She tried other characters, she did things where it would be time where the storyline wasn’t going or there was no storyline at all.

I remember they were here for a live event in Toronto and they had nothing for her. She was like, ‘I don’t know what they’re going to do with me.’ Now she’s one of the longest reigning champions. I really enjoy watching her. She’s been great.”

Stratus made a massive heel turn in 2023 when she backstabbed Becky Lynch. Their feud culminated into a steel cage match at Payback with The Man picking up a huge victory over the wrestling legend. Now Becky will play the role of the veteran when she faces Ripley at WrestleMania 40.

Credit to Brioux TV and h/t to Fightful for the transcription

2024 WWE Slammy Awards: All 11 Categories & Nominees, Vote Here

Aaron Varble
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WWE announced that the Slammy Awards will return on April 7, the same day as the second night of WrestleMania 40. The voting is now open for fans to pick this year’s winners.

The Slammy Awards are coming back this year, and fans can vote right now for their favorites. Now, we know who is in the running for each category.

2024 Slammy Award Nominees

WWE revealed the nominees for the 2024 Slammy Awards, and there are 11 entries this year. Fans can vote for their favorite female and male Superstar along with OMG moment, and so much more. 

The ceremony will be hosted by Big E and Cathy Kelley, and many other Superstars will take part in the festivities. 

You may find the nominees for this year’s Slammy Awards below. Each category is hyperlinked to the corresponding poll, which will allow you to vote for this year’s winners.

Female Superstar of the Year

  • Rhea Ripley
  • Bianca Belair
  • Bayley
  • IYO SKY
  • Becky Lynch

Male Superstar of the Year

  • Cody Rhodes
  • Roman Reigns
  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins
  • Gunther
  • Logan Paul

Best Entrance

  • Cody Rhodes
  • Roman Reigns
  • Bianca Belair
  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins
  • Rhea Ripley
  • Becky Lynch
  • The Rock
  • Dominik Mysterio (WrestleMania 39)

Return of the Year

  • CM Punk
  • The Rock
  • Nia Jax
  • Randy Orton
  • Naomi

Faction of the Year

  • The Judgment Day
  • Alpha Academy
  • Imperium
  • The Bloodline
  • Damage CTRL

Rivalry of the Year

  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre
  • “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio vs. Rey Mysterio
  • Bianca Belair vs. Damage CTRL
  • Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes
  • R-Truth vs. The Judgment Day

NXT Superstar of the Year

  • Ilja Dragunov
  • Carmelo Hayes
  • Lyra Valkyria
  • Tiffany Stratton
  • Bron Breakker

Match of the Year

  • Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest – San Juan Street Fight (Backlash 2023)
  • Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn (Elimination Chamber 2023)
  • Gunther vs. Chad Gable (Raw 9/4/23)
  • Asuka vs. Bianca Belair vs. Charlotte Flair (SummerSlam 2023)
  • Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley (WrestleMania 39)

OMG Moment of the Year

  • Rey Mysterio punches “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio (SmackDown 3/24/23)
  • CM Punk returns to WWE (Survivor Series 2023)
  • IYO SKY cashing in the Money in The Bank Contract (SummerSlam 2023)
  • The Rock slaps Cody Rhodes (WrestleMania XL Press Conference)
  • Damage CTRL turns on Bayley (SmackDown 2/2/24)
  • Cody Rhodes slaps The Rock (SmackDown 3/8/24)

Social Star of the Year

  • Grayson Waller
  • Logan Paul
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Chelsea Green
  • Liv Morgan

Breakout Superstar of the Year

  • Jey Uso
  • Tiffany Stratton
  • Pretty Deadly
  • Dragon Lee
  • LA Knight

What Are The Slammy Awards

The Slammy Awards are like WWE’s version of the Academy Awards, but it’s more like People’s Choice at this point with the fan voting element.  

First introduced in 1986, these awards have seen 13 editions so far. They are usually a fun ceremony, but things can always get serious. The winners also receive a statuette portraying one wrestler lifting another for a slam, hence the Slammy name.

Following their discontinuation in 2015, the NXT brand launched its NXT Year-End Awards. Meanwhile, wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown received WWE Year-End Awards in 2018 and 2019. 

WWE announced the revival of the Slammy Awards in 2020, with winners revealed live on the WWE Network during a ceremony on December 23. That tradition will continue under Triple H’s leadership, and it will be a part of WrestleMania 40 weekend. 

Not A Fraud: Eric Bischoff States Opinion About Tony Khan’s Inability To Produce AEW Television

Aaron Varble
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AEW has received their fair share of criticism since opening their doors, especially in recent memory. Eric Bischoff has been vocal about his opinions as well, and that’s not stopping any time soon.

Tony Khan responded to a critical tweet about his booking skills by stating that the show was sold out, countering the fan’s claim. Eric Bischoff clarified that he never called Khan “a fraud” but criticized his understanding of television production and industry knowledge.

Tony Khan Responds To Booking Critique

Tony Khan has been known to engage with fans on social media, and that happened again. One fan posted a video of Mercedes Mone’s segment on AEW Dynamite with a critical caption that read, “I’ve seen enough. I can book better than Tony Khan. This guy is fckin terrible.”

Another fan chimed in to say, “Well, there are alot of spare chairs not being used in the arena.” That is when Tony Khan replied, “Actually there were not, because the show was sold out.” Khan used an animated gif asking if this fan is “f*cking stupid” as well.

Eric Bischoff Clears The Air

This is when Eric Bischoff was brought into things as a fan replied to Tony Khan on Twitter/X, “You’re spending a lot of money, and you can’t crack 1 million viewers. You’re a fraud. Eric Bischoff is right about you.”

Bischoff saw that post, and he had to set the record straight. In his reply, the former WCW President said that he has never called Tony Khan a fraud. In fact, he believes that Khan is a good person who has no “freaking clue about producing television.”

For the record, I’ve never said Tony was a fraud. My impression is that he’s a good person. He doesn’t have a freaking clue about producing television, and his knowledge of the industry is limited to what impressed him when he was 12, but that doesn’t make him a fraud.

Bischoff and AEW

Eric Bischoff has made a couple appearances on AEW television in the past. His last appearance was during the May 28, 2021, episode when he returned to Dynamite to host a party for the Inner Circle.

He has been very critical about the way Tony Khan has operated AEW since then. Bischoff and Khan have also engaged in heated debates on social media. Tony Khan has since said that those spicy tweets help engagement.

Bischoff has gone on the record to say that he’s grateful for everyday he doesn’t have to work with Tony Khan. In response to his sentiment about AEW, Eric Bischoff has also been accused of just wanting a job with Tony Khan’s company. This is a narrative that Bischoff has refuted.

Top Prospect: Giulia Announces STARDOM Departure Amid WWE Interest

Aaron Varble
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WWE has their eye on the entire pro wrestling world, and one big prospect may be finally able to join them. Giulia’s deal with STARDOM is running up very soon, and fans will see her next move soon enough.

Giulia, who WWE has eyed for a contract for a while, just made a big announcement about her pro wrestling future. She is leaving STARDOM in only a few days, but she did not mention WWE in her announcement.

Giulia’s Big Announcement

While taking to Twitter/X, Giulia addressed her current status in pro wrestling. In a post translated from Japanese, she announced that there are only a few days left on her STARDOM contract.

It has finally been officially released. I’m sorry for getting ahead of myself and confusing everyone. There are only a few days left in Stardom, but pro wrestler Giulia is still going strong!

stay tuned!

Giulia’s STARDOM Exit

Rossy Ogawa, a founder of STARDOM, was fired from the company; and many top stars were thought to be leaving. Utami Hayashishita, MIRAI, Mai Sakurai, and Yuzuki all have contracts set to expire at the end of March. Giulia’s deal is also running up, and she has a big announcement for fans.

Giulia already told STARDOM officials that she is leaving in March. This is not a surprise for them, as there have been reports about her possible exit for months.

Stephanie Vaquer also won the NJPW Strong Women’s Title from Giulia as she wrapped up her time with the company.

In early February, it was reported that Giulia would postpone her WWE debut in order to fulfill her commitment to assist STARDOM founder Rossy Ogawa with his new promotion. The STARDOM standout has said in the past that she had unfinished business in Japan.

Giulia’s Talks With WWE

Giulia has been on WWE’s radar for quite a while. It has been the mindset for a while that she will be WWE-bound whenever free agency hits.

Due to WWE’s interest, it was reported that AEW stayed away from speaking to Giulia. She is wanted in WWE, as even Shayna Baszler has called her a dream match opponent. 

Daily Drop (3/23): Roman Reigns Shades CM Punk, AEW Rampage Hits Viewership High

Aaron Varble
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Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Saturday, March 23. Last night’s SmackDown was an eventual episode, and there’s a lot to get into.

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 14

WWE:

– Breakout Talents: Axiom and Nathan Frazer are impressing WWE NXT officials in a big way.

– WrestleMania Surprises: With only 2 weeks until WrestleMania 40, the company is talking about bringing in stars like The Undertaker, John Cena, and Steve Austin.

– WWE Shop Is Lighting It Up: They just released a new Roman Reigns “Family Above All” hoodie on the WWE Shop! So, click here to see what they have to offer on the road to WrestleMania!

– Jade Cargill is SmackDown: WWE ran a promo for Jade Cargill last night on SmackDown, where she proclaimed her allegiance to the blue brand. She will appear on next week’s show for the 3/29 episode.

– Roman x Punk: Roman Reigns had a bit of a comment about CM Punk, and it drew some attention. He said, among other things, that “I’m not like CM Punk, where I got to the top of the mountain, it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s not what I expect, so I’m gonna bitch about it.'”

– Slammys Return: The Slammy Awards will continue this year. WWE announced the company will bring back their awards show this year on April 7, the same day as WrestleMania 40: Sunday. The ceremony will be hosted by Big E and Cathy Kelley.

– Vince McMahon Netflix Doc: The six-part Netflix docuseries is still happening, and that was confirmed. Bill Simmons and his team will need to edit some to change direction, but the project is still moving forward.

AEW:

– Mercedes’ Big Money: It was said by Swerve Strickland in a recent interview that Mercedes Mone deserves all the money she is getting from this AEW contract.

– Kenny Omega Update: Tony Khan stated he is optimistic about Omega’s return from diverticulitis, but there is no return timetable at this time.

– MJF Removed: Fans brought attention to the fact that MJF was removed from the official AEW shop, and their roster page. He was actually removed from the roster page on January 1.

– Cope Open Return: Adam Copeland confirmed that the Cope Open will return on the March 30 episode of AEW Collision. That will see him defend the AEW TNT Title in an open challenge.

– The CEO of Charity: Mercedes Mone bought a very lucky fan a brand-new television. She did this so he could watch AEW, and it was very appreciative of her generosity.

– Rampage High: AEW Rampage hit a high with their episode this week, which aired directly after AEW Dynamite’s 801k average viewership. This week’s AEW Rampage scored 541,000 viewers and a .27 in the 18 to 49 demographic. That was the highest number for the show since the April 22, 2022, episode of the show.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

Looking ahead, here are some of the major upcoming shows that we have in the pipeline:

April 6: NXT Stand & Deliver and WrestleMania XL Saturday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 7: WrestleMania XL Sunday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 21: All Elite Wrestling presents AEW Dynasty live on pay-per-view from St. Louis, Missouri at the Chaifetz Arena.

May 4: WWE Backlash France from Décines-Charpieu, France at the LDLC Arena.

Axiom & Nathan Frazer Impressing WWE Officials, Concern Other Stars Can’t Keep Up

Thomas Lowson
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Two of the young, rising Superstars of WWE NXT are impressing all the right people backstage with their work in the ring. 

Nathan Frazer and Axiom have been drawing praise behind the scenes, Fightful Select reports. The duo have been praised for their agility and speed in matches. Some NXT officials are said to be concerned about Frazer’s opponents being able to keep up. 

Nathan Frazer

Frazer joined WWE in December 2020 and would join the NXT UK brand the following month. In June of last year, he defeated Oro Mensash, who was wrestling on behalf of Noam Dar, to win the NXT Heritage Cup. His agility in the ring shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, given he was trained by Seth Rollins. 

Axiom

Axiom, as A-Kid, signed with WWE in October 2019 and like his future tag-team partner, was assigned to the NXT UK brand. In October 2021, he challenged then NXT UK Champion Ilja Dragunov in a losing effort. 

It was in July 2022 that A-Kid was repacked as Axiom. He is the inaugural NXT Heritage Cup winner and made his SmackDown debut last November in a loss to Dragon Lee. 

What’s to Come? 

On this week’s WWE NXT, Frazer and Axiom defeated the No Quarter Catch Crew (as represented by Myles Borne & Charlie Dempsey.) The win means that Frazer & Axiom have advanced to the Number 1 Contender Triple Threat Match. 

They will face the Latino World Order (Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro) as well as The O.C. on next week’s WWE NXT. The winners of that match will earn a title shot against NXT Tag Team Champions Baron Corbin & Bron Breakker. 

Watch: What Happened With Cody Rhodes After 3/22 SmackDown Went Off Air

Anutosh Bajpai
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Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso had a lot of fun together after this week’s episode of SmackDown from the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The former Bloodline member was part of a dark match after the show tonight where he faced the Intercontinental Champion Gunther.

Jey managed to get the upper hand after a lot of struggle and he went for a top rope splash on the Ring General. However, his momentum was halted by the appearance of Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa.

The duo distracted their former partner which allowed Gunther to pick up the victory. They went on to attack Jey as the IC Champion retreated to the back.

When Cody Rhodes came out to make the save, Solo bailed out on his cousin, leaving Jimmy to fend for himself. The Bloodline member tried to save himself by joining the ranks of Cody and Jey but he was ultimately taken out.

The American Nightmare then cut his usual promo and noted that he did not have anything to give away this time. The Royal Rumble winner then decided to give away both his shoes to fans in attendance.

Elsewhere in the show, we saw the in-ring return of Rey Mysterio among other matches such as IYO SKY vs Naomi and more.

The Tribal Chief Roman Reigns also appeared on the episode for a confrontation with Cody ahead of their WrestleMania showdown. Amid all this, WWE made a big announcement for Jade Cargill’s future which you can check out here.

Roman Reigns Takes Aim At CM Punk

Ella Jay
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While Roman Reigns has reached the proverbial mountain top of WWE, he has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon.

As it stands, Reigns currently sits atop WWE as the longest-reigning WWE Champion of the modern era, and the fourth longest of all time. Given the length of his reign, in combination with his towering status in WWE, Reigns was recently asked how he maintains his focus and passion for his in-ring craft.

Savoring The Moments, Unlike Someone Else

 In response, Reigns seized the opportunity to take a pointed shot at another man who once reached a similar level — former WWE Champion CM Punk. Punk, of course, lodged several complaints about the company during and after his reigns as WWE Champion.

“I’m living my dream, man,” Reigns said on the The Pat McAfee Show. “This is what I wanted my whole life, so I’m not one of them people that, once I got there, it just wasn’t what I expected. I’m not like CM Punk, where I got to the top of the mountain, it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s not what I expect, so I’m gonna bitch about it.’ No, once you reach your goals, enjoy the dream. This is what you’ve been working for, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. So for me, I don’t want this to ever end.” 

Leveling Up

Though Reigns tends to keep his personal life out of the spotlight, he asserts that much of his time is spent on self-reflection and self-improvement as he looks to elevate himself even higher.

“I’m constantly working, I’m always prepping,” Reigns said. “I’m just obsessed with continuing to progress. I know there’s another level. I know there’s some more that I can do, so I don’t like to get satisfied or comfortable with the current level that I’m on.”

At this moment in time, CM Punk finds himself on the sidelines, as he sustained a torn triceps in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. Despite his injury, though, Punk plans on participating in the upcoming WrestleMania 40 festivities, whether he is invited or not.

Jade Cargill Joins WWE’s SmackDown Brand And Will Debut Next Week (3/29)

Aaron Varble
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Jade Cargill made her WWE on-screen debut at Fastlane last year. She didn’t make her in-ring debut until the 2024 Royal Rumble match, and this week she finally declared her brand.

During the March 22 episode of WWE SmackDown, they aired a hype video for Jade Cargill. At the conclusion of her video, Cargill declared that she’s joined the SmackDown roster and will debut next week, March 29.

Jade Cargill Declares Her WWE Brand

The video during WWE SmackDown this week included Jade Cargill saying that she “didn’t come to WWE to be the next … anyone.” She then described herself as a “once in a lifetime generational talent.”

After hyping herself in a big way, Cargill finally declared that she is on the SmackDown brand.

“They’re gonna build statues of me, and you don’t have to like it, but you damn sure can’t deny it. That’s why I’m taking my talents to SmackDown.”

Jade Cargill’s Road To WWE

Cargill is a former TBS Champion in AEW, but she departed from Tony Khan’s company in 2023. It did not take long for her to sign with WWE, but the wait to see her get into the weekly action is reaching its end.

Jade Cargill made her WWE on-screen debut at Fastlane last year. She didn’t make her in-ring debut until the 2024 Royal Rumble match, and this week she finally declared her brand.

WWE’s Plan For Jade Cargill

SEScoops previously noted on March 20’s Daily Drop that WWE has big plans for Jade Cargill. She is in good hands, and she will start her journey on SmackDown next week.

Triple H has spoken highly of Cargill in the past, but he didn’t want to rush things. She has been working at the WWE Performance Center since her signing, fine-tuning her skills to better prepare for her WWE debut.

Ready To Pull The Plug Myself: Mike Rotunda Was Okay With His WWE Release

Aaron Varble
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WWE is honoring Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham with a WWE Hall of Fame induction as the U.S. Express. Rotunda had quite a career in WWE, but he was okay with how things ended.

Mike Rotunda was placed on furlough, along with numerous other WWE personnel, on April 15, 2020, and subsequently received his official release on September 10, 2020. Rotunda says he was okay with this decision to release him, because he was considering pulling the plug on his career with WWE at that time.

Mike Rotunda Speaks On WWE Release

Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham spoke to Paul Rosenberg about his career in pro wrestling. Rosenberg asked the former I.R.S. about his final days as a producer in WWE, and Rotunda said that he was thinking about calling it quits prior to his release.

My last year as a producer in WWE, I think it was [2020], when COVID hit they furloughed a bunch of people, and I was one of them. Then I came back for a short time after that, but then they let quite a few producers go like myself and Arn Anderson and Dean Malenko — guys who had been there.”

“This was fine by me, because I was about ready to pull the plug myself. I had my hip operated on and replaced. So, I was out for a couple of months. I told my wife — and this was after a good 13 years of doing it — and I said, ‘after being home for a couple of months, I don’t know if I want to go back to work.’ So, it just kinda worked itself out like that, so it was okay with me.”

Rotunda After His WWE Release

Mike Rotunda made a couple WWE appearances even after his release. In January 2021, during Raw Legends Night, Rotunda, going under his I.R.S. character, returned for the first time after his WWE release, appearing backstage with Ric Flair. Then, on January 23, 2023, Rotunda, still as I.R.S., was seen backstage during Raw is XXX alongside Ted DiBiase.

Rotunda will also be featured in the upcoming documentary Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal, which is set to debut on April 1.

Rotunda’s Other Accolades

Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham will receive a WWE Hall of Fame honor as the U.S. Express, but this isn’t the only honor he’s received. Rotunda captured the WWF Tag Team Championship a total of five times. He won the titles twice alongside Barry Windham and three times with Ted DiBiase as his partner.

On September 3, 2021, the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame revealed that Rotunda would join its 2022 Class, alongside announcer Jim Ross and Trish Stratus. 

CEO of Good Karma: Mercedes Mone Buys Fan New Television To Watch AEW

Aaron Varble
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AEW signed Mercedes Mone months prior to her debut at Big Business on March 13th. She made it clear how thankful she is for her fans, and now the CEO has put her money to good use as a sign of appreciation for one fan.

Mercedes Mone recently gifted a fan a new television set. She did this so he could watch AEW in style, and he was over the moon in gratitude.

Mercedes Gifts Fan Brand-New Television

A fan named Doug took to Twitter/X to express gratitude after receiving a gift from Mercedes Moné. The fan thanked the CEO for providing a new TV, which allows him to watch AEW Dynamite in style, as he proudly declared allegiance to “the Elite Krew.”

@MercedesVarnado Thank you to the lovely and super talented #CEO #MercedesMoné on sending me the NEW tv so I can watch @AEW #AEWDynamite in style. Elite Krew for life. “Look I’m top tier all the standards set.”

Mercedes Mone saw this tweet, and she posted a reply to say, “now you can watch AEW better.” Dough then replied to Mercedes with an emotional response, “Mercedes, I am still in shock. You are changing the game in AEW.”

Mone’s AEW Money

Mercedes Mone is making a ton of money with her new AEW deal. After inking a deal with AEW, she is now apparently the highest-paid woman in pro wrestling.

WWE and Mercedes Mone were in talks, but they hit a financial roadblock. Now that Mercedes is in AEW, she obviously has extra money to spend. She is also likely selling a ton of her new AEW merchandise, which you may check out here.

The Rock Dials Up Larry David: ‘Curb’ Star Shares Advice For UFL Football League

Aaron Varble
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The Rock’s return to WWE for the road to WrestleMania 40 is not the only iron he has in the fire. He is still part-owner of the UFL, and he’s open to have a conversation about the league’s innovative approach.

The XFL announced in September 2023 that it was merging with the USFL to form the United Football League. The UFL’s season is set to kick off on March 30. 

Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld) may tune in to see what the UFL has to offer, because he has some ideas for football. Those ideas got him a phone call one-on-on with The Great One.

Larry David Phone Call With The Rock

David has a lot of ideas, and one of them pertains to football. He wants to have the goalposts removed from the situation. It seems he believes that kicking the ball through the uprights has nothing to do with the game of football itself.

During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, Larry David explained how his quest to remove goal posts from the game of football got him a call from The Rock.

“I have a little update, because I’m still obsessed with it, and I heard about this UFL and I said, ‘let me talk to someone in the UFL.’ So, my agent got me on the phone with Dwayne Johnson.”

“I went straight up [the flag pole] and then he called me, and he had a conversation. He didn’t know [what I was calling about], but he was nice enough to call back. We had a conversation, and I pitched him my no goal post idea, and I thought it was gonna happen — he was completely into it.”

Larry David said there is a no reason for a goal post, and he argued that there should be no kick for an extra point. He had no idea that the XFL already had a rule like that.

The Rock Responds To Larry David

The Rock saw David’s appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, and he had to reply. While expressing his love for the Seinfeld creator, he also remarked about the innovative rules that they implemented into the XFL.

LOVE my guy Larry David. He hates goalposts and field goal kicks [LOL emoji] – we had a spirited and very productive conversation. At the end of the day, like me and all of us fans – he loves the game of football. We at the XFL had already implemented new innovative rules last season that we carry over to our new @XFL2023 league that starts this month. I’m considering creating THE LARRY BOWL in his honor

UFL’s Opening Day & League Details

The UFL’s first game on opening day is scheduled for Saturday, March 30, 2024, where the Arlington Renegades and Birmingham Stallions, both previous champions in other leagues, will battle it out on the gridiron.

Four teams originated from the XFL, while three teams originated from the USFL. In the USFL Conference, teams include the Birmingham Stallions, the Houston Roughnecks, the Memphis Showboats, and the Michigan Panthers.

Meanwhile, the XFL Conference consists of the Arlington Renegades, the DC Defenders, the San Antonio Brahmas, and the St. Louis Battlehawks.

For more information on the UFL and this season’s details, please click here to find their official webpage.

WWE’s Sarah Rowe Discusses Her New Children’s Book, Writing Aspirations (Exclusive)

Ella Jay
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WWE Superstar Valhalla (Sarah Rowe) can now officially add the title of ‘published author’ to her impressive resume. Her new children’s book, From the Farm to Our Table, officially hits the bookshelves on April 2. This story, which focuses on basic sustainable living practices, follows a pair of twin siblings as they gather ingredients across their family farm to make a shepherd’s pie.

SEScoops correspondent Ella Jay recently sat down with Rowe to discuss what inspired her to write a children’s book and what that process was like. 

The Vision

As it turns out, Rowe’s own son, Raymond Cash, was one of the story’s major motivators.

“Cash, my son, was the inspiration behind this, shockingly,” Rowe said. “I was really trying to find a book that was a children’s book that was written in a way he could understand of how we farm, our regenerative practices, us growing our own food and why we grow our own food, and that we cook and we eat with this food. And because I couldn’t find it, I just wrote one myself”

“I worked with Gnome Road Publishing, and really helped me bring this to life. The illustrator, Amanda Marrow, I couldn’t have asked for a cuter illustration of what I had in my brain. It all came across so well. It’s been like two years in the making of this book and getting it out. It’s crazy that the finish line is here.”

Sarah, alongside her son and husband Raymond Rowe Sr (WWE’s Erik), currently lives on a small farm in Ohio surrounded by chickens, cows, and their dog.

Writing Aspirations

Beyond the release of “From the Farm to Our Table,” Sarah Rowe is aiming to have her name published in even more literary works in the future. Currently, Rowe is in the beginning stages of writing a fantasy piece.

“Just how I became a wrestler because I’m a huge fan, I’m a huge fan of books, and I love reading so much,” Rowe said. “I’m like, ‘I would love to put my spin on this.’ So this is kind of my gateway into the world of being an author. I would like to this not be the only thing that I publish. I would like to continue to do the things. I was just going to write like a short story and it’s turned into this whole vast world that I’m kind of overwhelmed with. But yeah, I’m hoping that this is not the last book that I publish.”

As she continues to journal every day, Rowe noted that she also tries to simutelaously devour a fiction and nonfiction book. From a reading standpoint, Rowe particularly enjoys the works of C.S. Lewis, who many fans may recognize for his popular Chronicles of Narnia series.

From the Farm to Our Table is now available for pre-order and will be released at major retailers on April 2.

Drew McIntyre Reveals The Secret Behind His Recent Success: “Now It’s 100% Me”

Tyriece Simon
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WWE superstar Drew McIntyre has found his groove in the company as he heads towards one of the biggest matches of his career. In recent months, McIntyre’s character shift as a ‘heel’ has engaged and entertained wrestling fans on a different level than he has before.

Rather than being a menacing ‘heel’ like he has in the past, ‘The Scottish Warrior’ has centered his persona on being true to himself and speaking his mind. He believes this is what is making him stand out on the roster and encourages others to follow his approach.

“Now It’s 100% Me”

Just two weeks out from his match against WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins at WrestleMania, McIntyre appeared on the Masked Man show and spoke about this evolution.

“Trying to be myself, trying to be logical, trying to have fun and trying to create compelling TV.. and it’s cool that people responded so positively.

Like I said, there was more truth in McIntyre from 2019 to 2023 that I had ever in WWE, but now it’s 100 percent me,” said McIntyre. 

He’s also gotten more comfortable understanding when it’s the right time to escalate his intensity during promos. The veteran encourages other WWE Superstars to find their voice and continue striving to engage the audience.

Social Media Menace 

Another difference in McIntyre’s character is his increased activity on social media. Whether trolling CM Punk or Rollins, McIntyre has created fan engagement off TV and used the same sense of humor in front of a live audience. 

When speaking on his social media presence, ‘The Scottish Warrior’ shared that his sense of humor can be a little darker or meaner than others. McIntyre’s humor helps add to his ‘heel’ character, allowing fans to either adore him or want to see the former champion get what’s coming to him. 

“…I’ve got my ears and eyes open all the time. It’s very much, you know, a collaboration, but again the British personality, British sense of humor is very different than American sense of home. We are highly offensive,” said McIntyre.

Deeper into the process

He acknowledged that how he jokes with his wife or friends might make other people think he doesn’t care for them. However, that is their sense of humor, which makes his social media presence unique. McIntyre credited his friends who have helped him and enhanced his character. 

“I’ve got a couple of buddies, one particular, who collaborators, I guess is the best word, but he’s just my mate, and we just come up with this crazy stuff, and he’s good with the memes and whatever, and we talk crap and make fun of each other, and then it becomes ‘man I should totally say that about such and such’ and If I don’t know the current lingo that the kids are saying, he knows it. He’s a little bit younger,” said McIntyre.

McIntyre also noted that he is constantly looking for new things on social media to use for his wrestling persona on TV. The former champion’s being more of himself has proven successful as he adds more complexity to his character. That said, it is unclear if this will result in him finally defeating Rollins to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

Valhalla Wouldn’t Be Surprised If Liv Morgan Gets Added To WrestleMania Match (Exclusive)

Ella Jay
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Following her return at the 2024 Royal Rumble, Liv Morgan indicated that her sights were firmly set on WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, who previously took her out of action (in kayfabe) last July. Along the Road to WrestleMania, Morgan’s attention claimed two additional targets — Becky Lynch and Nia Jax, both of whom have also been circling Rhea Ripley.

In a recent interview with SEScoops correspondent Ella Jay, Valhalla (fka Sarah Logan) shared her thoughts on the current storyline surrounding her former stablemate, Liv Morgan. 

Squirrely and Determined

While Jax, Lynch, and Ripley may carry bigger presences in WWE, Valhalla believes Morgan is more than deserving of being in the same spotlight as them.

“Liv is a badass,” Valhalla said. “I don’t know if anyone’s caught it, but she’s legit knocked a couple girls out with an open-hand slap. In one of the [Elimination] Chambers, she knocked Sonya Deville out just slapping her in the face. So she is not someone you’d want to fight, in my opinion.

She’s squirrelly and she is determined. This girl has been on a tear and she has transcended the Riott Squad in a way that I don’t think anyone knew she had in her. It’s nice, as one of her best friends and someone who loves her so much, to see her in the same conversation as Rhea Ripley, Nia Jax, and Becky Lynch.”

“I love seeing her in that conversation. I love seeing her in those spots because she’s good enough, she looks good enough, she’s violent enough. There’s a reason that so many people love her, and there’s a reason that she has the following she does. It’s because she’s the real deal. I don’t even know where this storyline is going, and I’m excited to see where it does go.”

Potential WrestleMania Shakeup

As of this writing, Becky Lynch is slated to challenge Rhea Ripley in a one-on-one match for the WWE Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 40. Given Morgan’s recent involvement with both of them, though, Valhalla thinks there is a possibility for this WrestleMania title match to be upgraded.

“It’s looking like [Becky and Rhea] are going to wrestle at WrestleMania, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Liv was in that mix too,” Valhalla said. “To be completely honest, no one knows what’s happening backstage. None of the wrestlers know. So as someone who’s a fan of Liv Morgan, I would love to see like her, Becky, and Rhea in a triple-threat match. Or maybe Becky’s walking to the ring and Liv hurts her so much that she gets the match. Something like that I think [would be really cool].”

This year’s two-night WrestleMania event will emanate from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

WWE Slammys 2024: Classic Award Ceremony Returning for WrestleMania 40 Weekend

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Superstars are hoping to win big next month at WrestleMania 40, and some could be leaving Philadelphia, PA with their own Slammy award. 

WWE has announced that the Slammys will return on April 7, the same day as WrestleMania 40: Sunday. The ceremony will be hosted by Big E and Cathy Kelley but fans should expect special appearances by WWE Superstars. 

The Slammys: Fan Choice Awards will take place at the WWE World convention center. For those not in Philadelphia, they’ll be able to watch the show on WWE’s social channels. 

And the Nominees Are

Male Superstar (Vote Here): 

  • Cody Rhodes
  • Roman Reigns
  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins
  • Gunther
  • Logan Paul

Female Superstar of the Year (Vote Here):

  • Rhea Ripley
  • Bianca Belair
  • Bayley
  • IYO SKY
  • Becky Lynch

Best Entrance (Vote Here): 

  • Cody Rhodes
  • Roman Reigns
  • Bianca Belair
  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins
  • Rhea Ripley
  • Becky Lynch
  • The Rock
  • Dominik Mysterio (WrestleMania 39)

Return of the Year (Vote Here): 

  • CM Punk
  • The Rock
  • Nia Jax
  • Randy Orton
  • Naomi

Faction of the Year (Vote Here): 

  • The Judgment Day
  • Alpha Academy
  • Imperium
  • The Bloodline
  • Damage CTRL

Rivalry of the Year (Vote Here): 

  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre
  • “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio vs. Rey Mysterio
  • Bianca Belair vs. Damage CTRL
  • Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes
  • R-Truth vs. The Judgment Day

NXT Superstar of the Year (Vote Here): 

  • Ilja Dragunov
  • Carmelo Hayes
  • Lyra Valkyria
  • Tiffany Stratton
  • Bron Breakker

Match of the Year (Vote Here): 

  • Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest – San Juan Street Fight (Backlash 2023)
  • Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn (Elimination Chamber 2023)
  • Gunther vs. Chad Gable (Raw 9/4/23)
  • Asuka vs. Bianca Belair vs. Charlotte Flair (SummerSlam 2023)
  • Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley (WrestleMania 39)

OMG Moment of the Year (Vote Here):

  • Rey Mysterio punches “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio (SmackDown 3/24/23)
  • CM Punk returns to WWE (Survivor Series 2023)
  • IYO SKY cashing in the Money in The Bank Contract (SummerSlam 2023)
  • The Rock slaps Cody Rhodes (WrestleMania XL Press Conference)
  • Damage CTRL turns on Bayley (SmackDown 2/2/24)
  • Cody Rhodes slaps The Rock (SmackDown 3/8/24)

Social Star of the Year (Vote Here):

  • Grayson Waller
  • Logan Paul
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Chelsea Green
  • Liv Morgan

Breakout Superstar of the Year (Vote Here): 

  • Jey Uso
  • Tiffany Stratton
  • Pretty Deadly
  • Dragon Lee
  • LA Knight

Legend Says Cody Rhodes vs The Rock Will ‘Absolutely’ Take Place

Tyriece Simon
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Cody Rhodes is just two weeks away from his highly anticipated rematch against Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Championship. WrestleMania 40 offers the ‘American Nightmare’ with another precious opportunity to ‘Finish his Story’ and finally ‘win the big one’ on the grandest stage possible.

The stakes are even higher this year. After making a grand return to WWE, The Rock inserted himself into Cody Rhodes’ business with Roman Reigns. Now aligned with The Bloodline, Rock will team with Roman Reigns against Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania XL Saturday, the night before Rhodes vs. Reigns 2. 

Rhodes’ primary focus is on the Tribal Chief, but a one-on-one showdown with the Final Boss is inevitable. Wrestling legend Jeff Jarrett has seen it all and is certain that WWE is building towards Rock vs. Cody. On the latest episode of his My World podcast, Jarrett said SummerSlam on August 2 would be the ideal setting for this blockbuster attraction.

“So we can fantasy book all we want. Will we see Rock vs. Cody at some point. Our running thread is creative is subjective, and you have to factor in,  I mean, all the obvious..”

The primary factors that would affect this match taking place are The Rock’s Hollywood commitments, as well as each man remaining healthy.

“So many things to factor in, but the short answer is absolutely you will [see the match],” said Jarrett.

The Rock’s WWE Schedule (2024)

While The Rock will be at WWE WrestleMania 40, he’s expected not to be sticking around with WWE afterward. This year, he has several movies slated to be in production, including The Smashing Machine and Moana 2. However, he may still be involved with WWE by August. 

Jarrett’s co-host Conrad Thompson also pointed out that the former WWE Champion is also on the board of TKO Group Holding. As a board member, The Rock could have more incentive to want to compete in a big match at WWE SummerSlam. However, it will depend on whether he can get through his movie production schedule and find the time to be involved with WWE as a wrestler. 

Rhodes and The Rock have done a great job teasing a match to get fans interested. It will be on The Rock and WWE to make it work for the big summer event. 

Becky Lynch Names Her Wrestling Soulmates and Dream Match

Tyriece Simon
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Becky Lynch has fought with some of the best female talent WWE has had in the company’s history. She has faced up-and-comers from NXT, along with established athletes like Nia Jax and Liv Morgan. However, there’s only one opponent she considers her “wrestling soulmate.”

During a virtual book signing for her new memoir, Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl, Lynch shared her thoughts on who she loves sharing the ring with and why. 

Favorite Opponents

When asked about who she’s most enjoyed sharing the ring with, she couldn’t pick just one person. Becky Lynch named Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair as her wrestling soulmates.

“The very cool thing about that is I think there are several,” she began. “I think Charlotte and I obviously have an undeniable chemistry and an undeniable history, and I think no matter how many times myself and Charlotte have wrestled, I think people are always going to want to see more,” said Lynch. 

Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch

The wrestler/author/mother also praised Bianca Belair and shared why she loves competing against her.

“Another is Bianca Belair. She’s fabulous. I love stepping in the ring with her. Every time we do, I feel like there is a little bit of magic that happens, and so there is a couple,” said Lynch.

She also joked about loving to beat Jax in the ring. They recently wrestled in a Last Woman Standing Match on the March 18 WWE Monday Night Raw episode. Lynch won the match and seemingly ended her feud with her rival. 

Despite being in the ring with many great performers, Lynch did share that she is still looking to have one match with a WWE Hall of Famer. 

Why Won’t You Fight Me?

Lynch spoke about her desire to wrestle WWE Hall of Fame Beth Pheonix, who we last saw in the ring at WWE Elimination Chamber 2023 when she and husband Adam Copeland battled Judgement Day’s Rhea Ripley and Finn Balor.

It might be a long shot, but Lynch’s dream is to wrestle Beth Phoenix at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland.

“I think it has to be in Dublin, Ireland. I think it has to be in Croke Park, and I think my opponent, and it’s a match I’ve been trying to get for a long time, would be Beth Pheonix,” said Lynch.

“I’ve been trying to get her in the ring and whoop her ass for a long time now, and it’s just not happening, and I want to know why is that? Why is That Beth Phoenix? Why won’t you fight me?”

It’s unclear if Phoenix is still interested in competing in WWE after her husband, Adam Copeland, signed with AEW last year. However, Lynch has publicly made the challenge and is welcoming a big showdown in Ireland against the Hall of Famer. 

Mercedes Mone Deserves AEW Mega Contract And More, Says Swerve Strickland

Rayan Saayed
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AEW wrestler Swerve Strickland has praise for Mercedes Mone, as he recently talked about her debut in AEW.

Strickland talked to Bootleg Kev at the Rolling Loud music festival, where he talked about a number of topics such as bloody matches in wrestling, CM Punk’s tenure in AEW, and Mercedes Mone making her way to the Jacksonville, Florida-based wrestling company.

Strickland was asked about the “big contract” of Mone, as she is reportedly making bank at the company, which is said to be sufficient enough to establish her as the highest-paid woman in wrestling.

“We’re building a dynasty now in AEW,” Strickland said. “For what she can do for women’s wrestling, not just for AEW, but across the industry period, it’s pivotal. She’s a matriarch for that. I’ve never seen a women’s free agent make that kind of noise, ever. She’s top billing. She’s worth it. Hopefully that challenges other industries to boost the revenue for other female wrestlers.”

Big Business

Mone was in talks with WWE before joining AEW, and hit a financial roadblock with the company when talks were ongoing. Mone reportedly didn’t want to be paid more than her peers in the women’s roster, but she did want her financial compensation to be equivalent of the top stars. While that didn’t work out for her and WWE, AEW was down with it.

Mercedes Mone’s massive contract sets a positive precedence in the professional wrestling industry, as it increases the value of female wrestlers and how much they can be paid. It’s also a testament to the fact that maintaining a social media following and connecting with fans is really important as a wrestler.

Mone’s debut at Big Business was certainly massive, and it remains to be seen what’s in store for her next In AEW. For more, you can read about the drama between Britt Baker and Mone, and what Adam Copeland has to say about him and Mone’s work in the AEW as WWE alumni.  

Trademark Filing Reveals Top Act May Be Getting Ready To Explore Options Outside TNA

Rayan Saayed
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Alex Shelley recently (3/19) filed to trademark the names ‘Motor City Machine Guns’ and ‘MCMG.’

With Shelly and partner Chris Sabin’s TNA contracts expiring very soon, the timing of this business move indicates they’ll be shopping themselves on the open market when they’re legally able to.

According to the US Patent & Trademark Office database, the Goods and Services usage descriptions cover the usual wrestling-related examples, such as appearances and merchandise.

Shelly and Sabin are each former TNA World Champions, as well as multi-time World Tag Team Champions together.

TNA’s New Era

TNA Wrestling officially ‘rebranded’ for 2024, reverting to the company’s original identity. Hard to Kill, the first PPV back under the TNA banner, was well-received. They’ve brought in some big names as of late, including Nic Nemeth, Mustafai Ali and Alex Hammerstone. 

However, the company also had a major shakeup in February 2024 with the departure of former company president Scott D’Amore. D’Amore was very well-liked behind the scenes, and talent wasted no time expressing their support for him both in public and in private.

TNA talent contracts do not all expire at the same time, so as contracts do expire, it will be very interesting to see who sticks around and who decides to look elsewhere, now that the company is under new leadership.

The Motor City Machine Guns are set to wrestle for Smash Wrestling in London, Ontario, Canada on April 21. Interestingly, TNA will hold its TV taping on the same night. You can draw you own conclusions about what this indicates about Shelly and Sabin’s plans moving forward.

Visit our TNA Wrestling section more news.

‘I Wanted To Rip His Face Off’: Goldberg Explains How Infamous WCW Segment Led To Real Altercation With Triple H

Anutosh Bajpai
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Goldberg has revealed that the reason for his real-life animosity with Triple H is rooted into an infamous WCW segment.

During the December 23, 1999 episode of WCW Thunder, the former World Champion was involved in a segment with nWo. The sequence of events led to him chasing the nWo limousine in a parking lot. The wrestling veteran was originally supposed to use a tool to break the glass windows of the car, but he chose to use his hands instead.

A shard of glass sliced an artery in Goldberg’s arm during this spot, leading to a serious injury. It nearly resulted in the amputation of one of his arms. The recovery took him out of WCW programming for nearly five months, and is considered one of the reasons for WCW’s eventual demise.

The former WCW World Champion reflected on this spot during his interview with Tim Green for his Nothing Left Unsaid podcast. He claimed that it was an incident where his inner defensive lineman took over:

“Yeah. It was one of those things when the defensive lineman took over. I was mad at one of my opponents in real life. He was in a limousine and I had to go from the backstage to the ring, dispose of someone and then go get in the limousine.

After I got out of the ring, I was supposed to grab a sledge hammer to take care of the limousine and I refused and wanted to use my hand therefore providing the highest-rated segment on TNT’s history on cable television.

It had to go to black and white because there was so much blood with the background of a white limousine and I got 199 stitches and came a centimetre away from losing the use of one of these arms. But it was good television.”

Goldberg’s Altercation With Triple H

Later in the interview, Goldberg also talked about his real-life issues with Triple H. He blamed the animosity between them for WWE undermining his undefeated streak and his character in various ways.

He was asked for the reason behind his issues with the WWE Executive. The wrestling veteran recalled back to the limousine segment and other injuries that kept him off TV while WCW was acquired by WWE. He claimed that Triple H made some comments about his absence from WCW programming, which led to a real-life confrontation between the two:

“I think a lot of that between Hunter and myself was real. We had an interaction when I was at WCW leading the charge in New York at a press event. I had heard, you knew all the behind-the-scenes [gossip] right so the Kliq and Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, they’re his buddies till the end.

So I hurt myself. I know some people that were friends, that weren’t with me, were talking to him when he was working in WWE. He made a comment while I was at home and I remember it like it was yesterday. He said I was tanking it or faking it or something and I wasn’t there for the demise of WCW. How could I [do that].

So from then on, I wanted to eat that guy’s… I wanted to rip his face off. So we had a confrontation prior to me signing with the WWE. And then ironically, we were represented by the same agent. So it made the situation quite uncomfortable once I signed with the WWE. Let’s just say that.”

You can check out Goldberg’s full interview below:

If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

Becky Lynch Explains Why Seth Rollins Is The ‘Mona Lisa’ Of WWE And Her ‘Tree’

Dominic DeAngelo
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Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins may be happily married with a beautiful daughter, but that doesn’t mean the two have different personalities outside of the ring.

‘The Man’ and ‘The Visionary’ may mirror one another with their outlandishness inside the squared circle, but speaking with Peter Rosenberg, Lynch revealed that Rollins tends to internalize a lot while she is way more expressive with her emotions.

A Work of Art

“He’s the Mona Lisa of wrestlers, but he’s also very emotive when he’s out there, but I spend so much time being like, ‘You alright? You mad at me? What’s going on?’

“I’m very heart on my sleeve, here’s how I’m feeling, and he’s very contemplative, ‘no-selly’, has to think about things until he processes how he feels about them, where as I’m fiery, I know how I feel about a thing, and in processing I go, ‘Gosh I wish I could have been more like that,’ but we are very different in that regard. Very similar interests, very similar world views.”

She was also told by her brother once that she was a ‘squirrel’ that needed a ‘tree.’

“Seth is my tree. Seth is my tree. I’m very squirrelly.”

Lynch also added that the two were initially just really great friends, but she always looked forward to seeing him backstage and that Rollins would tolerate her bad jokes.

Becky is already having a wild Road to WrestleMania, including the upcoming release of her new book, Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl.

She also visited the White House on St. Patrick’s Day and officially became a United States citizen – all before she battles Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.

Update on Vince McMahon Netflix Docuseries Following $5 Billion Streaming Deal with WWE

Aaron Varble
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Vince McMahon’s resignation from WWE and the blockbuster lawsuit from former employee Janel Grant have shaken the company to its core. As the fallout continues to unfold, we’ve got an update on Netflix’s documentary on the controversial billionaire, which will surely need some updating after the events of the past year.

WWE signed a deal with Netflix to bring RAW to the streaming platform in January 2025. Every WWE premium live event for fans outside the USA will also air on Netflix as part of that deal. The whole time, Bill Simmons was working on a Netflix docuseries about Vince McMahon that will not pull any punches.

SEScoops has learned the Vince McMahon Netflix docuseries will not stop production, despite the Netflix committing billions of dollars to the company that was run for decades by the man they’re expected to provide an unbiased look at.

In this week’s Wrestling Observer newsletter, veteran journalist Dave Meltzer says this project is still full-speed ahead. 

“Regarding the Netflix documentary on Vince McMahon, which at last word was to be a six-part series, some thought with the Netflix $5.2 billion deal with TKO and the Janel Grant lawsuit that maybe Netflix would just scrap the thing.”

Meltzer acknowledged, “they obviously have to change the direction based on what happened.”

Bill Simmons had more-than-enough material from McMahon’s ‘storied’ career to produce a jaw-dropping project. The most recent round of allegations, which McMahon vehemently denies, will take things into far darker territory than what was originally planned. 

Interestingly, Simmons recently revealed that he invited Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld) to preview the show during development.

Janel Grant’s Lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon & More

Vince McMahon stepped down from WWE following a lawsuit filed by former employee Janel Grant, alleging sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and other heinous offenses.

On January 25, Grant filed a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and former executive John Laurinaitis. The lawsuit details Janel’s experiences of mistreatment in terms of sexual, physical, mental, and emotional harm.

Grant’s attorney also stated that there are others who want to come forward. Her attorney, Ann Callis, stated in a written interview, they are “frankly overwhelmed” as they begin the process of wading through the responses of people who have more allegations to share.

Josh Barnett Has Spoken To CM Punk & Other WWE & AEW Talent About Wrestling For Bloodsport

Thomas Lowson
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Former UFC fighter turned pro wrestler and promoter Josh Barnett says he’s spoken with CM Punk and other names from WWE and AEW about competing for his Bloodsport promotion, which is affiliated with Game Changer Wrestling (GCW).

The upcoming Bloodsport X event over WrestleMania weekend will feature a special attraction match pitting WWE Superstar Shayna Baszler against TNA’s Masha Slamovich.

Barnett wants to get more WWE (and AEW) contracted names to step into his league’s domain. During a recent appearance on the Under the Ring podcast, he revealed that he’s actually spoken with CM Punk about participating, as well as AEW star Malakai Black.

Both Punk and Black have martial arts experience and their offensive styles would translate well to Bloodsports’ ‘shoot-fight’ presentation.

Barnett also named Chad Gable, Born Breaker and Miro as grapplers he’d like to see fight in Bloodsport.

Punk has been out of action since suffering a torn triceps in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. The injury has robbed Punk of an opportunity to step in the ring at WrestleMania 40, but he still vows to make his presence felt. 

CM Punk signed with the UFC in 2014 just months after leaving WWE. He wouldn’t make his debut until 2016 and lost in decisive fashion. Stephanie McMahon mocked Punk’s loss on WWE television, one of many examples of how bitter that relationship was for many years.

Punk’s second and final UFC fight was another decisive loss to Mike Jackson. That loss was later overturned and the result ruled a ‘no contest’ due to Jackson failing a test.

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