WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair will be attending tonight’s AEW Dynamite: Beach Break special from Chicago, IL. After Dynamite goes off the air, AEW tapes Saturday’s episode of AEW Collision, which will feature a tribute to late wrestling and NFL legend Steve “Mongo” McMichael.
Steve “Mongo” McMichael, the legendary Chicago Bears defensive tackle and former professional wrestler and broadcaster, passed away on April 23, 2025, at the age of 67. His death followed a prolonged battle with ALS, which he had publicly announced in 2021.
Flair posted this video on social media announcing his honor to pay tribute to the man he calls his best friend. Flair says he has too many good memories of McMichael to count, and credits him for originating the phrase, “To be the man, you’ve gotta beat the man.”
See You In Chicago Tonight @AEW! It Will Be A Night To Remember. I Will Be Paying Tribute & Honoring My Best Friend The Great Steve “Mongo” McMichael. The Tribute Will Be On #AEWCollision This Saturday! pic.twitter.com/0vDxRAL7uP
Ric Flair is currently under contract with All Elite Wrestling, having signed a 2-year deal in late 2023 (primarily tied to a sponsorship agreement for his Whooo! Energy drink).
His most recent appearance on AEW television was at the Revolution 2024 pay-per-view, which featured Sting’s retirement match against The Young Bucks – where Flair took superkicks from Bucks as he tried to protect Sting.
Former WCW President Eric Bischoff believes the upcoming Netflix documentary series ‘WWE Unreal’ represents a strategic opportunity to deepen fan engagement, provided the company can balance education with preservation of wrestling’s mystique.
Speaking on his “83 Weeks” podcast alongside co-host Conrad Thompson, Bischoff addressed Stone Cold Steve Austin’s concerns about exposing too much of wrestling’s inner workings, while offering a more pragmatic perspective on the evolution of sports entertainment.
“I have mixed emotions like Steve, and I’ve often used the analogy of magic and kayfabe, so I get where Steve is coming from and agree with him in many respects,” Bischoff explained. “But there’s another side of it as the business continues to grow and evolve, and finding ways to connect and engage with the audience continues to grow and evolve, and you have to grow and evolve with the business of the entertainment business.”
The discussion came in response to Austin’s recent interview with Ariel Helwani, where the WWE Hall of Famer expressed reservations about pulling back the curtain too far: “If Harry Houdini was still around, I don’t want him to tell me how he does it. I want to try to figure out how he does it… So don’t tell me how he’s doing it, but see if I can figure it out because I want to think that I know that it’s not magic.”
Stone Cold on if WWE is going too far in breaking kayfabe:
"Man, I'm still a little old school on that. I'm a big magic fan, but if Harry Houdini is still around, I don't want him to tell me how he does it. I want to figure out how he does it. And if I can't, then I'm gonna… pic.twitter.com/vmVNDHcURN
Rather than viewing behind-the-scenes content as potentially damaging, Bischoff drew compelling parallels to UFC’s successful strategy of educating viewers about the technical aspects of mixed martial arts.
“Let’s look at MMA as an example. Twenty years ago, if you asked somebody what a rear naked choke was, they would probably immediately think it’s some kind of a sexual kick. Nobody knew what a rear naked choke was,” Bischoff said. “Right now, if you take any fan out of the 20,000 people that show up at a UFC event or find anybody sitting at a bar… everybody knows what that is.”
He elaborated on this “infotainment” model at length:
“UFC has done a phenomenal job of educating their audience on the nuances of the sport. And in so doing, they’ve engaged the audience to become more interested. Call it infotainment. They’re giving them the information. The UFC is giving information in the form of color commentary, play-by-play interviews, and all the different means of media that UFC is being promoted across the board.”
This educational approach, according to Bischoff, has proven successful across multiple sports, creating deeper connections between fans and the product they consume.
“Nobody knew what Brazilian jiu-jitsu was outside of the people that were really in the sport or a small segment of the audience. The general population had no idea what Brazilian jiu-jitsu was, as well as any of the moves that are associated with it and holds and submissions. UFC has done a great job educating just like the NFL has educated the audience.”
WWE’s “Unreal” Opportunity
For WWE, Bischoff sees “Unreal” as potentially following this template: “This is an opportunity to showcase what goes into creating this phenomenal presentation. How did they do it?”
However, he acknowledges the risks inherent in this approach. “To Steve’s point, you risk exposing the magic,” Bischoff admits, before suggesting that the potential benefits outweigh the drawbacks for most viewers. Ultimately, Bischoff believes success hinges not on whether WWE should expose wrestling’s inner workings, but on their execution:
“That model’s proven itself across traditional sports and other forms of entertainment. The question is how do they do it? Can they do it without disappointing someone like Steve Austin or Eric Bischoff? Because I want there to be a little magic too. But if they can present it in a way that makes people appreciate and respect the product even more, then it’s a winner.”
As WWE prepares to launch “Unreal” on Netflix this summer, Bischoff’s analysis suggests the company is making a calculated bet that greater transparency will lead to stronger audience connection—a significant shift from decades of protecting “the business” at all costs.
Wrestling legend Eric Bischoff has offered a measured perspective on the controversial high-risk spots that have become increasingly common in professional wrestling, suggesting that many performers may be taking unnecessary risks for diminishing returns.
While acknowledging he hadn’t seen the specific incident, Bischoff provided thoughtful commentary on the broader issue of dangerous stunts in wrestling and the responsibility of both performers and promotions.
“Unfortunately, guys put themselves in positions where they’re doing things that they either shouldn’t be doing because they don’t have the experience, or they’re just too inherently dangerous for what you… the risk-reward factor is out of freaking whack,” Bischoff explained.
WCW’s Cruiserweight Legacy and Today’s High-Flying Style
The conversation prompted Bischoff to reflect on his own role in popularizing high-flying, risk-taking wrestling during his tenure as President of WCW, particularly through the promotion’s influential cruiserweight division.
“Was I an advocate for a lot of the high-flying dynamic, incredible athleticism that the Luchadors brought to the table? Yes, absolutely,” Bischoff acknowledged. “It’s one of the things I’m most proud of as a cruiserweight division because it’s one of the things that I think doesn’t get the credit even I should have given it at the time into making Nitro such a unique format.”
Bischoff went further, asserting the lasting influence of WCW’s cruiserweight innovation on contemporary wrestling:
“That cruiserweight division and the people that we brought in for it is the reason that you’re seeing 70% or 80% of the wrestling presentation that you’re seeing today.”
This acknowledgment makes Bischoff’s caution about excessive risk-taking particularly noteworthy, given his role in helping popularize a more athletic, high-risk style.
“There is an element of does it make sense and is it safe doing crazy high-risk insane maneuvers for the sake of doing them when perhaps some people shouldn’t be doing them because they don’t have the experience,” he questioned.
While celebrating the athletic evolution of professional wrestling that he helped pioneer, Bischoff emphasized that spectacular spots should never come at the expense of performer safety. “Wrestling is so much more than that,” he stated, referring to the focus on “crazy holy sh*t moments” that sometimes seems to drive modern wrestling presentation.
The discussion highlights an ongoing tension in professional wrestling between spectacular athletic displays and performer safety – a balance that promotions like WWE, AEW, and TNA continue to navigate as audience expectations evolve.
Without directly commenting on the specific TNA incident that prompted the conversation, Bischoff offered a philosophy that could serve as valuable guidance for today’s wrestling landscape: impressive athletic feats have their place, but they must be executed by properly trained performers with appropriate precautions and a clear understanding of whether the potential reward justifies the physical risk.
As the wrestling industry continues to push boundaries in pursuit of memorable moments, Bischoff’s perspective serves as a reminder not to lose sight of the health and well-being of the performers who put their bodies on the line for entertainment.
Tonight, All Elite Wrestling presents AEW Dynamite: Beach Break – broadcasting live at 8/7c on TBS and Max from the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
The penultimate edition of Dynamite before AEW Double or Nothing 2025 features:
AEW World Championship Steel Cage Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Samoa Joe
The main event sees Jon Moxley defend the AEW World Title against Samoa Joe inside a steel cage. After weeks of escalating violence-including the Death Riders’ attack on HOOK and Katsuyori Shibata-Joe is out for revenge and championship gold. Moxley, coming off a string of brutal title defenses, faces one of his toughest challenges yet.
AEW Continental Championship Eliminator: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kevin Knight
“The Rainmaker” Okada puts his status as Continental Champion on the line in an eliminator match against the high-flying Kevin Knight. A win for Knight would earn him a future title shot, but Okada looks to continue his dominant run atop AEW.
Trios Grudge Match: Swerve Strickland, Mark Briscoe & “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Ricochet & The Young Bucks
This star-studded trios match features Swerve and his allies seeking payback after last week’s sneak attack by The Elite. Expect high-flying action and plenty of animosity as these six competitors collide.
AEW Women’s World Title Eliminator 4-Way: Toni Storm vs. Thunder Rosa vs. Penelope Ford vs. Anna Jay
“Timeless” Toni Storm faces three challengers in a high-stakes four-way eliminator. Thunder Rosa, Penelope Ford, and Anna Jay all look to earn a future shot at the Women’s World Title, while Storm aims to prove she’s the division’s top star.
Plus, we’ll see live appearances from Will Ospreay and “Hangman” Adam Page ahead of their Owen Hart Cup final at Double or Nothing, and an exclusive sit-down interview with Jamie Hayter ahead of her Owen Hart Cup final against Mercdedes Moné.
WWE brings Battleground back to Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, May 25, 2025, as NXT’s top stars-and some surprise guests-take center stage at the Yuengling Center.
With championship gold on the line in the cross-promotional main event, Battleground 2025 is shaping up to be another can’t miss offering by NXT.
How to Watch
Start Times:
United States: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
United Kingdom: 1:00 AM BST (Monday)
India: 6:30 AM IST (Monday)
Australia: 12:00 PM AEDT (Monday)
Broadcast Details:
United States: Peacock
International: Netflix
Venue
Location: Yuengling Center, Tampa, Florida
Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025
Match Card
NXT Championship Match
Oba Femi (c) vs. Myles Borne
Oba Femi, NXT’s dominant powerhouse, puts his title on the line against Myles Borne in a classic David vs. Goliath showdown. Borne has steadily climbed the ranks and now faces his toughest test yet against the physically imposing champion.
NXT Women’s Championship Match
Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Jordynne Grace
In a cross-promotional dream match, NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer defends her title against TNA’s powerhouse, Jordynne Grace. The partnership between WWE and TNA has made this high-stakes clash possible, and both women are coming off a recent tag team victory, adding extra momentum to their rivalry.
TNA World Championship Match
Joe Hendry (c) vs. Trick Williams
Another result of the WWE-TNA partnership, this bout sees TNA World Champion Joe Hendry defend his title against former NXT Champion Trick Williams. Williams aims to make history by bringing the TNA World Title to NXT, while Hendry looks to prove himself on a bigger stage.
Singles Match
Tony D’Angelo vs. Stacks Lorenzo
Former allies turned rivals, Tony D’Angelo and Stacks Lorenzo settle their score in a personal grudge match. Their long-running story comes to a head as they face off one-on-one.
Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena has added anothe date to his ongoing 2025 farewell tour. Cena’s packed 2025 schedule, since announcing last summer that this year would be his last, has included appearances at the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and his historic title win at WrestleMania 41.
Cena’s upcoming confirmed dates also feature Money in the Bank in Los Angeles on June 7th, WWE Clash in Paris on August 31st, and WWE Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia, on October 11th.WWE has confirmed that the 17-time World Champion will appear on the June 9, 2025, episode of Monday Night Raw, emanating from The PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
He recently defended his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton at Backlash on May 10th and is reportedly slated to face R-Truth at the Saturday Night’s Main Event in Tampa on May 24th.
While WWE has yet to officially announce the specific date and event for Cena’s retirement match, reports stemming from comments by his father, John Cena Sr., suggest his final match is targeted for a WWE event in his home state of Massachusetts, specifically Boston, this December. Each confirmed appearance now brings fans closer to the end of an era.
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes has been absent from WWE television since losing his Undisputed WWE Championship to John Cena at WrestleMania 41 in April, is reportedly expected to be involved in the upcoming Money in the Bank Premium Live Event. While away from WWE, he has yet to comment on hia status.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting his return and to address his WrestleMania outcome. During a recent Q&A, WrestleVotes provided an update on Rhodes’ status for the June 7th event in Los Angeles, noting that Rhodes is still scheduled for the Money in the Bank show in LA.
It’s worth noting that while Rhodes has been locally advertised for SmackDown events as soon as May 16th, WWE has not officially confirmed these appearances on their programming.
He was previously removed from other advertised SmackDown events during his current hiatus, making the Money in the Bank timeframe the most concrete indication yet for his return.
WWE NXT saw a Hall of Fame presence during the May 13, episode as The Undertaker and Bubba Ray Dudley were a part of the show. During a backstage segment, the two legends of the ring were joined by the two female finalists of WWE LFG, Tyra Mae Steele and Zena Sterling. The four were joined by several members of the NXT Women’s division who seemed unhappy.
There were tensions at the idea of either Steele or Sterling winning WWE LFG and earning an NXT contract. The concern among the roster is that either woman joining could put their own spots on the roster and on the card at risk.
Steele joins WWE after seeing success in freestyle wrestling, including capturing gold at the 2021 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. As for Sterling, she comes from a background in swimming and has been making headlines with her in-ring action and her outfits. Sterling’s outfit was described as being akin to lingerie by Mickie James, sparking a debate about appropriate in-ring attire in an era of women’s progression in wrestling.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE LFG and to see which recruits earn themselves a place on the WWE NXT roster.
A significant heel turn took place on the May 13, edition of WWE NXT, a turn inspired in part by the recent talent releases that hit both NXT and the main roster. In a backstage segment, Taum Paxley was distraught when approached by Thea Hail and Karmen Petrovic and destroyed the dollhouse she previously loved. Paxley spoke about how those she is closest to always end up leaving her, a nod to the recent releases that saw Shotzi and Gigi Dolin cut from the company.
Paxley seemed to be jealous of the friendship Hail and Petrovic share, and this was all setting up a match between Paxley and Hail. Hail got the disqualification win as Paxley used a thumb to the eye when looked in Hail’s submission, and after the match, Paxley continued to claw at the face of Thea Hail. Referees tried to stop Tatum but she continued to attack Hail, cementing her heel turn.
While releases are rarely a good thing, it has led to a major character development for Tatum Paxley, and we’ll have to see if WWE can keep the momentum after this heel turn.
AEW has confirmed the return date for Mina Shirakawa.
The company had announced that the Women’s World Champion Toni Storm will be competing in a four-way title eliminator at Dynamite Beach Break on May 14 to determine her next challenger.
The returning Skye Blue was announced as one of the participants of the bout, the other two spots had initially been left open.
The two names filling the spots were confirmed this week as Tony Khan announced that Japanese stars AZM and Mina Shirakawa will also be in the match:
Beach Break #AEWDynamite Chicago, IL 8pm ET/7pm CT THIS WEDNESDAY!
Shirakawa previously challenged Storm for the Women’s title at the 2024 Forbidden Door PPV. She also had a rivalry with Toni’s former protege, Mariah May later on. The female star announced her intention to leave Japan and become a regular member of the AEW roster earlier this year. This will be her first appearance for the company since then.
AZM does not have the same amount of history with the American promotion. Though she did face Toni Storm during a Collision episode last year. The 22-year-old picked up a huge victory at NJPW Resurgence 2025 this month, defeating Mercedes Mone and Mina Shirakawa to become the new NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion.
The 25-year-old Skye Blue will be looking to make an impact as this will be her return match after spending almost 10 months out of action due to a foot injury. Her last match came at a July 2024 episode of Collision.
Dominik Mysterio did not expect the reaction he got at WrestleMania 41.
The young star has had 3 matches at the Show of Shows before this year but none of those experiences had been a good one for Dirty Dom. He had lost all three of his Mania matches for one. And the fact that all three bouts involved his father Rey Mysterio in some capacity made things even worse.
When asked about his experience at the Biggest Event of Them All this year during his Casual Conversations interview, Dominik said that it was a surreal experience. He didn’t fail to point out that it was his first WrestleMania match that didn’t involve his father:
“For me, it felt super surreal, right? I was 0-3 at WrestleMania. All of my other matches at WrestleMania had something to do with my deadbeat, whether I was tagging with him, wrestling against him or tagging with someone else against him and someone else.
So everything it had to do with him. So the fact that I was walking into this WrestleMania alone as myself, Dirty Dom, the greatest Mysterio of all time.”
The WrestleMania match saw Bron Breakker defending his Intercontinental Championship against Dom, Finn Balor, and Penta. The crowd erupted when the 28-year-old managed to win the bout and Mysterio took his time celebrating his win as the fans gave him one of the loudest cheers of the show.
Dominik Mysterio discussed how he did not expect people who booed him at his entrance to cheer the outcome of the bout. According to him, it again proves that he’s better than his dad:
“And then walking out, getting booed, to walking back after the match to just endless amounts of cheers and just them singing this Dirty Dom song. Dude, it was so, so surreal. I never expected it. Especially the kind of reaction I got.
But it was a huge blessing. The fact that I was able to walk out as your new Intercontinental champion. It only took me less than five years to become better than that deadbeat and here I am, the greatest Intercontinental champion of all time.”
Dominik Mysterio says CM Punk got his WrestleMania main event because he cried like a baby about it.
The Straight Edge star got to main event the Show of Shows for the first time in his career at Night 1 of WrestleMania 41 from Las Vegas. He went up against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in a triple threat match centered around Paul Heyman’s loyalty. Punk lost the bout after Heyman turned on him, but it was still a dream come true for the Chicago native.
The young wrestling veteran who constantly banters with CM Punk on social media was asked about his hate for the former World Champion during an interview on the Casual Conversations podcast. Dominik Mysterio explained that he hates Punk because he looks like Eddie Munster:
“I think we just both mutually hate each other, equally. Cause I fucking hate CM Punk. I don’t know what it is about that guy. I don’t know if it’s because he looks like Eddie Munster and I just want to kick him in the fucking face,
Or the fact that everyone is like, ‘Oh he finally did it, he finally got his WrestleMania main event.’ Like, good for you, old man. 60 years old, it took you what, 45 years to accomplish your one goal? Goddamn dude, it’s about time.”
Dominik Mysterio also explained how CM Punk managed to earn a WrestleMania main event after all these years, before claiming himself as the true best in the world:
“It’s what they say about babies. When they have tantrums, you give them what they want so they shut the fuck up. I’m pretty sure that’s what happened with this whole…that’s why he needed a favor from Paul Heyman.
There is a reason he was never in the main event. You call yourself the Best in the World. I don’t need to go around calling myself the Best in the World. People know I’m better than the best. I don’t need to go out there calling myself Best in the World at 70 years old. I don’t need to go out there and do that for myself. People do it for me. You have [John] Cena talking about me or JBL. You have these legends talking about me, AJ Styles. I don’t need to do it for myself.
I don’t need to say these things about me because people are saying it for me. My work speaks for itself. But here you go with CM Punk. I can go on this rant forever but I’m not going to. I am gonna need to stop myself.”
A bitter feud between former allies Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo has been made official for WWE NXT Battleground, culminating months of escalating tension within The D’Angelo Family.
The confrontation stems from Stacks’ shocking betrayal of his longtime boss during the NXT Stand & Deliver event on April 19. During a crucial six-man tag team match against DarkState, Lorenzo sabotaged D’Angelo with a low blow, causing The D’Angelo Family to lose the contest and effectively fracturing the once-dominant faction.
In the aftermath, D’Angelo confronted his former right-hand man on NXT programming, expressing disbelief at the betrayal. “You waited for the biggest stage to turn on me,” D’Angelo declared, challenging Stacks to “take the top seat” if he wanted it.
Lorenzo responded through video messages, claiming D’Angelo had grown “soft” and blaming his leadership for the family’s recent struggles. The fallout has left other D’Angelo Family members in disarray, with Luca Crusifino missing and Adriana Rizzo reportedly in hiding.
The singles match at NXT Battleground will determine whether Stacks can back up his claim as the rightful new “Don” or if D’Angelo will extract revenge on his former protégé. The bout represents the climax of one of NXT’s most personal feuds in recent memory, with years of partnership dissolved by ambition and resentment.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has partnered with idrinq, naming the beverage brand as the promotion’s Official Productivity Drink. The agreement will introduce sponsored logo placement inside AEW rings, similar to the approach previously adopted by WWE.
The partnership will feature idrinq’s branding prominently across AEW’s weekly programming on TBS, TNT, and Max streaming platform, as well as during major pay-per-view events. The deal includes “premiere logo placement” both in the ring and during broadcasts, with AEW talent set to participate in promotional activities.
Idrinq markets itself as a stimulant-free alternative to traditional energy drinks, backed by over 50 international patents. The company promotes a “Taste the Science” philosophy with a formula designed to enhance mental alertness, focus, and energy levels without caffeine or the associated crashes.
“AEW fans bring the energy, and now they have the perfect drink to match—without the crash,” said idrinq CEO Norbert Vergez in the official announcement. “Whether you’re gearing up for a big match, a workout, or just tackling your day, idrinq helps you stay sharp, focused, and in the zone—naturally.”
This partnership represents another step in the evolution of wrestling ring sponsorships, a practice that has become increasingly common in major wrestling promotions.????????????????
WWE has officially named the trio of Wes Lee, Tyson Dupont, and Tyriek Igwe as “The High Ryze” following a trademark filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The company filed for the trademark on May 12, covering the standard entertainment services description for wrestling performances and related media content. The name was confirmed during the May 12 episode of NXT when it appeared during Lee’s entrance for his match against Tony D’Angelo.
The alliance between the three performers has been building on WWE programming for several months prior to receiving its official name. Lee secured a victory in his match against D’Angelo, who was distracted by a video message from Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo. In the video, Stacks claimed to have located Adriana Rizzo’s safehouse, continuing their ongoing storyline.
NXT Championship #1 contender Myles Borne publicly addressed his hearing disability for the first time during Tuesday’s episode of WWE NXT. Borne, who secured his championship opportunity by winning a 25-man battle royal last week, delivered a heartfelt promo accompanied by his No Quarter Catch Crew stablemates.
“I have a disability. I’m partially deaf. It affects my speech. It affects the way I talk,” Borne revealed. “I don’t want to just be known as the deaf kid. I want to be judged by my ability, not my disability. And that’s what everyone with a disability wants to be judged by.”
He added with conviction, “I’m fighting for all the kids out there who are struggling, fighting their own fight.”
While Borne’s hearing impairment had been subtly referenced in comedic backstage segments previously, this marks the first time it has been directly acknowledged on WWE programming.
Later in the show, Borne battled Ethan Page and picked up a pinfall victory in a hard-fought contest.
Myles Borne is scheduled to challenge Oba Femi for the NXT Championship at WWE Battleground on May 25.
Ninja Mack captured the wrestling world’s attention this week with an extraordinary athletic display during New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s (NJPW) Best of the Super Juniors tournament. His May 10th match against Robbie X featured a moment that quickly went viral across social media platforms.
The “Super Ninja Special”
During the match, Mack executed an astonishing sequence of eleven consecutive back handsprings, beginning inside the ring, continuing up the entrance ramp, and finishing with a perfectly timed kick to Robbie X’s head. This innovative move showcased Mack’s exceptional gymnastics background and unique approach to professional wrestling.
The wrestling community responded with amazement. AEW star Will Ospreay expressed his disbelief on social media, while outlets like Barstool Sports shared the footage widely, describing it as “the best thing I’ve ever seen in a ring.” The move generated substantial discussion among fans and professionals alike about the evolving nature of wrestling entertainment.
Background Context
Mack’s performance isn’t surprising given his background as a former Cirque du Soleil performer and professional stuntman. This foundation has allowed him to incorporate unusual athletic elements into his wrestling style, distinguishing him in NJPW’s competitive junior heavyweight division.
The viral moment has significantly raised Mack’s profile in the wrestling world, demonstrating how exceptional athleticism combined with creative performance can capture audience attention in today’s social media-driven environment.
John Cena has defended his continued support for former WWE chairman Vince McMahon despite ongoing sexual misconduct allegations against McMahon.
Speaking to Us Weekly at the Amazon Upfronts on May 12, Cena addressed the backlash he received after stating “I love Vince” in a New York Times profile published last month.
“Everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” Cena said. “Just like I’m entitled to have an emotional connection to somebody.”
The 48-year-old wrestler-turned-actor acknowledged the public reaction, adding, “I’m not surprised about any of that.”
In the NY Times article, Cena expressed unwavering support for McMahon while recognizing the serious nature of the allegations. “I don’t care who hears it: I love Vince,” Cena stated. “I’m not downplaying anything that needs to be decided or allegations of any kind, but when I love somebody, I love them wholeheartedly.”
McMahon faces multiple serious allegations, including a January 2024 lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant accusing him of sex trafficking and sexual assault. McMahon has denied these allegations through a spokesperson.
WWE legend Jake “The Snake” Roberts is making a strong recovery following heart ablation surgery. On Tuesday, Roberts’ wife Cheryl shared the news on Instagram, initially requesting prayers as he prepared for the procedure.
Later that day, she posted an encouraging update featuring a photo of Roberts giving a thumbs-up from his hospital bed. “Jake is making outstanding progress and is prepared for discharge,” she reported.
Despite the seriousness of heart surgery, Roberts plans to return to his regular activities soon. “We are so grateful for all the prayers and well wishes,” Cheryl added. “Following a one-week recovery period, he will be ready to resume traveling and reconnect with his fans.”
The WWE Hall of Famer will celebrate his 70th birthday later this month on May 30.
SEScoops wishes Jake Roberts a full and speedy recovery.
Professional wrestling has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past decade, shifting from a tightly protected industry shrouded in “kayfabe” to one where the line between character and performer has become increasingly blurred. Few wrestlers understand this evolution better than AEW star Kenny Omega, who helped pioneer this change through projects like “Being The Elite” (BTE).
In a wide-ranging conversation with producer Adi Shankar, Omega offered candid insights about how wrestling’s relationship with its audience has been fundamentally altered and the creative challenges this presents for modern performers.
The Ultimate Expression of Freedom
At its core, Omega still views professional wrestling as an unmatched creative medium, calling it “the ultimate expression of freedom” in entertainment. This versatility is what initially drew him to the art form and continues to drive his passion.
“The beauty of wrestling is that it can actually be anything,” Omega explained. “And I think that’s what we try to prove with BTE is that we can be a murder mystery. We can be a horror. We can be a comedy. We can be a raunchy comedy. We can be a romcom. We can be dramatic. We can be just anything. We can be animated. We even did an animated episode that one time. We can be stop motion. And it’s really—and but it can all exist within the same universe. And I think that’s what makes wrestling very unique.”
This creative flexibility allowed Omega and his compatriots to break new ground with “Being The Elite,” the YouTube series that helped launch All Elite Wrestling while simultaneously changing how wrestlers connect with their audience. The show broke the “fourth wall” of wrestling, giving fans unprecedented access to the personalities behind the characters.
“You broke the fourth wall, both literally and figuratively,” Shankar observed to Omega during their conversation. “Which made it okay to break the fourth wall, both literally and figuratively. Which then allowed the industry to accept that. And now outsiders are welcomed.”
When the Curtain Becomes Too Thin
While this evolution has brought wrestling to new audiences and created fresh opportunities, Omega acknowledged that increased transparency has created unexpected challenges for storytelling.
“That thing that was once so protected, that sort of industry insider kayfabe where it’s like ‘we don’t tell anybody how things are backstage,’ right? We don’t tell you how things work, how we live, how we operate. Now the doors are almost wide open,” Omega reflected. “It’s a paper-thin curtain, right? If you really want to peek behind the curtain, just open it up for yourself.”
This new reality has fundamentally altered how audiences engage with wrestling narratives, particularly when it comes to the traditional hero-villain dynamic.
“I think that’s why fan bases nowadays are a little more sensitive than they should be. And bad guys can’t be bad guys because they feel like they’re a part of our real lives and they want to be our real lives,” Omega said. “So when they see us portraying these evil people, they actually assume that that evil extension is really who we are on the inside.”
The consequence, according to Omega, is that creating effective villains has become increasingly difficult:
“In a way you could almost say that’s a great thing. They believe I’m a terrible person because I’m doing these bad things, but now they believe in it so much they don’t even want to support your show, which is a problem.”
The Balancing Act
As wrestling has grown into a more mainstream entertainment form, Omega has found himself navigating the complex relationship between creative expression and corporate responsibility – particularly since becoming an Executive Vice President in AEW.
“By becoming an EVP for AEW we were then now on the hook for anything that we did or said, and if it wasn’t to the network’s liking or if it offended people, fans, and they wrote a formal complaint, we could essentially be immediately taken off the air,” Omega explained. “And that responsibility to our fan base and the hundreds of people that we employed at AEW, you know, that’s a big responsibility.”
This tension between artistic freedom and business constraints mirrors what many creators face when scaling their projects, as Shankar noted: “You went from shooting shit on your iPhone” to a full television production with “all these bells and whistles that you didn’t have before… But those things come with like this added baggage.”
Despite these challenges, Omega remains committed to honoring wrestling’s traditions while pushing its boundaries. He emphasizes that regardless of increased transparency, there are still aspects of the business that should remain private—particularly interpersonal conflicts that fans lack proper context to understand.
“I know it sounds crazy as the guy that exposed a lot of things in wrestling due to BTE, but I still do think that there are a lot of traditions in wrestling and etiquette that needs to be honored at all times,” Omega said. “And I think regardless if there’s bad blood between some of the athletes and performers, we don’t need to be throwing each other under the bus to people that don’t understand what we do.”
As wrestling continues to evolve in the age of social media and increased transparency, Omega represents a bridge between wrestling’s protected past and its more open future—seeking to preserve the magic that makes the art form special while embracing the changes that keep it relevant.
Nic Nemeth and Jeff Hardy will face off in singles action for the first time in 16 years this Thursday on TNA iMPACT (8/7c on AXS TV, Sportsnet 360 in Canada, and TNA+ worldwide).
The match is the latest meeting for two of TNA’s most legendary stars.
Tensions exploded at Sacrifice 2025 when Nic and Ryan Nemeth attacked the Hardys after a steel cage match, leaving Matt Hardy bloodied. Nic later claimed the Hardys took credit for TNA’s resurgence, fueling a personal grudge.
The feud intensified at Rebellion, where the Nemeths captured the TNA World Tag Team Titles from the Hardys using questionable tactics.
Jeff and Matt have vowed revenge. Thursday’s one-on-one showdown could be the beginning of the end – or just the next chapter in a bitter war between brothers.
WWE NXT’s move to The CW Network in October 2024 has proven to be a resounding success.
Network president Brad Schwartz called the partnership an “absolute game changer for the CW, and I think it’s been a game changer for WWE.” Speaking to Variety, Schwartz lauded NXT’s performance.
He revealed the recently ended quarter was NXT’s “highest rated NXT quarter in five years. It’s up 19% year over year.” Schwartz highlighted NXT’s dominance on Tuesday nights: “In adults 18 to 49 and 25 to 54, we’re regularly beating Fox on Tuesday nights.
It’s unheard of,” describing its impact as “absolutely crushing for us” and a key reason for The CW’s overall 40% season-over-season growth. He added that, excluding Fox’s animation, NXT has broadcast television’s highest concentration of these key demographics.
This marks NXT’s first run on a broadcast network after moving from USA Network. Schwartz confirmed The CW and WWE are “constantly” discussing new ways to expand their relationship, including additional WWE programming, building on current crossovers like Tony D’Angelo on “Wild Cards” and Trick Williams on “All American.”
The wrestling fandom of the modern-day is well and truly ‘cooked’ as far as FTR’s Dax Harwood is concerned. On X, Dax shared a clip of his match from the May 8, edition of AEW Collision against Daniel Garcia. Noting the times that the fans were firmly opposed to Harwood, the former Tag Team Champion argued that “this generation of wrestling fans is cooked.”
What did I ever do to deserve this from the AEW fans? Seriously. I’ve broken my body for you for 5 years & this is what I get? This generation of wrestling fans are cooked. pic.twitter.com/8Lppb8ey3M
Harwood and Cash Wheeler turned heel by attacking Cope at AEW Dynasty 2025, bringing an end to the popular Rated-FTR trio. Since then, the pair have picked up wins over teams including Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong, as well as Daddy Magic and Cool Hand Ang. Unfortunately for Harwood, it was Garcia who got the win in their singles encounter.
While FTR are now villains, there’s plenty of fans ready to cheer the highly-talented duo. As for those booing Dax and Cash, they will have to remain ‘cooked.’
Jake “The Snake” Roberts has had more than his fair share of health issues and now the WWE Hall of Famer is recovering from major surgery. On Instagram, Jake’s wife Cheryl revealed that Jake had heart ablation surgery on May 13, and asked fans to send prayers, good vibes, and well wishes. Cheryl shared a photo of a smile Jake before he went under the knife.
“Jake’s going in for heart ablation surgery this morning. Calling all prayers warriors ?? good vibes, and well wishes are welcomed & appreciated.”
Jake has faced several health issues over his life, including ones far extending the expected bumps and setbacks of being in the ring. For years, Jake battled with substance abuse and in 2014, was diagnosed with double pneumonia. Shortly after, Jake was raced to hospital after a cancerous tumor was found on his knee.
Despite his personal demons and health issues, Jake has fought back and is proud to be living a clean, sober life. Today, the idea of drinking disgusts the wrestling legend who is among those saved by the tireless work of Diamond Dallas Page.
We here at SEScoops are wishing Jake the absolute best on his surgery and his recovery.
Logan Paul has impressed in the ring ever since his wrestling debut in 2022, and has earned the right to be called a wrestler according to Carlito. Speaking to TalkSport, Carlito explained his stance of support for the former United States Champion.
“He can actually get in there and do some damage. I like when they come in and they actually take it seriously and then do great things.”
Carlito is pleased that WWE is “on a good streak” when it comes to celebrities in the ring as Paul isn’t the only impressive name competing. In recent years, talent such as Bad Bunny, Johnny Knoxville, and Pat McAfee have all shown they can handle the brutality of in-ring competition.
“They’re not just there to be a celebrity of just get their face on WWE TV. They actually put the work in and they’ve done great work.”
Carlito’s comments echo those of Triple H, who believes Paul is much more than a celebrity wrestler. Speaking at the post-Backlash press conference, WWE’s CCO argued that it was unfair for fans to see Paul as a celebrity first, instead of acknowledging his contributions to WWE.
