TKO Executive Chairman Vince McMahon’s past has caught up to him yet again after a lawsuit was filed against him by a former employee. As of now, it is unclear what actions will be taken on McMahon after new allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking.
The lawsuit comes at an interesting time for WWE superstars, as the company prepares for the WWE Royal Rumble and is speaking with the media on-site. While some focused questions will be about Saturday’s premium live event, talent may also be asked about their thoughts on the new allegations about McMahon.
One of the superstars who has spoken about her mindset heading into the PLE after the startling allegation is Nia Jax. She talked to Nick Hausman about whether the news on McMahon has affected her as she prepares for the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble Match.
In the interview, Jax shared that it doesn’t and that she is focused on the WWE Royal Rumble this Saturday.
Hausman transcribed the following quotes.
“… I’m all business,” said Jax. She continued, “… this business is built on hard work and dedication, and that’s what every single wrestler in this room is doing right now, and so we just move forward. And it’s, you know, and we’re gonna put on an amazing show.”
It’s unclear if other superstars feel the same way as they prepare for one of WWE’s biggest events of the year. However, McMahon’s recent allegation has made fans question if more questions will be asked this Saturday.
Will There Be A Press Conference After WWE Royal Rumble?
The current expectation is that the company will hold a press conference after WWE Royal Rumble. If it were to occur as usual, it’s unknown what talent will be available for questions, but it is assumed that the Head Of Creative, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, will appear.
Wrestling’s Observer’s Dave Meltzer has reported that WWE has told talent to “Lay low and not talk about anything other than the Royal Rumble or storyline-related things.” It’s unclear if Levesque or other WWE superstars will comment directly on McMahon as the TKO Chairman deals with the new lawsuit.
WWE superstar Tyler Bate is looking for his big moment at the WWE Royal Rumble this Saturday. Since joining the main roster, Bate has looked impressive, showcasing his strength and technical in-ring ability. However, he plans to have his most ambitious showing on the main roster at the expense of ‘The Nigerian Giant.’
Bate spoke recently with TNT Sports’ Chamatkar Sandhu about being on the WWE Friday Night Smackdown brand and his year-long goals. The former WWE NXT United Kingdom Champion said he wants to win the tag team championships with Pete Dunne and potentially end the Judgement Day’s(Damian Priest & Finn Balor) title reign. He also admitted wanting to showcase his strength in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble Match against Omos.
“…We also have the Royal Rumble coming soon, and for the past seven years, I’ve been a part of the WWE, I’ve been saying that I want to get into the Royal Rumble and I want to Airplane Spin the biggest guy in the middle of the ring. So Omos, if you are listening,” said Bate. He added, “…I’ve been saying it and it’s going to happen. It’s going to happen at some point.”
Although Bate wants to compete in this year’s match, WWE has yet to announce if he will be an entrant in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble Match.
Tyler Bate’s Status In The The Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Currently, WWE has only advertised seven participants in the men’s match, including CM Punk and Cody Rhodes. For the past few years, the company has shared most of who would be involved in the match before the event. It’s unclear if that has changed, and fans will have to wait to see who makes an appearance.
While there is uncertainty, it’s possible Bate could be one of the other competitors involved in the 2024 Mens Royal Rumble Match. He has been featured since jumping to the main roster, and the company would seemingly want to showcase the former WWE NXT United Kingdom Champion.
For now, fans will have to wait for a full reveal of who will have a chance to main event WWE WrestleMania 40 in April.
Roman Reigns Vs. The Rock has yet to be made official behind the scenes by WWE, but the Brahma Bull is focused on making the match a reality.
The Brahma Bull returned to WWE on the Day 1 episode of Raw and teased coming for Reigns’ spot as the Head of the Table. A match between the pair has been teased for years and was at one point locked in for WrestleMania 39.
The Rock & WrestleMania 40
A potential Reigns-Rock match will come as bad news to fans of Cody Rhodes, who until the Day 1 edition of Raw, seemed poised to face the Tribal Chief at WrestleMania 40. In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that despite the anticipation of a match between the two, The Rock has yet to sign a deal confirming his involvement with WrestleMania.
The road to WrestleMania 40 begins this weekend at the 37th annual Royal Rumble from Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida.
You can watch the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble live this Saturday, January 27 starting at 8 ET/5 PT on Peacock in the United States on the WWE Network internationally.
Here’s the card for WWE’s first premium live event of the year:
30-Man Royal Rumble Match
30-Woman Royal Rumble Match
Kevin Owens vs. United States Champion Logan Paul
Randy Orton, LA Knight and AJ Styles vs. Roman Reigns for the Undisputed Universal Championship
The Royal Rumble is one of WWE’s most anticipated events of the year. The Rumble match itself is a spectacle like none other, but it also marks the beginning of the Road to WrestleMania. The winner of the Royal Rumble match earns a ‘championship opportunity’ at the ‘Grandest Stage of them All.’
This year’s Rumble matches are unique in that WWE has not announced many of the participants in advance. There’s a lot of uncertainty heading into the show, but that’s part of what makes this show in particular so exciting.
SEScoops correspondents Thomas Lowson, Mike Chin, Tyriece Simon, Bishal Roy, and Aaron Varble got together this week to run down the card and share their predictions for each match.
Kevin Owens challenges Logan Paul for the United States Championship
Thomas: I see this as an easy one. Paul isn’t dropping the title just yet, WWE want to keep him around for WrestleMania. Owens will give him a fight, but he’s not the guy right now (Prediction: Logan Paul)
Mike: Kevin Owens finds himself in the familiar role of challenging for a title at the Royal Rumble, but rather than chasing Roman Reigns like he did two out of the last three years, he’s pursuing the United States Champion Logan Paul. Paul is well-positioned to make the United States Championship matter at WrestleMania 40, and this match seems like it’s mostly there to add credibility to his reign, with an opponent who all but guarantees a good bout and who has the credibility to further Paul’s standing as a champion fans should take seriously. (Prediction: Logan Paul)
Bishal: Amid their intensifying rivalry, Logan Paul’s title run might face a formidable challenge at the hands of Kevin Owens. However, Paul’s surprising resilience and momentum could tilt the scales in his favor, potentially outmatching Owens’ experience and securing a narrow, yet memorable victory in this high-stakes battle. (Prediction: Logan Paul)
Tyrese: I think Logan Paul will retain the title in a great back-and-forth match. I don’t believe Paul will lose the WWE United States Championship at WWE WrestleMania 40 in April. My prediction for the finish is Owens getting close to winning, and Paul lands the right-hand punch for the win. (Prediction: Logan Paul)
Aaron: Logan Paul is a fine US Champion, and he got his title reign in with WWE. I actually asked about any serous issues with having a part-time United States Champion when LP won the US Title. I was told in November last year that “the internal feeling about Logan Paul is that he’s already generated great publicity for the US Title.” Although it would be fun to see Kevin Owens win the match, KO doesn’t need the title, and he can make The Maverick look great in the process. The bottom line is that WWE will get a lot more attention with Logan Paul as US Champion as they head into WrestleMania 40. (Prediction: Logan Paul)
Prediction: Logan Paul retains
Roman Reigns defends the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship in a Fatal 4-way match against Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight
Aaron: Roman Reigns is winning this match. Do I need to explain why? As Paul Heyman puts it, this is not a prediction, it is a spoiler. The Royal Rumble starts the road to WrestleMania, and since Roman Reigns vs The Rock is once again a very real possibility, it stands to reason that the Bloodline will help the Tribal Chief pull off another win. The bigger question is whether this match will close the show, and if The Rock is poised to break the internet at Tropicana Field, if he doesn’t really shock us by winning the Royal Rumble match. (Spoiler: Roman Reigns)
Mike: While hardly anyone thinks Roman Reigns is losing his title before WrestleMania, if anyone were to unseat him, it’s conceivable it could be one of his three challengers—not to mention that the Fatal 4-way structure offers an out in which Reigns can drop the title without eating a pin or tapping. More realistically, though, fans get a fun, fresh mix of talents here that all but guarantees a solid match. That’s as much as we can ask for while WWE bides its time on the Road to WrestleMania (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Bishal: I believe Roman Reigns is poised to prevail of in this bout, of course with the help of Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso. Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight will pose a massive challenge for ‘The Tribal Chief.’ However, we know that Reigns has a tactical edge over them. Though he has odds stacked against him, he will find a way to hold onto the title. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Thomas: Despite the numbers, I can’t see WWE taking the title off Reigns this close to WrestleMania 40. I’m interested to see how the match goes but I don’t think the winner is in any doubt. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Tyrese: It’s not time for Roman Reigns to lose heading into WWE WrestleMania 40. I can see a scenario where Randy Orton, RKO’s AJ Styles, and LA Knight lead to Reigns stealing the win. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Prediction: Roman Reigns retains
30-Woman Royal Rumble Match
Confirmed entrants include Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, Bayley and Bianca Belair.
Thomas: This really could go a lot of ways, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes to Becky Lynch. That being said, I think WWE will surprise fans by having Bayley win, and despite her recent claim about challenging Rhea Ripley, will stand against IYO SKY at WrestleMania (Prediction: Bayley)
Mike: While surprises are always possible, there are two key candidates WWE has set up as logical choices to win this match. On one hand, Bayley’s Damage CTRL has unexpectedly reached a new peak since the addition of Kairi Sane to their ranks and fans are just waiting for the group to turn on Bayley. Bayley winning the Royal Rumble offers a natural road to get to her babyface turn and challenging Iyo Sky at WrestleMania. On the other hand, WWE has Becky Lynch teased Becky Lynch challenging Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania. I could see this Rumble going either way, but a Rumble win feels like a nice reward for how hard Bayley has worked and her key role in getting her Damage CTRL counterparts over at such a high level, not to mention that her winning continues to “spread the wealth,” with no two-time women’s Rumble winner to date. (Prediction: Bayley)
Aaron: WWE has been teasing the Damage CTRL implosion for a while, so Bayley vs IYO Sky could be plausible, but another women’s match is also ready for the show of shows. Becky Lynch has stood up to Rhea Ripley as well, so fans may see The Man win in Tropicana Field. This Royal Rumble match is very unpredictable, because there are many options, including the idea that they may strap a rocket to Jade Cargill by letting her debut and win the Royal Rumble match. Since this one is a toss-up and the betting odds are also all over the place, I rolled a six-sided die for my prediction. (Prediction: Becky Lynch)
Bishal: Fans ar
e buzzing with the possibility of Mercedes Mone and Naomi returning to WWE, adding an exciting twist to the match. Additionally, Jade Cargill is poised to make her much-anticipated WWE in-ring debut. I think Bayley, a frontrunner, is likely to emerge victorious, amplifying her storyline with Damage CTRL. This triumph could set the stage for a compelling WrestleMania 40 showdown with IYO SKY for the Women’s Championship, adding depth to an already intriguing storyline. (Prediction: Bayley)
Tyrese: I think Bayley will get her moment. She had a great 2023 as both a performer and a manager for Damage CTRL. I believe she will win the Women’s Royal Rumble Match and challenge Iyo Sky for the WWE Women’s Championship (Prediction: Bayley)
Prediction: Bayley
30-Man Royal Rumble Match
Confirmed entrants include: Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, Gunther, Damian Priest and Kofi Kingston.
Mike: It’s a very interesting year for the men’s Royal Rumble. The Rock hangs over the match as a specter, unannounced but teased. If the rumored match between him and Roman Reigns is going to happen at WrestleMania, a Rumble win is the most straightforward way to get there. However, I’m of the school of thought Rock simply doesn’t need the Rumble win to be credibly inserted in the main event picture. CM Punk is one of the more favored candidates, and another talent who seems to destined for a world title picture at WrestleMania. In the end, though, I’m going with Cody Rhodes. If WWE does intend to “finish the story” one way or another—be it in a Triple Threat or challenging Roman Reigns one-on-one on either night of WrestleMania this year, he’s the both the talent who most needs this win for storytelling purposes and the one who best fits the ethos of this journey—fighting his way against the odds to become the first man to win back-to-back Royal Rumbles in over twenty-five years and staking his claim to challenge The Head of the Table one more time. (Prediction: Cody Rhodes)
Bishal: The Men’s Royal Rumble 2024 promises a spectacular affair with an array of wrestlers, blending current stars and potential surprise entrants, including wrestling legends. This year’s match is anticipated to be a thrilling showcase of superstars. I pick CM Punk as the winner. He is widely tipped as the likely winner, given his growing momentum, potentially scripting a remarkable comeback story in this spectacle similar to what Cody Rhodes attained last year. (Prediction: CM Punk)
Thomas: Okay, so this really could go a lot of ways. Up until recently, I would have said Cody. But with all that’s been said, I’m not so sure. With it being his first TV match in a decade, I’m predicting a Best in the World victory (Prediction: CM Punk)
Tyriece: There are several superstars that can win this match, but I think CM Punk will walk away victorious. I can see him entering at number 30 and winning his first Men’s Royal Rumble Match. For fans worried about Cody Rhodes finishing his “Story,” I can see him competing in an elimination chamber match to earn his shot at Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship at WWE WrestleMania 40. For Punk, I’m confident he faces Seth Rollins at the “Grandest Stage Of Them All.” (Prediction: CM Punk)
Aaron: Currently, GUNTHER and CM Punk are tied for most likely in the betting odds, with +150 each, Cody Rhodes has +225, and The Rock is in the 4th spot with +900. If you asked me in September who would win the 2024 Royal Rumble match, my answer would have been 100% Cody Rhodes. A lot of things have changed since then. I’ve exclusively reported this, and I welcome you to read up on how the winner of this match went from confirmed to questionable. Since Cody Rhodes is no longer set to finish his story at WrestleMania 40, as he is going to face CM Punk, then that makes things difficult to predict. I’m also holding out hope for GUNTHER vs Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 40, so let’s go with Black Adam on this one; just because it would guarantee front page headlines on every publication the next morning. (Prediction: The Rock)
As the WWE Royal Rumble approaches, Bayley is ready to show the wrestling world that 2024 will be her year. She helped make Damage CTRL (Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai) one of the dominant groups in the WWE. While she is proud of the success of her faction, ‘The Role Model’ wants to win gold and cement her legacy this year.
In an interview with Uproxx Sports, Bayley boasted that she believes she is on a different level than her peers and plans to prove it at the WWE Royal Rumble on January 27. Uproxx Sports’ Raj Prashad transcribed the following quotes.
“To me, this year in particular is about cementing my legacy and my career,” Bayley said. “I’ve done a lot up until this point. With Damage CTRL, I feel like I’m on a different level than everybody else, even the women that I came up with because it comes with a different responsibility.”
This year marks Bayley’s fifth attempt at winning the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. However, ‘The Role Model’ is seemingly one of the favorites to be victorious and challenging for a woman’s title.
Bayley’s Chances Of Winning The 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble Match
She is currently involved in a storyline where her group is counting on her to win and challenge WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley at WWE WrestleMania 40 in April. She also aims for all members of Damage CTRL to hold titles at the same time this year.
“Let me just say it, this is the last time I’m gonna say it. IYO is champion, right? And in Damage CTRL, that means we’re all kind of a champion,” said Bayley.
She explains, “She deserves to have that all to her own. Kabuki Warriors, we’re gonna get them those tag titles because it’s what they deserve. If I get a title from Rhea Ripley, how cool would that look?”
She added that she wants Kai to win the NXT Women’s Championship when she is cleared to wrestle again. This would mark a rare achievement, with an all-female faction in WWE simultaneously holding all the women’s titles in the company.
“…We’re about making history. We’re about never before seen, and we’re about taking over the world. So, the only way we could do that is by knocking Mami off her little high horse. She thinks she’s the stuff right now. Wait til I get my hands on her,” said Bayley.
It’s unclear if Bayley will ultimately win, as she has 29 other opponents vying to defeat her in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. That said, the former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion remains confident that she will shock the world and have her moment this weekend.
A lot has already been said about the latest allegations against Vince McMahon, but don’t expect any comments from current WWE Superstars.
This week, Janel Grant, a former WWE employee, filed a lawsuit against McMahon and the promotion. Grant alleges that she was sexually abused by McMahon and John Lauriniatis and was trafficked to several wrestlers, including a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. McMahon’s camp, which includes former WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt, has denied the claims, calling the suit “replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth.”
WWE Superstars Keeping Quiet
The allegations against McMahon have led to a lot of discussions about WWE and their business practices but those within the promotion are keeping quiet. In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is reported that Superstars have been encouraged to “lay low.” The gist is that talent should not talk publicly about anything other than the upcoming Royal Rumble Premium Live Event or storyline related matters.
This lawsuit comes at a time of great attention on WWE. In addition to this weekend’s Royal Rumble event, the promotion recently finalized a ten-year deal to bring Monday Night Raw to Netflix.
A Company-Wide Clean Up
While WWE Superstars won’t be speaking on the matter, the same rule doesn’t apply to ex-WWE talent. On Wrestling Observer Live, Lance Storm gave his view on the matter.
“I think there needs to be a legitimate cleaning house of anyone who covered anything up, who knew about this. This is absolutely disgustingly horrible and Vince McMahon needs to be gone and done. And I hope there’s criminal charges brought if any of this is even remotely true.”
Storm deemed the situation “absolutely disgustingly horrible” and stated that if any of the accusations were remotely true, Vince McMahon should be held accountable, even if that leads to criminal charges.
AEW fans are all too familiar with the idea of wrestler injuries at this point. Although there was hope that Fenix may be returning soon, that doesn’t seem to be the case. The famous luchador still has some recovery time before he can make a full return to the ring.
Fenix’s Injury
Concerns about Rey Fenix surfaced after WrestleDream, where he had a brief appearance in the AEW World Tag Team Fatal-Four Way Number One Contender Match and was taken backstage during the event. Fenix later took to Twitter, mentioning he was grappling with an “old injury” but had initially intended to defend the AEW International Championship.
Despite holding the title at the time, he worked two matches, including losing the championship to Orange Cassidy on October 10th. Since then, he has not participated in any matches and was withdrawn from an independent show scheduled for January 5.
However, according to Dave Meltzer’s latest report in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, despite Fenix appearing on television with Penta recently, he is significantly battered and not anticipated to make a quick return.
Even though Rey Fenix was on television with Penta last week, he’s pretty banged up and not expected back that soon
AEW has a list of injured talent that seems to be growing every week. We will have to see when Fenix can make it back to the ring, where he may have a Death Triangle reunion waiting for him if Tony Khan can make things work.
Bianca Belair is a former Women’s Champion in WWE, and she has maintained a consistent position as one of the top babyfaces since entering the main roster in 2020. Notably, her Royal Rumble win in 2021 and WrestleMania main event with Sasha Banks marked significant highlights in her WWE career. She did that as a babyface, but the idea of turning heel is always out there for the EST of WWE.
Bianca Belair Discusses Possible Heel Turn
Despite her established face status, fans vividly recall Belair’s time as a heel in NXT, and some would like to see her flex that side of her character on the main roster. With ongoing speculation about a potential heel turn being a frequent topic of discussion, she obviously heard that chatter from fans.
During a conversation with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, Belair addressed these rumors. She acknowledged that her heel run in NXT contributed to her standing out as a performer, but did not necessarily benefit others in the company.
‘At NXT, I was a heel, but if I ever turned heel now, I want to be the right type of heel. I was the cool heel in NXT, which I don’t feel like benefitted anyone but myself. I got myself over.
If I’m in there with a babyface that’s not as established, it’s very hard for them. I learned when I got to the main roster how great it is to work with an amazing heel like Bayley when I first came in.‘
Belair Wants To Help Other Talent
The WWE superstar also emphasized the importance of Bayley’s heel character in helping her establish herself as a babyface on the main roster. If Belair were to turn heel in the future, she expressed a desire to play a similar role in supporting other talents.
‘The reason why I think I hit the ground running, as a good guy, was I had this amazing heel who was established and over. She helped introduce me to the audience and helped people get to know me and care about me.
That’s what I want to do if I ever turn heel, so I won’t be the heel you like and cheer for.‘
Since the Street Profits aligned with Bobby Lashley in 2023 to form The Pride, speculation has surrounded the possibility of Belair joining the group and experiencing her first heel turn since her main roster debut. As of this writing, that hasn’t happened yet, but you can never write off any possibility in WWE.
AEW is well aware of the free agent market right now, and Tony Khan intends to remain a player for big contracts. It appears that All Elite Wrestling is very close to locking down two deals that could be incredibly important for the company’s future.
AEW’s Reported New Signings
In terms of Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that there is a belief that both will start with AEW soon. Mone is anticipated to have a substantial debut, with an announcement expected shortly. Despite negotiating with WWE, her return to AEW was anticipated for several months, even predating her appearance at Wembley, where she had to appear while seated due to her still-recovering ankle injury. However, until the contract is finalized, nothing is definite due to significant differences in financial terms.
As for Okada, the latest information indicates that he has not yet made a final decision. Speculation among various individuals ranges from hopefulness to a degree of confidence regarding his potential arrival. If Okada were to sign, the probable start would align with the Greensboro show, with his final New Japan date set for February 24th. In the event of a WWE signing, it could potentially be postponed until WrestleMania.
Regarding Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone, the belief from this side is that both will be starting soon. Mone was doing acting work, but there is talk her debut will be played up extremely big and that announcement could be soon. She has been back training to return to the ring.
What’s Next
It’s noteworthy that Tony Khan has expressed particular enthusiasm for 2024, anticipating new signings and returns in the coming months, including MJF, Adam Cole, Kenny Omega, Bandido, Rey Fenix, Pac, and Britt Baker. As of this writing, MJF is still believed by many within the business to be under AEW contract.
Tony Khan has some big plans for 2024, and he is very excited about the possibilities. They’ve brought big names into AEW before, but signing Okada and the former Sasha Banks to deals would be a great way to start this year in the Land of All Elite.
Fans can expect to see several surprise returns as part of the upcoming Royal Rumble event, it has been reported.
The WWE 2024 Royal Rumble premium live event will take place on Saturday, January 27 from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. It will be the 37th annual Rumble event and the seventh event to feature both men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches.
SE Scoops will have a live correspondent on hand for the Royal Rumble. Stay tuned for more information about exclusive content coming to the site, social media and YouTube from St. Petersburg.
Wrestling fans are eagerly anticipating some surprise entrants in the men’s and women’s matches. Less than three weeks out as of this writing, the first round of rumored names include Sean Waltman, Naomi, and Liv Morgan, according to reporting from PW Insider.
Who Not To Expect In The 2024 Royal Rumble
Hulk Hogan
Okay, let’s get this one out of the way, because we must address it. Hulk Hogan’s name was not churning in the rumor mill for the 2024 Royal Rumble match until he put it there. The Hulkster showed up on RAW this week and said he may have one more match left in him. That is not happening this year. I asked around about this right after Hogan’s promo, and everyone gave me a resounding “No way” and/or “Hell No!” when I asked whether Hulk Hogan is coming in for the match at Tropicana Field.
This goes without saying, but I received a resounding "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" when asking if Hulk Hogan is scheduled to be in the Royal Rumble match this Saturday…
Shane McMahon used to have a lot to do with the Royal Rumble match, as he also used to help produce it. I asked around as late as this week and was able to confirm that Shane-O Mac is not in any discussion for the 2024 Royal Rumble match. So, despite many expected surprises, Vince McMahon’s son will not be one of them either.
As if this needs to be said, but I'm still reporting it, cause I CAN.
I've asked around and no, Shane McMahon is not involved in the 2024 #RoyalRumble planning, nor is he slated to be in the match.
Waltman was recently at the WWE Performance Center which is also in Florida. On January 12, the nWo and DX alum said he can still go in the ring, but there’s “zero chance” he’ll be there:
There was talk last week at the PC about Waltman being in Florida over the Rumble weekend. Last year, Waltman told a fan “maybe” when asked about competing in the match. Waltman is a two-time WWE Hall of Famer. His most recent match for WWE was a 10-person tag-team match on the July 8, 2002, edition of Monday Night Raw.
I can still go at the drop of hat, at least for a few minutes. I can do all my kicks, except the one in the corner & I can do that again with a few weeks training. I'm at least month away from taking my shirt off in public, so zero chance I'll be in the Rumble.
Former WWE star Naomi is among those being discussed for a return in the Women’s Rumble match. The reigning IMPACT/TNA Knockouts World Champion competes as Trinity but is expected to finish with that promotion at tapings later this month. The belief within WWE is that she will be returning once her run with IMPACT/TNA expires. Naomi/Trinity famously walked out of WWE in May 2022 alongside Sasha Banks (now Mercedes Mone) due to creative differences with WWE.
Giulia’s status is a very interesting one. Rumors have been flying around about WWE interest in here. In face, it was reported that AEW backed off of her completely after interest from WWE was evident. Only time will tell if Giulia shows up at the Royal Rumble. She has not been to the WWE Performance Center yet, but the idea of her showing up in Tropicana Field is certainly possible.
Mercedes Mone/Sasha Banks
Mercedes’ free agent situation is very interesting. The former Banks, who is notorious for keeping her contracts close to the vest, is now bound for another company after her NJPW deal expired. Although rumors of a WWE return are strong, those in WWE still believe that she is heading to AEW. Others, like Sean Ross Sapp have indicated the same. There were talks between WWE and Mone, but they hit a financial roadblock.
Jade Cargill
A lot of things are going on with Jade Cargill, and WWE has big plans for her. As a former TBS Champion in AEW, World Wrestling Entertainment didn’t jump right to debuting her in the ring. Instead, they opted for a slow burn debut, where she showed up at Fastlane. Then, they placed her in the WWE Performance Center, so she could polish up her skills and get ready for her big moment. It will be interesting to see if WWE pulls the trigger on her debut at the Royal Rumble, and just how much time they give her in the match.
Kazuchika Okada
Okada is leaving NJPW, and that news broke the pro wrestling world wide open. We have not heard any explicit report of a WWE contract offer, but the man has been on WWE’s radar for years. It may be possible that NJPW would allow Okada to perform at the Royal Rumble, even if he has more dates with them. Obviously, Okada’s addition to WWE would also greatly shake up the WrestleMania landscape as well.
Kamille
Although it is expected that Kamille may debut for NXT first, WWE has their eye on the former NWA Women’s Champion. She was just backstage at AEW Dynamite, but that was only because they were very close to her home. That didn’t give any indication that Tony Khan is close to snatching her away from WWE. By all appearances, Kamille is going to WWE, where she will probably be a major player when the time comes.
This page will be updated in the weeks and days leading up to the Royal Rumble.
AEW superstar Darby Allin recently revealed that he isn’t listening to pro wrestling legend Ric Flair’s advice.
Allin has a reputation for involving himself in high-risk spots in his matches. He has captivated the fans with his dangerous stunts that thrill the fans. However, suffering career-threatening injuries look inevitable. He has suffered injuries from time to time but that isn’t stopping him anytime soon.
Pro wrestling takes a toll on the physical health of the performers and it is no secret. Veterans of the business have dealt with complications at the latter stage of life and WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, who has experienced the same, shared a piece of advice for Allin.
Darby Allin won’t listen to Ric Flair
During a recent interview with Rock 106.1, Darby Allin revealed that though he appreciates Ric Flair’s advice to slow down he won’t listen to him. Allin says that he feels good physically and doesn’t see himself stopping. He said:
“Ric Flair, a couple weeks ago, he came up to me and is like, ‘Darby, you need to slow down.’ I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ ‘You’re crazier than Mick Foley.’ I’m like, ‘Getting advice from Ric Flair?’ What’s funny is, people don’t know how great I feel physically. I feel amazing, like nothing hurts.“
“DDP also, he’s like, ‘We have to put you in a lab. They have to test you out and see what’s going on because you’re not human.’ I feel amazing. I won’t stop doing it. Sorry for anybody trying to give me advice, all the people out there telling me to slow down. I can’t and I won’t.”
Darby Allin and his tag team partner ‘The Icon’ Sting have their sights set on the AEW Tag Team Championships. On the latest edition of AEW Dynamite, the duo challenged the champs Big Bill and Ricky Starks, who eventually accepted the challenge.
Former Bloodline member Jey Uso has nothing but high praise for his cousin and the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
‘The Trible Chief’ has become one of the most recognizable and unstoppable characters in WWE history. His journey to superstardom dates back to his early days at Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which was then WWE’s developmental territory. It was there that Reigns developed his skills and started laying the groundwork for his future success.
His history-making WWE Universal Championship reign for 1,243 days and counting remains to be one of the greatest chapters in WWE and Reigns has established himself as the ‘Tribal Chief.’
He has demonstrated unmatched skills in the ring and has become the face of WWE SmackDown brand. His phenomenal development as a performer and a character highlights his commitment to the business which cements his place among the greatest of all time in the WWE.
Jey Uso lauds Roman Reigns’ meteoric rise
Just like any other WWE fan, Jey Uso is also thrilled about the idea of Roman Reigns vs. The Rock. Regarding the dream match potentially materializing as soon as this year’s WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, Jey is excited while highlighting how far Reigns has come.
During a recent interview with Chamatkar Sandhu of TNT Sports, “Main Event” Jey Uso said:
“Yeah, I’m so excited because, like I said, people want to see that match, and it’s a big W for my family still,” Jey stated. “Like that makes me joyful. It’s breathtaking. I look at my cousin now, Roman, and I’m just happy on how far he’s come. From the day he walked into FCW, developmental, which I was there, to present. Inspiring, man.
“He’s the blueprint of what hard work does and you can never knock that. He has great work ethic. He deserves all the time off that he has, he earned it. But I really fell like The Rock is stepping back into a place where he don’t know what’s gonna hit him, let alone The Great One. We The Ones, or we used to be The Ones, but that’s The Great One.”
Roman Reigns will defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against LA Knight, Randy Orton and AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event on Saturday, January 27.
This weekend’s Royal Rumble Premium Live Event will be a massive show but ahead of the event, WWE has announced a blockbuster clash for Royal Rumble’s go-home SmackDown show. LA Knight is set to take on the Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa on this week’s Friday Night SmackDown lineup.
LA Knight and Solo Sikoa clash in a rematch
Knight vs. Sikoa is a rematch from the October 13 SmackDown where Knight secured a win over Sikoa in the build up to challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal title at Crown Jewel in November.
Knight has a huge opportunity at hands as he participates in a four-way Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match with title holder Roman Reigns, AJ Styles, and Randy Orton.
Apart from LA Knight vs Solo Sikoa, WWE announced a Women’s Tag Team title match as Katana Chance & Kayden Carter put their titles on the line against Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane). On the other hand, Carlito will square off against Santos Escobar, while Austin Theory faces Carmelo Hayes. A face-to-face segment with The Pride and The Final Testament factions has also been announced.
Lineup for the Friday, January 26 SmackDown:
LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa
Women’s Tag Team Champions Katana Chance & Kayden Carter defend against Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane)
Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory
The Pride (Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits) & The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Authors of Pain, Scarlett & Paul Ellering) face-to-face
Rhea Ripley has become one of WWE’s very top Superstars, but that has only come about after she narrowly avoided being released.
Ripley is WWE’s reigning Women’s World Champion, a reign that began at WrestleMania 39 with her SmackDown Women’s Championship win over Charlotte Flair. Ripley’s work with The Judgment Day has been praised by fans and has helped make the ‘Mami’ one of WWE’s must-see Superstars.
With her unique look, Ripley certainly stands out among the roster of WWE’s women. When she debuted in WWE, Ripley had a more traditional look to her, complete with long, blonde hair. During a recent interview with The Ringer, Ripley recalled trying to fit in with what she believed WWE wanted from her, which ironically led to talks about whether to let her go.
“I was on the chopping block. I nearly got fired a few times. I don’t know if they wanted me to know that, but I did know that
Realizing that a change needed to be made, Ripley looked to her taste in music and the performers she has gravitated toward throughout her life.
“They didn’t care about what anyone thought. And I really aspired to be like that. I love the studded jackets, I love the painted jackets. I love the black makeup, the black hair. I’ve always loved that grungy look. And that’s been me, deep down. I’ve just been hiding it for so long because I was trying to be the girl next door, the beachy sort of vibes, but it wasn’t me.”
Ripley’s most recent title defense saw the Eradicator retain against Ivy Nile on the Day 1 edition of Monday Night Raw. She is not booked to compete at this weekend’s Royal Rumble event.
Rhea Ripley recently reached another milestone in her WWE career…
Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling, the promotion founded by the late Dusty Rhodes will host an event next month, the first in over two decades.
PW Insider reports that TCW will host an event on February 8, in Atlanta, Georgia from the Nightmare Factory school in McDonagh. Rhodes’ daughter Teil and QT Marshall are said to be heavily involved with the promotion. Last month, Cody Rhodes and Marshall filed a trademark for the company’s name, which led to the belief that a revival was in the works.
Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
Dusty Rhodes started making plans for TCW in 1999 and would establish offices in East Cobb County, Georgia. At the time, Rhodes described his idea for the new promotion as “old school but with modern ideas.” The first TCW event took place in July 2000 and saw Glacier win a tournament to become the first TCW Heavyweight Champion.
The following year, TCW would host its first pay-per-view, and would also begin airing on TV. In March of 2001, Scott “The Clap” Anton and “The Extreme Dream” Erik Watts became the first TCW Tag Team Champions defeating Glacier and Jorge Estrada.
With the demise of WCW and ECW, TCW welcomed talent that the WWF did not pick up. In an August 2001 interview with Greg Oliver, Dustin Rhodes had high praise for TCW.
“TCW is the alternative to the World Wrestling Federation. To me in my mind, my opinion, and my dad’s opinion, we are the World Wrestling Federation’s competition. We are not an independent, we are a company. We want to be treated as one.”
The original TCW saw several notable names compete, including Scott Hall, ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan, New Jack, Leilani Kai, Daffney, and Steve Corino. Years before he’d make it big as part of TNA Wrestling, James Storm would compete during the latter stages of the company.
Kazuchika Okada made sure to express his gratitude to TNA and the fans after wrestling his first match for the promotion in over a decade.
In the main event of this week’s episode of iMPACT! on AXS TV, Okada teamed with the Motor City Machine Guns to defeat The System’s Eddie Edwards, Bryan Myers, and TNA World Champion Moose. After the match, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin spoke about their love for TNA before handing the microphone over to Okada.
“Thank you! Many people asked me ‘Why you hate TNA?’ You know, but I don’t hate TNA. Thank you TNA! TNA made me, not the Rainmaker, but [it was] a good thing for me. Thank you TNA! Thank you everyone!”
Okada would shake hands with fans after his promo as the popular ‘Cross the Line’ theme for TNA iMPACT! played. Okada would return to the ring and kiss the mat, which features the TNA Wrestling logo, in a sign of respect to the promotion.
Kazuchika Okada and TNA Wrestling
Okada doesn’t hate TNA Wrestling, despite what some have claimed based on a previous run with the company. Okada first appeared for TNA in 2010 and would be established as a fan favorite in 2011. Dubbed ‘Okato’, the future IWGP Heavyweight Champion would use a look inspired by Kato from The Green Hornet series. A Green Hornet film would come out that same year, though TNA Wrestling had no official partnership with the project. Many felt that the gimmick was goofy and beneath someone of Okada’s immense skill set.
In a vignette aired during this week’s episode of iMPACT! a voiceover speaks about the changes TNA has experienced in recent weeks. The voice adds that it’s now time for a different kind of change, to images of a politician being escorted and prepared by secret service officers. Ali then appears on camera, and true to his political campaign, says that he approves of this message.
Is the former Women’s Champion Bianca Belair looking for a heel turn?
Well, ‘The EST of WWE’ has been one of the most popular superstars. She was called up from NXT and joined the main roster during the pandemic era of WWE. Bianca Belair won the 2021 Royal Rumble and at WrestleMania 37, she headlined the WrestleMania Saturday with Sasha Banks. That night Belair became the Smackdown Women’s Champion for the first time.
It can be said that Bianca Belair has shone on the main roster as a babyface. She has inspired several women off the screen with her character and continues to portray a heroic role. However, Belair’s heel run in NXT years ago was undeniable as well. It seems that we could see Bianca Belair as a heel in the near future.
Bianca Belair shares her plan for her possible heel run
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, Belair was asked if she prefers being a babyface or heel, to which she replied:
“I love being a good guy, I love being a babyface because it puts purpose to what I do. I feel like it has a bigger impact and I’m able to do stuff with the community and it’s very purposeful and inspirational and impactful. That being said, when I was a heel in NXT, it was so much fun. I feel like being a heel is a lot easier. It’s a lot easier to get people to not like you than to get people to like you and keep liking you and keeping it fresh.”
In addition to this, she also discussed what she would want out of a heel run if she turned now:
“At NXT, I was a heel, but if I ever turned heel now, I want to be the right type of heel. I was the cool heel in NXT, which I don’t feel like benefitted anyone but myself. I got myself over. If I’m in there with a babyface that’s not as established, it’s very hard for them. I learned when I got to the main roster how great it is to work with an amazing heel like Bayley when I first came in. The reason why I think I hit the ground running, as a good guy, was I had this amazing heel who was established and over. She helped introduce me to the audience and helped people get to know me and care about me. That’s what I want to do if I ever turn heel, so I won’t be the heel you like and cheer for,” she said.
Recently, Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley were featured on the cover of WWE 2K24: Deluxe Edition. A video clip was also released where Triple H surprised them.
It was recently reported that Brock Lesnar is returning to WWE television very soon. With the Royal Rumble coming up, that brings a natural idea that he may re-emerge at Tropicana Field.
Sean Ross Sapp has now reported on Fightful Select to confirm that Brock Lesnar is expected for the January 27th pay-per-view event. Everything is subject to change, but Lesnar is slated to be at the Royal Rumble.
That being said, Lesnar was slated for a return prior to the recent Vince McMahon lawsuit. The former Universal Champion’s name was brought into the controversy, and that may force a change for things.
This week, Fightful learned that Royal Rumble was originally discussed as a potential target. This was reiterated to Fightful Thursday, but it was noted that in light of Lesnar’s implied inclusion in the Vince McMahon lawsuit, that may change.
In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).
Reactions to Vince McMahon Allegations
TKO Group Holdings already stated that they plan to take action internally regarding this matter. This is in spite of the fact that these allegations took place prior to Endeavor’s takeover.
With the Royal Rumble coming up on Saturday, and so much going on in WWE, it’s easy to see that this will be a very busy weekend for everyone involved. SE Scoops will have continued coverage for more breaking news concerning Vince McMahon’s latest controversy as well.
Vince McMahon made headlines in a huge way, as a new lawsuit surfaced that was full of horrible allegations. Text messages, allegedly from Vince McMahon, and a victim’s statements tell stories of sexual assault and a total abuse of power. Now, McMahon’s people have spoken on the matter.
McMahon’s Statement on the Matter
Janel Grant, a former employee at WWE’s headquarters, claimed in the lawsuit filed on Thursday that she experienced abuse and sexual exploitation by McMahon during his tenure as chief executive.
Vince McMahon’s camp responded to this new lawsuit. In a statement released to Deadline, it was stated that the allegations are full of lies, and Mr. McMahon will defend himself.
“This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He will vigorously defend himself.”
TKO Responds
TKO Group Holdings stated that, although these alleged acts took place before their takeover of the company, they are taking this situation seriously. They also said that they plan to handle things internally.
The lawsuit did not specify the wrestler but characterized them as both a UFC fighter and WWE talent. Considering the timeline is 2021, it’s relatively straightforward to narrow down the options, even though Brock Lesnar was not mentioned.
According to the lawsuit, McMahon shared explicit photos with the WWE Superstar, who expressed that “he likes what he sees.” Additionally, 4 WWE Producers and television production techs were allegedly recipients of this explicit content.
The complaint from Janel Grant against WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis, filed in federal court in Connecticut today is here.https://t.co/eP9t8aXFiC
Vince McMahon stepped away from WWE following the public revelation of a hush money scandal. An internal investigation took place, and McMahon eventually made a comeback to WWE to play a role in their eventual merger with the UFC. However, a lawsuit surfaced with significant allegations, ready to expose a side of the man that could change McMahon’s legacy.
TKO Group Holdings Statement
The Wall Street Journal has reported that a woman, Janel Grant, a former employee at WWE’s headquarters, claimed in the lawsuit filed on Thursday that she experienced abuse and sexual exploitation by McMahon during his tenure as chief executive.
Variety reports that TKO Group Holdings released a statement on these allegations against Vince McMahon. It was made clear that they do not oversee the daily operations of WWE, and they are taking these horrific allegations seriously. They will also take action by addressing the situation internally.
“Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE. While this matter predates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”
There May Be More To Uncover
This new set of allegations against Vince McMahon is very concerning. It was also made clear in the lawsuit that his accuser is coming forward for those who cannot, but wish that they might. The idea that there may be more with stories about Mr. McMahon is quite concerning.
‘Ms. Grant is filing this lawsuit not just to address her own suffering, but also to act for those who are afraid to speak out. Plaintiff Janel Grant is a former employee of WWE who was the victim of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and trafficking at WWE.’
We will have continued coverage of this ongoing lawsuit at SE Scoops. This is a very new story, so there will likely be plenty of updates to come.
It’s already raining in WWE. Raining talent, raining momentum, and raining zeros in the form of billions for a brand spanking new, state of the art streaming agreement with Netflix. Things are good for Triple H, Nick Khan, and The Rock up in Stamford, but a storm is coming. A rain storm. A rain storm of excitement.
The Rainmaker.
Last week, New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that Kazuchika Okada would be leaving their company when his contract ends this month. Okada is a New Japan legend, multiple time heavyweight champion, and the man partly responsible for the company’s rebirth a decade ago.
WWE deserves all the criticism in the world for that ineptitude, but they are a different company today than they were a year ago. International expansion is a key maneuver to growth and has manifested itself in major PLE shows taking place around the world in places like Germany, the UK, and annual blood money extravaganzas in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, WWE is expanding that slate of shows to include major events in Australia and France. Japan is surely a smart play in that grand plan for WWE global dominance and Kazuchika Okada is the biggest Japanese star on earth to carry the WWE flag into the market.
So, Okada makes perfect business sense for an expanding global company. The excitement doesn’t just reside in a corporate board room, though. Okada in a WWE ring and on WWE Raw or Smackdown weekly should jolt excitement for wrestling fans too. What would a Kazuchika Okada run look like in WWE? Let’s take a look.
The first thing that stands out for an Okada run in WWE is all the fresh matches he can have with top talent on the roster. That reality is the key reason why Okada to WWE is more exciting than Okada to AEW. There’s a lot of “been there, done that” for him in AEW — not so in WWE.
Dream matches galore
Roman Reigns is the first stand out opponent that comes to mind when making a Cody Rhodes-esque list of matches of Okada in WWE. Reigns is and has been the top dog in WWE and Okada was his equal in New Japan. A clash between those titans would generate global interest and would be an excellent in-ring showcase, too. Stylistically, Reigns and Okada are capable of having a classic.
Okada vs. CM Punk? There’s a match that nobody thought would ever happen. Even when Punk was surviving in AEW, he was disconnected from Okada and behind guys in AEW like Bryan Danielson for the big Okada crossover match. WWE certainly would have been the last company predicted to showcase the match, but now it’s more than a possibility. Okada and Punk is a match for the diehards. A true pro wrestling dream match that those who understand the history of both guys, understand why it’s as big as it is.
How about Okada against Cody Rhodes? The world saw this match at the NJPW G1 USA Special in July of 2017 when Cody was free on the independent circuit. Okada won the match and retained his IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Was it a taste of things to come? Not really. In 2017, there wasn’t a reason to believe the match would happen again in a major capacity for a big company, so it was what it was then. In 2024, Cody Rhodes is premiere level star for the biggest wrestling company in the world. Running the match back at a top WWE level has dollar signs all around it.
What else? Oh, Brock Lesnar. You could plaster “The Beast vs. “The Rainmaker” on billboards everywhere and it would pop as much as anything else WWE could book. My body hurts just thinking about this one. Brock Lesnar is the bigger man, but Okada can deliver his stuff as stiff as anyone. The two would beat the tar out of one another much like Gunther and Sheamus did at Clash at the Castle in 2022. What wrestling fan wouldn’t want to see that?
Hmm, speaking of Gunther? Gunther vs. Okada sounds like a dream match to me. Gunther has been the most well booked new act in the last five years in WWE and stands heads above the rest of the current, everyday roster because of it. He’s been treated as something special and a program with Okada would certainly reemphasize that point. The match would go a lot like a Lesnar vs. Okada match would go in terms of the tar being beaten out of both men. I’d be looking out for the chop battle. Okada can bring em. Gunther can too. WWE medical team, get the bandages ready.
Seth Rollins is a strong opponent for Okada. Rollins is a prototypical WWE wrestler and would be a good person for Okada to work with early in his run to adapt to the WWE style ring-wise, but production-wise too. Rollins is a pro and their names on a marquee could sell an event nicely for the company.
That’s enough matches for two years of Kazuchika Okada programs in WWE, but I’ll keep going because it’s fun to dream big. John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, AJ Styles again, Finn Balor, LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, Logan Paul, Rey Mysterio, and heck even Dominik Mysterio all provide Okada with top level opponents. Up and coming NXT talent work opposite Okada too. Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, and Trick Williams are future members of the WWE roster with whom Okada can work with.
Honestly, it’s an embarrassment of riches. WWE legends, current top stars, future top stars? It’s all there for Okada on one rainy gold freaking platter.
Okada WWE moments
It’s not all about the matches. WWE has built it’s brand on moments and Okada has a plethora of those waiting for him if he shows up.
Okada’s first WrestleMania appearance will be huge. First, the notion of that happening was unfathomable six months ago, so the unbelievable turning into reality is a moment in and of itself. The spectacle of WrestleMania is enormous, though. Okada will get the shine in front of 80,000 plus and will check a bucket list item, while collecting a thick, thick check at the same time.
This next moment likely won’t happen this year barring some kind of unforeseen circumstance, but Okada in the Royal Rumble will be forever a lasting memory. The pageantry of surprise Royal Rumble appearances is deeply rooted within WWE lore. John Cena had a big return at the event. AJ Styles had his moment in the sun thanks to the surprise of the Royal Rumble. Same thing with Edge and others. Okada would join those ranks and that’s some great company.
Further down the road, Okada joining the WWE Hall of Fame is a moment. Again, unthinkable just a few months ago, but if he joins the company, why not? Okada will certainly get his New Japan flowers at some point, but proper recognition in the United States is essential. The WWE Hall of Fame has it’s issues, of course, but remains a strong way to solidify a mark on the wrestling business. It would be fun to see someone with ties to Okada’s Japanese history like Shinsuke Nakamura or AJ Styles do the induction, wouldn’t it?
Gaze into the crystal ball
That’s how the crystal ball looks to me when gazing deep into Kazuchika Okada as a member of the WWE roster. Excited? You should be.
Now, WWE has a history of completely botching international stars. If you’re worried about how Okada would be treated, you should be. WWE has to prove itself from that perspective, but Okada is the perfect star to do it with.
Okada joining WWE is one of those rare “it works for everyone” moments in pro wrestling. As a company, WWE wins with him signing. They’d have access to an international megastar that lines up perfectly with thei
r global business strategy. Okada wins. He gets to expand his star power to the biggest wrestling company in the world and will do so while earning top dollar for his services. The fans win too. See above. The matches and the moments Okada can have in WWE speak for themselves.
It’s pouring ladies and gentleman. Okada in WWE? Let’s sing in the rain.
WWE United States Champion Logan Paul will remain with the promotion for the foreseeable future after signing a new deal, but his celebration was short-lived.
Taking to Instagram this week, Paul shared a video of himself training in the ring. The Maverick said that WWE had renewed his contract and that he has been training at the Performance Center in Orlando. From there, Paul would run the ropes before taking several bumps as part of his training.
After debuting for WWE in 2021, Paul signed with the promotion the following year. He is currently 4-4 in the ring and has won at WWE’s two biggest shows, WrestleMania and SummerSlam. He has held the U.S. title since WWE Crown Jewel last November, where he dethroned Roman Reigns.
What’s Next for Logan Paul?
Paul’s next match will take place this weekend and see the Maverick defend the United States Championship against Owens. The match at the upcoming Royal Rumble Premium Live Event will mark Paul’s first title defense.
In July 2021, according to the lawsuit, Vince McMahon instructed Janel Grant to create personalized sexual content for a WWE superstar he sought to re-sign.
The lawsuit didn’t specify the wrestler but described them as both a UFC fighter and WWE talent. Given the timeline is 2021, it’s pretty easy to narrow down those choices, although Brock Lesnar was not named.
The lawsuit states that McMahon shared explicit photos with the WWE Superstar, who said that, “he likes what he sees.” 4 WWE Producers and television production techs were also allegedly received this explicit content.
In December of the same year, McMahon allegedly provided Grant’s personal cellphone number to the unnamed WWE Superstar. The lawsuit claims that the wrestler requested a video of her urinating, and after she complied, he used derogatory language, calling her ‘b*tch.”
In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).
Lawsuit’s Allegations Get Even Heavier
The WWE Superstar, whom the lawsuit noted is widely acknowledged as a top talent with a substantial fan base that contributed to viewership and live event attendance, was allegedly recruited by McMahon for a sexual encounter with Ms. Grant. This purported recruitment occurred while she held the position of coordinator in the legal department. By July 2021, McMahon reportedly informed Ms. Grant that the WWE Superstar was intended to be their next “playmate.”
Similar to previous instances, McMahon allegedly expressed his fantasy of witnessing Ms. Grant engaged in explicit acts with the WWE Superstar, describing a desire to “rip” her open. McMahon also disclosed his intention to have WWE Superstar sign a new contract, while the Superstar expressed interest in returning to other professional pursuits.
Upon information and belief, McMahon began to recruit WWE Superstar for a sexual encounter with Ms. Grant while she was still a coordinator in the legal department. By July of 2021, McMahon informed Ms. Grant that WWE Superstar would be their next “playmate.” As in other instances, McMahon described his fantasy of seeing Ms. Grant engaged in unmerciful sexual acts with WWE Superstar during which he would “rip” her open.
McMahon also confided to Ms. Grant that he wanted to have WWE Superstar under a new contract, while WWE Superstar indicated an interest in a return to other professional endeavors.
Around July 12, 2021, McMahon allegedly directed Ms. Grant to create personalized sexual content for WWE Superstar. After sharing the explicit photos with WWE Superstar, McMahon informed Ms. Grant that he was pleased with the content.
On July 21, 2021, McMahon or someone at his behest arranged for the WWE Superstar to fly into a local airport and travel to Connecticut for what McMahon described to Ms. Grant as a “business dinner” and a subsequent sexual encounter at McMahon’s condo.
The dinner, allegedly discussing WWE Superstar’s ongoing involvement with the company, was preceded by a brief visit to Ms. Grant’s building. However, the WWE Superstar, reportedly too intoxicated, did not return for a sexual encounter and was taken back to the plane.
Despite not being seen on AEW television for a long time, the company has re-signed one of it’s stars during the COVID-19 era.
Anthony Ogogo revealed on the latest episode of AEW Restricted that he has signed a new deal with All Elite Wrestling and believes that Tony Khan has a lot of confidence in him as a star.
“There’s working there (on the independents) and there’s working AEW. So I’m in a weird situation now where I think there’s a lot of potential around me and Tony Khan has signed me and he’s re-signed me. So he obviously sees something in me and I have this aura which people haven’t got because they haven’t done what I’ve done in real life.”
Ogogo did make an appearance in his home country at AEW All In in London, but in a segment with Paul Wight and Grado. The former rival of Cody Rhodes questioned the prospect of working on the independents to get more experience, but also believes he’s ready for the main stage.
“I don’t wanna be patient… I don’t wanna be patient anymore. I wanna show my worth. I just wanna show what I can do… If I didn’t think I could deliver, I wouldn’t be saying this. But I know what I can do, I know what I have. I just wanna contribute.”
The former boxer admitted that his initial run in AEW hasn’t met his expectations, but realizes he has to put in the work.
“All I can do is work hard and give it my all and when the call comes, hopefully the call will come, to show up and turn up and that’s what I’m doing.”
Please credit AEW Unrestricted and h/t to Andrew Thompson of POST Wrestling for the transcription.
