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Surprise Performance: Britt Baker Takes Stage at Zach Bryan Pittsburgh Concert During AEW Hiatus

Aaron Varble
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Britt Baker’s time on AEW television was greatly limited last year. In fact, Tony Khan didn’t let her cut a single promo on Dynamite. That being said, she was welcomed to take the microphone at a recent Zach Bryan concert.

The former AEW Women’s Champion showed up at a Zach Bryan concert over the weekend. She got on stage, and was able to perform a duet in the process.

Britt Baker’s Big Musical Moment

AEW wrestlers can get some pretty cool opportunities thanks to their public status. Britt Baker took full advantage of her public figure status recently, and fans at the Zach Bryan were incredibly happy to see her.

During her hiatus from AEW, Britt Baker shared a video on Twitter of herself performing alongside country singer Zach Bryan at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

It was evident from the video that she thoroughly enjoyed herself at the concert. She also included a little caption to sum everything up

“Baptize me in a bottle of Beam”

Britt Baker in AEW

Since her appearance on the September 16 episode of AEW Collision, where she faced Kris Statlander in a TBS Championship match and suffered a loss, Britt Baker has been dealing with a persistent injury that has kept her sidelined. Consequently, she has been unable to participate in any matches since that time, as she focuses on recovering from her injury and ensuring her long-term health and well-being.

She has been battling injuries for a while, even during his time as AEW Women’s World Champion. Hopefully, she will get back to good health, so she can compete at a  competitive level once again. In the meantime, fans in Brittsburgh were surprised to see their home city champion at the Zach Bryan concert.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional details are made available. Keep checking back for more of the headlines you need.

Frustration Within WWE Over Women’s Tag Title Booking

Aaron Varble
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The road to WrestleMania 40 has been quite a ride so far. The Kabuki Warriors are still holding the company’s Women’s Tag Team Titles, as Kari Sane and Asuka are fighting champions. This may have caused a bit of an issue.

A new report has dropped saying that there is some frustration over having The Kabuki Warriors defending their titles on RAW next week after a brutal defense at NXT Roadblock.

Some Upset Over Title Picture

Asuka and Kairi Sane had a successful title defense at NXT Roadblock against Tatum Paxley and Lyra Valkyria. There is no rest for the champions, as they are already set to defend their titles on RAW.

Zoey Stark & Shayna Baszler have a title shot on the March 11th episode of the longest running weekly episode show in history. That is not being received too well by some backstage.

Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that officials expressed their happiness with Asuka and Kairi Sane’s presence on the Roadblock show. That being said, some aren’t too happy that Sane and Asuka have to turn around to defend those titles again.

”Officials were very happy to have Asuka and Kairi Sane on the show. However, there was some frustration with the champions having a title defense booked for next week’s Raw during Monday’s show.”

What’s Next for the Kabuki Warriors

The Kabuki Warriors do not have a match booked for WrestleMania 40 yet. IYO Sky will defend her title against Bayley during the show of shows, and it’s anyone’s guess whether they will be around for that match.

Damage CTRL is covered in gold. It’s anyone’s guess how the faction will look after they leave the grandest stage of them all, but the road to WrestleMania has been a wild one for the stable so far.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional details are made available. 

The Heir Apparent! Michael Cole Sees Corey Graves As The Future of WWE Broadcasting

Thomas Lowson
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Fans should get used to hearing Michael Cole on commentary for years to come, at least if Michael Cole is to be believed. 

Cole has been with WWE for close to three decades after joining the promotion in 1997 on the recommendation of Todd Pettengill. A former war correspondent, Cole’s career in WWE has seen him call the action at countless events, enjoy a brief heel run, and even get a win at WrestleMania 27. 

The Heir Apparent

With decades in the industry, Cole has developed a keen eye for what works and what doesn’t at the commentary table. In a recent interview with Awful Announcing, the veteran spoke about Corey Graves’ journey in WWE thus far and teaching him the proverbial ropes. 

“[It was] a matter of giving him the opportunity to sit side by side for many years, to watch, learn, study, and see how I do things.”

Cole added that he is pleased that Graves was given the opportunity and sees a very bright future for the SmackDown commentator.

“And at the end of the day, when we gave him the shot? He’s been killing it. I believe he’s the heir apparent.”

Corey Graves

While Cole sees Graves as his heir, the 40-year-old is hardly a newbie to the commentary desk. After his in-ring retirement in 2014, Graves joined the NXT commentary team before being moved to the Raw desk in 2016. Graves current calls the action on SmackDown alongside Wade Barrett.

Maryse Opens Up With Update On Battle with Pre-Cancerous Condition

Aaron Varble
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WWE fans have been wanting an update on Maryse since she revealed that she is battling cancer. Now, we have good news from her.

Maryse is a former WWE Women’s Champion and the wife of The Miz, so she will always have ties in pro wrestling, no matter how long it’s been since she’s seen on television. She recently took to her Instagram to share a significant update about a recent cancer procedure.

Maryse’s Update

1/2 of the It Couple revealed that she had been diagnosed with a pre-cancerous condition and has since provided her followers with an awaited update on her current health status.

The 41-year-old disclosed that she had received a diagnosis of a rare pre-cancerous condition affecting the ovaries. Maryse shared on her social media platform that she underwent laparoscopy surgery, during which the medical professionals identified and removed 11 implants located around her uterus, ovaries, and connective tissues in her abdominal cavity.

Via her Instagram stories, Maryse revealed that she had undergone surgery for her condition, and fortunately, the procedure was successful.

‘‘My surgery went well and I’m recovering! I am so beyond appreciated and touched by all your messages.”

Doctors were able to identify Serous Borderline Tumors, an extremely uncommon pre-cancerous condition that specifically impacts the ovaries. This was a candid move on Maryse’s part as she took to Instagram stories to share a health update with her followers.

What are Serous Borderline Tumors

Serous Borderline Tumors are a type of ovarian tumor that exhibit features resembling cancer but are classified as “borderline” due to not fully meeting malignant criteria. These tumors involve abnormal cell growth in the ovarian epithelium and may manifest as cysts or growths on the ovary’s surface, potentially spreading within the abdominal cavity.

While less aggressive than malignant ovarian cancer, they still necessitate medical attention and treatment, typically involving surgery or chemotherapy. Despite being relatively rare, ongoing research aims to enhance understanding of their etiology and treatment modalities.

We’re sending our best to Maryse as she gets back on the road to 100%.

SEScoops will have continued updates on this story, and everything else in the pro wrestling world. You never know what news will break next, but we will be here with all the headlines you need.

Eddie Kingston Doesn’t Regret His “Whatever” Attitude to WWE Tryout

Thomas Lowson
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AEW Continental Champion Eddie Kingston may not have made it big in WWE, but the Mad King isn’t going to lose sleep over it. 

Before AEW was launched in 2019, Kingston had an ultimately unsuccessful try out with WWE. Speaking to Inside the Ropes recently, Kingston recalled his ‘attitude’ when stepping foot in the Performance Center. 

“A friend of mine hooked me up with it… but I went there with this attitude of ‘whatever f**k it, I don’t really care.’ I didn’t really care, I was like ‘they’re not looking at me anyway.”

Kingston added that at the time, WWE were more interested in hiring female talent for the Mae Young Classic. The all-female tournament meant Kingston walked in believing he had slim chances of being signed. 

Another WWE Offer

Kingston didn’t receive a WWE talent contract, but the company saw something in him, as he was approached about being a coach. During the interview, Kingston explained that he turned the offer down as the role didn’t suit him. Kingston also recalled being approached by his old friend Kevin Owens and how that made a lot of people take notice. 

“As soon as they saw me say hello to Kevin Owens and he gave me a hug, and a couple of other people that were there, next thing you know the next day everybody was my friend.”

No Regrets

Looking back on his try out, Kingston had no issue with how things went. He explained that he already had a number of independent bookings on the horizon that would have paid him good money. Things would work out for Kingston, who in addition to his AEW gold in the NJPW Strong Champion and the reigning ROH World Champion. 

H/T – Wrestling Inc

Daily Drop (3/10): Brock Lesnar Returns To Roster, Interesting Note On The Rock’s Official WWE Photos

Aaron Varble
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Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Sunday, March 10. There are also a ton of great stories to take a look at.

Days until WrestleMania 40: 27

Before we get going, let’s talk about Vince McMahon. He just sold a ton of TKO stock, but how much does he really still own? We put out a nice article that breaks everything down and puts it into perspective. You can check that out here.

WWE:

– Brock Lesnar is back on the WWE roster page. We have no idea what this means, but it certainly isn’t a terrible sign for his status with the company.

– I ran an exclusive last night about WWE’s new direction for Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits’ stable, and you can check that out here.

– On another interesting note, WWE.com’s official gallery didn’t include any photo of The Rock last week. When I checked yesterday morning, there were still no Rock photos, as if the company skipped them on purpose. As of 3/9/24 in the afternoon, photos of The Rock from the 3/8 SmackDown are now up in the gallery, but they are out of order and tacked onto the end. I was told that this likely had something to do with photos of Dwayne Johnson needing special approval before they can be posted. It is certainly an interesting situation.

– Former WWE Superstars Emma and Madcap Moss got married.

– CM Punk was spotted at an indie show in Chicago.

– Bayley re-shared that video of Paramore giving her permission to use one of their songs at WrestleMania. This was an old clip where Bayley slid into one of their live streams during the pandemic to request this song usage. Hayley Williams was more than thrilled to give Bayley permission years ago, and that hasn’t changed. We’ll see if Triple H gives Bayley that amazing entrance she wants at Mania this year.

– The Rock may put his grandmother into the WWE Hall of Fame this year.

AEW:

– Bryan Danielson vs Will Ospreay was added to the AEW Dynasty card for April 21st. That match should be a banger.

– There was a bit of a stir during Collision this week as PAC returned, and he stood right up to Okada.

– MJF pulled out of a big fan convention in Lexington, Kentucky. He was replaced by Swerve Strickland during the event.

– Amanda Huber had something to say about The Rock calling Cody Rhodes a mistake, and then Ava, The Rock’s daughter, chimed in to clap back to her. It’s worth a look, and you can check it out here.

– AEW had a different original plan for Sting’s retirement match at Revolution.

– The company also announced the start of their new World Tag Team Tournament.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events:

  • AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
  • WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
  • WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
  • AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
  • Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
  • WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
  • WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
  • WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

WWE Files Trademark For Shawn Spears As Ex-AEW Star Continues to Make Waves in NXT

Thomas Lowson
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WWE’s latest trademark filings have shown that the promotion is serious about keeping Shawn Spears around following his recent return to the promotion. 

Spears returned to WWE last month as part of the NXT brand, five years almost to the day that he left the promotion in February 2019. Spears returned by attacking Ridge Holland. On this week’s episode of WWE NXT, Spears defeated Uriah Connors in the on-screen debut of the recently renamed Brogan Finlay. 

Shawn Spears is Locked In

WWE has now filed to trademark the Shawn Spears name, confirming that he will use this name going forward and ditch the Tye Dillinger moniker. The trademark filing covers the use of the Shawn Spears moniker for use at wrestling events and through broadcast media. It also covers the use of the name online in the field of ‘Sports Entertainment.’

More Trademark Filings

Shawn Spears isn’t the only WWE Superstar to get his name trademarked. WWE has also filed for the name of fellow WWE NXT Superstar Dijak. The former Retribution member has been making waves as part of the gold brand and is one of the more prominently featured Superstars appearing on Tuesday nights. 

WWE has also filed a trademark for the name of WWE SmackDown Superstar Berto. The young wrestler has undergone several name alterations throughout his career. He debuted as Humberto Carrillo, which was later shortened to Humberto. He would later get his last name back before it was shortened again and has since be shortened further to just Berto. 

AEW Had A Different Original Plan For Sting’s Final Entrance At Revolution 2024

Thomas Lowson
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AEW rolled out the red carpet for Sting at Revolution 2024, but there was a different plan for the Icon’s final entrance as a professional wrestler. 

In the main event of AEW’s pay-per-view, Sting and Darby Allin retained the AEW World Tag Team Championships against Matthew and Nicholas Jackson. This win means that Sting has ended his AEW career undefeated. 

After the show, Sting spoke passionately to the fans in attendance and was grateful for all the support he has been shown during his retirement tour and throughout his professional wrestling career. 

A Different Entrance for Sting

For Sting’s entrance, the legend’s sons Steven and Garrett Borden accompanied their father to the ring. Steven was dressed in the red and black of nWo Wolfpac era Sting while Garrett wore the Surfer Sting attire worn at Great American Bash 1990. 

The presence of the brothers made the match extra special but this entrance was nearly different. In an interview with ComicBook.com, Steven explained that he was originally going to portray the black and white ‘Crow Sting’ fans are most accustomed to. 

“The plan actually until the very end… was for me to just do Crow Sting. So Garrett was going to be Surfer, I was going to be Crow…. There was never contention over who was going to do what.”

Steven added that it was Darby Allin who pointed out that Sting was already in his black-and-white attire and believed the Revolution show proved the perfect time to mix things up. 

“Darby actually made a point to my dad maybe a week or so before the match going, ‘well, you know, don’t you think if Garrett’s going to be Surfer, Steven’s going to be Crow, and then you’re also going to be Crow this is an opportunity to mix it up a little bit?'”

Stephanie Vaquer Wins NJPW Strong Women’s Title from Giulia Amid WWE Interest in Ex-Champion

Thomas Lowson
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The NJPW Strong Women’s Championship reign of Giulia has come to an end amid speculation that the former champion could soon be heading to WWE. 

At the second day of the STARDOM Cinderella Tournament event, Stephanie Vaquer defeated Gulia to win the gold. The finish of the match saw Vaquer catch Giulia with a DDT and snag the win, and the title, with a clutch pin. 

This win was a long time coming for Vaquer, who competed in the tournament to crown the first NJPW Strong Women’s Champion in 2023. In that tournament, Vaquer, representing CMLL, would lose to Mercedes Mone in the semi-finals. 

What’s Next for Giulia? 

The end of Giulia’s record-breaking 249-day reign comes at an interesting time for the young wrestler. Giulia has made clear to NJPW that she will be leaving the promotion this month when her contract expires. It is believed that she will join WWE when the time is right. WWE is said to have a massive interest in adding Giulia to its women’s division. She was expected to attend a training session at WWE’s Performance Center in late 2023 but that didn’t ultimately happen. 

Stephanie Vaquer: The Belt Collector

This isn’t the only title that Vaquer currently holds. In CMLL, she is the promotion’s reigning World Women’s Champion and has held the title since September of last year. She is also one-half of the CMLL World Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Zeuxis. The pair are the inaugural champions and have also held the gold since September of last year.  

Otis Feared the Ring Would Collapse While Waiting for 2020 Women’s Royal Rumble Spot

Thomas Lowson
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Otis was happy to save Mandy Rose during the 2020 Women’s Royal Rumble match but had serious concerns about being under the ring during the bout itself. 

The match in question saw Rose enter from the #8 spot. After eliminating Mercedes Matinez, Rose herself was thrown over the top rope. Fortunately for the future NXT Women’s Champion, Otis, her on-screen love interest, was under the ring and she landed on him, meaning her feet didn’t hit the floor. 

Otis On The Royal Rumble Spot

Four years on, the spot is fondly remembered by fans as a unique, entertaining moment that has yet to be duplicated.  During an interview with Fightful, Otis recalled being under the ring during the match and fearing the worst was going to happen. 

“I had never been under the ring before. I remember going like, ‘it sounds like it’s going to break.’ Our ring guy Nick goes, ‘Imagine when I’m down here and you’re up there buddy. Then it’s going to really break.’”

For company, Otis had a monitor so he could track the match and know when exactly he needed to appear. Otis also had a ‘pee bottle’ while under the ring, stating that “you never know.”

What Came Next? 

Otis and Rose’s on-screen relationship reached its peak at WrestleMania 36 when the Alpha Academy member defeated Dolph Ziggler. Otis and his ‘peach’ would share a post-match kiss. 

Unfortunately, the pairing would be short-lived after that. Rose would be moved to Raw that same year, ending her relationship with Otis in the process. The year would go from bad to worse for the big man, who would lose his Money in the Bank contract to The Miz after being betrayed by then tag-team partner Tucker.

AEW World Tag Team Title Tournament to Begin on 3/16 Collision

Thomas Lowson
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The tournament to crown the next AEW World Tag Team Champions will officially begin on next week’s episode of Collision, it has been confirmed. 

At AEW Revolution 2024, Sting and Darby Allin defeated the Young Bucks to retain the AEW World Tag Team Championships. This match marked the final bout of Sting’s legendary career. During the post-show media scrum, Tony Khan announced that the titles had been vacated. This decision was reiterated during the March 6, episode of AEW Dynamite in which Allin surrendered his AEW World Tag Team Championship. 

AEW World Tag Titles Tournament

It has been confirmed that the Young Bucks will be a part of the tournament, as well as Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta. On this week’s episode of AEW Collision, two-time former AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR also officially declared for the tournament. Tony Schiavone added that the tournament will begin in one week’s time on the March 16, episode of Collision. 

FTR’s promo would be interrupted by The Infantry. The pairing of Carlie Bravo and Shawn Dean also alluded to potentially being in the tournament to crown the next AEW World Tag Team Champions. 

The AEW World Tag Team Titles

FTR and the Young Bucks share the record for the most AEW World Tag Team title reigns with two each. The Bucks hold the record for the longest individual reign, with their first lasting an impressive 302 days. The Bucks also hold the distinction for being the lightest champions, weighing in collectively at 350lbs. 

Sting and Darby Allin’s 25-day reign with the titles is the shortest in AEW history and the Icon holds the distinction of being the oldest champion (at 64.) Four decades his junior, Jungle Boy became the youngest champion at 24 when he and Luchasaurus won the gold in January 2022. 

Watch: John Cena Reveals VERY Guilty Pleasure Movie In Hilarious New Interview

Thomas Lowson
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WWE’s own John Cena had a lot of fun during a recent interview in which he disclosed a very guilty pleasure of a movie he’s seen. 

The interview in question saw Cena and his Ricky Stanicky co-stars Zac Efron and Jermaine Fowler discuss whether a film can be classed as a ‘guilty pleasure.’ While Efron suggested Finding Nemo, Cena, and Fowler argued that the animated flick is a great movie and Zac has nothing to feel guilty about.

Cena then gave his suggestion of a guilty pleasure movie which was ‘Behind the Green Door.’ Cena watched on to see if anyone knew what he was talking about though neither Efron, Fowler, nor the interviewer were aware of the film. That’s probably for the best as a member of the filming crew who googled the title learned that ‘Behind the Green Door’ is a 1972 hardcore pornography film. As the crew laughed, John defended himself as a fan of the ‘classics.’

John Cena’s Raunchier Side

While John was a clean-cut babyface during his days as a full-time WWE Superstar, the 16-time World Champion has been able to show a more risque side in recent years. To promote Ricky Stanicky, John Cena launched an OnlyFans page which is free for fans to subscribe to. John is having fun subverting expectations on the page, as those eager to see him be creampied, engage in teabagging, and more may be disappointed with the literal take he has given these sexual acts. 

Ricky Stanicky was released this week on Amazon Prime. 

WWE Makes Big Change For Bobby Lashley & Street Profits Direction On SmackDown

Aaron Varble
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WWE Superstars will sometimes get a fresh character change to help them along. It appears that Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits are now babyfaces after engaging in a battle for supremacy between stables.

Karrion Kross and AOP’s Final Testament stable is taking it to Lashley’s faction. This week on SmackDown, fans saw the beginning of a big transition, as The Pride is now fighting from the babyface side of things.

How WWE Turned Them Babyface (Exclusive)

Bobby Lashley faced Karrion Kross on WWE SmackDown this week. Despite Lashley’s efforts to fight back against Kross, The Authors of Pain interfered, leading to Lashley winning by disqualification.

The Street Profits entered the fray to help Lashley and brawled with the AOP. Meanwhile, Lashley and Kross were left alone until Scarlett and B-Fab got involved. Although Lashley attempted to apply the Hurt Lock on Kross, the AOP intervened and attacked Lashley.

Despite another attempt by the Street Profits to assist, they were overpowered by the AOP. Eventually, Kross and the AOP joined forces to overwhelm Lashley, with Kross delivering the final blow and standing tall alongside the AOP. This sent the Final Testament stable packing to end the segment.

I have been able to confirm that Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits have been transitioned to the babyface side of the SmackDown roster. Consequently, fans are expected to rally behind The Pride during their matches.

The Final Testament assumes the role of heels in this scenario, positioning them as the heels within the narrative.

What’s Next

We will have to see how long The Pride stable maintains their babyface status. At this time, it seems that Lashley and The Street Profits are enjoying this new burst of momentum on the roster.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for more updates on stories you need.

Brock Lesnar’s WWE Status Revived: Former UFC Champion Back on Roster Page

Aaron Varble
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WWE is well on the road to WrestleMania, and we haven’t heard a peep from Brock Lesnar. His name was scrubbed from WWE programming after his controversial involvement in a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, but now it appears that Lesnar may be getting closer to a return.

There was a belief within WWE that Brock Lesnar is 100% done with the company. Now, it appears that there may be some light at the end of the tunnel, because the Beast Incarnate popped up on the company’s official roster once again.

Lesnar’s Current Status

WWE’s official website updated their roster today, and Brock Lesnar’s name is back on the list. He was removed from the list and placed on the alumni page before. Now, he is on the current roster once again.

The company removed Lesnar from all future creative plans. Nothing was being pitched for him, but you never know if this new development is a sign that his hiatus could be coming to an end.

The company took efforts to erase Brock Lesnar from history after his name was attached to Janel Grant’s lawsuit. He was also removed from WWE 2K24 as a playable character, although his model and data are still in the game files.

Allegations Involving Brock Lesnar

The decision to exclude Lesnar from creative plans comes in the wake of his association with Janel Grant’s legal action against WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis. 

The lawsuit accuses McMahon of involvement in various forms of misconduct, including sexual assault, abuse, degradation, and trafficking. Grant alleges that her involvement in sexual activities was discussed in negotiations involving Lesnar, facilitated by McMahon without her consent. 

It’s claimed that Lesnar requested a video of her urinating before a planned encounter that never materialized. The lawsuit details McMahon providing Lesnar with Grant’s personal cellphone number and explicit content. 

Brock Lesnar’s Scrapped Plans

At this time, Brock Lesnar is not booked for WrestleMania 40. He was previously booked to take on GUNTHER for the IC Title. That match was reportedly nixed after the controversy surrounding that lawsuit came up. 

Brock Lesnar was removed from the 2024 Royal Rumble match as well. He was replaced by Bron Breakker during that match, and the former NXT Champion got Lesnar’s spots. Also, the Beast Incarnate was supposed to take on Dominik Mysterio at the Elimination Chamber premium live event, but that match didn’t happen.

We will have to see if this means Brock is closer to making a return to WWE. The fact that he appeared on their official roster once again is certainly a better sign for his return than we had a couple of days ago.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story, and so many more, in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for constant updates on the stories you need.

AEW Dynasty: Bryan Danielson vs. Will Ospreay Confirmed For St Louis Pay-Per-View

Aaron Varble
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AEW is adding another pay-per-view to their schedule this year, and April 21st will see a big show in St Louis. Dynasty is coming at fans, and now there is a massive match scheduled for the show.

Bryan Danielson stood up to Will Ospreay during the conclusion of AEW Dynamite this week. It was expected that the two will throw down, and now we know that April 21st is the date in St Louis.

AEW Dynasty Match Gets Booked

Bryan Danielson and Will Ospreay are set to clash in the ring for the first time. During Saturday’s Collision, Ospreay officially issued a challenge to Danielson for a match at AEW Dynasty on April 21 in St. Louis. Danielson promptly accepted, and AEW swiftly confirmed the match.

Danielson secured victory against Shane Taylor in the opening match of Collision when Ospreay made his presence known. Ospreay mentioned that he anticipated Danielson had something to discuss with him after Danielson entered the ring during the conclusion of Dynamite. 

Danielson then informed Ospreay that he’s heard of him being hailed as the best in the world and wants to afford him the opportunity to validate that claim. The legend of Ospreay obviously traveled around the world. Now, he will lock up in St Louis.

Will Ospreay in AEW

Ospreay made his AEW debut at Revolution last weekend, triumphing over Konosuke Takeshita. He followed this with another victory against Kyle Fletcher on AEW Dynamite. Following the latter match, Danielson confronted Ospreay in the ring, setting the stage for their impending clash.

Ospreay turned down WWE interest in order to lock down a deal with AEW. He recently commented that he was a big banged up after his first tour with Tony Khan’s company, but he went home for a little rest.

Like Ospreay, Bryan Danielson also competed at Revolution, where he suffered a defeat to Eddie Kingston. In accordance with the match’s stipulations, Danielson extended his hand to Kingston in a display of sportsmanship following his loss. We will have to see how Danielson vs Ospreay pans out at Dynasty.

SEScoops will have more on this story and many more from all over the pro wrestling word. Keep checking back for more information.

Ex WWE Star Making AEW Return At Dynamite Big Business On 3/15

Aaron Varble
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AEW fans are well aware of the fact that there are a number of stars who are out of action for one reason or another. The long wait for PAC’s return to AEW television is now over, and he’s in line for a big match.

PAC returned to AEW television this week during Collision. He did so by squaring off with Kazuchika Okada. Now, he is set to compete in a huge six-man tag team match at AEW Big Business on March 13th.

PAC’s AEW Return

PAC is set to return to in-ring action at Big Business. During Saturday’s Collision, he made his comeback, assisting Penta El Zero Miedo and Eddie Kingston against opponents like The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada. Following this, PAC issued a challenge to the newest iteration of The Elite for a trios match scheduled for this Wednesday’s Big Business event.

A video teasing PAC’s return aired during the AEW Revolution Zero Hour pre-show last Sunday, marking the end of his months-long absence from AEW television since July. Fans knew it wouldn’t be long until he showed up again after that teaser video dropped.

More Backstory on PAC’s Return Situation  & Big Business

The Young Bucks made waves on Dynamite last Wednesday by revealing Hangman Page’s suspension without pay and Kenny Omega’s dismissal from The Elite. They introduced Okada as the newest member, who attacked Eddie Kingston and aligned with Nicholas and Matthew Jackson, solidifying his new heel persona in AEW.

Additionally, a tag team match featuring Chris Jericho and Hook against the Gates of Agony was confirmed for Big Business. Hook came to Jericho’s aid on Collision after members of the Mogul Embassy targeted Jericho following his match with Titan.

The updated Big Business lineup includes expectations for Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut, AEW World Champion Samoa Joe defending against Wardlow, Darby Allin facing Jay White, The Elite versus Eddie Kingston, PAC, and Penta El Zero Miedo, and a matchup between Hook & Chris Jericho and The Gates of Agony. Plus, a showdown between Willow Nightingale and Riho is also anticipated.

AEW Big Business Dynamite 3/15 Card: 

  • Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut is expected
  • AEW World Champion Samoa Joe defends against Wardlow
  • Darby Allin vs. Jay White
  • The Elite (The Young Bucks & Kazuchika Okada) vs. Eddie Kingston, PAC, and Penta El Zero Miedo
  • Hook & Chris Jericho vs. The Gates of Agony
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Riho

How Close Was Kazuchika Okada To Signing With WWE?

Dominic DeAngelo
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Kazuchika Okada has been one of several big-name free agents AEW has locked down and Tony Khan is hoping it helps signifies a new era for the company, but could he have gone to WWE?

A new report from Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated states that there was a real consideration on Okada’s behalf to ink a deal with WWE. He especially loved the idea of being apart of WrestleMania, however, there were several factors coming to to play with him signing with AEW instead.

Okada has been friends with The Young Bucks for nearly a decade-and-a-half so that obviously came into play. Another added element is that Okada was not expected to relocate to the United States if he did sign with AEW.

Not only that, but The Rainmaker believes that he’ll be given the greatest chance at succeeding in AEW and has a lot of trust in AEW President Tony Khan.

Okada made his greatly-anticipated debut for AEW this past week on AEW Dynamite and did so in a memorable way, swerving the fans with an immediate heel turn. 

After The Young Bucks made several announcements following their loss at AEW Revolution, Eddie Kingston came out to confront the brothers. Matt and Nick Jackson began attacking Eddie when The Rainmaker entered, making it seem like he was there to help Kingston. However, he joined in on the assault and aligned with The Bucks, officially becoming a member of the Elite.

With him attacking Kingston and indicating an interest in his AEW Continental Championship, one would likely believe that it could be Okada vs. Kingston at AEW Dynasty on April 21 in St. Louis, MO.

Former WWE Stars Madcap Moss and Tenille Dashwood Begin New Chapter After Dream Hawaiian Wedding

Aaron Varble
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The pro wrestling world is full of couples, and one of them just made their union official. Madcap Moss and Tenille Dashwood went through a lot together, and they were also released on the same day in September 2023. Now, they are husband and wife.

People got the exclusive tip that the former WWE Superstars are now married. They are starting their lives together and are very happy about that.

Emma and Madcap Moss Married

Former WWE Superstar Emma was released by WWE in September 2023, a move that surprised some fans, but they were largely absent from television prior to that. Her fiancé Riddick Moss also departed from WWE. Recently, it seems the couple has gotten married.

According to People, Tenille Dashwood and her longtime boyfriend, Mike Rallis, got married in a beautiful mountainside ceremony at Kualoa Ranch in Hawaii. The outlet also had exclusive photos of the nuptials.

The location held significance as it symbolically connected Melbourne, Australia, and Minnesota, the places where Dashwood and Rallis are from.

Ahead of their wedding, Dashwood expressed her anticipation for what she believes will be an extraordinary wedding, emphasizing that the primary focus is on creating a joyous atmosphere. “There’s no doubt it’s going to be an epic wedding, but the most important thing is it’s going to be so much fun,” she stated. “We want a celebration where our family and friends can enjoy themselves and have a great time.”

Rallis echoed her sentiments, highlighting the elements they have planned for the event. “Stunning scenery, delicious food, live music, and the best company we could ask for,” he added.

What’s Next for Emma and Madcap

We will have to see what Madcap Moss and Emma do next. They are doing a lot of traveling right now. Their adventures will continue as a married couple now.

We’re sending out our best to Tenille Dashwood and Mike Rallis, from everyone here at SEScoops.

WWE Took Extra Steps To Protect Surprises During NXT This Week

Aaron Varble
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WWE included a couple surprises for this week’s episode of NXT, and it seems that they tried their best to keep those things under wraps.

William Regal and Trick Williams both showed up for the episode, and many fans were shocked to see them. That being said, neither of them were noted in any backstage rundown, either.

WWE Protecting NXT Surprises

In the latest WWE NXT episode, the No Quarter Catch Crew, holding the Heritage Cup, made a strong presence in the ring. Drew Gulak, Charlie Dempsey, Damon Kemp, and Myles Borne delivered a message to the rest of the NXT roster.

The stable declared their intention to defend the Heritage Cup as a group, allowing any member to defend the title. They emphasized their commitment to uphold the championship’s prestige as genuine athletes.

Unexpectedly, William Regal’s entrance music played, signaling his return. Regal received a warm welcome from the NXT crowd, with chants of “Welcome back” filling the arena. Clearly, the fans hadn’t forgotten the former General Manager.

Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that, “William Regal was not listed for the No Quarter Catch Crew Promo. His promo is expected to play a key part in Charlie Dempsey’s next few weeks.”

Trick Williams did a run-in during the main event segment as well. He still wants to hash things out with Carmelo Hayes. It seems that WWE wanted to keep his appearance a secret as well.

It was also noted that Trick Williams was not included on any rundown for the show, either. His absence during rehearsals raised eyebrows, but he was at the show.

Why William Regal Had To Wait

When William Regal moved from AEW to WWE for an office position, a notable condition arose in his departure agreement. It dictated that Regal couldn’t make appearances on WWE television for a year, explaining his absence during the WarGames announcement. Now that this condition has expired, Regal has made his return to NXT.

The timing of Regal’s reappearance on WWE television remains uncertain, but his impromptu appearance during NXT Roadblock was met with praise. Currently serving as the company’s Vice President of Global Talent Development, Regal’s involvement, particularly in Charlie Dempsey’s storyline, is anticipated in the coming weeks. We will have to see how this pans out.

SEScoops will have more coverage of this story, and so many more from all over the pro wrestling world. Please keep checking back for more updates!

MJF Pulls Out of Major Fan Convention Amid AEW Absence

Aaron Varble
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MJF hasn’t been seen on AEW television in a while. As fans wait for his return to television, it seems that some fans who were expecting to see him in Lexington, Kentucky were a bit bummed out by having the former AEW World Champion pull out of an appearance.

It seems that MJF pulled out of a major fan event for the Lexington Toy & Comic Con recently. AEW was able to come up with a substitution with Swerve Strickland.

MJF’s Missed Event

Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that MJF opted out of another comic con appearance this week, marking a notable absence from the event lineup. In response, Swerve Strickland stepped in to fill the vacancy at the upcoming Lexington Toy & Comic Con in Lexington this weekend.

It was not noted if MJF gave any reason for him pulling out of the event. Fans will get a chance to meet Swerve instead, so it’s a good trade. Still, some fans were probably a bit upset that The Salt of the Earth pulled out.

MJF’s Last Match

On December 30, 2023, at All Elite Wrestling’s AEW Worlds End pay-per-view event held at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, USA, MJF faced off against Samoa Joe in a high-stakes battle for the AEW World Title. In a match lasting 17 minutes and 52 seconds, Samoa Joe emerged victorious, clinching the championship title.

Adam Cole also revealed himself as The Devil, and that put a huge nail in the coffin for his partnership with the former NXT Champion.

This outcome marked a significant shift in the AEW landscape, with MJF conceding the title to Samoa Joe in a memorable showdown. That was also MJF’s last match to date. Only time will tell when he will re-emerge.

SEScoops will have more information on MJF’s status if new details are made available. Keep checking back for more on the stories that you need from the pro wrestling world.

Surprise Sighting: CM Punk Spotted at Chicago Indie Wrestling Event

Aaron Varble
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CM Punk is currently out of action, but he’s still getting around. He loves pro wrestling, and you never know if he’ll be around if there is an event in his city.

Chicago is CM Punk’s home, and he’s been spending a lot more time there with his current injury status. Freelance Wrestling recently had a show in Chicago, and the Second City Savior couldn’t miss it.

CM Punk Spotted At Indie Wrestling Event

Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that CM Punk was backstage at the Freelance Wrestling show in Chicago this week. It was not noted who he was there to see.

You never know where Punk will show up next. He is obviously welcomed backstage at Freelance Wrestling. Then again, practically any indie wrestling company on the planet would love to have CM Punk around.

CM Punk’s WrestleMania 40 Status

Punk will be around for WrestleMania, as he has an appearance planned at the company’s fan event before the show of shows. Sadly, his planned single match against Seth Rollins couldn’t happen, but Punk will likely be around for WrestleMania next year.

SEScoops will have more on this story in case there are more updates on CM Punk’s status. It seems that he is doing his best to stay active during his injury hiatus.

Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda Discuss Their Upcoming WWE HOF Induction

Dominic DeAngelo
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The Hall Of Fame reveals came as a surprise to both Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda, but both couldn’t be happier about doing so together.

It was revealed on Friday that the U.S. Express would be the third Hall Of Fame induction announcement for 2024.

Speaking with Peter Rosenberg on “Cheap Heat,” Mike Rotunda comments how he didn’t see it coming.

“It was kind of out of the blue. I wasn’t expecting it. It means a lot. You’re getting rewarded for a lifetime of work. So a nice honor to have and have the respect of the officials that elect to put you in there and all the guys that I worked with to make me look good.”

Going in with Rotunda will be Windham’s second induction into the Hall as he went in as a member of the Four Horsemen originally. Despite that, Windham notes how much this particular induction means to him.

“It was a really big surprise and this one is special because I get to go in with my best friend and that makes it all that much bigger.”

Rotunda then went on to detail how he and Windham came to meet and talked about wrestling Jesse Ventura for only a minute and a half. Then him and Barry ended up bonding in Toronto.

They didn’t see one another for about a year-and-a-half, but then Dusty Rhodes called and got Rotunda down in Florida. Dusty ultimately put them together as a tag team. Rotunda would note that he and Windham would go thirty minutes while Dusty would work a main event that was seven minutes.

As of now, Windham and Rotunda join Bull Nakano and Paul Heyman as the current class for 2024.

Please credit Peter Rosenberg and h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.

Hammerstone Labels Josh Alexander “A Walking Liability” After TNA Sacrifice Win

Dominic DeAngelo
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The winds of change may be coming for TNA Wrestling and could be courtesy of Alex Hammerstone.

TNA Sacrifice took place Friday evening and one of the featured fights was a rematch between Hammerstone and former TNA World Champion Josh Alexander. The Walking Weapon walked out with the first victory at TNA Hard To Kill in January but this time it was Hammerstone who came out victorious, but not without nefarious actions.

During the match, the official was down in the corner as Alexander had Hammerstone in a standing switch, and Hammerstone decided to rip a page out of Ric Flair’s book by low-blowing Josh and then hitting him with his Nightmare Pendulum for the 1-2-3 victory.

As a means to rub salt to the wound, Hammerstone stole Alexander’s signature wrestling headgear as a “souvenir,” but Alex was far from being in a jovial mood in a post-match promo.

“You were looking past me like I was insignificant. Well who’s insignificant now, Josh? You talk about how you wanna be World Champion again using me as a stepping stone? Look at me! I’m what world champions are made out of.”

Hammerstone then went to go over Alexander’s extensive list of injuries he’s sustained recently in his career and decided to give him a new moniker.

“You are not the Walking Weapon, you are a walking liability. The future has started, Josh and it’s leaving you behind. You’ll be lucky if you step into the ring with me again and the only thing I take from you is head gear.”

Being a former MLW World Champion, one can only imagine that Hammerstone has the TNA World Title in his sights. He may have to go through Moose, who retained his gold against Eric Young in the main event of Sacrfice.

Please h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.

Matt Cardona Says A Match With Mick Foley Would Be The Biggest In Independent Wrestling History

Dominic DeAngelo
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Matt Cardona wants a piece of Mick Foley. Not just that, but he wants to be the man to send the Hardcore Legend packing for good.

Before his ‘Foley Is Pod” series ended, Foley legitimately expressed an interest in having one final match and made an added note that he’d like for it to be a deathmatch. Enter “The Deathmatch King” Matt Cardona.

The Indy God has truly set the bar for how to establish oneself on the independent wrestling scene and speaking with Sports Illustrated, Cardona makes the case for him being the man to put an end to Mick Foley’s in-ring career.

“It’s no secret I’ve been politicking for this match. Go back to the Hammerstein ballroom a couple years ago, I was wearing a flannel that said ‘F— Mick Foley’. If he wants a deathmatch, it would only be fitting to have one against the deathmatch king. It would be the biggest match in the history of independent pro wrestling.”

Cardona happens to not be the only star to make a pitch to be Foley’s final opponent. 

A fellow WWE Hall Of Famer in Rob Van Dam laid out a compelling case as to why he should face Foley. RVD noted that he and Foley never competed against one another in singles action despite being notable main eventers in ECW. RVD also added that while he was the man to actually retire the WWE Hardcore Championship, Foley happens to have it in his possesion.

Kevin Von Erich Credits Tony Khan: “Every Company Needs A Guy Like That”

Dominic DeAngelo
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Kevin Von Erich is all too familiar with what it takes to run a wrestling promotion and the wrestling legend credits Tony Khan for a strong ability to hit the reset button.

Speaking on the A2TheK, Von Erich talked about what he thought of AEW, who happened to showcase his sons, Ross and Marshall on their programming.

“I love those people. It’s a great company. I know this isn’t anything, but the catering was great! What good food. The people are really nice.

“Tony Khan is something else. Every company needs a guy like that. Somebody that loves the business. That can look at the business like it was his first day every morning. That’s that guy. I have a lot of admiration for him. The wrestlers, all great, old friends,”

The Von Erichs starting appearing on AEW programming back when The Iron Claw was being released in theaters. Marshall and Ross actutally recently appeared on an episode of AEW Rampage as they teamed with Dustin Rhodes in triple tag action.

The Von Erichs would certainly be a great fit for the upcoming AEW World Tag Team Title Tournament. Already in the mix is Orange Cassidy and Trent Barretta as well as the AEW EVPs, The Young Bucks, who inserted themselves into the equation. Both Ross and Marshall are former MLW World Tag Team Champions as they actually defeated Richard Holliday and MJF to become the champions. 

If you haven’t gotten to see The Iron Claw, we have several reviews on the site, including a recent write-up from B.J. Bethel.

H/t to Fightful for the transcription.

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