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WWE’s Policy About Bleeding On TV After Cody Rhodes Bladed During 3/25 RAW

Aaron Varble
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WWE television used to featured blood a lot more often, but the PG era took that away. That is why fans were so surprised to see Cody Rhodes rock a crimson mask on RAW this week with The Rock’s beatdown.

WrestleMania 40 will see The Rock and Roman Reigns team up to face Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. Due to Dwayne Johnson’s involvement in the angle, they are getting a lot more leeway.

After Cody Rhodes’ bloody segment that concluded RAW this week, the company’s stance on bleeding on camera has been called into question. WWE still has a policy against blood, so don’t expect to see it on a regular basis.

WWE’s Stance On Blood

Cody Rhodes bled on television this week during RAW, but don’t expect to see that kind of angle every week. Rhodes bladed on WWE RAW this week, and the blood was planned.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that blood on WWE television is still going to be a very rare occurrence. They will not start featuring it all the time, and nowhere close to how often AEW lets their talent bleed on screen.

With blood, the key is that this is no longer Vince McMahon’s company. We were told that going forward it will be used very rarely. There are no plans to turn it into AEW where it’s used more liberally. But if Johnson wants it in his angle, he’s like Lesnar in the Vince administration, and has more power than Lesnar had then, and he’s going to be able to do what he wants in his angles and matches.

WWE’s No Blading Policy

The WWE shifted its approach to bleeding on screen in 2008 to reach more sponsors and clean up the image for younger viewers.

Cody Rhodes used a blade during his segment, a practice that in the past led to notable fines under Vince McMahon’s leadership. One instance was when Dave Bautista was fined $100,000. 

Brock Lesnar has featured blood in his matches in the past, but those were mostly spots where his opponent bled the hard way. He even made himself bleed by cracking his head off the ring post. Of course, that is not a safe alternative at all, but it was somehow looked at more favorably than blading.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more. Keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines.

Watch Becky Lynch Joke About Her WWE Contract Expiring Soon

Bishal Roy
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Becky Lynch is letting it be known (again) that she could be a free agent within a matter of weeks.

WWE signed several top stars to new contracts back in 2021, in response to competitor All Elite Wrestling demonstrating a willingness to shell out big money to land top talent. Many of those contracts were 3-year deals and are set to expire this year. 

Lynch’s ongoing book tour stopped in Washington D.C. on Thursday night and SEScoops correspondent Muscle Man Malcolm was on hand to capture this video:

Former World Champions such as Adam Copeland and Mercedes Mone have decided leave WWE for AEW and others could follow suit.

Becky Lynch appeared on The MMA Hour podcast on Monday and told Ariel Helwani that she’s in the final two months of her WWE contract. Additionally, Lynch divulged that she and WWE have yet to begin discussions regarding a new agreement.

Lynch, who won the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match, will challenge Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s World Championship next weekend at WrestleMania 40.

More WWE Contracts Expiring Soon

In addition to Becky Lych, several other top-tier wrestlers could also be free agents in the months ahead, including Seth Rollins, Finn Balor and Drew McIntyre. 

You can read more about each of those situations here:

Daily Drop (3/29): Hulk Hogan’s WWE WrestleMania 40 Plan, MJF Spotted Backstage At AEW Dynamite

Aaron Varble
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Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Friday, March 29. It’s going to be a big day for pro wrestling, because fans have WWE SmackDown tonight, and we are one step closer to WrestleMania 40.

Before we get going, Vince McMahon is at it again with unloading TKO stock. He sold a ton more after their recent price surge, so he’s still cashing out.

Let’s get right into it and not waste any more time!

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 8

WWE:

– Donate Your Brain: Dijak has confirmed that his brain will go to CTE research when he passes away.

– Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 40 Weekend: WWE confirmed that Hulk Hogan will be at WWE World, the first-ever Fanatics fan event. He will do a meet & greet and sign autographs. As of this writing, we have not heard about any role for him during that actual Mania event.

– Represent The Bloodline: WWE dropped a new Roman Reigns Bloodline hoodie, and it’s very family oriented. You can click here to see what they have to offer.

– Meek Mill x WrestleMania 40: Triple H keeps teasing that Meek Mill will be at WrestleMania 40. We’ll have to see what he does in his city.

– Gimmick Infringement Claims: Tiffany Stratton was recently called out for stealing her gimmick and moves.

– Breaking The Streak: The Undertaker recently admitted that Bray Wyatt should have broken his undefeated WrestleMania streak.

– WWE NXT at UFC Apex: The NXT Deadline event is reportedly moving to the UFC Apex venue.

WWE SmackDown Match Card (3/29):

  • WrestleMania XL Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match: The Street Profits vs. Austin Theory & Grayson Waller
  • WrestleMania XL Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match: New Catch Republic vs. Legado Del Fantasma
  • Jade Cargill First Official Appearance As A SmackDown Superstar
  • Bianca Belair vs. Dakota Kai
  • Kevin Owens & Randy Orton vs. Pretty Deadly

AEW:

– MJF Was Spotted: Although he didn’t appear on-screen, MJF was around at a recent Dynamite to meet with officials. He is still under contract with the company.

– AEW Viewership: The viewership for AEW Dynamite was very low this week. You can click here for a breakdown.

– Jericho x Hook: Chris Jericho finally made an offer to Hook that he may not be able to refuse.

– Scapegoat Update: Jack Perry has said that he doesn’t need AEW anymore. We will have to see if and when he ever returned to Tony Khan’s company.

– Bischoff vs Khan: Eric Bischoff wasn’t too pleased about how Tony Khan reacted when he found out the Strictly Business podcast is ending.

AEW Rampage Card (3/29):

  • Dustin Rhodes vs. The Butcher
  • Deonna Purrazzo vs. Rose
  • Mariah May vs. Nikita
  • Roderick Strong vs. Matt Menard
  • The Best Friends attempt to save Menard from Undisputed Kingdom
  • Young Bucks blindside The Best Friends

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

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

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

April 7: WrestleMania XL Sunday from Philadelphia, PA.

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

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

Dijak Reveals He’s Pledged His Brain To Science To Aid With CTE Research

Thomas Lowson
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The brain of Dijak will be useful in the quest for knowledge about Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the WWE NXT Superstar has revealed. 

Taking to Twitter, Dijak shared that he pledged his brain to science years ago and encouraged other wrestlers to do the same. Dijak also shared a link to a research registry for others to donate their brains in the fight against CTE. 

What is CTE? 

CTE is a brain disorder believed to be caused by repeated head injuries. It can lead to the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and progressively grows worse over time. Symptoms can include mood changes, short-term memory loss, confusion, problems with movement, and personality changes. 

The Work of Chris Nowinski

In his tweet, Dijak says those interested in learning more should contact Chris Nowinski, a finalist on Tough Enough’s first season who would later make it to WWE. During the 2003 Royal Rumble, a mistimed double missile dropkick would lead to Nowinski being concussed and he would later retire due to post-concussion symptoms. 

Since his in-ring retirement, Nowinski has dedicated his life to research into CTE and fighting the condition. It was Nowinski who encouraged a coroner to examine the brain of Chris Benoit following the double-murder suicide of June 2007. In September of that year, the brain examination report showed extensive damage due to concussions that could have led to dementia.

In June 2007, Nowinski and Robert Cantu founded the Concussion Legacy Foundation. CLF has sought to raise awareness of the effects of head trauma across sports and has been featured in the New York Times and CNN. 

Donating One’s Brain

Dijak isn’t the only wrestler to donate their brain to science in the battle against CTE. Mick Foley, whose body took countless injuries throughout his career, has pledged his brain to science after he passes away. Fellow WWE Hall of Famers Rob Van Dam, Chyna, and Kevin Nash also pledged to donate their brains. 

Roman Reigns Reflects On Infamous Moment with The Rock Ahead of WrestleMania 40

Bishal Roy
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Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns has become one of the greatest superstars of all time. Since joining the main roster, his character has evolved multiple times. With his latest evolution, The Head of The Table has now matured into the widely accepted megastar the company always expected him to become.

‘The Tribal Chief’ has been a part of several Premium Live Events over the years. However, there is one event which he tries to forget – Royal Rumble 2015. But why?

Back in 2015, Roman Reigns was on the rise and entered the big leagues. ‘The Big Dog’ eliminated Rusev to win the Royal Rumble 2015 to secure WrestleMania headlining opportunity. It marked one of the biggest milestones in his career but it was totally ruined.

The Philadelphia fans were not impressed with what they witnessed and booed Reigns, who was a babyface back then. The Rock even joined in for the celebrations but that didn’t change anything.

Roman Reigns recalls the moment

In his upcoming A&E Biography, Reigns shares his thoughts on the night. Though it was supposed to be a memorable moment for him, he says that he tries to forget that year’s Royal Rumble. Here is what he said:

“I was booed, historically. You think about these moments. You dream about them, and the moment that it actually happens, it’s like they’re playing the worst soundtrack of all time over your moment, ruining your party. That’s how the Rumble in Philly felt.

“I try to forget Philly. I try to forget the Royal Rumble. There’s only one positive, and that’s the fact that it’s going to be able to tie all the way back around at WrestleMania 40.”

Roman Reigns will once again be faced with the tough Philadelphia crowd at WrestleMania 40. The Tribal Chief is expected to make a new record by headlining both nights of the Show of Shows. 

On WrestleMania Saturday, he will join forces with The Rock to face Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. The outcome of this match will determine the stipulation when Reigns faces 2024 Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes with the Universal title on the line the next night.

Mark Briscoe To Challenge for ROH World Title 11 Years To The Day After Jay Won The Gold

Thomas Lowson
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Mark Briscoe has the chance to win the Ring of Honor World Championship, eleven years to the very day that his brother Jay won the very same title in 2013. 

Mark will challenge ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston at Supercard of Honor 2024, Ring of Honor confirmed this week. In a video, Mark spoke about having to re-establish himself following his brother’s passing last year. 

In a direct message to Kingston, Briscoe said that he knows that the pair of them have faced setbacks and referenced Kingston’s recent AEW Continental title loss to Kazuchika Okada. Borrowing the words his brother told him, Mark said that for Eddie Kingston, it’s “time to man up.”

Jay Briscoe’s Championship Win

Jay Briscoe won the ROH World Championship at ROH Supercard of Honor 2013 with a main event victory over Kevin Steen (today WWE’s Kevin Owens.) Jay would hold the title for 89 days before the gold was vacated due to a storyline injury to Briscoe. He would win the gold back at the All-Star Extravaganza VI event in September 2014. 

ROH Supercard of Honor 17

Here is the card for ROH Supercard of Honor 17 as it currently stands: 

  • Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Mark Briscoe (Ring of Honor World Championship)
  • Athena (c) vs. Hikaru Shida (Ring of Honor Women’s World Championship)
  • Mina Shirakawa, Maika, and Mei Seira vs. Saya Kamitani, Tam Nakano, and AZM (STARDOM Showcase Tag-Team Match)
  • Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. Lee Johnson (Ring of Honor World Television Championship)
  • Billie Starkz vs. Queen Aminata (Tournament finals to crown the inaugural Ring of Honor Women’s World Television Champion)

MJF Seen Backstage At Recent AEW Event Amid Injury Absence

Tyriece Simon
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All Elite Wrestling fans have wondered about the status of former world champion MJF with the company. He has been out of action since losing the title to Samoa Joe at AEW World’s End on December 30, 2023. While ‘The Devil’ has been recovering from injuries he suffered throughout last year, fans have speculated if he was still with AEW. A new report has given an update on his current health status. 

MJF making his entrance

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson shared that MJF is still trying to recover from his multiple injuries and has no clear timetable for his return. The report also confirms that his peers in AEW believe he is still with the company and was backstage for AEW Dynamite Big Business on March 13. 

Throughout last year, MJF has given fans the impression that he will be a free agent at the start of 2024. The company added more fuel to the online speculation, with the former AEW World Champion being removed from the roster page on their website. They’ve also taken off his merchandise from the AEW store. However, the impression from most in the company and reports from others is that ‘The Devil’ has made a deal to stay off the free agency market. 

What’s Next For MJF?

It’s unclear what injuries still prevent MJF from having a timetable for his in-ring return. He publicly shared that he had a torn labrum in his left shoulder ahead of his match against Joe at AEW World End. MJF also suffered a hip injury from his match with Jay White at AEW Full Gear on November 18, 2023. 

The company has also not mentioned MJF on TV, so it doesn’t seem they have plans to feature him anytime soon. AEW has an unfinished storyline with the Undisputed Kingdom, which MJF could be involved in when he is ready.

After his match against Joe, The Salt of The Earth was attacked by the Undisputed Kingdom (Adam Cole, Wardlow, Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett). Whenever ‘The Devil’ returns to the ring, he is expected to try to get revenge on the faction. 

There is some buzz that he could return at the upcoming Dynasty PPV but we will have to wait and see if it really happens.

A.J. Francis Signs Deal To Stay In TNA Wrestling Throughout 2024

Tyriece Simon
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A.J. Francis has been finding success since becoming a free agent this year. He’s appeared for different indie promotions and has also recently taken his talents to TNA Wrestling. A new report has shared that the company has reached a deal with Francis to keep him on the roster for the rest of the year.

Fightful Select reported on March 28 that TNA Wrestling has reached an agreement for Francis to remain with them through 2024. His deal will still allow him to appear in independent promotions like Game Changer Wrestling and Major League Wrestling. However, it prohibits Francis from working for WWE or All Elite Wrestling while under contract with TNA. 

After the report became public, Francis confirmed his status with the company on Twitter. The TNA Wrestling superstar said he plans to continue accepting bookings on the indie wrestling scene, including DEFY Wrestling. 

The company has also shown that they have plans for Francis on TV. He recently formed a new tag team with Rich Swann on the March 28 episode of TNA Wrestling. Swann aligned with Francis on the March 14 episode of the brand to help him defeat Joe Hendry. They will be known as First Class and have put the rest of the roster on notice. 

While Francis has formed a team with Swann, it’s unclear if his feud with Hendry is over. The company could decide to rematch Francis and Hendry in the future, but it seems First Class has their sights on the tag division. 

What’s Next For A.J. Francis & Rich Swann(Spoiler)

TNA Wrestling has already taped its next few episodes heading into its next pay-per-view event, Rebellion, on April 20. First Class had their first match as a tag team against the former TNA World Tag Team Champions ABC(Ace Austin & Chris Bey) during the taping. 

It’s unclear when the match will air, but Francis and Swann could soon be feuding with ABC for the foreseeable future. As of now, First Class also isn’t on the TNA Rebellion card. However, that may change as the event gets closer next month. 

That said, Francis is building momentum in TNA Wrestling and is showing how valuable he can be to the company. If he can continue to display his ability, he could become one of the hottest free agents next year. 

3/27 Dynamite Sees AEW’s Flagship Show Plummet To Worst Ratings In Years

Thomas Lowson
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The March 27, episode of AEW Dynamite will not be fondly remembered by Tony Khan, as the event marked some of Dynamite’s worst ratings in years. 

The show saw AEW continue on the road to its first Dynasty pay-per-view that’ll take place next month. AEW Dynasty 2024 will air from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, marking the first AEW pay-per-view in the state. AEW Full Gear 2021 had been scheduled to take place at the Chaifetz Arena before being moved. 

3/27 AEW Dynamite’s Woes

AEW Dynamite scored 747,000 overnight viewers, Wrestlenomics reports, which is the worst number for the show since April 7, 2021. The show started with 939,000 viewers and immediately dropped to 802,000 for quarter two, marking a 15% drop within the first 

Things were even worse in the coveted 18-49 demographic, which scored a 0.23 rating. This is the worst number in the demographic since the June 24, 2020, episode. Dynamite was ranked #3 for the day on cable in the 18-49 demographic, behind the NBA games on ESPN.

What Went Wrong? 

These numbers are especially concerning given the talent that were on the March 25 episode of AEW Dynamite. The show saw Will Ospreay, the Young Bucks, and Swerve Strickland all in action. Mercedes Mone was also on the show in a commentary role, mere weeks removed from her debut at AEW Big Business. 

This show saw quite a drop from the previous week’s episode, which scored 800,000 viewers. AEW has hosted several high-profile episodes of Dynamite in recent weeks. The February 28 episode was the go-home show before AEW Revolution, while the March 6, episode saw Kazuchika Okada debut and join The Elite. 

MLW Blood & Thunder Announced For St. Petersburg, Florida Next Month

Tyriece Simon
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Major League Wrestling is off to a hot start after hosting six pay-per-view events to kick off the year. They are set to have their annual War Chamber PPV card on March 28 at The Coliseum in St. Petersburg, Florida. In a press release, the company revealed that it would return to the same venue for MLW Blood & Thunder later this year. 

MLW shared that Blood & Thunder will be held at The Coliseum on July 12, and tickets go on sale on April 2. The press release notes that the lowest ticket price will be $15. The official card has yet to be announced, but fans who attend will have a chance to have a special meet-and-greet at the event. 

MLW Blood & Thunder Poster

In the press release, MLW also discussed the importance of holding events at The Coliseum and why they like it. 

“The historic Coliseum was built in 1924 and purchased by the City of St. Petersburg in 1989. It has undergone extensive renovations, and the architecture and ambiance creates a flexible space to host a variety of events, making it one of the Tampa Bay area’s most unique multi-use facilities,” wrote MLW.

For fans who can’t attend the show, MLW confirmed that the event will stream live with a $7.99 subscription to TrillerTV+. Although the event is still months away, the company is showing that they are trying to get as many fans as they can to want to be a part of their live PPV schedule. 

MLW War Chamber Preview

MLW War Chamber is another big event that the company hopes will succeed. The card will have five matches, including two championship bouts. The main event will also have CozyMAX (Satoshi Kojima & Shigeo Okumura) & The Second Gear Crew (1 Called Manders & Matthew Justice) taking on World Titan Federation (Davey Boy Smith Jr., Josh Bishop, Richard Holliday & Tom Lawlor). 

Tickets for the event are still on sale for as low as $15 on Eventbrite. MLW War Chamber will also be available to stream with a subscription to TrillerTV+. 

MLW War Chamber Match Card

(Match Card Is Subject to Change)

  • Alex Kane vs. AJ Francis
  • Bad Man Tito vs. TBA
  • (C) Janai Kai with Jesus Rodriguez & Salina de la Renta vs. Unagi Sayaka-MLW Women’s World Featherweight Championship Match
  • (C) Matt Riddle vs. Kosei Fujita-NJPW World Television Championship Match
  • CozyMAX (Satoshi Kojima & Shigeo Okumura) & The Second Gear Crew (1 Called Manders & Matthew Justice) vs. World Titan Federation (Davey Boy Smith Jr., Josh Bishop, Richard Holliday & Tom Lawlor) with Saint Laurent-War Chamber Match

Triple H Drops Another Clue That Meek Mill Is Set For WrestleMania 40 Appearance

Aaron Varble
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WrestleMania events are famous for bringing celebrities to WWE, whether it be for a match, performance, or to just sit in the crowd as fans. This year’s grandest stage of them all in Philadelphia will be no different.

Meek Mill has already received an invitation from Triple H to attend WrestleMania 40. Now, it appears that they are teasing more than just Meek Mill sitting in the crowd for the showcase of the immortals.

Meek Mill x WrestleMania XL

During this week’s episode of WWE RAW, a commercial hinted at a possible WrestleMania performance from Grammy-nominated rapper Meek Mill. This would be appropriate, since he hails from the host city.

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C49VzcgJ0ka

Following the airing of the commercial, Triple H took to social media to urge Meek Mill to keep his schedule open for WrestleMania. In another indication of Meek Mill’s potential WrestleMania performance, Triple H shared another teaser video titled “Dreams and Nightmares” later that evening.

It appears that there is a real possibility of Meek Mill showing up at WrestleMania 40 for something other than just watching the show. 

Celebrities at WrestleMania

WWE has booked matches with celebrities in the past to light up the WrestleMania stage. Johnny Knoxville will never forget his Anything Goes match against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 38, and there are so many celebrities who created everlasting moments in WWE history.

Pete Rose, known for his career as a player and manager for the Cincinnati Reds, made multiple WrestleMania appearances. Charlie Hustle belongs in the MLB Hall of Fame, but he is in the WWE HOF for a reason. At WrestleMania XIV, he served as a guest ring announcer and engaged in a physical altercation with Kane. Also, at WrestleMania XV, he donned the costume of the San Diego Chicken and encountered Kane once again for a punishing experience.

Floyd Mayweather Jr stepped into the WWE ring at WrestleMania XXIV for a No Disqualification match against the towering Big Show. Similarly, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal made waves at WrestleMania 32 by participating in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Lawrence Taylor, known for his career as a linebacker for the New York Giants, took center stage at WrestleMania XI against Bam Bam Bigelow. Meanwhile, Mike Tyson made a memorable appearance at WrestleMania XIV as the ringside enforcer for the main event.

Even figures from the music industry have graced the WrestleMania stage, such as Ozzy Osbourne, who is a heavyweight in heavy metal along with WWE Hall of Famer. At WrestleMania 2, Osbourne took on the role of manager for The British Bulldogs during their match against The Dream Team.

These celebrity appearances have become an integral part of WrestleMania’s legacy, and those names are just a drop in the bucket. There are many more that we could list, because there is also no shortage of celebrities who would love an experience under WrestleMania’s bright lights.

We will have to see if Meek Mill is able to block off his schedule for WrestleMania 40. By the look of things, they certainly have something planned.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more on the road to WrestleMania. You never know what will break next, but we will be here with all the headlines you need.

Johnny Knoxville Recalls Why Brock Lesnar Put Wee Man Through Table At Four Seasons Restaurant

Aaron Varble
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WWE has pulled in some big crossover stars over the years. Johnny Knoxville’s proclivity to participate in daring stunts made him perfect for a WrestleMania role, and he will never forget it.

Johnny Knoxville recalled a time when Brock Lesnar tried to put his fellow Jackass co-star Wee Man through a table at a crowded restaurant. He also shared a fantastic memory from WrestleMania 38, where he was featured in a marquee match.

Brock Lesnar & Wee Man

While speaking to SI, Johnny Knoxville took a walk down memory lane to the time when Brock Lesnar put Wee Man through a table in the middle of a Four Seasons restaurant.

Wee Man apparently had some liquid courage in him, and that only caused Lesnar to take action. What happened next made Knoxville so happy, as Wee Man took a trip into a table.

I can’t remember being so happy [laughs]. We were at a Four Seasons restaurant. Wee Man had a couple drinks. And when Wee Man has a couple drinks, he gets loud and rambunctious. And he started talking smack to Brock–and Brock just scooped Wee Man up, pointed to a table, and said, “That’s where you’re going.” Right in the middle of a Four Seasons restaurant, it was amazing.

Johnny Knoxville at WrestleMania 38

Night two of WrestleMania 38 showcased an Anything Goes match pitting Sami Zayn against Johnny Knoxville. The Jackass star still remembers that 2022 match, and what happened afterward, years later.

Knoxville beat Zayn in just under 15 minutes in AT&T Stadium. Two years later, he still doesn’t have anything nice to say about the Underdog from the Underground.

He then explained that their match received a standing ovation in Gorilla Position afterward.

Aside from having to actually look at Sami’s big, dumb face, I was thrilled with the match. Afterward, it felt like we did something special. To walk in backstage into [the] Gorilla [position, right behind the curtain], I think they call it, they stood up and clapped–and those guys and girls have seen it all. For them to clap, I took it as a big compliment. And I hate to say anything good about Sami Zayn, but he did an amazing job in that match–an amazing job losing, I should point out.

A Knockoff Barbie? TNA Wrestling Star Hits Out at Tiffany Stratton for ‘Stealing’ Moves

Thomas Lowson
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Tiffany Stratton may be impressing the WWE Universe on the main roster, but TNA’s Ash By Elegance has had some choice words for the ex-NXT Women’s Champion. 

Stratton was called up to the main roster earlier this year, with the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match marking her debut. The 29th entrant in the match, Stratton was one of the last four women in the match that was ultimately won by Bayley. The following month, she impressed in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match won by Becky Lynch. 

A Knock-Off Barbie? 

Since her release from WWE, Ash By Elegance (fka Dana Brooke) has been making waves in TNA Wrestling. During a recent episode of TNA Impact, the elegant wrestler won with a Swanton Bomb that caught the attention of WWE’s Natalya. 

When a fan suggested that Stratton hits the move better, Ash fired back. The ex-Superstar alleged that Stratton loves to steal the moves and gimmicks of others and branded her a “knock-off Barbie.”

Ash Defends Herself

Ash By Elegance’s comment did not go down well with many fans who rallied behind ‘Tiffy Time.’ One fan even used a clip from Total Divas, in which Lana (now AEW’s CJ Perry) seemed upset that Ash was ‘stealing’ a move of hers. Responding, Elegance questioned when did Lana use the move and hinted that the reality TV show may not entirely be on the level. 

When a fan suggested that Ash By Elegance’s comments were based on her heel character, the TNA star said the fan was speaking “facts.”

What’s to Come? 

Ash By Elegance isn’t currently booked for TNA’s next pay-per-view, Rebellion, which will take place on April 20. The show will air at the Palms Casino Resort in Paradise, Nevada, and see Nic Nemeth challenge TNA World Champion Moose. 

The Rock Reveals What He Told Cody Rhodes Before Bloody Assault on 3/25 WWE Raw

Thomas Lowson
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The Rock proved to be a man of his word on the March 25, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, as he vowed to make Cody Rhodes bleed before the night was done. 

Raw went off the air in gruesome fashion with The Rock assaulting Cody Rhodes backstage. The pair’s brawl would take them outside of Chicago’s All-State Arena. In the pouring rain, Rhodes was left in a pool of his own blood as The Rock verbally berated the American Nightmare. 

What The Rock Said to Cody

Earlier in the show, Cody Rhodes cut an impassioned promo in front of the fans that was interrupted by the ‘Final Boss.’ Rather than be his loud-mothed, boisterous self, Rock instead whispered something in Cody’s ear and left the ring without the pair coming to blows. 

Taking to Instagram, The Rock revealed what he said to Rhodes. The Brahma Bull warned Rhodes “Tonight, I’m gonna make you bleed,” a promise he would keep hours later. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C5DGgAMOEZ8

Another Promise Kept

The Rock kept his vow to make Cody bleed on this week’s Raw, but the Final Boss also kept another promise to a different Rhodes family member. Before the show, The Rock fired off a tweet promising Michelle, Cody’s mother, that he’d have a belt for her, covered in her son’s blood. 

Sure enough, The Rock kept his promise. In his beatdown on Cody, The Rock revealed a weight belt with ‘Mama Rhodes’ emblazoned on it. The Brahma Bull would wipe Cody’s blood on the belt in question. 

What’s to Come? 

The Rock will make his long-awaited return to the ring next week as part of WrestleMania 40: Saturday. On the show, he and Roman Reigns will face Rhodes & Seth Rollins. The match will determine the stipulation for the following night’s Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match between Rhodes and Reigns. 

Done. Finished. Goodbye: Roman Reigns Believed He Was Retired During 2020 WWE Hiatus

Thomas Lowson
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Roman Reigns will headline WrestleMania once again next weekend, but WWE’s Tribal Chief was ready to leave the wrestling ring behind him four years ago. 

Next weekend, Reigns will compete on both nights of WrestleMania 40. On the first night, he will team with The Rock to face Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. The following night, he will put his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship on the line against Rhodes. This will be the American Nightmare’s last opportunity to win the gold from Reigns, an edict made by TKO board member/Bloodline member The Rock. 

Roman Reigns in 2020

In the run-up to WrestleMania 36, Reigns was poised to challenge Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship. Goldberg had won the title from ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt at WWE Super Showdown in February that same year. 

In the days running up to WrestleMania though, Reigns pulled out of the show, thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. As someone who was immunocompromised due to his past battles with leukemia, Reigns opted to prioritize his health over the risk of being infected at the WrestleMania taping. 

Roman Reigns Was Ready to Retire

Reigns didn’t just miss WrestleMania 36 but would miss months of programming after the event. Speaking recently to Uproxx, Paul Heyman said that Reigns was ready to leave WWE behind at the time. 

“He considered himself retired. He wasn’t coming back… I would ask, has anybody talked to him? Yeah, he says he’s retired. He’s not coming back. No way. Thanks a lot. Done. Finished. Goodbye.”

Heyman added that with this in mind, Reigns’ return to WWE and subsequent run as the Tribal Chief has been nothing short of “miraculous.”

What Came Next? 

After months away, Reigns would return to WWE TV at SummerSlam 2020, attacking Wyatt and Braun Strowman. On the following SmackDown, Reigns aligned with Paul Heyman and would capture the Universal Championship he holds to this day at Payback 2020. 

Vince McMahon’s TKO Stock Sell-Off Continues By Unloading Over 3 Million More Shares

Aaron Varble
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WWE was removed from WWE and the company is doing their best to wash him from their history. This all stems from Janel Grant’s lawsuit going public, and he resigned from his role in WWE shortly after that. Now, he is getting out of the TKO business even more by selling off more shares.

Vince McMahon is selling even more TKO Stock as he just unloaded 3,484,006 more shares. This sale adds to the 5,350,000 shares he sold in early March.

McMahon Sells More TKO Stock

Vince McMahon’s mass selloff of TKO Stock continues as he unloaded 3,484,006 shares, as revealed in an SEC filing released by TKO today.

The filing details McMahon’s sale agreement with an unaffiliated bank, obligating him to deliver up to 3,484,006 shares of TKO’s Class A common stock to settle the agreement.

McMahon and the bank amended the agreement on March 1, 2024. The physical settlement, divided into 15 parts, concluded between March 5, 2024, and March 25, 2024, resulting in McMahon receiving approximately $100 million.

How Much TKO Stock Vince McMahon Has Left

In early March, Vince McMahon also sold 5,350,000 TKO shares at $77 each, generating $411,950,000 from the transaction

Despite the recent sales, McMahon still retains ownership of roughly 11.5 million shares of TKO Group, indicating his continued interest in the company’s performance and future prospects.

He still does not have enough stock to be able to arrange any sort of takeover like he did after his first retirement. We will have to see if WWE continues avoiding any mention of Mr. McMahon on television.

For what it’s worth, TKO Group Holdings stock has shot up in recent memory. Many attribute that rise in value to their impending Netflix deal.

SEScoops will have more of this story, and so much more. Please keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines.

WWE Superfan’s Wedding Turns Into WrestleMania Spectacle with Bloodline Entrance

Aaron Varble
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Pro wrestling fans are passionate about the sport, but some go above and beyond. A new wedding video has a lot of attention, and for good reason.

A fan recently acknowledged Roman Reigns on their own wedding day. The groom and his party made their way to the altar to The Bloodline’s iconic entrance music.

The Bloodline Meets Marriage

A fan named Bruins Hogan recently god married, and he used this day of celebration to let everyone know how much of a Bloodline fan he is. With Roman Reigns’ entrance music barring, his party came out, complete with a WWE Championship and an Ula Fala around the groom’s neck.

Wedding guests were encouraged to cheer, and then the groom’s party struck The Bloodline’s pose. They even got some pyrotechnics in the mix. It was quite a show.

You can check out the video below. We’re not sure how the bride’s entrance turned out, but the groom popped those wedding guests in a big way.

Pro Wrestling Weddings

We’ve seen fans insert pro wrestling entrances in their wedding reception in the past. Putting The Bloodline’s entrance into the actual ceremony is upping the ante.

It would also be irresponsible of us not to mention the epic table spot that went down during a wedding reception a couple of years ago. That also included the bride laying in some kendo stick shots after coming out to Becky Lynch’s entrance.

Showing your passion for pro wrestling and your spouse on your big day is a theme that we can certainly get behind.

John Laurinaitis Accused Of Racial Discrimination By WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long

Aaron Varble
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John Laurinaitis’ name was featured in mainstream stories as Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE also included his name as a defendant. Now, more are speaking out about his negative influence on the pro wrestling business.

Teddy Long openly criticized Johnny Ace in response to comments made by Rousey about him. Long expressed that he no longer restrains his opinions about Laurinaitis, calling him one of the worst individuals and accusing him of racial discrimination.

Teddy Long Blasts John Laurinaitis

We previously reported how John Laurinaitis was recently buried by Ronda Rousey, as she called him a dirt bag. WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long happens to agree with Rousey, and he would also throw racist on the accusations as well.

During Wrestle Binge, Teddy Long unloaded on Johnny Ace after Rousey’s comments about him came up in the conversation. Long said that he’s not holding his words back when it comes to Laurinaitis any longer.

I don’t hold my tongue back on John Laurinaitis. One of the worst pieces of sh*t on this planet, and you can do what you want to to me, you can sue me all you want to, ain’t nothing you’re gonna get except ‘holla, holla, holla.’ He is a man who is going to stop me from making a living because of the color of my skin — not because I’m not doing my job. So, you’re gonna tell me that I did my job, the face of that TV for nine years and you’re gonna … you know what I’m saying? Lemme stop.”

Laurinaitis and the Lawsuit

John Laurinaitis waved his right to be served Janel Grant’s lawsuit. He was very much aware of the filing, so he did not need that formality. He still asserts that he was a victim in the situation, as Vince McMahon was his boss as well.

In the lawsuit, McMahon is accused of instructing Grant to create “explicit content” for Laurinaitis, who was WWE head of talent relations at the time. Grant was later moved to the talent relations department, with both McMahon and Laurinaitis expecting her to engage with Laurinaitis sexually, both physically and through explicit content.

The suit also alleges that Grant was sexually assaulted by McMahon and Laurinaitis in June 2021 inside Laurinaitis’ office at WWE headquarters while colleagues were present. They allegedly cornered her, took turns restraining her, forced themselves on her, and ignored her pleas to stop.

SEScoops will continue covering this story, and so much more. Please keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines that you need.

Triple H Initially Laughed At the Idea Of Logan Paul Joining WWE

Aaron Varble
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It takes a special kind of talent to become a WWE Superstar, especially at a high level. Logan Paul has been able to prove a lot of his doubters wrong, on even the highest levels of WWE.

Logan Paul revealed that Triple H laughed when he heard about LP’s interest in WWE. Triple H’s opinion on Paul certainly changed after he saw his dedication to pro wrestling and his in-ring abilities.

Triple H Laughed at The Maverick

Logan Paul is on the road to WrestleMania once again, and he is enjoying some big deals with WWE. Not only has his hydration brand, Prime, inked the biggest sponsorship deal in WWE history, but The Maverick is also in the middle of his own performer contract.

While speaking to Graham Bensinger, Logan Paul was asked about Triple H laughing at the idea of him becoming a WWE Superstar. LP confirmed that story was true, because Triple H admitted it to his face after he earned his respect.

“Yeah, [I heard Triple H laughed when he heard I was interested in WWE], he told me to my face. I’m sure he thought ‘there’s no way this internet kid can hang with the toughness and complex nature of this sport.'”

Triple H later said about Logan Paul that, “once he got into it, and I saw not only what he’s able to do, but his dedication to doing it, you know that’s a game-changer for me. He earned my respect right out the shoot.”

Logan Paul’s entrance in WWE made several fans roll their eyes. Once they saw what he was able to do in the ring, and how much he gave to the business, that changed a lot of fan perception, as he was welcomed as a bona fide WWE Superstar by the locker room as well.

John Cena on Logan Paul

John Cena was also featured in the video from Graham Bensinger. The footage, which was filmed on April 1, 2023, the day of WrestleMania 39, features a brief interaction with the 16x World Champion.

Cena, who was shocked to discover that April 1 is also Logan Paul’s birthday, gave a glowing review to what LP is capable of, and what he has been able to bring to WWE. 

“I wish we had found him years ago and this would be his calling. I’m glad he’s found us, because he fits perfectly in what we do here.”

Logan Paul at WrestleMania 40

Logan Paul is walking into WrestleMania 40 as the WWE United States Champion. He will defend his title against Kevin Owens and Randy Orton during the event. He may not be happy about his situation, but he will give it all in Philadelphia at WrestleMania XL to retain his title.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more from the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back throughout the day for more of the headlines you need.

Chris Jericho Makes His Offer To HOOK

Dominic DeAngelo
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Chris Jericho ended up making his offer to HOOK and the proposal could be a learning experience for both fighters.

During the 3/27 episode of AEW Dynamite, a backstage segment featured both HOOK and Jericho being interviewed by Renee Paquette. There Jericho reiterated how impressed he was with HOOK’s work in the ring as he and Renee both said that HOOK defeating Jericho last week on Dynamite was the biggest of his career.

Jericho then mentioned in his 33 years of pro wrestling he never managed anybody in his life, but he was so impressed with HOOK’s work in the ring that he’d be willing to give Taz’s son any advice at reaching that next level of super stardom. Jericho even said that he sees a future AEW World Champion in HOOK.

HOOK appreciated Jericho’s offer, but did say he knows who Jericho is, meaning he’s aware of his track record. All that considered, he’d love to take advice from Jericho because he is Chris Jericho. Jericho agreed and the two fist-bumped.

The FTW Champion did put on quite a showing against Jericho as he basically took ‘Lionheart’ to suplex city before he ultimately secured the win via pinfall, which happened to be HOOK’s first pinfall win in AEW.

Jericho won’t be the first wrestling legend to take HOOK under his wing. Obviously being the son of Taz, HOOK had an early tutelage when it comes to the squared circle, but he also received the experience of teaming with Rob Van Dam in AEW.

ECW Legend Joining The Indie Wrestling Hall Of Fame Over WrestleMania Weekend

Dominic DeAngelo
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Paul Heyman won’t be the only ECW alumni to be honored WrestleMania weekend in Philadelphia as GCW is making sure another gets a Hall of Fame nod.

On Wednesday evening, GCW announced that former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Steve Corino will be inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall Of Fame on Sunday, April 7 at WrestleCon. Corino will join a class that includes Trent Acid, Kevin Hogan and The Briscoes. It was also announced that ‘The King Of Old School’ will be inducted by his son, Colby Corino. Serendipitously enough, Corino’s sister Allison Danger is set to be honored later this year at the Cauliflower Alley Club.

Cornio commented on his own induction posting the following on X:

“Honored to be a part of the Indie Hall of Fame.”

Who Else Is In The GCW Indie Wrestling Hall Of Fame?

Steve Corino joins several other ECW names in the GCW Indie Wrestling Hall Of Fame, but there are also others that have been bestowed the honor. The inaugural Hall Of Fame class occured in 2022 and included Jerry Lynn, Tracy Smothers, Dave Prazak, Homicide, Ruckus and Lufisto. The class of 2023 had Paul London, Cheerleader Melissa, Christopher Daniels, Excalibur, Jimmy Jacobs and Michael Modest.

Corino currently works for WWE as a coach and a producer for WWE NXT. This induction will be the second crossover WWE will have with GCW on WrestleMania weekend as Shayna Bazsler is set to compete in Bloodsport X as she’s going to square off against Masha Slamovich.

Paul Heyman Recalls Meeting Roman Reigns

Rayan Saayed
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Paul Heyman recently appeared on The Roku Channel’s The Rich Eisen Show, where he talked about a number of topics, such as getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, meeting Roman Reigns and working with him, and more.

Being active in the industry since 1986, Heyman has had an illustrious career as a professional wrestling manager, promoter, and executive. It was announced in March that Heyman will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 5, 2024. As for whether he’s got a speech prepared, Heyman said that he doesn’t, because he is going to “just wing it.”

“No, I’m going to figure this out as we go along. I’m going to take the pulse of the room that night. I’m going to wing this, because I don’t know really what the crowd itself is expecting from me. Is this a crowd that wants me to talk about the modern-day WWE, Roman Reigns, The Bloodline, the WrestleMania main event of Roman Reigns versus Cody Rhodes? Is this a crowd that in Philadelphia wants to talk about ECW? Is this a crowd that’s looking for some inspiration in a speech about pursuing one’s own dreams? I really won’t know until I take the temperature of the room that night, and as you know better than I, you always have to know your audience.”

Paul Heyman Says The Bloodline Story Could Have Some Extra Innings

Speaking about Roman Reigns, whom Heyman manages alongside The Bloodline on SmackDown, he said that Reigns would be the greatest star in the industry regardless of the generation he was in.

Paul Heyman also recalled his first meeting with Roman Reigns, revealing that The Tribal Chief was only 3 years old at the time:

“I first met Roman Reigns when he was three years old and his father Sika of the Wild Samoans brought him into the locker room at Panama City, Florida. Even at three years old, he had so much charisma. I thought he was going to become a child star like Ron Howard or whomever. Roman had so much charisma even at three years old. You look into his eyes and say, ‘Oh my god this kid’s a star and he’s three years old!’ He just had that intangible It Factor. You knew you were in the presence of someone or something special even though it’s a three-year-old kid running around.”

Heyman also spoke about how the partnership of him and Reigns came about together. While Heyman was with Brock Lesnar, a golden opportunity presented itself when the pandemic hit and Lesnar took time away from the WWE.

“Well, Roman and I had been talking about working together for many, many years. The timing was never right in that WWE was presenting him as The Big Dog, as the big hero, this WrestleMania main-eventer to follow in the steps of John Cena.

“And I was the advocate for Brock Lesnar, and just leaving that position would have been insane. I also then became the executive director of Monday Night Raw. Now the pandemic hits and Brock Lesnar wraps up his time in WWE and he goes off to Saskatchewan to hunt and kill whatever he puts on the family’s dinner plates.

“The entire landscape of sports and entertainment and sports entertainment was changing, and Roman Reigns had taken time off because his wife had given birth to another set of twin boys, and also because of the pandemic and his health concerns regarding staying safe for his family during this unfathomable health crisis that was gripping the entire world. So in August 2020 when I’m Brock Lesnar-free, I’m no longer the executive director of Raw, so I’m in the ocean of obscurity at that point, and Roman Reigns agrees to come back to WWE if he’s allowed to portray himself, and we get a chance to work together. He rescued me from the ocean of obscurity, pulled me onto the island of relevancy with him, and we have been together ever since.”

Heyman had previously said that The Bloodline was in only in the third inning, and speaking about that, Heyman said that there may be many extra innings in store for the faction.

“Every time I talk about innings, it gets shoved up my tuchus. Also, I’ve kind of gotten away now from baseball analogies because I’ve learned in my experience that baseball is fake.

“So whatever inning that we’re in, we’re dominating that inning, and it’s a game that I would suggest may go into many extra innings as well. And some of that, we have to give credit to The Final Boss, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, for adding a whole new set of layers, and therefore innings, to the story of the Bloodline.”

UFC Apex in Las Vegas to Host First WWE NXT Premium Live Event

Aaron Varble
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WWE fans have come to expect a great show from NXT’s premium live events. Now, they will have to wait a little bit longer for Battleground, but there is a good reason for it.

The NXT Battleground event is set to reportedly change dates from May 26th to June 9th. Furthermore, the location will also be shifted, with the event relocating from Savannah, GA to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

WWE NXT’s Battleground Plans Changing

SEScoops has learned that WWE is considering moving NXT Deadline to the UFC Apex venue. This will also push the event up a week.

WWE’s NXT brand has developed a reputation for putting on high-quality events, which is a tradition they’ve been developing for years. Now, it appears that fans in Las Vegas will get Battleground, but that won’t come without a change.

WrestleVotes noted that there is talk saying the NXT Battleground event will be rescheduled from May 26th to June 9th. Additionally, there will be a change in the location.

Hearing rumblings of a significant schedule change, I’m told the NXT Battleground event will be moving off May 26th to June 9th. With the location shifting as well as Savanna, GA will no longer host the show. NXT Battleground will take place live in Las Vegas at the UFC Apex.

WWE & UFC

The UFC Apex operates in Enterprise, Nevada. It’s owned by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is part of TKO Group Holdings, and so is WWE. This facility hosts live events and production activities for the UFC, and now it will apparently host Deadline.

TKO Group Holdings merged WWE and UFC under Endeavor’s umbrella. There has been talk of WWE and UFC running events in the same city to create a destination event, and it appears that they may be starting to creep toward this idea with NXT Deadline in the UFC Apex.

There have been other UFC crossovers, like Michael Chandler showing up on WWE RAW to call out Conor McGregor. Fans should probably expect more things like that in the future.

WWE NXT Stand & Deliver

NXT Stand & Deliver will go down on April 6, during the afternoon before WrestleMania 40’s first night. The event will air on Peacock, and the WWE Network for fans outside the United States.

SEScoops will also have coverage of the event, so keep checking back for more updates. You can check out the updated card below.

  • Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tony D’Angelo: Singles match for the NXT Championship
  • Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker (c) vs. Tournament Winners: Tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
  • Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Roxanne Perez: Singles match for the NXT Women’s Championship
  • Oba Femi (c) vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs: Triple threat match for the NXT North American Championship
  • Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes 

He’s Not Leaving: TNA Wrestling Locks in Multi-Time Champion With New Contract

Aaron Varble
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TNA Wrestling has seen a substantial amount of changes over the last few months. Some notable names have left, but others are sticking around.

TNA Wrestling has confirmed the re-signing of multi-time champion Ace Austin. Austin expressed excitement about staying with TNA. He will be sticking around for even longer to extend his legacy with the former Impact Wrestling

Ace Austin Re-Signs With TNA

TNA Wrestling has confirmed via a press release that Ace Austin has re-signed with the company. This was first broken by Ace Austin with Denise Salcedo on Instinct Culture.

“I’m very excited to be staying with TNA. I have more goals to fulfill and championships to win,” Austin said of his re-signing.

Ace Austin in TNA Wrestling

The 27-year-old Austin started his professional wrestling career in 2015 after completing training at the “Wild Samoan Pro-Wrestling Training Center.” He joined TNA Wrestling in early 2019 and has since secured championship victories in both singles and tag team competition.

Austin already has an impressive record with the company. He is a former X Division Champion three times over, and he has held the World Tag Team Championship twice alongside partner Chris Bey, collectively known as ABC.

Controversy In TNA

TNA Wrestling saw the departure of Scott D’Amore, and many members of the roster were not happy about his ousting. A letter was sent to Anthem Sports, detailing the reasons why they were not in favor of this decision.

Although there was discussion about the company being open to discuss talent releases if they aren’t happy about D’Amore’s firing, we haven’t seen a massive exodus from the company. Now, we know that Ace Austin will be around TNA for a long time to come.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines.

Jack Perry Says He Doesn’t Need AEW Anymore

Rayan Saayed
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Jack Perry, who made his return to wrestling at NJPW Battle in the Valley in January. While his stint with the Japanese wrestling promotion was going well, he was not nowhere to be seen in AEW.

At Battle in the Valley, Perry even took out the AEW contract, and tore it up, sending a message. For those not in the know, CM Punk infamous altercation with Perry led to Perry’s suspension. However, even though the Jungle Boy’s suspension ended, he was still not seen on AEW TV.

But Perry is still active in Japan, and he is in fact set to face Shota Umino at New Japan STRONG’s Windy City Riot event on April 12. Speaking to NJPW1972.com about the matchup, and it is during this interview that he talked about his work with NJPW and leaving AEW behind.

Perry believes that he was the “scapegoat” in the CM Punk-All In incident. He even wears an armband with the word written on it as part of his ring gear and nickname.

“Well, Japan for me is an opportunity, not to start over, but start a new chapter without having to apologize or pretend to be sorry for the actions of other people. It’s a way that I can stay true to myself and continue to grow despite everything that’s gone on.”

The message is as clear as it can be: Perry is done with AEW, and doesn’t care about the promotion anymore.

“Ripping that contract was a declaration. I’m not playing by your rules anymore. If (AEW) are too afraid to have me anymore, if the specter of Jack Perry is too much, they don’t want to deal with the conversations, the ramifications that brings, then that’s fine.”

And Perry wants to prove this by going on a wrestling journey of his own and making a name for himself on his own terms and efforts:

“I don’t need them. I will go by myself across the world, all by myself, without any of my friends, without any of the things I’m used to, anything that’s been my life for the last five years, and I’ll do it on my own, make my own way.”

That being said, he is still not sure which group or promotion he currently represents:

“Some of these things are unclear even to me, but I would say this: Loyalty is a two-way street, and I show loyalty to those who are loyal to me. As of now, certain parties have been very good to me, and I intend to repay that.”

Speaking about his Scapegoat nickname, Perry added that he’s “man enough” to take the blame and is not “shying away” from it:

“I think it’s ingrained in human nature to be afraid of blame, and the disapproval of others. At the end of the day, that’s weakness. That’s a weak mindset, a weak soul. If you know the truth, what good is the opinion of other people? If you know the truth, you have power. I’m not shying away from the blame. If you need me to be the scapegoat because you don’t have the bravery to stand up for your own actions, then that’s fine. I’m man enough to take that blame from all of us and I’m not going to shy away from it.”

Recently, it was reported that Tony Khan was upset with Jack Perry, and in a subsequent interview, Khan praised his achievements in NJPW and asked fans to “stay tuned” about whether Perry will return to AEW or not.

“Well, I think you gotta stay tuned. Absolutely, Jack’s doing great things in New Japan. The New Japan Cup – he’s had a great run. He’s established himself over there. He feels he’s the ‘Scapegoat.’ But he’s doing great things, and he’s wrestling for a great promotion, and it’s been great tracking Jack’s progress in New Japan. And I think he’s done excellent work there.”

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