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Backstage Chaos: AEW Changed Plan For Jeff Hardy & More on Dynamite This Week

Aaron Varble
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AEW put on a Dynamite in Oklahoma this week, and they delivered the best show they could. That being said, it also came with a fair amount of changes along the way.

AEW Changes Plan

AEW had to change their plan for Sting on Dynamite this week due to his father’s passing. That is not all, because Jeff Hardy also couldn’t be on the show.

Sammy Guevara faced Jeff Hardy in a singles match during the recent AEW Rampage tapings. Unfortunately, the match caused concern about Hardy possibly suffering a concussion, as Guevara’s knee collided with Hardy’s face during a Shooting Star Press that went wrong. In the end, Hardy suffered a broken nose, which was not a concussion, but it still wasn’t great news.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer mentioned that Jeff Hardy was expected to have a significant role on this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, but those plans were ultimately canceled.

”Jeff Hardy was actually supposed to be on the show, and in a key role. One of the reasons why so little was announced was because they didn’t know if Sting would be able to come. The Jeff Hardy and Trent Beretta was supposed to be a singles match against Orange Cassidy. I don’t know why, but it had been built it. Not announced, because they announced that Trent was injured, but they didn’t announce it.”

“They were waiting until, basically, today, and that’s when they put Mike Bennett in that spot. I was told it was very chaotic backstage. I was told that the reason why they didn’t announce anything was because they didn’t know if they could do what they wanted to do, and they didn’t want to false advertise.”

More on AEW’s Changing Plan

AEW had to pivot in a big way this week, and there were a couple of things that didn’t go according to plan. Hangman Page also suffered an apparent injury, as he said his foot was badly hurt.

AEW has one more Dynamite after this before AEW Revolution on March 3rd. Only time will tell what AEW does 

AEW Changed Plan For Sting On Dynamite After His Father’s Passing

Aaron Varble
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Sting means a lot to pro wrestling fans, and they are all ready for the road for his big retirement match at AEW Revolution. Sadly, his father passed away this week, which took priority over his commitments to Tony Khan’s company this week.

Sting’s Plans Changed

During this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Sting and Darby Allin appeared via video to address The Young Bucks’ attack on Sting’s sons in a previous episode. The WWE Hall of Famer was not actually in the building this week, but there was a very good reason for his absence due to his father’s passing.

Ric Flair was spotted backstage with The Young Bucks, suggesting a potential betrayal of Sting at AEW Revolution. In the end, Sting was not on the show, but that was not the original plan.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed AEW’s intentions for Sting on Dynamite. There was a plan for The Icon to be on the show, but they had to change those plans when his father passed away. 

“Originally, Sting and Darby were going to be on the show doing something, whatever they were gonna do. That needed to be taken off, because they had shot all that at Sting’s house in the Dallas area, I think.”

Christian Cage Controversy

It was also noted that Christian Cage and Daniel Garcia’s segment right after that may have needed an alteration, but it carried on anyway. Christian went into one of his “dead dad” promos on Garcia, and he even dropped an address in the process that is a legit cemetery. Meltzer noted that this segment may have been in poor taste, considering the fact that they had just announced that Sting’s father passed away this week.

Many fans also chimed in on Twitter/X to share the sentiment that the Christian Cage segment could have been saved until next week.

https://twitter.com/EttenGregory/status/1760509179045769548

What’s Next

Sting has been a part of the AEW family for over three years and currently plays a significant role in one of AEW’s major storylines. His recent appearance on Dynamite, however, didn’t go as planned. They were able to figure out how to progress his storyline despite his absence. 

AEW Revolution will still see Darby Allin and Sting team up against The Young Bucks in Sting’s final match. We will have to see how the company continues to build toward that match.

Our thoughts go out to Sting’s family during this time as they go through this terrible loss. 

‘Hangman’ Page Suffered Suspected Broken Ankle During AEW Dynamite Main Event

Thomas Lowson
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Former AEW World Champion ‘Hangman’ Adam Page suffered a suspected broken ankle during this week’s episode of Dynamite. 

In the main event of the show, Page teamed with Rob Van Dam and FTW Champion Hook to face AEW World Champion Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, and AEW TNT Champion Christian Cage. The match saw the heels emerge on top with Joe choking out Van Dam for the win. 

‘Hangman’ Page Injured

During the match, Joe attempted a Muscle Buster on Page who was able to escape the finishing move. Unfortunately, the Cowboy landed awkwardly when getting free of the AEW World Champion. Page promptly rolled out of the ring and grasped his ankle and didn’t play a role in the rest of the match. Page could be seen telling people “it’s bad” and was visibly frustrated after the match. 

Latest on Adam Page

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed Page’s situation. Alvarez said that the injury will have to be looked at and suggested it could be a broken ankle. Meltzer stated that a broken ankle injury is what he’s “heard.”

Broken Ankle

A broken ankle can take months to recover from as we’ve seen from several wrestlers in recent years. Mercedes Mone suffered a suspected broken ankle last May and the Bo$$ has been out of action since then. Earlier this year, Kota Ibushi was hospitalized with a double ankle injury and he too has not wrestled since. 

This Was All A Work

Fightful Select later reported that Hangman Page was fine when he got backstage. He worked the injury, and he received credit from one locker room source for just being “good at his job.” 

Nick Hogan Court Hearing Date For DUI Arrest Revealed

Bishal Roy
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Nick Hogan (real name Nick Bollea) was arrested for DUI in November last year. It has now come to light that his court hearing will be taking place this Friday, February 22.

Nick, WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan’s son was arrested on the morning of November 18, 2023, at 4 AM in Clearwater, FL. It took place following his return home from a bikini contest at his father’s restaurant. Reports suggested that he refused to submit to a breathalyzer test after being taken into custody.

Per the arrest report, Bollea’s 2021 Dodge Ram approached a traffic stop that was set up by officers. He was signaled to pull over but Nick did not vacate the lane or reduce his speed. 

Cops caught him driving 51 mph in a 40 mph zone. He showed signs of impairment, having a strong odor of alcohol, swaying balance, and bloodshot, glassy eyes. In field sobriety tests, he did not fare well. 

Police bodycam footage showed Nick Hogan initially denying alcohol consumption and then blaming the scent of alcohol on kissing his girlfriend, who had been drinking. Nick’s father, Hulk Hogan, was also seen making his way to the scene after Nick was stopped. 

Nick Hogan is set for court hearing on 2/23

As per Mike Johnson of PW Insider, Nick Hogan is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Friday at 9:30 AM in Pinellas County Court in Florida. The hearing was originally set for 1/17 but had been delayed. 

On December 21 last year, Nick Hogan’s attorneys had filed a motion which requested permission for him to enter venues serving alcohol to perform his occupational duties as a DJ. It’s worth noting that this plea came in after a court order prohibited him from frequenting such establishments as a condition of his release. Now, the court has yet to rule on the motion.

We will have to wait and see what the future holds for Nick Hogan.

Austin Theory Threatens To Smack Australian Journalist For Disrespecting Pro Wrestling

Aaron Varble
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0

WWE is concentrated on the Australian market right now, as Elimination Chamber is going down in Perth on February 24th. That comes with a fair amount of media for those Superstars, and it seems that one interview did not go well at all.

Austin Theory Puts His Foot Down

During an interview with The West Australian in anticipation of the upcoming premium live event in Australia, Austin Theory found himself in a heated exchange. The conversation was initially casual, but things took a serious turn when the editor-in-chief of The West Australian, Anthony De Ceglie, made some disrespectful remarks about wrestling.

De Ceglie went as far as to assert that wrestling lacked the toughness found in Australian Rules football or Rugby League. This remark deeply offended Theory, prompting him to abandon his on-screen persona and react angrily to defend the pro wrestling business.

“You brought me here and you’re going to talk to me like this? Just cause you’re in charge of some sh*t doesn’t mean you can talk to me like this. You’re saying what I do is easy and you’re in front of all of your people talking about my job is easy … you couldn’t walk a damn day in my shoes. Are you kidding me man? I will smack the sh*t outta you right now. I’m not playing around. Y’all bring me all the way out here for some media and this guy is talking his f*cking head off. What’s his problem?”

Security intervened to defuse the escalating tension between Theory and the journalist, ensuring the situation did not get out of hand. Things certainly escalated quickly.

Repeated History

This is interesting, because just a month ago, Theory’s partner, Grayson Waller, had a confrontation with a production assistant on an Australian morning talk show for disrespecting him.

The hosts of the show requested that Waller, who was with LA Knight for the interview, perform his finishing move on someone. He didn’t appreciate the sentiment. Now, a similar incident has surfaced just before Elimination Chamber 2024.

Daily Drop (2/22): WWE Loses Creative Mind To AEW, John Cena Addresses Steroids & Vince McMahon Allegations

Aaron Varble
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0

Welcome to a new feature we’re running here at SEScoops, the Daily Drop – a rundown of the top news and rumors in wrestling. TNA Wrestling has their February 22 show tonight, but AEW and WWE fans have the night off from shows. That doesn’t mean there is any lack of news.

Elimination Chamber starts at 5:00 am for fans in the East Coast on Feb 24, as the event goes down in Perth, Australia. Here is a rundown of the start times.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2024 Start Times
  • WrestleMania Countdown: 46 days away

WWE

– I was told that there was actually never a creative plan for Jey Uso to win the IC Title from GUNTHER. They way it went down with GUNTHER retaining on the road to WrestleMania is always what was supposed to happen. Also, WWE has settled on an opponent for GUNTHER at WrestleMania. I specially asked if Sami Zayn is taking on the Ring General, and was told, “no spoilers” in response.

– WWE announced a new event for WrestleMania week. “Evening with a Legend” will feature Booker T and tickets are available for sale now.

– It was confirmed that Ken Shamrock is coming back to a WWE 2K game. He will be a playable legend for the new release. 

– Randy Orton was asked about Vince McMahon’s allegations while speaking to SI. He was quite candid about how heartbreaking the whole thing is. 

– John Cena also had something to say about Vince’s allegations. He also made it clear that he will always love McMahon.

– Also, while appearing on the Howard Stern Show, John Cena addressed any accusations about steroid use throughout his career. He stands by the story that he is clean.

– Scott Hall’s daughter dropped a pretty epic unseen video. This included Triple H and Kevin Nash, and at the time company lines separated them. During that period, Hall & Nash were with WCW, while Triple H remained with WWE.

AEW

– Wardlow fired off a pretty good shot at CM Punk this week on Dynamite. He took credit for physically breaking Punk down, and we all know he’s currently out of action with an injury.

– Tony Khan clapped back at O’Shea Jackson Jr’s comments about AEW. 

– AEW’s Ric Flair has a biopic coming out. The Rock’s Seven Bucks Productions is going to produce it as well, so that could be a must-see project.

– AEW picked up recently departed WWE Senior Writer Jennifer Pepperman as their new VP of Content Development. It was a surprise when she left WWE. Her background in soap operas also saw her win Emmy Awards. I previously reported that the internal feeling within WWE was that Pepperman already had a job waiting for her when she departed from WWE.

– Ric Flair showed up on AEW Dynamite this week as the company continues to build hype for Sting’s last match at Revolution. 

– AEW added to their Revolution pay-per-view, as Daniel Garcia stepped up to challenge Christian Cage for the TNT Title.

– Adam “Hangman”  Page hurt his foot during AEW Dynamite this week. He commented on it after the show. It is apparently a bad situation. 

TNA & NWA

– Billy Corgan announced an exclusive streaming deal with The CW, making NWA programs available for free on The CW app. This partnership aims to broaden NWA’s audience and showcase its authenticity. Additionally, a new unscripted series about Corgan’s life will debut on The CW. 

You can check out the updated lineup for Thursday’s episode of TNA Impact below:

  • The System (Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards & Moose) vs. Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight
  • Chris Sabin vs. Jason Hotch
  • Steve Maclin vs. Trent Seven
  • Simon Gotch in action
  • Ash By Elegance in action

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

  • WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth is scheduled for next Saturday, February 24.
  • AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
  • AEW Revolution is planned for the following weekend, on Sunday, March 3.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Robert Roode Says There’s No Way He’ll Wrestle Full Time Again, Happy As A WWE Producer

Thomas Lowson
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Robert Roode could wrestle again if he wanted to in theory, but is more than happy remaining a backstage producer for WWE. 

In December 2022, Roode would undergo neck fusion surgery, months after his previous match with WWE. The following year, the former NXT Champion’s career faced another setback in the form of a second neck fusion surgery. 

Robert Roode is Green Lit to Wrestle

With his wrestling career uncertain, Roode has been working as a producer at WWE events and has been well-received in the role. On a recent edition of the Insight podcast, Roode was asked about the possibility of wrestling again and revealed he has been green-lit to compete. 

“Ironically enough, I just got green-lighted. The fusion has completely fused. So as far as looking at it from a medical point of view, it’s safe to get back in the ring I guess.

“But at almost 48 years old, given the opportunity I’ve been given now, to work as a producer, which was my goal coming to WWE almost eight years ago, I’m quite happy doing this. And I feel like I’ve had a good run as they say and I’m happy to be doing what I’m doing now. 

When asked about even a one-off appearance, possibly in a Royal Rumble match, Roode admitted it was possible but made clear his days of being a full-time WWE Superstar are over. 

“You never know, yeah, sure. Could I do this full-time? There’s no way I could. Look, to be honest, the injury, I have three levels that are bad. The level six and seven are not good either.”

A Mental Struggle 

During the interview, Roode admitted that he would like to have one last match, but explained why it’s unlikely. He also addressed the mental struggle his injury has made him face. 

“I don’t, mentally, think I could take the risk of going back in the ring and working a full-time schedule. Just knowing that. I feel like I look differently too. You know what I mean? I always kind of prided myself on how I looked on Television. I love being in the gym and working out and when you physically don’t look the same, it’s a mental thing as well for me.

“I think everybody would like to have one last match right? But sometimes, when the wheels fall off, the wheels fall off. That’s the nature of the beast and this sport and this industry. 

Robert Roode On His Injury

On the podcast, Roode discussed his first neck fusion surgery, which came about after an injury from years earlier started causing him issues. Roode was rather fortunate to learn that he needed the surgery considering he wasn’t feeling any pain as a warning sign. 

“The thing was I wasn’t living in any pain. I didn’t have any pain. I could go through the day without feeling any sort of pain. But the issue with me was my strength. When I started losing strength, I started losing muscle in my right arm.

“And that scared me because the first thing I thought of was Paul Orndorff and his injury. And that’s what was happening to me. I was starting to atrophy in my shoulder and in my bicep.”

Arm atrophy from a nagging injury led to Orndorff being forced to retire in 2000. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops. 

Watch: Hangman Page Confirms Foot Injury “Is Bad” In Post AEW Dynamite (2/21) Footage

Bishal Roy
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0

Former AEW World Champion Hangman Page sustained an injury during the headlining match of last night’s AEW Dynamite. 

The main event of the show saw a 6-man tag match in which Page, Rob Van Dam, and Hook faced Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, and Brian Cage in a losing effort. In the final moments of the match, Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch on the pro wrestling legend RVD, which forced him to fade and suffer the defeat for his team.

However, an unfortunate moment unfolded for Hangman Page, who suffered an injury while taking a move from the AEW World Champion. When Joe attempted to hit his finisher Muscle Buster, Page managed to counter but landed awkwardly on the mat. It seems that the awkward landing caused the injury as Hangman promptly rolled out of the ring and grasped his ankle. On a related note, AEW star Adam Cole is also sidelined with an ankle injury.

This was the last action Hangman Page took part in. After the match concluded, the cameraman tried to get the lens on him ringside, but he made them go away saying: “Stop, don’t shoot me.” 

As per @Space_Cabbie who was at the show, Hangman was visibly angry and punched the floor, and kept saying “it’s bad…my foot”.

The feud between Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland remains to be one of the hottest ongoing feuds in AEW. The duo have been entailed in a feud for almost six months and it’s only getting hotter. 

Page’s injury raises concern as he is scheduled to compete against Swerve Strickland and Samoa Joe in a three-way bout for the AEW World Championship at AEW Revolution pay-per-view. It will take place on March 3 at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC.

Keep an eye on SEScoops for the latest updates on the situation.

Triple H Meets With Impressive Tryout Athletes Ahead Of WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth will feature some of the company’s top stars, and a tryout could very well find the company’s next big name. 

The February 24, Premium Live Event will be WWE’s first PLE in Australia since 2018. While WWE has several Australian Superstars on its roster, only a couple will be featured on the show. WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley will defend her title against Nia Jax while Grayson Waller will host his talk show with Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins as guests.

Triple H Meets Tryout Athletes

Like other Premium Live Events, WWE is hosting tryouts in Perth where athletes hope to show they are worthy of a contract with the promotion. Taking to Twitter, WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque spoke about the impressive athletes that he and Matt Bloom have been watching. The Game also included some photos from the tryouts. 

WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

Here is the card for WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth as it currently stands:

  • The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate) (Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships)
  • Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. Raquel Rodriguez (Elimination Chamber Match for a WWE Women’s World Championship match at WWE WrestleMania 40)
  • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax (WWE Women’s World Championship)
  • Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. Bobby Lashley vs. LA Knight vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul (Elimination Chamber Match for a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WWE WrestleMania 40)

Randy Orton Was in Awe Being Babysat By ‘Uncles’ Like Hulk Hogan & Andre The Giant

Thomas Lowson
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Randy Orton had a blast being looked after by ‘uncles’ like Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant before becoming a WWE Superstar himself. 

A third-generation Superstar, Orton’s success in wrestling has far surpassed his father, uncle, or his grandfather. Orton returned from a lengthy injury at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023, and is pleased with how he handled being upstaged by CM Punk’s return to WWE. 

Randy Orton On His Uncles

Before making it into the business himself, Randy Orton was a young kid who would follow his father’s career intently. Being at WWF events meant Orton was often surrounded by wrestlers who showed an interest in the future Legend Killer. Speaking to A&E Biography: Legends, Orton recalled being cared for by some of the biggest stars of the time. 

“I was fortunate enough to travel with my Pop [WWE Hall of Famer ‘Cowboy’ Bob Orton] now and again… The few times that I did get to go with my father, I’ll never forget. Being in the locker room seeing the bigger-than-life guys walking around.

“These were like my uncles. My dad’s close friends, I was in awe as a child when I did get to go with my dad. They treated me just wonderfully. I was there little buddy. 

Orton also recalled that while he was surrounded by wrestlers from inside and outside of his own family, he never saw himself getting in the ring. 

“Early on, people would always ask me, kids at school, teachers would ask me ‘Are you going to be a wrestler like your dad?’ But never, ever, was it something that I contemplated because I just didn’t see it in myself to do something like that.”

Cowboy Bob Orton On Young Randy

Randy’s father also weighed in during the sneak preview of A&E Biography: Legends. The 2005 WWE Hall of Fame inductee joked that he was fine leaving Orton in the care of the wrestlers as his matches rarely lasted too long. 

“I didn’t take him [Randy] very often unless we were already pretty close to home. But yeah, those guys used to watch him when I was in the ring. So he got to know everybody when he was still pretty young.

“I had no problem, you know, with them watching over him.  I knew I wouldn’t be gone too long from Randy. It didn’t take me long to win or lose [laughs.]”

For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops. 

Will Ospreay Set To Make An Appearance On Next Week’s AEW Dynamite

Bishal Roy
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0

Last night on AEW Dynamite, it was announced that Will Ospreay is officially arriving as an AEW star next week. 

Will Ospreay was revealed as AEW’s marquee signing at Full Gear. WWE was in the race for his services but it was AEW that bagged the signing. Despite receiving an offer from WWE, Ospreay recently clarified his decision to join AEW. 

Ospreay thrived in Japan having several accolades. He had been one of NJPW’s finest stars and he is a former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and a two-time IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion.

He has competed inside the AEW ring several times during AEW’s working relationship with NJPW. He even defeated Kenny Omega at Forbidden Door 2023 and Chris Jericho at AEW All In: London. 

However, he concluded his commitments with NJPW before joining AEW and his last appearance in the Japanese promotion took place at NJPW New Beginning in Osaka on February 11 where he competed in a 10-man steel cage match

Will Ospreay coming to AEW Dynamite next week

During the February 21 e of edition of AEW Dynamite, the it was announced that ‘The Aerial Assassin’ will make an appearance on the February 28 episode of the show in Huntsville, Alabama. 

Ospreay will face Don Callis Family’s Konosuke Takeshita at AEW Revolution and it will be Ospreay’s first as a full-time wrestler of the AEW roster. This will also mark his first match for the promotion after competing in a six-man tag team match at last October’s WrestleDream pay-per-view.

AEW Revolution pay-per-view is set to take place on March 3 at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC. 

ROH TV Champ Kyle Fletcher Unable To Compete in the U.S. Due to Visa Issues

Thomas Lowson
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One of Ring of Honor’s top stars is currently unable to compete in the ring in the United States due to ongoing issues with their visa. 

Kyle Fletcher has not been able to compete for weeks in either Ring of Honor or All Elite Wrestling due to these issues, according to Fightful Select. The reigning Ring of Honor World Television Champion, Fletcher’s most recent match was against Chris Jericho on the January 31, edition of AEW Dynamite. Jericho would get the pinfall victory in this non-title match. 

A Change of Plans

Fletcher’s visa issues have led to all plans for the ROH World Television Champion being left up in the air. The report adds that Fletcher was poised for a program with Ethan Page over the ROH World TV title. It’s unclear if Ring of Honor will continue with this plan when Fletcher can compete again. 

Backstage Perception

AEW management has been very happy with Fletcher’s performance since he began competing for the company. As part of Aussie Open, Fletcher has been thrust into several high-profile spots, including matches with ally Will Ospreay. More recently though, Fletcher has been embarking on a singles run as his longtime partner Mark Davis has been sidelined with an injury. 

Kyle Fletcher in Ring of Honor

In addition to his current TV title reign, Fletcher is a former Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champion. In 2023, he won ROH’s Survival of the Fittest tournament to win the vacant ROH World Television Champion. Previous Survival of the Fittest winners include Bryan Danielson, Seth Rollins, Adam Cole, and Roderick Strong. 

Bronson Reed On Missing WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth: “Sometimes The Stars Don’t Align”

Thomas Lowson
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0

WWE Raw Superstar Bronson Reed is disappointed that he will not be competing at WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth, but this is not due to his wife. 

The February 24, Premium Live Event will be WWE’s first PLE in Australia since 2018. While WWE has several Australian Superstars on its roster, only a couple will be featured on the show. WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley will defend her title against Nia Jax while Grayson Waller will host his talk show with Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins as guests. 

Bronson Reed on WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

Bronson Reed, a native of Adelaide who is billed from the Black Forest, is among those Aussie Superstars who won’t be competing at WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth. Online, there has been speculation that this could be because Reed’s wife is currently pregnant. 

In a tweet, the former WWE NXT North American Champion made clear that his wife’s pregnancy did not play a role, simply stating that sometimes the stars do not align. Reed also used a gif of Will Smith, encouraging fans to keep his wife’s name out of their mouths. 

WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

Here is the card for WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth as it currently stands:

  • The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate) (Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships)
  • Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. Raquel Rodriguez (Elimination Chamber Match for a WWE Women’s World Championship match at WWE WrestleMania 40)
  • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax (WWE Women’s World Championship)
  • Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. Bobby Lashley vs. LA Knight vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul (Elimination Chamber Match for a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WWE WrestleMania 40)

WWE Superstars Hang Out With A Koala Ahead Of Elimination Chamber

Dominic DeAngelo
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Several WWE Superstars are applying the term “when in Rome” to their stay in Perth, Australia ahead of WWE Elimination Chamber.

Footage has surfaced of an array of names holding a koala before they have to step in between the ring ropes this weekend and it’s pretty heartwarming for animal lovers.

LA Knight, Bianca Belair, Pete Dunne, Montez Ford, Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae all got to hold one of Australia’s most notable mammals. Hartwell was the only one coming back home, but the rest of the gang may have experienced something new holding a marsupial.

What’s On Tap For WWE Elimination Chamber

Holding a koala may tug at the heart-strings, but WWE will get down to business for Elimination Chamber. The men’s match will feature Drew McIntyre vs. LA Knight vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Randy Orton while the women’s match will have Becky Lynch vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Bianca Belair vs. Naomi vs. Liv Morgan vs. Raquel Rodriguez.

Also on tap for the PLE is the hometown heroine Rhea Ripley defending her WWE World Women’s Championship against Nia Jax. The WWE Tag Team Championships will also be on the line as Damian Priest and Finn Balor defend the titles against Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne.

Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins will also have a featured segment together on the “Grayson Waller Effect.” Not only that, but The Undertaker was seen arriving in Perth for the show as well. For the American viewers on the east coast, Elimination Chamber starts at 5 AM ET.

Val Venis Lashes Out: Alleges The Rock and John Cena Sold Their Souls

Aaron Varble
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There are many controversial figures in pro wrestling, but few utilize their social media platform like Val Venis to spread his own message, albeit a very radical one. He is far from finished spouting his own version of the truth on Twitter/X, even though his account is certainly shadow-banned at this point. 

Val Venis’ Social Media History

Val Venis has not been quiet on his Twitter/X account when it comes to his beliefs. He made a bold statement that he isn’t returning to pro wrestling because of the “LGBTQ+++XYZ Nutjobs.” That is just scratching the surface, as his account is constantly pouring out political posts.

In the past, Venis has called out The Rock for selling his soul. Now, he’s adding John Cena and Cody Rhodes as his target.

Venis Takes Aim At Cody Rhodes, John Cena and The Rock

In recent memory, he has taken some serious shots at Cody Rhodes and his alliance with the LGBTQ+ community. The Big Valbowski previously said that, “HEY @CodyRhodes! Maybe think before you “affirm” would be a better idea. Promote Jesus. Not mental disorders.”

There were many posts directed at Cody Rhodes from Val Venis. One even lumped John Cena and The Rock with him, as the former IC Champion claimed that they sold their souls to the devil.

FACT: Both @JohnCena and @TheRock sold their souls to the same cartel of communist comrades that stole the brains out of the heads of @CodyRhodes fans.

For the record, Val also posted, “Ha! I am a retired free agent. I can say what I want, when I want and how I want. It would be prudent for leftist mental midgets to hit the unfollow button if they wish not to be triggered by truth.” So, it seems that he’s not going to sweat any negative backlash he receives.

Val Venis Claims He’s Being Erased

Val Venis recently made headlines when he called out WWE 2k24 for erasing him from history. He’s not the only one who got the axe, because Brock Lesnar and Vince McMahon were also taken out of the game.

We will have to see if Venis re-appears in WWE any time soon, but it’s not likely at this point. He also doesn’t need pro wrestling to pay the bills. He made it very clear that he has a stable living in the cannabis industry. 

AEW Hires Recently Departed WWE Senior Writer Jennifer Pepperman

Dominic DeAngelo
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Jennifer Pepperman was not out of the pro wrestling realm for long.

Pepperman just made her exit from WWE not even a week ago and now Soap Opera Network has discovered that Tony Khan has signed her to a new deal with AEW.

Pepperman was the longest-tenured female member of the creative team with WWE, being with the company since 2017 as she earned the role of Senior Writer. However, Pepperman’s recent exit was voluntary and not an internal choice. Now she will be announced as AEW’s new Vice President of Content Development.

The latest AEW hire also has “outside wrestling” creative cred, as she’s a three-time Emmy winner.

Tony Khan issued a statement, expressing his excitement for adding Pepperman into the mix.

“Adding Jennifer Pepperman’s brilliant mind to the AEW team opens the door for exciting new ideas and will help us build upon the incredible stories currently developing on the road to AEW Revolution across our three weekly shows on TBS and TNT, and the effects of Jennifer’s arrival in AEW will be felt for many years in the future. We’re thrilled to welcome her today, and I look forward to her creativity and collaboration with our team across the board in what will be AEW’s biggest year yet, and beyond.”

In the past, Khan has mentioned that he’s had a lot of talents involved in the creative process of developing the shows, but the addition of Pepperman marks the first official hire for a creative role with AEW.

SEScoops‘ own Aaron Varble reported on Feb 15th that the general belief within WWE was that Jennifer Pepperman already had a job lined up for her. We will have more updates as they are made available. 

Tony Khan Calls This One Of The “Most Hectic” Weeks In AEW History

Dominic DeAngelo
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Tony Khan says AEW has weathered several storms this week and claims it hasn’t been this wild since the pandemic era.

Khan had some thoughts before Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite took place and only had two primary matches listed ahead of of the show with two other matches featuring Toni Storm and Deonna Purrazzo not having respective opponents. 

That may have been an early indicator of Khan’s laments about the week who posted the following on X before Dynamite blew up on Wednesday.

“Tonight’s #AEWDynamite, NEXT on TBS, will be presented with up to 5 minutes overrun! This has been one of the most hectic weeks for injuries + unexpected unavailability that I can recall in AEW, especially since the pandemic era. Tonight will be a wild night on TBS Network!”

Dynamite this week takes place in Tulsa, OK, but there is no word as to who Khan is referring to regarding injuries and unavailability. 

The two main matches listed for the program ahead of time was the headline trios match between Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland and Brian Cage going against Hangman Page, HOOK and Rob Van Dam. The other match listed was Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli going up against FTR which opened up the show.

Toni Khan and Deonna Purrazzo were listed on the Dynamite graphic for singles matches, but were both listed as “in action” rather than an actual opponent.

Khan and AEW are no strangers to injuries affecting their match cards. Names like Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole and CM Punk getting hurt have drastically changed major matches in the past.

Michael Chandler’s Mic Drop Moment: UFC Fighter Unveils How WWE RAW Appearance Happened

Aaron Varble
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Michael Chandler stepped out of the UFC world to take part in WWE RAW this week. He was in the crowd, and he had a lot to say. Luckily for the UFC fighter, he was also handed a live microphone without a script.

Chandler Speaks On WWE RAW Appearance

Michael Chandler, who is usually recognized for his prowess on the microphone in the MMA realm, left a significant mark on RAW this week. Chandler delivered a speech on the show, shedding light on whether it was scripted.

In this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW, UFC Lightweight contender Michael Chandler issued a challenge to Conor McGregor for a fight inside the Octagon. Concluding his impassioned appeal with the phrase, “See you at the top!”

In an interview on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Michael Chandler dove deeper into his time on the mic during WWE RAW, revealing that he strained his voice during the promo.

“I actually strained my voice during Monday Night Raw,” he explained. “Before going on, a producer mentioned, ‘Hey, this microphone has a gate.’ I asked, ‘What does that mean?’ They replied, ‘It means you need to speak up.’ I didn’t think it would be an issue. The moment seized me, and a star was born. While it was planned for me to be at Raw, it was the first time UFC and WWE were blending crowds, bringing in fighters. Placed in the front row, I took initiative.”

When questioned if he deviated from the script during the promo, Chandler disclosed that he improvised the entire speech without any scripted guidance.

“Two minutes before, they said they were going to put the camera on me. I said, ‘Why don’t you give me the microphone?’ ‘Hold on, let me run it up the flag pole.’ About a minute later, ‘You’re going on and you’ll get the microphone if you want it.’ Magic happened. There was nothing prepared. I was thrown into the fire. Smacked myself a couple of times, and we went.”

Who Was Behind Michael Chandler’s WWE RAW Appearance? (Exclusive)

After Michael Chandler appeared on RAW for his call-out of Conor McGregor, I asked around about who made these plans. I was told that he did not have any type of script, and the booking was done through TKO.

Since WWE and AEW have the same parent company, there is a very good chance that fans will see more crossover segments like this. Chandler certainly made the most of his time with a microphone on live television. 

Josh Alexander Reportedly Asked TNA Not to extend His Contract

Tyriece Simon
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Josh Alexander had fans curious on February 19 when he teased an announcement on Twitter. He posted an emoji of an hourglass as fans speculated if he would be leaving TNA. However, TNA revealed on February 20 that the company decided to extend his contract for another year.

TNA initially announced that Alexander had re-signed. However, they posted an updated graphic of the former TNA World Champion on Twitter, stating that his contract got extended.  

Fightful Select reported that Alexander’s contract actually expired on February 14. He wanted to explore free agency, but TNA picked up a company option to extend his deal another year. The report also shares that Alexander’s contract expires on February 15, 2025. 

 It was also noted that despite rumors, Alexander didn’t request to be let go by the company. 

SEScoops’ Anutosh Bajpai transcribed the following quotes.

“…Alexander had requested that TNA not pick up his option. He was open to negotiating a new deal, but he wanted to survey the landscape if possible,” said the report. It added,  “However, TNA did exercise the option, and there are no concerns from the company about Alexander meeting his contractual obligations and working hard while he’s there.”

The decision to extend Alexander’s contract is controversial, as he disapproved of it. While other companies have extended talent deals because of injury, it wasn’t the case with Alexander. Although he was inactive for a few months in 2023, the report shared he was still working as a TNA Backstage Producer. 

Growing Frustration In TNA?

TNA is off to a rocky start to the year after Anthem Sports & Entertainment decided to fire former TNA President Scott D’Amore on February 7. The move was surprising after the company had a successful pay-per-view event the previous month and was in the middle of rebranding the company. 

Fightful Select reported that several members of the TNA roster were upset with the decision and had also written a protest letter to Anthem. However, it doesn’t seem like D’Amore will be returned to the company soon. 

The news of Alexander’s contract getting extended and D’Amore’s exit could lead to more internal frustration within the company. Although talent hasn’t been open about their concerns, the hourglass post from several of TNA’s top stars is not a great sign. 

Liv Morgan Responds After WWE 2K24 Is Threatened With Lawsuit By ECW Legend Francine

Aaron Varble
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WWE 2K24 is on the way, and we just got the full roster reveal today. That being said, not everyone is happy about the upcoming game. Now, ECW legend Francine is threatening to take things to court.

Francine is Not Happy

A recent tweet has garnered the interest of a former WWE/ECW star. This all started when 2K dropped a sneak peek of Liv Morgan’s entrance on Twitter/X.

On Wednesday, 2K Games shared a tweet featuring a clip of Liv Morgan’s entrance in the WWE 2K24 video game, accompanied by the caption: “Queen of Extreme @YaOnlyLivvOnce #FirstLook #WWE2K24.”

This tweet caught the attention of Francine, renowned for her work as a valet, who holds the trademark rights to “Queen of Extreme.” Francine, who was associated with ECW from 1995 to 2001 and WWE from 2005 to 2006, issued a legal warning to 2K Games. She apparently didn’t appreciate the gimmick infringement on her intellectual property. 

“I have The Queen of Extreme trademarked. Do you need something sent to you guys again from my lawyer?”

As of this writing, 2K has taken down the tweet and replaced it. Liv Morgan has also refrained from speaking on the matter. Francine could be serious, but odds are she was just making it clear that there is only one true Queen of Extreme.

WWE 2K24 deleted tweet after Francine spoke up

WWE 2K24 Release Date

The upcoming WWE 2K24 game is now available for pre-order on various platforms, including Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X on March 8th. It offers standard, deluxe, and cross-gen digital editions, along with a special WWE 2K24 Forty Years of WrestleMania edition.

Update: Liv Morgan Responds

Liv Morgan saw this situation, and how 2K had to delete that original tweet. Then she responded by mentioning her new self-appointed nickname that would not infringe on any trademark.

Drew McIntyre Defends Getting Help From The Bloodline Ahead Of Elimination Chamber

Tyriece Simon
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‘The Scottish Warrior’ faces backlash ahead of his important match at WWE Elimination Chamber on February 24. For months, Drew McIntyre has taken the standpoint that he hates the Bloodline(Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa) in his storyline. 

He has spoken openly about how they have cost him opportunities and will never forgive them. However, on the February 19 episode of Monday Night Raw, fans pointed out that McIntyre seemed fine when Uso and Sikoa helped him defeat Cody Rhodes. ‘The American Nightmare’ was on the verge of landing the Cross Rhodes on McIntyre until Sikoa hit Rhodes with the Samoan Spike. Uso also made sure to distract the referee so that the official wouldn’t notice 

The illegal assault allowed ‘The Scottish Warrior’ to get the win over Rhodes and build momentum towards the WWE Elimination Chamber this weekend. McIntyre will enter the Men’s Elimination Chamber match, with a win earning him a title match against Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WWE WrestleMania 40 in April. 

WWE Commentator Michael Cole and fans have called out McIntyre for taking the Bloodline’s help and called him a hypocrite. Ahead of the upcoming premium live event, the former WWE Champion has decided on TikTok to give his response to the criticism. 

WWE shared McIntyre’s response on Twitter. In the video, the WWE superstar shared that he arrived in Perth, Australia, for WWE Elimination Chamber quickly after the February 19 episode. He also called out Cole and Pat McAfee in character for their comments on the show. 

“…I’m not a hypocrite. Don’t be pushing a false narrative to the masses when you have such power to influence. Come to the source and understand the big picture,” said McIntyre. 

Drew McIntyre Explains His Thoughts On Bloodline Helping Him

Although it seems clear that McIntyre was fine accepting Uso and Sikoa’s interference in his match, he decided to give his perspective. The former WWE Champion also sent a warning to Sikoa that he would attack him when the time was right. 

“…Watch Monday back. Look in my eyes. What do you see? You clearly see I wanted to attack Solo, and when the time is right, I will, but I’ve grown as a person, a competitor, a leader. I can’t be selfish. I have to do what is right for the fans and the future of the world title,” said McIntyre. 

He explained that defeating Rhodes on the February 19 episode was important and a confidence boost heading into WWE Elimination Chamber. It was ‘The American Nightmares’ second loss since his return to WWE in 2022.

The February 19 episode of Monday Night Raw gave McIntyre a small character change, showing that he will do what is necessary to become a champion, including working with the Bloodline. 

John Cena Gives Howard Stern Unfiltered Answer About Steroid Use

Aaron Varble
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0

John Cena is a 16x World Champion, and he is known for his impressive physique as well. That has brought the question of whether Cena ever used steroids or other performance enhancing drugs, and this is an issue that still remains. Cena had the opportunity to address this subject today, and he didn’t waste that chance as he spoke to The King of All Media.

John Cena Addresses Steroids

John Cena, who is known for his ripped abs and chiseled muscles throughout his pro wrestling journey from OVW to WWE’s main roster, addressed inquiries about steroid use during an interview on the Howard Stern Show.

In response to questions about his drug regimen, Cena firmly stated, “The profession calls for it. Yeah, you gotta lift folks and throw them.” When pressed further by Stern about his natural status, Cena reiterated, “Still. Yeah, still.”

Regarding the potential benefits of performance-enhancing drugs, Stern speculated on the impact they might have had on Cena’s physique, prompting Cena to weigh in on the matter. He cautioned about the risks associated with such substances, stating, “There’s risk-reward there. You know, if you hit the gas pedal too early, you can get a lot of bad stuff happen long-term.” He went on to expand on his point, as he maintained the stance that he is 100% clean.

“Like you said, I know it’s important. I love it. It’s kind of like my meditation. It’s a place that I have to be present. Or else you’re gonna get hurt. So, in being present and exerting yourself physically, I just feel less stressed when I leave. Like, I don’t worry about anything while I’m in there except what I’m doing. And then I ended up leaving calmer and in a better place. And when I walked in.”

John Cena’s Workout Regiment 

While reflecting on his fitness routine, Cena likened working out to meditation, noting, “It’s a place that I have to be present. Or else you’re gonna get hurt.” He emphasized the mental benefits of exercise, saying, “I just feel less stressed when I leave. Like, I don’t worry about anything while I’m in there except what I’m doing.”

When asked about advice he received early in his career regarding steroid use, Cena revealed, “Not really. I’ve been 225 pounds since I was 17 years old.” He attributed his physique to years of dedicated weightlifting, stating, “I started lifting at 13. And I guess that’s why I never needed it.”

The shoo-in WWE Hall of Famer also stressed the importance of monitoring his health, Cena discussed his regular bloodwork and its significance in assessing his fitness. He elaborated on the role of testosterone levels, saying, “It’s an indicator of, like, how much my body can repair itself, how much I can build.”

Cena reaffirmed his commitment to natural fitness, stating, “I’ve gotten 46-47 years without it, and I have it in the bank like a fire escape thing to break open and hopefully give me another 20 years of fitness.”

The subject of performance enhancing drugs in sports will never go away. Perhaps, John Cena was able to silence some of his skeptics with his frank responses to Howard Stern’s questions.

WWE 2K24 Roster: Complete List Of 200+ Characters, Plus 25 More Coming Via DLC Packs

Aaron Varble
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Pre-Order WWE 2K24 Now (Amazon)

WWE 2K24 will release in just a matter of weeks. On Wednesday, 2K revealed the complete WWE 2K24 roster, which includes over 200 playable characters.

2K has unveiled the highly anticipated playable roster for WWE 2K24, spanning a wide array of wrestling legends, current stars, and promising newcomers. The roster features an extensive lineup categorized into Legends/Alumni, Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Valhalla, and Managers.

With a diverse and expansive roster, WWE 2K24 promises to deliver an immersive and thrilling gaming experience for wrestling fans worldwide.

RAW & SmackDown

RAW’s roster showcases current stars like Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, and John Cena, alongside rising talents like Dexter Lumis and Damian Priest. 

SmackDown features familiar faces such as Roman Reigns, Charlotte Flair, and AJ Styles, along with promising newcomers like Ridge Holland and LA Knight.

  • AJ Styles
  • Akira Tozawa
  • Alba Fyre
  • Alexa Bliss
  • Angelo Dawkins
  • Ashante “Thee” Adonis
  • Asuka
  • Austin Theory
  • Bayley
  • Becky Lynch
  • Bianca Belair
  • Big E
  • Bobby Lashley
  • Braun Strowman
  • Bronson Reed
  • Butch
  • Cameron Grimes
  • Candice LeRae
  • Carmella
  • Cedric Alexander
  • Chad Gable
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Chelsea Green
  • Cody Rhodes
  • Cruz Del Toro
  • Dakota Kai
  • Damian Priest
  • Dexter Lumis
  • Dominik Mysterio
  • Elton Prince
  • Erik
  • Finn Balor
  • Giovanni Vinci
  • Grayson Waller
  • Gunther
  • Indi Hartwell
  • Isla Dawn
  • Ivar
  • IYO SKY
  • JD McDonagh
  • Jey Uso
  • Jimmy Uso
  • Joaquin Wilde
  • Johnny Gargano
  • Karrion Kross
  • Katana Chance
  • Kayden Carter
  • Kevin Owens
  • Kit Wilson
  • Kofi Kingston
  • LA Knight
  • Liv Morgan
  • Logan Paul
  • Ludwig Kaiser
  • Luke Gallows
  • Maxxine Dupri
  • Michin Mia Yim
  • Montez Ford
  • MVP
  • Natalya
  • Nikki Cross
  • Omos
  • Otis
  • Piper Niven
  • R-Truth
  • Randy Orton
  • Raquel Rodriguez
  • Rey Mysterio
  • Rhea Ripley
  • Ricochet
  • Ridge Holland
  • Robert Roode
  • Roman Reigns
  • Sami Zayn
  • Santos Escobar
  • Scarlett
  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins
  • Shayna Baszler
  • Sheamus
  • Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Shotzi
  • Solo Sikoa
  • Sonya Deville
  • Tamina
  • Tegan Nox
  • The Miz
  • Tommaso Ciampa
  • Valhalla
  • Xavier Woods
  • Xia Li
  • Zelina Vega
  • Zoey Stark

NXT

NXT’s roster boasts a mix of established names like Apollo Crews and Angel Garza, alongside rising stars like Bron Breakker and Blair Davenport. Valhalla introduces a fresh lineup of characters, including Valhalla and Xavier Woods.

  • Andre Chase
  • Angel Garza
  • Apollo Crews
  • Axiom
  • Baron Corbin
  • Blair Davenport
  • Bron Breakker
  • Brooks Jensen
  • Brutus Creed
  • Carmelo Hayes
  • Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo
  • Cora Jade
  • Damon Kemp
  • Dijak
  • Drew Gulak
  • Duke Hudson
  • Fallon Henley
  • Gigi Dolin
  • Humberto
  • Ilja Dragunov
  • Ivy Nile
  • Jacy Jayne
  • Jinder Mahal
  • Joe Coffey
  • Joe Gacy
  • Josh Briggs
  • Julius Creed
  • Nathan Frazer
  • Nikkita Lyons
  • Noam Dar
  • Roxanne Perez
  • Sanga
  • SCRYPTS
  • Thea Hail
  • Tiffany Stratton
  • Tony D’Angelo
  • Trick Williams
  • Tyler Bate
  • Veer Mahaan
  • Wendy Choo
  • Wes Lee
  • Wolfgang

Legends & Alumni

In the Legends/Alumni category, iconic figures such as “Macho Man” Randy Savage, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Andre The Giant, and Hollywood Hogan make their return. Notable additions include modern legends like Bray Wyatt, The Fiend, and Ronda Rousey, alongside fan favorites such as The Rock, Triple H, and The Undertaker.

  • “Macho Man” Randy Savage
  • “Ravishing” Rick Rude
  • “Rowdy” Roddy Piper
  • “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
  • “Superstar” Billy Graham*
  • Andre The Giant
  • Bad Bunny
  • Batista
  • Beth Phoenix
  • Big Boss Man
  • Boogeyman
  • Booker T
  • Bray Wyatt
  • Bret “Hitman” Hart
  • British Bulldog
  • Bruno Sammartino
  • Cactus Jack
  • Chyna
  • Diesel
  • Doink The Clown
  • Dude Love
  • Dusty Rhodes*
  • Eddie Guerrero
  • Eric Bischoff
  • Eve Torres
  • Faarooq
  • Harley Race
  • Hollywood Hogan
  • Hulk Hogan
  • Jake “The Snake” Roberts
  • JBL
  • Jerry “The King” Lawler
  • Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart
  • John Cena
  • Kane
  • Kevin Nash
  • Lita
  • Mankind
  • Maryse
  • Mighty Molly
  • Molly Holly
  • Muhammad Ali
  • Rick Steiner
  • Rikishi
  • Rob Van Dam
  • Ronda Rousey
  • Scott Hall
  • Scott Steiner
  • Shane McMahon
  • Shawn Michaels
  • Stacy Keibler
  • Stephanie McMahon
  • Stardust*
  • Syxx
  • Ted DiBiase
  • The Fiend
  • The Hurricane
  • The Rock
  • The Undertaker
  • Triple H
  • Trish Stratus
  • Tyler Breeze
  • Ultimate Warrior
  • Umaga
  • Uncle Howdy
  • Vader
  • Wade Barrett
  • William Regal
  • X-Pac
  • Yokozuna

Managers

The Managers category includes legendary figures like Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Paul Heyman, providing additional depth to the game’s experience.

  • B-Fab
  • Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
  • Cathy Kelley
  • Mick Foley
  • Miss Elizabeth
  • Paul Bearer
  • Paul Heyman
  • Theodore Long

DLC Packs & Season Pass

As if the WWE 2K24 Roster wasn’t big enough, 2K has confirmed 25 additional characters will be available across 5 separate DLC packs, or together as part of a Season Pass offering.

CM Punk’s WWE Return Made Randy Orton Proud (Of Himself)

Rayan Saayed
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Randy Orton expressed pride in the way he handled receiving the news of CM Punk’s return, mentioning that the old Orton would have been upset.

When Punk made his return at WWE Survivor Series last year, Orton had just made his comeback himself for his first match following an 18-month recovery from a serious back injury. He participated in the event as part of the WarGames match, teaming up with Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Seth Rollins, and Sami Zayn to defeat The Judgement Day and Drew McIntyre’s team.

So when Punk made his return the very same night, it created a clash between two comebacks and overshadowed Orton’s return. Speaking to Justin Barrasso for Sports Illustrated, Orton revealed he was told about Punk’s Survivor Series return the day of the event.

“The day of Survivor Series, I’m about to get my boots on. I’m feeling the nerves, it had been a year-and-a-half. Triple H is like, ‘Hey Randy, I’ve got to talk to you for a second.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, what’s up, man?’ So he told me a couple things. And then he went, ‘One more thing–Punk’s returning tonight.’ I thought he was f—— with me. I said, ‘You’re joking,’ and he was like, ‘No, I’m not. This is something that just happened in the last few days, yada yada yada.’”

Orton admitted that if this were the older, hotheaded version of him, he would have lost his cool upon hearing the news. However, the mature and calmer incarnation of The Viper handled it well and didn’t let it become a problem, even though he was excited about returning to the ring.

“I was so excited for this surprise return. That’s never really been the case. They’ve always kind of stooged off the fact I was returning; they wanted those views. So I’d never had that surprise return.

I could have been really pissed, and old Randy would have been pissed. It was a defining moment for me. I went out there, we had a great WarGames match, everybody was excited that I returned, everybody was excited that Punk returned, and neither return stepped on each other. It was a testament to how much I’d grown. It would have been an issue only if I made it one, so I was proud of the way I handled it.”

While Punk is currently sidelined with an injury, you can catch Orton this Saturday at the men’s Elimination Chamber, set to be held in Perth, Australia.

The full interview with Randy Orton is at SI.com

Ric Flair Biopic Coming From The Rock’s Seven Bucks Productions

Aaron Varble
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0

Ric Flair has two WWE Hall of Fame rings for a reason. His landmark career broke boundaries and records for years. Now, fans should prepare themselves for a cinematic retelling of his life story. 

Upcoming Ric Flair Movie

The Wrap reports that the project will be produced by The Rock, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia, partnering with Misher Films’ Kevin Misher. Misher and Seven Bucks Productions had previously worked together on “Fighting With My Family,” a movie based on the life of Saraya, also known as WWE’s Paige.

The yet-to-be-named Ric Flair biopic will see The Nature Boy’s story told in a new way on the silver screen. While hyping this upcoming project, Dwayne Johnson said, “As a kid who grew up in professional wrestling, I idolized, ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair. He was a hero to me.” He went on to really expand on The Nature Boy’s career

“He was a hero to me. And once I broke into the wrestling business and began to spill my own sweat and blood – my reverence for Ric turned to respect. Because I realized just how rare and impossible it is to disrupt the wrestling business, culture and truly change the game – and that’s exactly what Ric Flair did. This project is personal, and we can’t wait to tell his unbelievable story. As always, thank you for the house, Ric.”

What’s Next For Ric Flair

Ric Flair is known for his decades-long career, as he holds the record for being a 16-time World Champion. Now that he’s with AEW, Flair remains a captivating figure, no matter what he is doing on Tony Khan’s show.

Flair’s autobiography “To Be The Man…” is still a great read. He also co-wrote “Second Nature,” a second autobiography with his daughter, Charlotte Flair. Only time will tell what stories this new film picks to focus on, because Flair’s career could fill a docuseries by itself. 

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