This year’s edition of the WWE Hall of Fame is a special year. Triple H will pick his first class of inductees, and now we know the second name on his list.
Paul Heyman was announced this week as the first entrant in the 2024 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame. This was a huge addition to the Philly festivities. Now, Bull Nakano’s name is joining this year’s list of inductees.
An unbelievable talent with an unforgettable look, and a mean streak a mile long.
Bull Nakano isn’t just one of the best Women’s wrestlers of all time – she’s one of the best of all time, period. #WWEHOFpic.twitter.com/ft8JmnUfIw
The 56-year-old Japanese pro wrestling legend spoke about this big honor. She has raked up a lot of championships throughout her career, but she was always missing a Hall of Fame induction.
“During my active years, I was able to get championship belts in Japan, America and Mexico. But just one thing was missing — I didn’t get inducted into the Hall of Fame. I wanted this. Finally, in 2024 in WrestleMania week, I am able to get this.”
Who is Bull Nakano
Nakano entered Japan’s women’s wrestling circuit, known as “joshi,” in the early 1980s. At that time, women’s wrestling experienced significant popularity in Japan, often attracting larger crowds and higher TV ratings than men’s wrestling.
As a formidable heel with face paint, Nakano emerged as a prominent figure in All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, becoming one of its top attractions. She claimed victories in the AJW championship and WWWA title matches, engaging in historic encounters alongside and against renowned names like Dump Matsumoto, Kyoko Inoue, Akira Hokuto, and Aja Kong.
In the 1990s, Nakano ventured beyond Japan, taking her talents to Mexico where she secured the CMLL World women’s championship in 1992. Among U.S. audiences, Nakano gained recognition for her feud with Alundra Blayze in WWE. She also beat Blayze for the WWF women’s title at the Tokyo Dome in 1994, an event that was seen by over 42,000 fans in attendance. While it was uncommon for a WWE title to be defended in Japan, Nakano won it there, and she defended it once before relinquishing it back to Blayze in 1995.
WWE Hall of Fame Date
The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame is an upcoming professional wrestling event created by WWE, marking the induction of the 25th class into the WWE Hall of Fame. The ceremony is scheduled for April 5, 2024, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, occurring the evening prior to WrestleMania 40.
With WWE 2K24 recognizing the promotion’s past, there have been questions as to how WWE would handle McMahon’s presence in important moments. After all, some of WWE’s biggest feuds that led to matches at the Showcase of the Immortals have included the 78-year-old billionaire.
With the game’s Deluxe Edition already out, gamers have been able to get their hands on WWE 2K24. One match in the WrestleMania Showcase mode is the Women’s triple threat that headlined WrestleMania 35 in 2019.
Fans who have played the WrestleMania Showcase mode will have noticed that in archive footage for the WrestleMania 39 match, McMahon appears alongside Charlotte Flair. In the footage of the segment which saw Flair added to the match, McMahon’s face is blurred out. The narration also states WWE replaced Becky Lynch with Flair without mentioning McMahon by name.
Vince McMahon in WWE 2K24’s Showcase mode.
What’s Next?
The regular edition of WWE 2K24 will be released later this week. As for McMahon, the lawsuit against him will continue forward despite his resignation from the promotion. against the former WWE Chairman.
AEW has a packed roster full of talent, but Tony Khan has never announced a hiring freeze. It’s anyone’s guess who TK may bring back next to insert some extra energy into the situation. Lio Rush seems open to the idea of having another run in the Land of All Elite.
Lio Rush, although his AEW exit was sudden and a bit controversial, will not say “no” to the idea of returning to Tony Khan’s company. Things just didn’t pan out the last time around.
Lio Rush in AEW
Lio Rush’s time with the promotion was brief, as he became a free agent following the expiration of his contract with AEW in February 2022. This took place shortly after he voiced his opposition to Tony Khan’s controversial tweet regarding Big Swole.
Rush garnered attention amid AEW’s controversy involving Big Swole. The latter criticized the company’s treatment of Black talent at the forefront and expressed disappointment in the lack of representation of individuals who resemble her among top executives behind the scenes.
He later made it very clear on Twitter/X that his contract was up on February 14, 2022, and he was off to his next venture.
Lio Rush Speaks On Possible AEW Return
While speaking to WrestlingNews.co, Lio Rush clarified that his tenure in AEW ended prematurely because it simply didn’t pan out. Regardless of the specific reasons, he acknowledged that sometimes in life, circumstances don’t align for various individuals and situations.
“It was cut short because it was cut short. I mean, it just didn’t work out. I say this quite often every time that it is brought up. Yeah, it just didn’t work out and it, but regardless of what those reasons are, things just don’t work out. You know, it’s like that in life for many things and for many people. If it was a different time period, if it was a different situation, if it was, yeah, all of these what ifs, but they weren’t what ifs. It was what was going on in the present time and in that time, things just didn’t work out.”
Lio Rush went on to say, “So you know, not to say that you’ll never see me there again or not to say that the relationship is bad or anything like that. I think it was just a period in time that it just didn’t work out for both parties, and we had to split ways.”
What’s Next For Lio Rush
Lio is still working on music, and he’s not retired from the ring either. He continues to impress whenever he’s booked. Hopefully, he can get back on a major television company again someday, because at 29-years-old, he still has plenty of time.
We will have to see if AEW brings Lio Rush back to the company. Tony Khan has a loaded locker room already at this point, but you never know what can happen in pro wrestling.
SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more, as additional updates are available. We also invite you to check out our Daily Drop for all the biggest headlines, tidbits, and other exclusive notes throughout the pro wrestling world!
Vince McMahon’s aggressive control of WWE programming was infamous during his time as Chairman of the Board. Now that he’s gone, things are very different.
Triple H is now in control of WWE’s programming. As Chief Content Officer, he has also decided not to berate his announcers with constant directions. Corey Graves can attest to this fact, because he lived through the transition and is very much enjoying The Game’s time in charge.
Corey Graves Speaks On Triple H
Corey Graves is a prominent figure in WWE, particularly as part of Friday Night SmackDown’s commentary team. He remembers the days when Vince McMahon was in his ear all night, commanding him to hit certain lines on commentary. That is not the case anymore.
With experience both as a wrestler and announcer in NXT, WWE’s developmental brand overseen by Triple H, Graves expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided by Paul “Triple H” Levesque. He sees the King of Kings are one of the primary reasons he was so successful in the company.
While speaking to Short and to the Point podcast, Graves highlighted Triple H’s supportive approach and acknowledged the creative freedom afforded to announcers under his leadership.
“Triple H is another guy I owe a great deal, if not everything in my career, to. He was the one that took a chance on me as a wrestler in NXT. If I need something, I’ve never hesitated to go to him and ask. He’s cool and refreshing in the sense that he gives us [announcers] space.”
Differences Between Triple H & Vince McMahon
Graves continued to explained that Triple H recognizes the importance of allowing announcers to express themselves authentically as fans.
“Instead of being directed to adhere to specific instructions or language, Triple H understands that we’re all fans. As the industry progresses, you have to loosen the reins a bit. I still have boundaries, but they feel more flexible now.”
In contrast to Vince McMahon’s notorious habit of shouting at announcers through their headsets, Triple H doesn’t take that tactic at all. Instead, The Game has a much more cerebral approach to things.
“I’ve been on TV for seven years between RAW and SmackDown. In the last few months, communication through my headset has been exceptionally quiet and clear. I only receive feedback if I’m making a significant mistake or if a joke lands. If I say something that resonates, he’ll build on it or enhance the joke in my headset.”
Vince McMahon’s WWE Exit
Vince McMahon initially retired from WWE in 2022, amid allegations of sexual misconduct. At the time, WWE announced a special committee would investigate McMahon. However, his retirement didn’t last long, and he returned to the company to help usher in a sale/merger era for the company.
McMahon made creative adjustments remotely for a long time during that period. The whole time Triple H was still acting COO of the company.
That misconduct for Mr. McMahon was later detailed in gruesome ways with Janel Grant’s earth-shattering lawsuit. After Slim Jim pulled their sponsorship right before the Royal Rumble, Vince had no choice but to totally resign from the company.
In more recent memory, Vince announced his intention to sell over $400 million in TKO stock, leaving him with around 8% of the company in his control, which is not enough to secure his place back in the company once again if he ever tried another return.
WWE Superstars have lives outside the ring, and sadly, one member of the NXT family is dealing with a big personal loss. Andre Chase, who has been around the NXT brand consistently since the 2.0 days, revealed he lost his father.
Andre Chase shared that his father recently passed away over the weekend. He saved this announcement until after his big NXT Tag Team Title match at Roadblock.
Chase’s Sad Announcement
At NXT Roadblock, Chase and Duke Hudson teamed up to challenge Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin for the NXT Tag Team Championship. Despite their efforts, they were unable to secure the title, marking their second unsuccessful attempt. The whole time, the NXT Arena was very much behind Chase U.
After the event, Chase took to social media to announce the passing of his father over the weekend. In a heartfelt message, he reflected on his father’s strength and expressed how he honored his memory by standing up for himself, even in defeat.
As some of you may know, my father unexpectedly passed away over the weekend.My dad had the heart of a lion and never backed down from a fight. Tonight, even in defeat, I hope I honored him by pulling myself up off of the mat even when I thought I had nothing left. #WWENXT
Our thoughts are with Andre Chase as he deals with this great loss in his personal life. He has a ton of fans who are very much behind him, along with everyone at the Performance Center. So, we’re hoping that he has plenty of support during this time.
SEScoops will have more updates on the pro wrestling world, so please keep checking back for additional headlines.
AEW hasn’t seen Jack Perry compete since All In London, where he battled Hook in a controversial Zero Hour match. He may have been suspended due to the fight that broke out with CM Punk after that match, but Perry is now back in the ring.
Jack Perry has finally returned to the wrestling ring after a prolonged absence. This did not happen in an AEW ring, as the former Jungle Boy wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Jack Perry has showed up in mainland NJPW making his debut in the New Japan Cup… as literally a SCAPEGOAT.
Perry’s disappearance from the spotlight followed a highly publicized altercation with CM Punk during the AEW All In event last August. The fallout from the incident led to Perry’s suspension, while Punk was released from the company.
On a somewhat related note, CM Punk has since made a triumphant return to WWE, capturing the entire pro wrestling world’s attention with his historic comeback at Survivor Series. However, Punk’s comeback has been short-lived, as he is currently sidelined due to injury.
Jack Perry’s NJPW Match
Perry’s return to the wrestling scene went down during the NJPW Battle in the Valley event, where he made a dramatic entrance by attacking Shota Umino. In a symbolic gesture, Perry tore up an AEW contract and adorned himself with an armband bearing the word “Scapegoat.”
Making his debut in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Perry faced off against Shota Umino in a match as part of the New Japan Cup Tournament. Perry won that match as well, and now he will continue to make an impact in the tournament.
Following the match, Perry aligned himself with The House of Torture faction, adding another layer of intrigue to his comeback story. We will have to see what Perry does next, but it may not be in AEW.
Despite his successful return to NJPW, it remains uncertain when Perry will step back into the ring for All Elite Wrestling. Reports surfaced last year that his AEW suspension was already over, but he did not come back. Only time will tell what happens in this situation, but we will keep a close eye on his situation here at SEScoops.
Jack Perry took the help of Ren Narita to beat Shooter, EVIL and co. then came out to offer Jack Perry a spot in House of Torture. Jack then accepted the shirt and joined the faction.
Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Wednesday, March 6h. NXT Roadblock was last night. There is a lot of news to get to, so let’s get to it.
– John Cena revealed that WWE had plans for him to turn heel in his WrestleMania 28 program against The Rock. He even had new ring gear and music made for the change.
– An old WWE legend has been debunked. During A&E’s Biography on Sgt. Slaughter, it was confirmed that WrestleMania 7’s venue move happened because of poor ticket sales. I wasn’t due to more salacious reasons, like Slaughter has said for years.
– Sting’s son, Garrett, commented on playing his role at AEW Revolution. He wrote on his YouTube channel as an update: “Alright, it’s time for an update and a bit of a reveal. Last night, my dad, Sting, retired from his completely legendary pro wrestling career. My brother and I got to play a small part in his final match as younger versions of his character. I’ve got the American outfit, my brother has the red (or, Surfer Sting and Wolfpack Sting for any wrestling fans!) It was absolutely insane, and by far the coolest night of my entire life. The admiration and love from the fans toward my dad made me even more proud of him than I already am. So, this is obviously why I’ve been a bit absent the past month or so. I was largely focused on looking as good as possible for the show, so lots of hours that would have been spent grinding Destiny were instead spent in the gym haha. All that to say, thanks for being patient. I can’t wait to upload again soon, and I’ll for sure try to do a recap video that goes more in-depth on this weekend.”
– Sting’s other son, Steven, also commented on his appearance. He did so with a humorous post on Twitter/X where he expressed his inner thoughts before nailing that Stinger Splash at AEW Revolution.
“Do not shame your dad, do not shame your dad, do not shame your dad”
AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.
WWE has come clean about why WrestleMania 7 pay-per-view spectacular was moved from it’s original venue, the Los Angeles Sports Coliseum, to the far-smaller Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
WrestleMania 7 occurred March 24, 1991 during the waning days of the beloved ‘Golden Era’ of the World Wrestling Federation. The company would look very different in just two years time, but in early 1991, the beloved ‘Hogan Era’ was still in full swing. The card featured a total of 15 matches, including The Undertaker winning his WrestleMania debut, the Ultimate Warrior retiring the Macho Man Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan dethroning Sgt. Slaughter for the WWF Championship.
WrestleMania 7 was initially booked for Los Angeles Sports Coliseum, a historic venue that’s hosted the Summer Olympic games twice. It has a maximum capacity around 77,500. WWE had just run the SkyDome in Toronto the prior year, so it wasn’t a crazy idea to book another big stadium the following year.
WWE Comes Clean
Several months into tickets being on sale, the company made an unprecedented announcement. WrestleMania 7 festivities were being drastically scaled down and would take place in the adjacent Memorial Sports Arena.
The company cited security threats stemming from Sgt. Slaughter’s gimmick at the time, an Iraqi sympathizer who was dear friends with Saddam Hussein. WWE went all-in on Slaughter’s betrayal of America, which certainly got people talking. However, not in the way WWE hoped for. Instead of sparking business and turning around the decline that was starting to take hold, WWE received a lot of negative attention for ‘exploiting’ the military conflict.
WWE has always asserted that WrestleMania 7 was moved due to the heated nature of the Hulk Hogan vs. Sgt. Slaughter feud, but the truth has come out 33 years later.
During the recent A&E’s Biography special on Sgt. Slaughter that aired Sunday night, WWE finally acknowledged WrestleMania 7 changed locations due to poor ticket sales. Just a month before the event, only 12,500 tickets had been sold, nowhere close to filling up the outdoor stadium.
With WWE 2K24 around the corner, excitement for the new game is at a fever pitch, with top stars like Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins all confirmed.
While these three will have some of the highest ratings in the game, not everyone can have great stats, and there’ll always be somebody with the outright worst ranking in the game. In this feature, we look at some of the worst-ranked playable characters in WWE video games.
Eric Bischoff – 52 – SmackDown: Here Comes The Pain
Perhaps it was a battle for brand supremacy that led to then-Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff having the lowest ranking in SmackDown: Here Comes The Pain. Bischoff’s martial arts prowess and all-black gi helped little whenever you played as him in the game.
Ribbie – 60 – WWE 2K20
WWE 2K20 was a disaster of a game but it did give fans their first-ever playable anthropomorphic rack of ribs. Ribbie is the mascot of the Memphis Sliders, a minor baseball team, according to Byron Saxton, and with his BBQ sauce haircut, we imagine wrestlers weren’t eager to face him.
Curt Hawkins – 64 – WWE 2K19
The master of the losing streak, Curt Hawkins’ unfortunate record was replicated with his woeful score in WWE 2K19. Nowadays, Hawkins is faring much better in TNA Wrestling as Brian Myers.
Jimmy Hart – 67 – SmackDown Vs. Raw 2008
It makes sense that the Mouth of the South’s rating would be so low, given he very rarely wrestled. This ranking shows that in SVR ’08, Jimmy was best being kept at ringside.
Bo Dallas – 67- WWE 2K17
All the Bo-lieving in the world couldn’t save Bo Dallas from this dreadful score in WWE 2K17. Good luck winning any titles as the third-generation wrestler! His brother Bray would be well ahead of Bo in the game with a score of 87.
Sawyer Fulton – 69 – WWE 2K18
The forgotten member of Sanity, Sawyer Fulton’s 69 is the worst in the entire WWE 2K18 game. What makes this worse is that this would mark Fulton’s first and only time in a video game.
Eric Bischoff (again) – 69 – WWE 2K22
Things clearly picked up for Easy-E between Here Comes The Pain and WWE 2K22, but that wasn’t enough to save him from having the worst rating once again. Sorry Eric!
Michael Cole & Jim Ross – 71 – WWE ’12
These WWE commentators shared the same woeful rating in WWE ’12, so it’s only fair we lump them together. Frankly though, why anyone would play as either man, especially Cole, is anyone’s guess.
Rhea Ripley has never been afraid to go toe-to-toe with male Superstars in WWE, and now she wants her shot with the Best in the World.
During an interview with the BWGS Podcast, Ripley spoke about growing up watching WWE and being enamored by the likes of Triple H, The Miz, and CM Punk. When asked about which of the three she’d like to face, Ripley set her sights on the Best in the World.
”I would like to face Punk… with the way that he did his promos and the way that he just did everything. It was always entertaining and I feel like if I were to step into a storyline… it would definitely help skyrocket Rhea Ripley to the next level sort of thing.”
Rhea Ripley Vs. The Men
Ripley hasn’t been shy when it comes to taking on male Superstars during her tenure with WWE. Before his inclusion in the Judgment Day, Dominik Mysterio often fell victim to attacks by Ripley in 2022. Superstars who have fallen victim to ‘Mami’ include AJ Styles, Matt Riddle, Akira Tozawa, Rey Mysterio, Kevin Owens, and Luke Gallows, as seen in the video below.
What’s Next for Rhea Ripley?
Ripley won’t face a man at WrestleMania, but rather ‘The Man’ Becky Lynch. The Irish Superstar won the Women’s Elimination Chamber match last month to earn a Women’s World Championship match at WrestleMania 40. This will be the sixth title match for Lynch at WrestleMania, and the fourth for Ripley.
A fourth-generation Superstar who recently joined WWE NXT will not be going by his family name, as confirmed this week.
The March 5, 2024, episode of WWE NXT was the gold brand’s ‘Roadblock’ special and saw the developmental roster continue to build towards NXT Stand & Deliver. In the main event, Tony D’Angelo defeated Carmelo Hayes to earn a shot at NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov at the April event. Hayes was also confronted by the returning Trick Williams, who was betrayed by Melo at NXT Vengeance Day.
A New Name
NXT Roadblock saw the in-ring return of Shawn Spears, following his return to WWE NXT on last week’s show. Spears made quick work of Uriah Connors before attempting to goad Ridge Holland into a fight.
Fans of New Japan Pro Wrestling may have recognised Connors, despite this being his first TV match for WWE NXT. Connor is better known as Brogan Finlay, the son of former WWE United States Champion Dave ‘Fit’ Finlay. The younger Finlay signed with WWE recently and made his in-ring debut at an NXT live event last month.
Uriah Connors legacy in wrestling stretches back past his legendary father. His grandfather, Dave Finlay Sr. was also a wrestler, who received an MBE this year for services to wrestling. His great-grandfather was also a professional wrestler.
More Multi-Generation Events
Uriah Connors wasn’t the only multi-generational star to be on this week’s WWE NXT. Charlie Dempsey was with the No Quarter Catch Crew, one week on from his NXT Heritage Cup win. Dempsey’s promo was interrupted by the returning William Regal, in his first WWE TV appearance since re-signing with the company over a year ago.
Regal spoke of the imporance of defending the NXT Heritage Cup with integrity but Dempsey was not interested in what his father had to say. WWE made no reference to the familial bond between the two
WWE’s NXT brand held their Roadblock special tonight. As the road to WrestleMania 40, and Stand & Deliver, is drawing close, the brand saw a couple big moments. A Superstar returned after being out of action for nearly a year, but that wasn’t the only big comeback during the show.
When William Regal left AEW for an office job with WWE, he had a very interesting clause in this release paperwork. It was stated that Regal couldn’t appear on WWE television for a full year, which is why he wasn’t around to announce WarGames. That clause has now expired, and Regal is back in NXT.
William Regal’s NXT Return
During WWE NXT this week, the No Quarter Catch Crew took the ring with the Heritage Cup. Drew Gulak, Charlie Dempsey, Damon Kemp and Myles Borne looked intense, and they had a message for the rest of the NXT roster.
The stable proclaimed that they will defend the Heritage Cup as a stable, meaning anyone in the faction can put the title on the line. The said that they plan to represent the championship as true athletes.
Suddenly, William Regal’s music stopped everything. Regal then came out to a rousing ovation from the NXT crowd. “Welcome back” chants erupted at Regal. Obviously, fans in the NXT Arena didn’t forget about the former General Manager.
Those chants soon transitioned to “He’s your Father” directed at Dempsey. Regal didn’t have a ton to say, but he did make it very clear that he will have his eye on that Heritage Cup, because of how much it means to him and everyone from the rich European pro wrestling tradition.
We will have to see when William Regal shows up on WWE television again. It was certainly a very nice surprise to see him pop up during NXT Roadblock. He is currently the company’s Vice President of Global Talent Development.
For more on this story, and many more, please keep checking back with us here at SEScoops.
There are a few members of the WWE roster who are out of action with injuries. This week, a promising young talent made her long-awaited return to NXT.
WWE’s NXT brand presented their Roadblock event this week, and that included a surprising return. Sol Ruca is back on the active roster after a very long injury hiatus. She did so by costing Blair Davenport a win, the same woman who was responsible (in storyline) for her injury.
Sol Ruca’s Return
This week’s NXT featured Fallon Henley taking on Blair Davenport. That match saw Ruca make her return during the closing moments, where she nailed Blair to help Henley pick up the win.
Several months ago, Blair Davenport revealed herself to be the mystery attacker who was taking out so many members of the women’s division, including Sol Ruca. Now, Ruca is back, and she’s taking her vengeance out on the woman responsible for taking her out of action.
In May 2023, Sol Ruca suffered an ACL injury, sidelining her from action. She was incorporated into a storyline leading to Blair Davenport’s NXT debut, portrayed as the masked attacker who incapacitated Ruca. Surgery was required to address the ACL injury, and since then, Ruca has been focused on her recovery and eventual return to the ring.
SEScoops will have continued coverage of NXT, and everything else going on in the pro wrestling world, so keep checking back for more updates!
Former AEW producer BJ Whitmer was facing second-degree burglary and first-degree strangulation charges, but that is in the past for him now. After accepting a plea deal, he has now received his sentence.
BJ Whitmer has been sentenced in relation to his arrest last year. He has received house arrest for 120 days, and five years of probation.
The BJ Whitmer Incident
Whitmer faced charges of second-degree burglary and first-degree strangulation stemming from an incident on June 4, 2023. Allegedly, he entered his former girlfriend’s residence, awaited her return, and then assaulted her.
According to the police report, Whitmer grabbed the victim by the throat and threw her onto the couch, where he proceeded to strangle her. The victim later described the ordeal to the media as a fight for her life.
Opting for an Alford plea, Whitmer acknowledged there was sufficient evidence for a conviction but maintained his innocence. This plea also allows him to clear the felony from his record after five years. He has been sentenced to five years of probation and 120 days of house arrest.
BJ Whitmer’s Sentencing
Esteemed journalist B.J. Bethel shared news of Whitmer’s sentence on X, stating that the former AEW producer and ROH wrestler received five years of probation and 120 days of home incarceration for the charges related to his ex-girlfriend.
Former AEW producer, ROH wrestler B.J. Whitmer received five years probation and 120-day home incarceration in connection the strangulation and criminal trespass charge he faced involving his ex-girlfriend last summer.
Former AEW producer, ROH wrestler B.J. Whitmer received five years probation and 120-day home incarceration in connection the strangulation and criminal trespass charge he faced involving his ex-girlfriend last summer.
Whitmer’s Alford plea indicates his assertion of innocence while acknowledging the evidence against him. The prosecution’s decision to offer this plea was influenced by significant discovery provided during the case, prompting a reevaluation of their stance.
AEW Severed Ties
Following his arrest, AEW terminated Whitmer’s contract on June 12, 2023. In their statement to the media, they emphasized that such behavior is intolerable within the organization and offered support to those affected by Whitmer’s actions.
SEScoops will have more on this story if additional updates are available.
AEW has gone through a few changes since the company’s inception. Now, fans will have to get used to a new logo.
AEW had a big reveal today on social media, as they revealed the new logo for Dynamite, ending the nearly five-year reign of the previous logo. Naturally, fans have given it a mixed reaction so far.
New AEW Dynamite Logo
The company revealed that the March 6 episode of Dynamite would mark the beginning of a new season for the program. This announcement came along with the new logo reveal.
The March 6, 2024 episode of AEW Dynamite is set to occur at the Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia. Currently, only one match has been confirmed for the event, featuring Will Ospreay facing off against Kyle Fletcher in singles competition. We will have to see what else they add to the card with the fallout after Revolution.
With rumors of Okada’s impending arrival, you never know what will happen next. We do know that Ospreay, someone who has experience with Okada, and has a lot of eyes on him as a recent addition to the AEW roster, will be shown front and center along with this new logo.
AEW Dynamite Logo 2024
Comparing To Previous Logos
AEW Dynamite has seen a couple logos already. The very first was from the paint-splatter era, and it still holds nostalgia for some fans. This was the logo from the beginning of the program, as many consider it OG.
OG AEW Dynamite Logo
The second logo was a bit sleeker. They got rid of all the splashy colors and went with a simpler approach. That logo will now be replaced by the new version that AEW unveiled today.
Updated AEW Dynamite logo
What’s Next For AEW
Tony Khan seems to be preparing for an eventful week for AEW, as he recently confirmed the introduction of a new set for Dynamite during the March 6 episode. In a recent tweet, Khan also hinted at significant plans for both sets of AEW tapings in Atlanta.
We will have to see if the new AEW logo is more than just a fresh coat of paint. If anything, some fans have high hopes after seeing this new logo’s design.
SEScoops will have more coverage of AEW, and the rest of the pro wrestling world. We also invite you to check out our Daily Drop to get the latest on every big story, exclusive information, and tidbits that you may have missed along the way.
AEW has their own way of handling things, and it appears that their disciplinary committee has handed down another suspension. This time, Sammy Guevara is getting some time off due to a recent botched spot.
Sammy Guevara and Jeff Hardy wrestled on the February 16 episode of AEW Rampage (taped 2/14). Guevara has been a Jeff Hardy fan for many years, as evidenced by him sharing this photo of the two together from well over a decade ago in the days leading up to their match.
Unfortunately, the match did not go as planned. Both competitors are known for their high-impact offense and know associated risks. This fateful encounter would leave Hardy with a broken nose and Guevara with a suspension (and a middle finger salute from one of the most decorated tag teams in wrestling history.)
Sammy Guevara and Jeff Hardy crossed paths many years before they’d meet in the ring
The Incident & The Suspension
Mid-way through the match, Hardy was injured and became disoriented. Instead of giving Hardy sufficient time to to get checked out, Guevara climbed the top rope and executed his signature Shooting Star Press on Hardy. As seen below, Guevara botched the landing and inadvertently kicked Hardy in the face.
According to a report from Fightful Select, this was a violation of AEW’s concussion safety protocols and Guevara has been suspended accordingly.
The Suspension & Aftermath
Sammy Guevara attempted to apologize to Jeff Hardy after the match, but that also did go as planned.
Hardy was visibly upset and understandably so. A fan who was in attendance for the match captured this footage of the post-match altercation. Guevara extends his hand in an effort to make amends, but the Hardys weren’t having it.
Guevara wrestled one match since his bout with Hardy, a no-disqualification loss to Powerhouse Hobbs on the 2/24 episode of AEW Collision.
Jeff & Matt Hardy not happy with Sammy Guevara last night at the #AEWRampage tapings after after Sammy kneed Jeff in the face doing a Shooting Star Press. pic.twitter.com/n1IV3NUQje
AEW’s disciplinary committee is comprised of Bryan Danielson and two attorneys, according to Tony Khan on last week’s AEW Revolution media call.
Guevara was suspended from AEW back in 2020 and required to undergo sensitivity training. The disciplinary measures were handed down after ‘inappropriate’ comments he made about Sasha Banks/Mercedes Mone during a 2016 podcast appearance resurfaced.
Guevara has also He’s also had serious backstage issues with Eddie Kingston and Andrade, who recently returned to WWE. It’s unclear if either of those situations resulted in a formal suspension, or if any of these prior situations factored into the severity of this latest suspension.
WWE’s decade-long deal with Saudi Arabia is still going strong. The initial controversy after the company secured that contract has dwindled, and WWE fans expect big events every time they travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Now, we know when they will be back.
The most recent WWE event held in Saudi Arabia was the Crown Jewel Premium Live Event in November of last year. During this event, LA Knight faced off against Roman Reigns for the Undisputed Universal Championship but fell short of securing the victory. It appears that WWE is going back to Saudi Arabia in May.
WWE’s Next Saudi Arabian Event
WWE is currently in the process of finalizing plans for its return to Saudi Arabia, a tradition known for its afternoon broadcasts, as part of the company’s longstanding partnership with the Saudi General Sports Authority. This upcoming event is expected to be consistent with past arrangements, with WWE hosting two events per year in the country and receiving substantial compensation in return.
According to reports from PW Insider, WWE is targeting late May for its next pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia, following last year’s Night of Champions in May and Crown Jewel in November.
WWE’s Plan for 2024
In addition to the Saudi event, WWE has outlined its schedule for the first half of 2024, which includes various events such as NXT Stand & Deliver in Philadelphia, WWE WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, WWE Backlash France in Lyon-Decines, France, NXT Battleground in Savannah, GA, WWE Money in the Bank and WWE NXT Heatwave in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and WWE Bash in Berlin, Germany.
SEScoops keeps a daily tracker of upcoming pro wrestling events, breaking stories, and everything you might have missed in our Daily Drop. We invite you to check out today’s edition by clicking the link below.
Darby Allin and Sting won the main event of AEW Revolution on Sunday night, and it was quite a showcase. Although many are talking about Sting’s last match, a lot of attention was taken by Darby Allin’s death defying leap through glass.
CM Punk and Jack Perry’s big All In brawl was due to Perry using real glass when Punk advised against it. Apparently, real glass is a trend in AEW, because Darby Allin used it to make some big waves and cut his back to pieces in the process. Jonathan Coachman saw this, and he doesn’t care whether it upsets AEW fans if he drags the spot.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) March 4, 2024
Viral Reaction To Coachman
Fans were not very happy to see what Jonathan Coachman said on Twitter/X. Many AEW loyalists went at Coachman in return, and you can check out a few of those tweets below.
I have said sane, on podcasts and here.
Darby is playing with fire and could get seriously injured.
He is also flicking permanent accumulating damage on his body.
My point was that Coachman doesn’t give a shit and was pretending to for the sake of podcasts. https://t.co/sZy6X1Yv7w
— Matt Koon is on bluesky. (@mattkoonmusic) March 5, 2024
grow up Coachman lmao it’s Sting’s last match and Darby is about to climb Everest for FUN
— JUAN SOTO IS A MET?? (@DoublePlayDre) March 4, 2024
Coachman doesn’t understand competition as a form of storytelling, of course he needs Darby Allin explained to him. ?
— Chainsaw Charlie Enthusiast (@ChainsawTerry69) March 4, 2024
Why be genuine when you can just punch down for money? Let’s be honest, how often does coachman get mentioned these days, even negatively? He needs an audience and attacking AEW is the easiest way to get all parties to notice.
The Coach saw Sean Ross Sapp’s video of Darby Allin’s insane dive at Revolution. The clip included glass breaking and fans going crazy. Everything ended with Allin on the ground, and that was all it took to create a viral clip.
When Jonathan Coachman saw the clip of Darby Allin’s big leap, he couldn’t resist but to comment. He said that, aside from Mick Foley, nobody in WWE did that kind of thing in the past. There is a reason for that as well.
While he painted a picture of the true damage to the situation, Jonathan Coachman also begged for someone to teach Tony Khan and AEW’s writing team to craft a storyline that didn’t require this level of ultra violence.
Ok AEW army come after me. This is bananas and SO unnecessary. Can someone please teach the writers and Tony Khan that if you tell a good story you don’t have to do that crap and damn near kill yourself. Other than Mick Foley find any videos of a top star from WWE doing anything this reckless. I am all about getting talked about after a show but my god. If he hits one of those chairs he could have paralyzed himself and broken his back. Tell a story and make the fans care. Then this won’t have to happen or even be talked about doing.
Ok AEW army come after me. This is bananas and SO unnecessary. Can someone please teach the writers and Tony Khan that if you tell a good story you don’t have to do that crap and damn near kill yourself. Other than Mick Foley find any videos of a top star from WWE doing anything… https://t.co/MlTyTazVzq
Darby Allin only needed 12 stitches to repair his back after that leap. He was okay to finish the match, and he was around for Sting’s post-match speech.
It seems that he is going to be okay, with his Mount Everest adventure still in line. Only time will tell when he does something like that again, but you never know what Allin will pull off.
SEScoops will have more on this story if additional information is ever available about Darby Allin’s insane dive.
Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre’s war of words continued after this week’s Raw and their feud may be the most personal one fans see at WrestleMania 40.
McIntyre earned a World Heavyweight Championship match by winning the Men’s Elimination Chamber match at WWE Elimination Chamber 2024. This will be the third World Championship match for both men at WrestleMania. The match will mark Rollins’ first title defense as a WWE World Champion at the Showcase of the Immortals.
A Spotlight Junkie
During this week’s Raw, McIntyre had some choice words for Rollins and declared the World Heavyweight Champion a “spotlight junkie.” McIntyre’s point was that when something big happens, Rollins can usually be found latching on to it. Drew gave several examples including CM Punk’s return to WWE last year, Cody Rhodes’ return to WWE at WrestleMania 38, and his involvement with The Rock’s return and alliance with The Bloodline.
McIntyre added that Rollins should have been focusing on Monday Night Raw and the World Heavyweight Championship. The Scottish Warrior added that the title in question deserves better than Seth whose life as a ‘junkie’ has also cost the champion physically.
Rollins wasn’t going to take the notion that he hasn’t been focused on Raw or the World Heavyweight Championship. In a scathing response made after Raw, Rollins said that he had been working for the last two years to ensure “jackoffs” like McIntyre have a championship to compete for at WrestleMania.
McIntyre had a response of his own, questioning where this focus has been from the World Heavyweight Champion.
WWE WrestleMania will take place on April 6, and April 7. The show will be the fifth annual two-night WrestleMania, a tradition that began with the Covid-19 pandemic. The show will also be the first WrestleMania following the launch of TKO Group Holdings last September.
WWE provided Michael Cole with a fantastic life where he can experience some incredible things. It seems that this week’s episode of RAW included a moment that he’s been dreaming about since his childhood.
Valhalla from the Viking Raiders is known for her fierce energy, face paint, and antlers. Whenever she doesn’t have the antlers, Cole is a sad man. This week on RAW, the former Sarah Logan placed those antlers on Michael’s head, and it was a joyous experience, to say the least.
The crowd chanting Michael Cole's name after he got the antlers
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee have incredible chemistry on commentary, and there is no debating that. So, when Cole gets excited, Pat gets hyped as well. This all added up to an incredible moment during the February 4th episode of RAW.
During the latest episode of RAW in San Antonio, Michael Cole experienced a memorable moment when Valhalla showed up with her antlers after several weeks without the presence of her headgear. Every time she showed up without antlers, Cole it out and he was noticeably bummed about it.
In an unexpected turn, she adorned Cole with the antlers, who seamlessly continued his commentary while wearing them. Michael even held his headset in his hand, only speaking into the microphone to accommodate his new Viking drip. He was very happy to make this change, as he obviously had nobody in his ear giving direction during that match.
While taking to Twitter, Michael Cole uploaded a photo of himself alongside Pat McAfee, with Cole wearing the antlers. Cole expressed that his boyhood dream had finally come true. It might have been the antlers, or fans chanting his name, but it was still an incredible moment.
Michael Cole has dedicated 27 years to his tenure in the company, and he has been able to separate his home life and career in WWE. Only time will tell when he steps away from commentary, but bringing McAfee back to join him on the RAW announce team has arguably revived the seasoned play-by-play announcer.
SEScoops will have more on this story, just in case there are further developments with Michael Cole and Valhalla’s antlers.
The excitement didn’t stop once this week’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw went off the air from San Antonio, Texas.
The March 5, 2024, edition of the red brand saw WWE continue on the road to WrestleMania 40. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins declared that they are coming to this week’s SmackDown to confront Roman Reigns & The Rock. It’ll be the first time the four men have come face to face since the explosive WrestleMania 40 kick-off press conference.
What Happened After Monday Night Raw?
In the chaotic closing moments of Raw, Drew McIntyre defeated Jey Uso thanks to interference from Jimmy Uso. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins would send Jimmy scarpering but Rollins would eat a Claymore Kick from the man who’ll face him at WrestleMania 40.
After Raw went off the air, Cody would deliver some payback for his ally by attacking McIntyre with a steel chair. In the ring, Rhodes, Rollins, and Jey regrouped. After speaking of a fan who’d used a whistle throughout the show, Rhodes thanked the fans in San Antonio for coming out. He and Rollins gifted a couple of steel chairs to members of the WWE Universe while Jey threw his signed shoes into the crowd.
Wrestling fans around the world can finally play WWE 2K24, the installment of WWE and 2K’s best-in-class wrestling video game franchise.
WWE 2K24 Deluxe ($99.99) and 40 years of WrestleMania ($119.99) editions are now availablefor PlayStation 4 &5, Xbox Series X|S/One and Steam. The Standard Edition ($69.99) will be released this Friday, March 8.
After a remarkable entry in the series last year, fans wonder if WWE 2K24 can be even better. I’ve played WWE 2K24 enough in advance on Xbox Series X to share this review, which I will rate between 1 and 10 at the end.
The developers of WWE 2K24 did a great job improving the gameplay from last year’s game. At first glance, fans may think the wrestling mechanics is precisely the same as WWE 2K23. However, the newest title adds minor tweaks that make it stand above its recent predecessors.
One of the notable additions in the game is the ability to exchange strikes in the middle of a match. WWE 2K24 adds a fun mini-game where you and your opponent must press a button at the correct meter to land a blow. This allows a fun exchange as you try to get the better of your opponent and take control of the match.
Another interesting decision was making the managers outside the ring as challenging as the opponent standing across from you. A player can choose managers like Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan or Miss Elizabeth, who can cause distractions, hand weapons, or even remove the turnbuckle pad. It makes having or going against someone with a manager competitive, as you deal with a wild card at ringside.
WWE 2K24: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels Casket Match
WWE 2K Adds Fan Favorite Match Types
The exact match types, including War Games, are present in the newest game. That said, WWE 2K24 adds a few new matches, like the highly requested Casket and Ambulance match. Both are a great addition to WWE 2K24 and deliver fan service that longtime WWE 2K gamers have hoped to see.
The two new match types also create an exhilarating experience as you try to put your opponent in a position to be victorious. When trying to close the casket or the doors of an ambulance on your rival, you are put to the test in a mini-game of rapidly pressing the right buttons to end the contest.
WWE 2K24 also has the Special Guest Referee match, which puts players in control or at the mercy of an official. I found this returning match type fun when playing online with someone as a referee, as you don’t know if they will keep it neutral and add an exciting challenge.
All Persona Cards we've found so far:
– Elite Cody Rhodes (Pre-Order) – Elite John Cena – Elite Hulk Hogan – Seth Rollins '14 – Sheamus '09 – Trick Williams '22
One of the delightful additions to WWE 2K24 was the improvement on My Faction mode. After WWE 2K23, fans wanted to be able to take characters they collected and play in other parts of the game. The developers have listened to the demand and have effectively made playing My Faction mode important to the overall experience.
WWE 2K24 introduces unique character cards called Personas, which could be a variation of a wrestler or potentially someone completely new. This allows fans to play with that character elsewhere in the game. One of the wrestlers I unlocked when selecting my pack of cards to begin My Faction was Sheamus from 2009, and he had his older theme and appearance.
If anyone had hesitations about playing My Faction in the past, WWE 2K24 makes it worthwhile. The ability to play with unique wrestlers in different game modes allows for more options to the already stacked roster.
WWE 2K24: My Rise Psycho Sally
My Rise Takes Another Step Forward
This year’s My Rise mode is one of the best efforts of the WWE 2K series. The newest title does stick to the same formula of two different storylines for a created male and female character but improves on past games.
It feels like the developers had fun being creative and thinking of different scenarios for gamers to explore. WWE 2K24 My Rise mode puts your character on the journey to the WWE as you try to become a superstar and champion. Fans also have more options than in the past when creating their character, as WWE 2K24 adds new features like different hairstyles and clothing.
I appreciate WWE 2K developers’ ambition and use of My Rise mode to create fun storylines. Another great addition was having different wrestlers contribute voice acting, making the journey worth exploring. WWE 2K24 My Rise was a delightful surprise and makes me wonder if the 2K decides to focus more on it in the future.
WWE 2K24: Hulk Hogan vs Andre The Giant
WWE 2K24 WrestleMania Showcase Mode Doesn’t Live Up To Its Past
When it was announced that WWE 2K24 would have a WrestleMania showcase mode, I was excited about the possibilities. The last game that celebrated the history of the ‘Grandest Stage Of them All’ was WWE 2K14, and, unfortunately, the newest title couldn’t replicate what made it special.
2K had 39 WrestleManias to highlight and celebrate some of its legendary matches but made the disappointing decision to showcase 21 bouts, some from the same event. This is unfortunate as WWE 2K14 allowed fans to go through the years and highlight one or two matches at every WrestleMania.
What makes it worse is the decision to have cutscenes of the actual matches occur while you are playing them. This leads to jarring moments that take you out of the experience and makes the 40 years of WrestleMania Showcase mode feel like a chore.
A decade after WWE 2K14’s successful attempt to take fans on a nostalgia trip, the WWE 2K24 showcase feels like a half-baked idea and makes me wonder if the developers had too much on their hands.
WWE 2K24: 40 Years Of WrestleMania Cover
Overall Conclusion Of WWE 2K24
WWE 2K24 is a step up from his past titles, especially with the gameplay and new features. The graphics look amazing, as they should for a next-gen console. WWE 2K developers also show that they listen to fan feedback about the game’s improvements.
Although the showcase mode was a letdown, it wasn’t enough to ruin my appreciation of the game. The improvements in My Faction are great and what I believe fans will gravitate toward for replay value as they try to unlock new characters. I also think gamers will be intrigued by going through My Rise to see what unfolds in the storylines.
WWE 2K24 has My GM and My Universe, but it is still relatively the same as WWE 2K23 compared to the other game modes. The game does have me wondering if there needs to be a new WWE 2K game every year, as more time could’ve possibly made the latest installment better. However, it’s hard to deny WWE 2K24 delivers a satisfying experience and overall lays the smackdown on past WWE 2K games. I give WWE 2K24 an 8.5 out of 10.
One of wrestling’s most legitimately tough men and a former WWE Tag Champion could be joining Paul Heyman in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, it was noted that Haku’s name has come up as a potential WWE Hall of Fame inductee.
Haku is the father of Tama Tonga, who recently signed with WWE after wrapping up his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling. TKO Board Member Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has previously called Haku his uncle, though the pair are not blood-related.
Haku in the Ring
Haku’s sole championship win in WWE saw him hold the Tag Team Championships with Andre the Giant. Haku held several titles in the NWA and other promotions, including Puerto Rico’s WWC.
During his time in WCW, Haku, known as Meng, won the WCW Hardcore Championship. In one of the final defections of the Monday Night War, Haku returned to the WWF in January 2001 while still holding the WCW Hardcore title.
The Toughest Man in Wrestling
Haku, who also competed as Meng, is widely regarded by wrestlers to be one of, if not the toughest man to ever step in the ring.
Ric Flair once described Haku as “the toughest son of a b**** I’ve ever met” and said he would have dominated MMA had he entered the Octagon.
Many more of his contemporaries have acknowledged Haku as the most legitimately tough person in wrestling, Hulk Hogan, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, Goldberg, Big Van Vader, and The Rock.
One legendary tale of Haku’s toughness saw the wrestler get into an altercation with some men at a Baltimore Airport bar in 1989. After the men called wrestling fake, Haku handily fought the men, despite being outnumbered, and bit the nose off of one of the individuals.
Shane Douglas once said that he’d be better off fighting the U.S. Army than legitimately fighting Haku. He also recalled an incident when law enforcement attempted to restrain Haku, who was able to fight them off.
During the altercation, Haku was hit in the face with a baton while sprayed with a can of mace but neither caused him any pain.
WrestleMania is known for larger than life match-ups, and you never know what will happen on the grandest stage of them all. John Cena and Bray Wyatt made history in their Firefly Fun House match, but it turns out that they didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for things.
The pandemic halted a ton of plans for the entire world. Thankfully, WWE was able to figure out how to operate in Florida, a state that deemed pro wrestling as an essential service. All of that craziness surrounding logistics for WrestleMania 36 also only gave them three days to figure out what to do at the show of show with Cena and Wyatt.
That match against Bray Wyatt was actually supposed to be a standard match. The Firefly Fun House aspect was tacked on later, and they had to figure out what that match even was in a very short amount of time.
“I remember three days before we filmed the Firefly Fun House match. It was the last TV taping where they came in and they’re like, ‘You’re gonna have a Firefly Fun House match’, and I remember there were three people in one of the conference rooms in NXT with me. I said, ‘What’s a Firefly Fun House match?’ They said, ‘I don’t know.’ I said, ‘Great! What can we do’, and that was like, oh, man, again, control the controllable. I wish we had an audience. Performers are like. I wish there could be blood. I wish we could do chair shots to the head. I wish we could swear. I wish I could flip people off. Control the controllable. Use the tools in your tool belt. How do we make something entertaining over a two day period with no audience, and they gave us a stipulation.
Everybody else has a regular match and it’s your stip. It’s not a doctor of Thuganomics match or a Hustle, Loyalty, Respect match that’s completely different. You have these definitive characters. You have all this ammunition. You have all this personality and that’s what people really radiate towards. Holy sh*t. We can make this a meta look at my life and we can get away with it. What do we have up in the warehouse? We have the fist. We have the blue cage. I can get some NWO stuff. We can make this work. I remember this the only match I’ve ever written from start to finish. My poor wife, I made her print it out and I’m writing and giving her paper. She said, ‘What is this? What does it even mean?’ ‘Just print it. I need it’, and somewhere I still have the original draft in my handwriting of the Firefly Fun House. Bray couldn’t have been better.
He knew what was up and he knew the whole thing. I wrote it the night before so I’m trying to text these guys like, I got something weird. I think I might have a picture of the draft still in my phone. I don’t have it with me, but I have it saved as a text that I sent him the night of the match, especially after we saw The Undertaker’s match the night before. Oh, my man, they crushed it, and there was a whole lot more physicality. We got one punch and I texted him how nervous I was, but I wanted to thank him for being so brave and trusting me and I think I couldn’t have done any more. I think we gave it our best shot and hopefully, it works, and it was an effort that I am very proud of.”
Things worked out in the end, as John Cena got to work that whole match without any physicality until the final moments. Bray Wyatt also gave a fantastic performance throughout, adding another amazing highlight to his ingenious character.
John Cena’s Candid Interview
John Cena also revealed what he said to MJF during The Iron Claw premiere. He wanted to know when the Salt of the Earth might switch sides and play for WWE. Only time will tell if that actually happens any time soon.
Cena certainly made a ton of memories during his time in WWE, and he can speak candidly about that now. Sadly, Bray Wyatt passed away in August 2023, and the pro wrestling world is still mourning that great loss. At least, Cena was able to mix it up with the Eater of Worlds to create an unforgettable WrestleMania moment.
SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story, and so many more, so please keep checking back for updates!
John Cena is a shoo-in WWE Hall of Famer at this point, and he is a bona fide Hollywood heavy-hitter as well. Although he’s been a good guy for his entire career, there was one big plan that would have changed history.
The Rock and John Cena battled at two consecutive WrestleMania events in a row at Mania 28 and 29. It seems that WWE had a plan to turn Cena heel during that first encounter, and he even had new gear made. So, the idea got far enough along for Cena to drop money on the idea of a new character.
John Cena’s Nixed Heel Turn
During the conversation with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, John Cena reflected on his experience while preparing for his first Once In A Lifetime match against The Rock. It seems that a heel turn may have been in the pipeline for a time.
Upon learning about the plan, Cena swiftly took action, recording a new song, acquiring fresh gear, and contemplating his character’s direction. However, he admitted feeling unprepared for the transition to “Ruthless Aggression.”
Despite the rush, Cena embraced the challenge, delving into the mindset of a heel. He deliberately contrasted his previous persona by embodying traits opposite to his usual demeanor, such as laziness, untrustworthiness, and disrespect. Rather than focusing solely on physicality, Cena prioritized crafting compelling narratives and character development to evoke a genuine sense of antagonism. Ultimately, he acknowledged that while the concept had potential, it was ultimately deemed impractical.
“I heard rumblings of, we’re going to do it, and in 48 hours, I had a new track, a new studio mix theme song, and a final mix. I had seven new singlets, low-cut singlets with boxing-type robes. I already had the boots in storage, so I dusted them off. I was ready to go and already thinking about what I could do with the story. Okay, what is a heel? A heel is not just new gear. The objectivity, or the message behind the singlet and the boxing robes and the boots is the exact opposite of what you saw with the street gear, the jeans shorts, the t-shirt, the ball cap, the sneakers.”
John Cena’s WWE Future
Of course, John Cena never turned heel, and he will probably never be a full-on bad guy in WWE at this point. His career may not be over, because he still wants to, at least, do something at WrestleMania 40. The fact is that WWE makes way too much money with Cena as a babyface.
Only time will tell what is in the future for WWE. They may just find themselves with another career babyface, because it would be hard to turn someone like Cody Rhodes at this point. There will certainly never be another John Cena, because no matter how many times they could have turned him heel, Vince McMahon never pulled that trigger.
SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story in case there are any additional updates.
