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WWE Drops Another Tease for Bron Breakker as a ‘Paul Heyman Guy’

Dominic DeAngelo
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Could Bron Breakker be the next Paul Heyman guy? WWE sure isn’t letting their foot on the gas when it comes to that notion.

Breaker became the hot “free agent” acquisition of WWE SmackDown this past Friday after weeks of teasing which brand he’d sign to. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis came out and had Breakker put pen to paper to make it official.

Now WWE has released a YouTube video package showcasing the skills and achievements of Breakker down during his NXT days and it starts with a voiceover by current Wiseman of The Bloodline, Paul Heyman.

Heyman hasn’t been shy about his enthusiasm for the talent and limitless ceiling of Breakker and that is clearly on display in the video.

The following SmackDown after the notorious WrestleMania Kickoff, Heyman even interrupted Breakker and Triple H to further hammer home his interest in the son of Rick Steiner.

Paul Heyman keeps crossing paths with Bron Breakker on WWE TV

Breakker’s trajectory to the SmackDown roster did get a bit interesting this past Tuesday as he along with Baron Corbin became the new NXT Tag Team Champions after winning the 2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. That aspect won’t slow Breakker’s rise to SmackDown down, however, but their have been discussions at bringing Corbin to the blue brand too due to the duo’s strong chemistry with one another.

Heyman has had a wide range of “Paul Heyman Guys” in his WWE tenure. Including Roman Reigns, Heyman has managed Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, CM Punk, Big Show, Brock Lesnar, Claudio Castagnoli and Curtis Axel.

Orange Cassidy Shocks Fans With Surprise AEW International Title Defense At RevPro Event

Thomas Lowson
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Fans who attended the most recent Revolution Pro Wrestling event received a huge surprise in the form of reigning AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy. 

Cassidy was part of a multi-man scramble match that saw the International title on the line at the company’s High Stakes show.  He defended the gold against Sha Samuels, Spike Trivet, Richard Holliday, Cameron Khai, and TNA Wrestling’s Flash Morgan Webster. On Twitter, Rev Pro shared the moment Cassidy made his entrance and the electric response he received from the fans. 

In a tweet of his own, Webster shared his delight at challenging for the AEW International Championship and believes it is a strong start to what will be an epic 2024. 

While Cassidy’s appearance at the show was a surprise, it was no secret that the Freshly Squeezed wrestler was overseas in the United Kingdom. Cassidy, alongside AEW World Tag Team Champion Darby Allin, was seen with AEW President Tony Khan at a Fulham FC soccer game. Unfortunately for the AEW trio, Fulham lost 2-1 to Aston Villa. 

Orange Cassidy in AEW

Cassidy is in his record-setting second reign as the AEW International Champion. His first reign with the title is the longest in the title’s history. Cassidy also holds the record for the most successful title defenses in AEW. Outside of singles competition, Cassidy is part of the Best Friends stable alongside Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta, and Kris Statlander. Cassidy made his debut for AEW at their inaugural Double or Nothing event in 2019 and would sign with the promotion that same year. 

Dynasty Wrestling Alum Hits Out At “Disgusting” Decision To Have Patrick Clark Appear At Event

Thomas Lowson
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A former wrestler for Dynasty Wrestling has spoken out against the promotion for using Patrick Clark at one of their recent events. 

Clark, better known to fans as Velveteen Dream, was part of a show earlier this month that marked the former WWE NXT Superstar’s return to wrestling. In 2020, Clark faced allegations of sending inappropriate messages to minors. WWE claimed that their investigation into the matter showed no proof of misconduct, though one of Clark’s accusers would state that WWE never reached out as part of their investigation. After massive fan backlash, Clark was released from WWE in 2021. 

Terra Calaway on Dynasty Wrestling

Given the allegations Clark has faced as well as additional run-ins with the law, Dynasty’s decision to use him at their event has received a mixed response from fans. On Twitter, Dynasty defended using Clark, saying they wanted to give somebody a second chance to live out their dream. 

This message caught the attention of Terra Calaway, a former member of the Dynasty Wrestling roster. In a tweet of her own, Calaway shared her disappointment and disgust at using Clark. Calaway, a victim of sexual assault, said that using Clark made it clear that victims are not safe at Dynasty Wrestling. 

Patrick Clark Outside of the Ring

Clark recently emerged in Culpeper and spoke at a County Board of Supervisors meeting. The former WWE NXT Superstar urged the board to prioritize the collective desires of the county’s residents and suggested potential drawbacks of solar power. In a recent video, Clark apologized to WWE and Triple H for causing them problems but stopped short of admitting to any of the allegations against him. 

Afa’s WXW Promotion to Close After 27 Years Over WWE Hall of Famer’s Health Issues

Thomas Lowson
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WXW, the wrestling promotion run by WWE Hall of Famer Afa, will host its very last show in less than two months, it has been confirmed. 

In a statement from the WXW Wrestling account on Facebook, it was said that Afa’s health issues have led to this sad but ultimately necessary decision: 

Good morning, WXW Universe. Our wrestlers, staff, family, and fans are all heartbroken and reeling from the announcement last night from our beloved founder and Pops, Afa the Wild Samoan, that Saturday April 13th will be the last #WXWWrestling show.

“Instead of X-Treme War, that event will be called The Grand Finale. After 27 years, WXW will be opening our doors one last time. This news was not easy to hear last night.

“Due to Afa’s serious heart condition, his mild-moderate vascular dementia with Alzheimer’s, and other health complications, he felt that April would be the perfect time to take our final bows and close an amazing 27- year chapter. Being that he is the heart and soul of WXW, his family tearfully agreed, and his wrestlers, though very sad, support his decision.

“We’ll see you one more time in person, Saturday, April 13th for the Grand Finale super-show. There will be more matches, an earlier start time, and some big names from WXW’s incredible 27-year legacy. We love you all, thank you for all your support throughout these many years.”

In a separate statement, WXW’s COO and ‘Central Nervous System Vale Anoa’i added: 

“I handled it the best I could last night, but I’m an absolute sobbing mess this morning. WXW has been the center of my universe for 27 years, I was 11 years old when we started WXW after closing down its predecessor, Trans-World Wrestling Federation. 

“Now, on the verge of 39, I look back in wonder and astonishment at how much of an impact this company, this wrestling life, has made. How many people from all over the world were brought together for this one purpose? How many thousands of wrestlers, referees, managers, camera operators, ring announcers, music people, ring crew, students, editors, photographers, ticket takers, poster/flyer designers, commercial makers, food concession workers, bell ringers, etc. have been part of us through the decades. How many fans from near and far followed and supported WXW since the beginning. Most significantly, how many people learned something from my father?

“How some of the very biggest stars in wrestling history have been part of us. It’s an incredibly emotional time for me, my family, and all of WXW. So all I can say is thank you, I love you, and hopefully as many of us as possible will be together on April 13th to honor this astonishing legacy.”

At this time, no matches have been announced for The Grand Finale. 

GUNTHER: We May Never See Brock Lesnar Again But I’m Wide Open For A Match

Thomas Lowson
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GUNTHER is aware that his dream match with Brock Lesnar is unlikely but he’s not ready to give up hope just yet.

The prospect of the Ring General Vs. The Beast has been of great interest to the WWE Universe for some time. In late 2022, it was reported that GUNTHER Vs. Lesnar was in the works for WrestleMania 39. That didn’t happen as Lesnar faced Omos in LA while the Intercontinental Champion retained against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus.

GUNTHER On Brock Lesnar Match

Recently, Brock Lesnar was pulled from all WWE plans due to his reported ties to Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon. While Lesnar isn’t mentioned by name, Miss Grant alleges that McMahon trafficked her to a former UFC Heavyweight Champion believed to be the Beast. 

WWE had plans for Lesnar Vs. GUNTHER at WrestleMania 40 before plans changed. Speaking with GV Wire, the Imperium leader addressed the potential Lesnar match given the current circumstances. 

“I always was vocal about my dream match in the past, but that fell through now. I don’t know if we’ll see Brock again if that’s ever going to happen. But I’m wide open when it comes to that as of now.”

What’s Next? 

Lesnar had been scheduled to face Dominik Mysterio at WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth but that is no longer the case. Lesnar’s name is similarly not being brought up regarding plans for WrestleMania 40.

The future looks far brighter for GUNTHER. The Austrian is mere days away from breaking the record for the most collective days as Intercontinental Champion. GUNTHER broke the record for the longest individual title reign in September of last year.

Logan Paul Racks Up Impressive Stat In WWE History After 2/16 SmackDown

Aaron Varble
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WWE has brought a few people in who were already celebrities on their own. Logan Paul definitely brought a ton of attention to the company, and his time is not over yet.

Logan Paul’s Impressive Stat

In the latest development, Logan Paul emerged victorious over The Miz in a Men’s Elimination Chamber qualifier on Friday’s SmackDown. This win secured his spot in the Men’s Chamber match at the upcoming PLE event.

Competing against formidable opponents such as Randy Orton, AJ Styles, LA Knight, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, and Kevin Owens, the winner of this match will earn a shot at Seth Rollins’ World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania.

Additionally, WWE Stats highlighted that this marked Paul’s first non-PLE match in his career, making it his tenth overall match. Notably, he became the first wrestler to participate in nine PLE matches before competing in matches on television or at house shows. That is quite impressive, and highlights his special attraction booking.

I was told in November last year that “the internal feeling about Logan Paul is that he’s already generated great publicity for the US Title.” Obviously, WWE is happy about what he is able to do with his few appearances.

Logan Paul in WWE

Logan Paul made his debut in WWE at WrestleMania 37 in 2021, initially serving as the special guest of Sami Zayn for his match against Kevin Owens. That was just the beginning for The Maverick, because it seemed that he was meant to be a WWE Superstar.

LP had his first-ever official match the following year, teaming up with The Miz for a tag match against Rey and Dominik Mysterio. His heel tactics continued from that point on with each appearance.

Logan Paul secured a victory over Rey Mysterio to claim the United States Title at WWE Crown Jewel 2023 and later retained the title via disqualification against Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble.

CM Punk Delivers Candid Insights on WWE Comeback Plans & Trash Talking The Rock

Aaron Varble
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CM Punk was on the road to WrestleMania 40, where he was going to have a match against Seth Rollins. His Elimination Chamber win won’t happen this year, leaving fans to wait for his return from a triceps injury instead. Even though he’s out of action, Punk wants to remain in the mix.

CM Punk Speaks on Return

CM Punk participated in an interview with TNT Sport during his attendance at UFC 298 on Saturday night. In the discussion, he covered topics such as his recovery from torn triceps, The Rock’s return for the WWE WrestleMania 40 buildup, and the potential for his own return to WWE.

“Yeah, well, I’m a clumsy idiot. I tore my left tricep about two years ago. So, the right one was jealous. I’m like, I’m like an old car. I’m like a 72 Nova, you know what I mean? We have to, we have to change some parts every now and again. So once we fix up all the parts, the engine is still strong. We’ll still be good to go. We’re thinking maybe six to eight months, but I’m not really in a rush to get back to compete. I’m in a rush to get healthy. I’m in a rush to get better. And the sooner I do that, the better. I’ll be when I come back. “

CM Punk stated that he believes that timing is crucial, emphasizing that he wrestled for a significant period before signing with WWE. Having spent ten years on the road without a break, he acknowledges the toll it took on him. He admits that in his youth, he pursued every opportunity without considering balance, leading to burnout. Ten years ago, he reached a point of burnout and decided to explore other ventures, which allowed him to engage in various fulfilling activities. 

With time, he has realized that past grievances become less significant, as people come and go, and leadership changes. Returning now feels comfortable, akin to an old slipper, and he’s grateful for the experience, acknowledging that the journey wouldn’t have been the same without its challenges. He concludes by expressing gratitude for the present moment, emphasizing that it’s a good day.

CM Punk Speaks On The Rock’s Return

Punk also spoke on The Rock’s return. He is glad to be in the mix, even though he’s injured. That will provide him with an opportunity to talk a little bit of trash.

“I think it’s fantastic. Ten years ago, I was the guy that was wrestling The Rock when he came back, and now ten years later, he’s coming back, and I think the landscape has completely changed, right? WrestleMania is two nights now. It’s even bigger. Him coming back only helps. I always say high tide raises all ships. So I’m just happy that even though I’m hurt, I’m still gonna kinda be in the mix. My mouth still works, so I’m gonna still be able to talk some trash. I don’t know if you saw the kickoff we did in Vegas with Rock and Roman and Seth and Cody. It was a lot of fun and I hope to just continue to do that while I’m recuperating because I can always just talk trash with the best of them. It’s the best part. It’s what I do.”

CM Punk was on the panel during WWE’s WrestleMania kickoff event in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. He had a lot of fun, even though Big E jokingly admitted that he was only there, so Punk didn’t get fired. Only time will tell how much he shows up on the road to WrestleMania, but he seems game to do as much as he can.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of CM Punk’s recovery, hopefully he is able to make a return soon.

Vince McMahon’s Victim Rita Chatterton Makes Special Appearance At Indie Show

Aaron Varble
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WWE has a lot of names throughout their history that brings up a variety of memories. Rita Chatterton is a name that reminds fans Vince McMahon has been up to the kind of acts that Janel Grant’s lawsuit alleged he did for a long time. She is still getting out there and recently made a rare public appearance.

Rita Chatterton’s Allegations Against Vince McMahon

Rita Chatterton claimed that Vince McMahon sexually assaulted her in his limousine in July 1986. She departed from WWE that year amidst conflicting narratives, with WWE’s attorney stating she was “fired for cause.”

Chatterton joined WWE at 27 years old. During her initial role with WWE, Pat Patterson reportedly doubted her credentials as a referee. After presenting her referee license, Patterson was visibly angered. Chatterton alleges Patterson stormed off, exclaiming, “Who the f*ck would give a female a referee license?”

Her name has come up a lot more in recent memory, especially after Janel Grant’s lawsuit against McMahon brought heinous allegations to light. 

Chatterton’s Special Appearance

Rita Chatterton is back in the pro wrestling scene, and she recently made another appearance at an indie show. The Dynasty hosted Chatterton as a special guest, and she was the timekeeper for a match during the event. 

On a related note, this was the same event where Velveteen Dream also made his return to the ring. As Patrick Clark, he won the main event match after issuing an open challenge.

What’s Next

Bret Hart apologized to Rita Chatterton after years of doubting her story. The recent allegations about Vince McMahon shined a new light on a part of McMahon’s life that he never wanted to be exposed.

It will be interesting to see if Chatterton is interviewed by Bill Simmons’ upcoming six-part Netflix docuseries. SEScoops will have more updates as they are made available. 

The Rock Jokes That 100k Sold Out Daytona 500 Crowd Is Due To His Grand Marshal Gig

Aaron Varble
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WWE saw The Rock’s return to the fold as he inserted himself on the road to WrestleMania. He still has a full schedule outside the company, and today is an exciting day for him.

The Rock is ready for Daytona 500

The Rock is back on WWE television as WrestleMania 40 approaches, but he’s not thinking about that today. The Daytona 500 is going down and he has an important role.

Dwayne Johnson will be the Grand Marshal for this iconic race, The Great One will likely get a grand introduction during the pre-race rituals as well.

While taking to Instagram, The Rock shared his arrival in Daytona Beach in his pick-up truck a day before the race. However, he also noted heavy rain and expressed hope for clearer weather to ensure a safe racetrack.

Gettin’ into some midnight tequila trouble in Daytona Beach baby!! (actually, heading to the gym because I can’t sleep;) I’m pumped to pull Grand Marshall duties for tomorrow’s iconic DAYTONA 500 – a super cool honor for me and I can’t wait. Hoping our weather clears up for a safe track and awesome race for the boys. Completely SOLD OUT – 100,000+ STRONG! LFG!!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C3euU4vMjs5

The Rock talked up the 100,000 plus sold out crowd for the Daytona 500 race, and he joked that it was all because of him. Then he quickly admitted that he had nothing to do with any ticket sold for that event. He said it was all thanks to the incredible NASCAR drivers.

He also hoped that it doesn’t rain for the big race. It was pouring last night, and he said that they have had discussions about what they will do. In the end, he hopes for all the drivers’ safety. 

What’s Next for The Rock

Although The Rock might have had a huge smile on his face for this video, that is far from his current WWE character. He is currently a huge heel on WWE television, as he lambasted the crowd in Salt Lake City for SmackDown this week.

The Rock also made it very clear that he joined The Bloodline stable. His road to WrestleMania also saw a big change as he conceded his match against Roman Reigns to Cody Rhodes. It will be interesting to see if his current heel streak carries over into some boos from the Daytona 500 crowd.

Update: Rain Delay

The Daytona 500 was rained out. That being said, The Rock made it clear that he will be around to be the Grand Marshal for the race on Monday. 

Daily Drop (2/18): LA Knight’s WrestleMania Plans, Mercedes Mone’s AEW Payday & More

Aaron Varble
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Welcome to SEScoops’ Daily Drop – a rundown of the top stories in pro wrestling all in one place.

Our mission is to provide our readers with the most important and interesting news from WWE, AEW and more that’s timely, informative and engaging. The Daily Drop is a destination where you can get a snapshot of the top stories in wrestling.

  • WrestleMania 40 COUNTDOWN: 48 days away

Here’s the Daily Drop news report for Wednesday, February 18, 2024:

WWE

– SEScoops was able to report who had a hand in The Rock and Roman Reigns’ SmackDown promo this week.

– LA Knight is being considered for a big title match at WrestleMania 40.

– Fightful Select provided a new extensive report about Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE.

– Velveteen Dream ended his long hiatus from the ring by re-appearing at an indie wrestling show.

– Nic Nemeth revealed that he actually requested his WWE release several times before the company finally fired him in September 2023.

AEW

– Rush made his current visa situation very clear, as there was a previous report on the matter.

– There was another injury for the AEW roster 

– Ric Flair, who is now associated with Tony Khan’s company, discussed the fact that skeletons in his closet ended his political aspirations.

– New information is out that revealed the ballpark of how much Mercedes Mone asked for from WWE. She reportedly inked a deal with AEW and will make her debut during the March 13th episode of AEW Collision in Boston.

What’s Next

– WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth takes place next Saturday, February 24.

– AEW Dynamite: Big Business is coming to Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.

– AEW Revolution takes place the following weekend on Sunday, March 3.

– WWE NXT Stand & Deliver will be on the afternoon of April 6th, right before the first night of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.

– WrestleMania XL will take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, airing as a two-part event.

– Backlash France will be held on May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.

– WWE NXT Battleground is scheduled for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, and will be available exclusively on the WWE Network and Peacock.

– WWE Money in the Bank will take place 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 set for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

Elias (now Elijah) Endures Defeat In First Match After Departing WWE

Bishal Roy
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Former WWE Superstar Elias, now known as Elijah recently suffered a loss in his first match after he was let go from WWE last year. 

Elias was released from WWE in September 2023 and was part of the first wave of talent releases following the launch of TKO Group Holdings. He had joined WWE in 2014 and during his run he became a 4-time 24/7 Champion. He is also a one-time Slammy Award winner (Best Musical Performance of 2020) and a one-time WWE Year-End Award winner (Breakout Superstar of 2018). 

Over the years, Elias was involved in high-profile rivalries with the likes of John Cena and Braun Strowman. However, he was always on the losing end. In 2022, he even re-debuted as his brother, Ezekiel.

With the Elias name owned by WWE, the former Superstar repackaged his gimmick and is now known as Elijah. It’s worth noting that the Elias and Elijah names come from the Old Testament prophet of the same name. 

Elijah suffered a loss against ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey

Elijah recently made his comeback to the ring at last night’s Wrestling REVOLVER event, where he faced ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey in a singles match. The former Elias was in great shape despite being away from the ring since May last year.

In the end, Mike Bailey defeated Elijah. The former WWE 24/7 Champion was furious with the outcome and launched a brutal attack on Bailey after the match, thus cementing his heel character.

We will now have to wait and see what the future holds for Elijah.

El Hijo del Vikingo Match Stopped After AAA Mega Champion Suffers Knee Injury

Thomas Lowson
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El Hijo del Vikingo’s immediate in-ring future is currently uncertain after the wrestler suffered what is feared to be a serious injury at a recent event. 

On Twitter, Mas Lucha informed fans that Vikingo’s match at the López Mateos Arena had to be called off due to an injury to his right knee. Vikingo was assessed at the arena and there has been talk that he may have damaged a ligament. Mas Lucha also shared photos of Vikingo being tended to at the event. 

“El Hijo del Vikingo could not finish the fight in the López Mateos Arena. He injured his right knee after a movement.

“After the first assessment in the arena, there is talk that it may be a ligament rupture.”

El Hijo del Vikingo’s Injuries

This is the latest setback for Vikingo, who suffered a significant injury in late 2023. Vikingo suffered a hip injury at an ROH event when a dive went wrong and was seen using a wheelchair after the match. That incident happened just one month after Vikingo collapsed backstage at AAA TripleMania XXXI: Mexico City. On social media, a video backstage made its way around, showing the Vikingo down backstage and being stretchered away.

More on El Hijo del Vikingo

El Hijo del Vikingo is the current AAA Mega Champion in his first reign. He captured the title at Triplemanía Regia II in December 2021 in a five-way to win the vacant title. At over 800 days, Vikingo’s reign is the longest in the history of the title. He has the second most amount of collective days as champion, only behind El Texano Jr.’s 1,096 days across two reigns. Vikingo also holds the record for the most title defenses at 23. 

Reality Of Wrestling To Host Competition In “Search for the Ultimate Athlete”

Thomas Lowson
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Reality of Wrestling, the promotion run by Booker T & Sharmell Huffman, are in search for their next break-out star with their ‘Search for the Ultimate Athlete.’

In a statement, Booker T shared the following information about their search: 

Embark on a Journey of Grit and Glory with “ROW Games: The Search for the Ultimate Athlete”

Reality of Wrestling (ROW), co-founded by WWE Hall of Famers Booker T and Sharmell Huffman, is excited to announce the launch of a groundbreaking competition series, “ROW Games: The Search for the Ultimate Athlete.” Hosted by the enigmatic Marty “The Boogeyman” Wright, this intense series will pit 20 of the country’s most promising athletes — 10 men and 10 women — against each other in a series of grueling physical challenges.

Over the span of six episodes, these competitors will test their limits, showcasing their strength, agility, and determination, all for the chance to be crowned the Ultimate Athlete and claim a grand prize of $5,000.00. The twist? Stars from Reality of Wrestling will not only serve as officials but also participate in the challenges, blurring the lines between competitors and the seasoned pros.

“ROW Games is not just another athletic competition; it’s the heart of what wrestling embodies — the blend of physical prowess, mental toughness, and sheer will to succeed,” says Booker T. “These athletes are about to face a challenge like no other, and only the best will make it to the end.”

Sharmell Huffman adds, “We’re looking for those who have the spark, the charisma, and the story that will inspire. It’s more than a competition; it’s about finding that star quality that shines even when the going gets tough.”

The Reality of Wrestling Games will be held at the Texas Entertainment Xperience (TEX), the largest indoor entertainment and gaming complex in the state of Texas located at 10000 Emmett F Lowry Expressway in Texas City, TX 77591. This top-tier venue is set to provide a spectacular backdrop for the physical prowess on display, ensuring an unforgettable experience for both participants and spectators.

Auditions are set to take place at the Texas City World Gym, with production slated to start on April 20th, 2024. The ROW Games will be accessible to its nearly 750,000 subscribers on the Reality of Wrestling YouTube Channel, bringing fans closer to the sweat, tears, and triumphs of these aspiring athletes. Check realityofwrestling.com

Searching For a Wrestler

It’s fitting that Marty Wright will have a role in the search for the ultimate athlete. Wright appeared on 2004’s edition of WWE Tough Enough but was ejected early on after he was found lying about his age to make the show’s limit. 

TNA Wrestling has also had its share of competitions to find new talent. In addition to TNA Gut Check, the promotion also had two seasons of TNA British Boot Camp. The first season resulted in Rockstar Spud earning a contract with TNA, while Mark Andrews would secure a contract after winning season 2. Notable names from British Bootcamp include Kris Travis, Grado, Noam Dar, Alba Fyre, Nikki Cross, and Piper Niven. 

WWE’s Bianca Belair, Montez Ford & “Retired Welterweight” CM Punk Appear At UFC 298

Thomas Lowson
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UFC 298 saw some of the best fighters in the company step into the Octagon and also saw some notable names in the crowd for the night. 

WWE SmackDown Superstars Bianca Belair and Montez Ford were acknowledged in the crowd during the event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The real-life couple wore matching outfits for the evening. 

WWE’s power couple weren’t the only names from the world of Wrestling at the event. CM Punk was also referenced in the crowd. The Best in the World wore a Bret Hart hoodie for the show and was described by UFC’s name banner as a “Retired UFC Welterweight.”

WWE & UFC

It shouldn’t be a huge surprise to see WWE Superstars at the UFC premier event. In September of last year, the two companies were merged with the launch of TKO Group Holdings. Since then, the two companies have been closely linked, with UFC President Dana White giving away tickets for WrestleMania 40. In November of last year, WWE U.S. Champion Logan Paul attended UFC 295 alongside his fiancee Nina Agdal. The Maverick sat alongside former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic for the event. 

What’s Next? 

Earlier this week, WWE & UFC both signed deals with the Honda Center that will keep both companies appearing in the venue through 2028. Next week’s episode of Raw will also take place at the Honda Center, with fans able to purchase combo tickets for the UFC and WWE shows. 

Rush Sets Record Straight on Injury; In Process of Getting Visa Through AEW

Bishal Roy
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0

AEW star Rush is currently working on getting a Visa through AEW. That doesn’t mean he was not injured.

‘El Toro Blanco,’ leads La Faccion Ingobernable which consists of Dralistico, Preston Vance, and Jose The Assistant. He recently revealed that he is planning to expand the faction this year. He has missed AEW action due to an injury and has been on the shelf for quite some time. 

In December last year, Rush participated in the AEW Continental Classic tournament but he pushed through an injury. He was part of the Gold League where he racked six points by defeating Mark Briscoe and Jay Lethal. However, he faced losses to Jay White, Jon Moxley, and Swerve Strickland.

Rush managed to battle through his injury to compete in the tournament. After being on the shelf for more than a months he recently took to Twitter and announced his impending return.

Meanwhile, fellow AEW superstar and La Faccion Ingobernable member Dralistico recently stated that he and Rush were in the process of getting their visas. This led to many believing that the visa issue was the actual reason he was not on AEW programming.

Rush clarifies

Taking to Twitter/X, Rush cleared the air regarding his absence. He wrote:

“I was injured as confirmed by AEW doctors. Now I am recovered, I had a visa with someone else and now in the process of getting my visa through AEW. Stop posting bullshit for fucking likes. I don’t ever lie about injuries.”

It is currently not known when Rush will make his comeback to the programming. We will now have to wait and see.

Ric Flair Says “Skeletons In My Closet” Ended U.S. Political Ambitions

Thomas Lowson
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Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair could have had a fruitful career in politics had his prior controversies not intervened, according to the Nature Boy himself. 

In wrestling, Flair had a long, lustrious career with 16 World Championship wins to his name, though the actual amount of World title wins is reportedly much higher. Speaking to FOX News recently, Flair was asked what he’d look for in a leader of the United States. 

“I think we need someone who shows strength. We need somebody to say, ‘Hey, we are the United States. Kiss my ass!'”

Flair was then asked if he’d considered running for office himself. While the Nature Boy has never set his sights on the White House, he did recall a proposed run for Governor in 2001. 

“No [I have not thought about running for President] but I should have run for Governor in 2001. But, they said I had too many skeletons in my closet. Imagine that! I’d make Trump look like a baby.”

Flair didn’t go into what skeletons caused him to reconsider. During a 2020 interview, Jesse Ventura recalled encouraging Flair to reconsider after Ric disclosed 143 speeding tickets. 

Ric Flair And Politics

Flair has long supported Republicans in North Carolina politics. In 2008, Flair declared his support for the Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. In 2016, Flair endorsed Ted Cruz’s campaign.

 In December 2021, Flair was a guest at a fundraiser for former President Trump. This appearance came shortly after allegations of sexual misconduct on the infamous Plane Ride from Hell were addressed during an episode of Dark Side of the Ring. While Flair denied the allegations, WWE would temporarily remove Ric’s signature Woo! from their intro video. 

Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael Diagnosed With MRSA In Latest Health Battle

Thomas Lowson
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Pro Wrestling and NFL legend Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael has been diagnosed with MRSA in the latest of several health battles. 

On Twitter, Jarrett Payton, son of NFL icon Walter Payton and a former NFL star himself, gave an update on Mongo, who has been battling several issues. 

Health Issues

In April 2021, McMichael was diagnosed with ALS, six months after former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle and broadcaster Tunch Ilkin, announced his own ALS diagnosis. The disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, results in the progress loss of neurons that control voluntary muscles. Earlier this week, McMichael was rushed to the emergency room with suspected pneumonia. 

Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael

Mongo would first be introduced into wrestling in the build to WrestleMania 11, as he would be one of the NFL entourage backing Lawrence Taylor for his main event with Bam Bam Bigelow. That same year, he signed with WCW as a commentator, and earned the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s worst TV announcer award of 1996. Shortly after, he transitioned into an in-ring role the following year and captured the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship in 1997. 

McMichael is also known for his NFL career, where he played for 15 seasons as a defensive tackle. He would be part of the Super Bowl XX-winning Chicago Bears and would also play for the New England Patriots and for the Green Bay Packers before his career ended in 1994. Earlier this month, it was announced that McMichael will take his much-deserved spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame later this year. 

Ex WWE NXT Star Velveteen Dream Returns To The Ring In Surprising Fashion

Aaron Varble
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Pro wrestling gets in your blood, and it’s hard to get out once you’ve started. Even for controversial figures, they find a way back in. Now, Velveteen Dream is making his mark in the pro wrestling world in his own way, years after his WWE release.

Velveteen Dream Returns

Velveteen Dream, now known as Patrick Clark, returned to wrestling, stepping back into the ring at Dynasty in New York. This was a big surprise, one that nobody saw coming.

The former WWE NXT Superstar interrupted the first match and issued an open challenge. The responses online were shocked, and posts started coming out directly after that about Dream’s surprise.

Alec Odin took Dream’s open challenge. In the end, the former NXT North American Champion won the main event match. Dream was also working as a babyface and he greeted fans around the ring as well.

Allegations Against Velveteen Dream

In March 2020, Patrick Clark faced allegations of inappropriate contact with a minor on social media. He addressed and denied the accusation in April 2020. During the Speaking Out movement in June 2020, Dream faced further accusations of inappropriate contact with a minor and grooming by pro wrestler Joshua Fuller.

WWE released Velveteen Dream in May 2021. On August 26, 2022, Dream was arrested in Orlando, Florida, on a charge of Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia. This followed an incident on August 20, 2022, at a gym in Florida where he allegedly assaulted an employee.

Patrick Clark’s Recent Advocacy

Prior to his return to the ring, Patrick Clark was also spotted in another settling that few saw coming. During the February 6th Culpeper County Board of Supervisors meeting, he urged the board to prioritize the collective desires of the county’s residents and suggested potential drawbacks of implementing large-scale solar power.

SEScoops will have more on this story and many more in the pro wrestling world. 

Who Had Creative Hand In The Rock & Roman Reigns’ 2/16 WWE SmackDown Promo

Aaron Varble
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WWE fans saw The Rock make his big return to the company on the road to WrestleMania 40. His match already saw a change, one that he conceded to, and this week’s SmackDown opened up Pandora’s Box for The People’s Champ when it came to heel promos. Although The Rock had a lot to do with what went down, he didn’t accomplish it all by himself.

The Rock & Roman Reigns’ Creative Input (Exclusive)

A report got out before SmackDown this week that The Rock and Roman Reigns did not have a script for their promo this week. That time on the microphone saw The Great One unleash on fans in epic fashion, drawing from his heel roots with brutal insults and one-liners. 

I asked around about this situation after The Bloodline closed out SmackDown this week. It was confirmed to me that the Bloodline’s promo was scripted. They did not go out there without a net or anything figured out beforehand.

Roman Reigns and The Rock had major influence on the script. In the end, it was a discussion between Triple H, Roman, Heyman, Rock and Brian Gewirtz. Michael Hayes produced the segment, as he produces practically all of Roman Reigns’ segments and matches.

What’s Next For The Rock

The Rock channeled his 1998 heel character on SmackDown this week. This is far from the end, as Dwayne Johnson commanded the WWE Universe to shut their mouths and enjoy the ride.

WrestleMania 40 will be a huge show, and The Rock will compete. He may not get the singles match against Roman Reigns that he initially wanted, but they will undoubtably stir up a lot of headlines along the way. 

Wrestling’s Legal Saga: Unpacking Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE Lawsuit With New Insight

Aaron Varble
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Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE continues to receive a spotlight from outside the pro wrestling bubble. As many still examine this situation, there is now additional details.

Mystery WWE Executive

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that there is a lot of talk about this lawsuit, especially within WWE. One big thing that remains a mystery is who the other executives in the company that Grant mentioned in her lawsuit. 

Regarding the unidentified executives under speculation, their identities remain a mystery to many within WWE. Nonetheless, it was reported that a credible source within the company indicated that one of them may have departed from WWE a while ago.

Insight On John Laurinaitis

John Laurinaitis has been vocal through his attorney, a development anticipated by some insiders. One long-serving WWE employee regarded Laurinaitis as McMahon’s “fall guy” since the summer of 2022, assuming he had financial safeguards in place. However, the potential filing of actual charges was seen as a significant turning point by many within the company.

Another source said “I’m sure he thinks he’s doing himself favors by saying management knew and proper WWE protocols were followed, but too many things happened there under his watch.”

Ashley Massaro’s Addition To The Situation 

The recent resurgence of headlines involving the late Massaro stemmed from a Vice article. It was reported that Fightful spoke with Massaro in March 2019 to arrange an interview at Starrcast II in Las Vegas that May. She intended to discuss her plans to resume in-ring training and weigh whether to delve deeper into her allegations of rape during a WWE Tribute to the Troops tour. Tragically, Massaro passed away just two weeks prior Starrcast.

Based on conversations with WWE talent, they have reportedly not been instructed to refrain from discussing the lawsuit in interviews or public appearances. Several have been queried about it. While no other companies are reportedly participating actively in the investigations, talent from various US-based companies have been given permission to address issues or participate in investigations if they choose to do so.

We’ve spoken to one former talent who has indicated that they’re weighing the options of whether to tell their story via the media, or whether or not they wanted to take legal action. We will not provide their identity unless they approve of such.

SEScoops will have more updates on this ongoing story as they are made available. There is already a lot to unpack, and there will likely be even more before this situation is over.

Wrestling Legend Floats Intriguing Theory For The Rock & Bloodline Storyline

Dominic DeAngelo
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On SmackDown this week, fans saw The Rock officially align with The Bloodline, but could it all be just a ruse by Rocky? One ECW Original has been taking notes during this whole saga between The Rock, Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes.

After The Rock returned back to his 1998 ways in the closing segment of SmackDown, Blue Meanie took to social media to present an interesting theory that all may be not what it seems regarding this notorious Samoan family tree.

“After watching last night’s Smackdown I have a feeling the Rock is joining the Bloodline on behalf of Cody to help distrupt the Bloodline from within. After the Rumble Cody looked like he was stepping down. The Rock whispered ‘something’ in Cody’s ear. The camera intentionally shoots Cody walking away down the aisle. We see Rock and Roman inch their way towards each other before the show goes off air. 

“At the press event the Rock says he’s challenging Roman for the title and on cue Cody interrupts says he’s challenging Roman at Mania after all. Cody tells the Rock and Roman that their grandfather’s would be ashamed of them. Rock initiated the contact before Roman could because this is all a ruse. He signifying that he is on Roman’s side.

“He’s further disarming Roman.  Last night on Smackdown the Rock comes out to ‘join’ the Bloodline. He cuts the heel promo. If you notice when they all do the finger point upwards, the Rock has his thumb out. The hand gesture commonly known as the ‘loser’ hand gesture.

“Basically Rock is signaling that he is there to help Roman lose to Cody at Mania because it’s actually The Rock who is ashamed of how Roman is acting. The Rock just had Cody say it at the press event that lead to the contact between Rock and Cody.

“Last year at Mania Cody was outnumbered by the Bloodline. This year, Seth Rollins and the Rock are his back up to any interference and will help Cody attain the goal of winning the title that his father never did. Just my 2 cents.”

Whichever side The Rock may or may not be on, Cody Rhodes will indeed have a “shield” in Seth Rollins who came out on WWE Raw to show him added support. We may see something develop even further at Elimination Chamber as Cody and Seth are set to sit down in Perth as guests of “The Grayson Waller Effect.”

WWE Raw’s Ivy Nile Would Love MMA Fight With Ronda Rousey

Thomas Lowson
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It’s been years since Ronda Rousey competed in a UFC cage, but WWE’s Ivy Nile is eager to step into the Octagon with the former Women’s Champion.

Rousey last competed for WWE at SummerSlam 2023, where she lost the first-ever MMA Rules match to Shayna Baszler. After Rousey informed WWE of her plans to finish up her career at SummerSlam, WWE fast-tracked her feud with Baszler. Rousey reportedly wanted to feud with her fellow MMA horsewoman to give her friend a singles spotlight.

Ronda Rousey Vs. Ivy Nile 

Before her impressive WWE career, Rousey dominated in the world of UFC and was arguably the first female fighter to become a name in the mainstream. While Rousey hasn’t fought in close to a decade, Ivy Nile is interested in throwing down. Speaking with Fightful, Nile was asked who she’d like to face in MMA. 

“Is Meisha Tate still in the UFC? I think the world of her. I love her. I’m a huge fan of Ronda Rousey too. I think I would do pretty well going toe-to-toe, I think we’re better off as allies.”

More on Ivy Nile 

The first female champion of NBC’s “Titan Games,” Ivy Nile has a background in CrossFit, Jiu Jitsu, and weightlifting. In 2021, she joined the Diamond Mine in WWE NXT, which would put her in a team with Brutus and Julius Creed. Last year, the three were called up to the main roster and signed with Monday Night Raw.

Have we seen the last of Ronda Rousey in UFC…

Nic Nemeth Asked WWE For His Release Several Times Before They Actually Fired Him

Aaron Varble
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Dolph Ziggler was one of the more surprising releases that WWE handed down in September 2023. Since then, he has appeared for NJPW and made his TNA Wrestling debut as well. It seems that he wanted to get started on his life after WWE prior to his release, because he asked WWE to let him go in the past.

Nic Nemeth’s WWE Release

Now going as Nic Nemeth, he has garnered attention post his WWE departure with his ventures in the pro wrestling realm.

Nemeth showed up during NJPW during last month’s Wrestle Kingdom event, where he has since participated in various matches. Additionally, he has begun working in TNA Wrestling following his promotional debut at the Hard to Kill pay-per-view event.

Ziggler was let go by WWE alongside several other wrestlers due to budget cuts after the sale to Endeavor. He had been with WWE since 2004, predominantly featured as an upper-mid card talent, and held the Intercontinental and United States Titles multiple times.

During a conversation with Denise Salcedo, Nemeth revealed that he had requested his release from WWE several times with the intention of returning, but WWE consistently refused, citing their need for him.

“It would be different if I was hobbling around or if I didn’t get reactions or wasn’t good at my job. I would be happy to take a backseat and help people out. But I’m sitting around six days a week, not working, basically in the prime of my career. So let’s get going. And so I said, ‘How about this? How about I leave for six months? How about I leave for a year?’ How about I get the hell out of here?’ But even a couple of years ago, when they said yes, the next Sunday, I’d get a phone call saying, ‘Hey, we need you.’ It’s great.”

Nemeth also reminisced about sending an email to WWE officials, including Vince McMahon, expressing his heartfelt thoughts about his situation. In the email, he outlined both positives and negatives of how he felt. McMahon was the sole individual to acknowledge the message and expressed a desire to have a conversation. Approximately two weeks after this email exchange transpired, Nemeth received his release from the company.

What’s Next

Nic Nemeth is still taking stand-up comedy dates, and he’s doing his thing in TNA Wrestling. At this time, we haven’t heard about him coming into AEW, but you never know what the future will hold for the former Dolph Ziggler.

SEScoops will keep our eye on this story for more developments.

Mercedes Mone’s Price Tag: WWE Refused Top Salary Demand To Secure Sasha Banks’ Return

Aaron Varble
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AEW is expected to bring in former WWE Superstar Mercedes Mone. A big date is set for Boston, and many are expecting her to show up on Collision. WWE was in the game for her, but it was already reported that they hit a financial roadblock. That being said, it seems that Mone wasn’t even asking for more than someone on the top of the Women’s Division is making.

Mercedes Mone’s Big Pay Day

AEW has a ton of money to throw around, but that hasn’t kept everyone around. Tony Khan admitted that he offered Jade Cargill more than she asked for to stay in AEW, but she is now a WWE Superstar. Mercedes Mone saw that money on the table and she took it.

Tony Khan has a lot of money to spend on AEW contracts. He has a reported net worth of $1 billion. His father, Shahid Khan, has a net worth of 11.7 billion. Mercedes Mone made it clear that she’s going to where the money is, and AEW was able to offer more.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Mercedes Mone asked WWE for a lot of money, but it wasn’t more than the top female Superstar is getting. One would assume that he is talking about Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch, because they have the top paychecks in the women’s division.

“I don’t know her actual money demands, but I know in a general what she was looking for from WWE, and it was kinda in the range, and for a star of her caliber, while it would be a little bit more than WWE would be paying her, what she was looking for, maybe even more than a little bit more, but it was not more than they pay other women, and she was one of their bigger stars.”

AEW outbid WWE, and they’re getting The Boss. It was then stated that what this tells us is that when AEW is able to outbid for Mone, that they may be losing out on the deal financially. That being said, it’s not enough to worry the company, because “we would see it, because there would be talent cut.”

What’s Next

It is very much expected that Mercedes Mone will debut for AEW at their March 13th episode of Dynamite, that Big Business show in Boston’s TD Garden will provide the former Sasha Banks with a grand entrance for AEW in her hometown.

On a totally unrelated note, but I couldn’t resist from including this, AEW also rolled out a similar red carpet for CM Punk’s debut. They booked a large arena in Chicago without announcing Punk’s debut. They simply strongly alluded to it by naming that episode of Rampage “The First Dance.”

Of course, CM Punk and Sasha Banks both walked out of WWE. At this point, Punk is back in WWE, albeit he’s on the shelf due to an untimely injury. Now, it’s Mercedes Mone’s time to get a spotlight in AEW. 

TNA News: Eyes On Next Tapings, Morale Amid Latest Shakeups

Rayan Saayed
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Scott D’Amore was unexpectedly ousted from TNA Wrestling, with reports indicating that the decision was made prior to the promotion’s rebranding.

Subsequently, it was reported that several TNA talents joined forces and endorsed a letter to Anthem, expressing their discontent with D’Amore’s departure from the company. Mike Johnson of PWInsider reports the letter that was released online (by Fightful) was incomplete, large portions were left out.

The report suggests that there are still talents who remain unhappy with the entire D’Amore situation and are awaiting to see, “how they are addressed and treated at the New Orleans tapings next week.” 

Scott D’Amore was part of TNA’s foundation and the fallout from his abrupt departure is still unfolding. One wrestler we spoke with said management has been good communicating the changes to creative and the backstage structure, but they’re in a holding pattern until the next show and there’s an overall feeling of uncertainty.

Last week’s debunked report by Dave Meltzer that Tommy Dreamer has taken over as the new head of TNA creative did not help matters. Dreamer addressed the rumor on SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio and set the record straight. He called the Wrestling Observer scoop “fictitious” and said he, RD Evans and Delirious are continuing their roles as usual as they embark on yet another new era for TNA .

Following the recent arrival of Nic Nemeth (former WWE Star Dolph Ziggler), we’ve seen hype for Mustafa Ali’s TNA debut. who challenges for the X-Division championship later this month on pay-per-view at TNA No Surrender. Overall, there’s a feeling of cautious excitement and we’ll have a much better idea of where things stand by the end of February 2024.

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