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Ronda Rousey Coming to Philadelphia For WrestleMania Week Convention

Thomas Lowson
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Ronda Rousey’s future in pro-wrestling remains unclear, but fans will get the chance to see her in Philadelphia this April. 

The Baddest Woman on the Planet left WWE following the MMA Rules match with Shayna Baszler at SummerSlam 2023. Rousey requested to work with Baszler to ensure her friend and mentor a high-profile spot on WWE TV. As she told SE Scoops. Baszler is happy to take full credit for running Rousey out of WWE.

Rousey’s Next Appearance 

In October of last year, Rousey made a surprise return to wrestling, reigniting speculation about her future in the ring. The following month, she appeared for Ring of Honor but is not signed to the promotion. 

Now, fans will get the chance to see Rousey again, albeit outside the squared circle. WrestleCon’s official Twitter page has announced that Ronda Rousey will be making her appearance at the event during WrestleMania 40 weekend. The former Women’s Champion will be signing copies of her upcoming memoir and taking photos with fans. 

WWE WrestleMania Week

While Rousey will be in Philadelphia, there’s no word on a potential surprise appearance at the two-night event. Several events from various promotions will take place over the week. In addition to WrestleMania, WWE will host Raw, SmackDown, and WWE NXT, as well as WWE NXT Stand & Deliver. WWE will also host its WrestleMania World event, a four-day convention featuring exhibits and signings with WWE Superstars. 

Hangman Page’s AEW Revolution Spot in Jeopardy Due to ‘Touch-And-Go’ Situation

Aaron Varble
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AEW Revolution will mark the fifth annual pay-per-view for Tony Khan’s company, and this could be the most historic yet. Sting is set to wrestle his last match during the March 3, 2024, show at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. That being said, Hangman Page may not make it.

Hangman Page May Miss AEW Revolution

We previously reported that AEW used an injury angle during Dynamite with Hangman Page. While many fans were afraid that he was actually hurt, it seems that this was all part of the show.

It was then noted that there could be another situation to keep Page from working the Revolution show. At this point, things are up in the air for his status.

During Fightful Select‘s Backstage Report podcast, Sean Ross Sapp stated that there is a “touch-and-go situation” surrounding Hangman Page right now. The thought is that they can use his injury angle to write him out of the event if they need to, but the hope is that he will be able to wrestle at the show.

“There is a sort of touch-and-go situation that may see him ending up not being able to work the Revolution show, and if that’s the case, then they can use this as a reason. The hope is that he’ll be good to go for it as well, but it was a carefully-crafted work, and well done. “

What’s Next

AEW has a lot of stories in the pipeline, especially with Revolution coming up in a matter of days. SEScoops will have complete coverage of the event, and you may check out the card below.

AEW Revolution 2024 Card: 

  • Sting & Darby Allin (c) vs. The Young Bucks – AEW World Tag Team Championships
  • Samoa Joe (c) vs. Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland – AEW World Championship
  • Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Bryan Danielson – AEW Continental Crown
  • Toni Storm (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo – AEW Women’s World Championship
  • Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita
  • Christian Cage (c) vs. Daniel Garcia – TNT Championship
  • Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Roderick Strong – AEW International Championship
  • FTR vs. Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli
  • Wardlow vs. Lance Archer vs. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. ??? – Meat Madness

Vince Russo: John Cena Is Going to Be Killed over Vince McMahon Comments

Thomas Lowson
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John Cena’s recent comments about Vince McMahon and the lawsuit against him will come back to haunt him, according to Vince Russo.

McMahon stepped down from WWE one month ago due to the shocking allegations made against him in Janel Grant’s lawsuit. McMahon has claimed that the litigation is rife with fabrications and has claimed he is completely innocent. Former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, who is named in the suit, has claimed he is a victim, not a predator, in this situation.

Cena’s Comments

Few WWE Superstars have closer ties to McMahon than John Cena who owes a wealth of success to McMahon’s booking of him in the 2000s and 2010s. When asked about the allegations, Cena did speak about accountability but also spoke about his deep love the the ex-WWE Chairman.

Vince Russo on John Cena

Many have taken issue with Cena’s comments, believing he put too much emphasis on his love and respect for McMahon as opposed to the allegations made by Miss Grant. Sitting down with Sportskeeda, Vince Russo shared his surprise over this blunder by the usually well-spoken Cena.

“I am reading Cena’s comments, and I am like, he is going to get hammered for this… I knew Cena was going to get killed for this. There is no way he is NOT gonna get killed for this. I just wish he would have said, you know, you could love him.”

Russo added that Cena isn’t the only Superstar who’s comments about McMahon missed the mark. 

“Same thing with Orton, you know, ‘made your career,’ this that and the other thing. But man if it’s me, I am gonna say all that, but I am also gonna say, ‘But if he is found guilty of these charges… he is gonna have to take full responsibility.’ At least say something like that.”

What’s Next? 

John Cena is hoping to do ‘something’ at WrestleMania 40, which is now less than 40 days away. Cena hasn’t appeared for WWE since his Crown Jewel 2023 loss to Solo Sikoa. At this time, there are no confirmed plans for Cena this April in Philadelphia. 

The Rock Confirms His Next WWE TV Appearances On The Road To WrestleMania 40

Aaron Varble
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The Rock will be at several upcoming WWE television appearances on the road to WrestleMania 40. He’s now aligned with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline and is an integral part of Cody Rhodes’ journey to Finish The Story on April 7.

Just six weeks out from WWE’s biggest event of the year, we now have a better idea of which shows The Rock will be attending in the weeks ahead. 

We knew The Rock will return this week on Friday Night SmackDown from Glendale, Arizona. He’s now confirmed on Instagram that he’ll be at the March 8th SmackDown from Dallas, TX and the following week’s show (3/15) from Memphis, TN.

The Rock announced the following upcoming WWE TV appearances on Instagram:

  • Friday, March 1:  Glendale, AZ at the Desert Diamond Arena 
  • Friday, March 8: Dallas, TX at the American Airlines Center
  • Friday, March 15: Memphis, TN at the FedExForum

He included this caption, which shows show charged up he is about his current WWE run:

“You can feel the uptick, excitement, energy & disruption happening now in pro wrestling. It’s super fucking cool to see. Glendale, Arizona  SOLD OUT Your city will never be the same  Up next: DALLAS • March 8th MEMPHIS • March 15th”

WrestleMania 40 Plans Changed

Changes occurred on the WrestleMania 40 card due to various reasons, such as injuries or other factors. Of course, fan reaction played a huge part in it this year.

The Rock initially pushed for a match with Roman Reigns at the event, but faced backlash from fans, leading to a shift in plans. Then, The Rock conceded that Cody Rhodes should get that spot instead, so he can finish his story.

Fans will see Cody Rhodes challenge Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title at WrestleMania 40. WWE seems to be setting up a tag team match featuring Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins against Reigns and The Rock at the event.

You can click the link below for our extensive exclusive about what went down behind those WrestleMania plans changing for The Rock this year.

SEScoops will have many more updates on the road to WrestleMania. Please keep checking back for more information as it is made available. 

WWE WrestleMania 40 Has Two More Matches Added To Final Card

Aaron Varble
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WWE created a lot of momentum for Mania with their Elimination Chamber event. Now, we have two more reported matches coming out of the Australian show.

New WrestleMania 40 Matches

WWE already had four title matches confirmed for WrestleMania 40. With Mania being the next premium live even on the main roster, odds are fans will start seeing the card come together in rapid fashion.

Dave Meltzer reported on his Daily Update that WWE has added LA Knight vs AJ Styles to the Mania card. Also, Logan Paul will defend the US Title against Randy Orton. Both of those matches were set up before the Chamber.

“Coming off the Chamber show, those at WWE have confirmed both bouts, AJ Styles vs. LA Knight and Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton, that yesterday’s show appeared to set up. Both are right now listed for Mania.”

WrestleMania 40 will be a huge two-night event, so we will have many more matches confirmed for the show as we make our way to the extravaganza. Keep checking back with SEScoops for more information, and you can check out the updated card, including these two reported matches, below.

WrestleMania 40 Card:

  • Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes: Singles match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
  • Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley: Singles match for the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch: Singles match for the Women’s World Championship
  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre: Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
  • Jimmy Uso vs Jey Uso (reported)
  • LA Knight vs AJ Styles (reported)
  • Logan Paul vs Randy Orton for the United States Title (reported)

Daily Drop (2/26): WWE Superstars React To Vince McMahon Allegations, Jack Perry Set For Return Match

Aaron Varble
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0

Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling. February 26. The Elimination Chamber is in the rearview mirror with RAW tonight. Now, we have a lot to unpack for the day.

Days until WrestleMania XL: 40

WWE

– SEScoops has a full preview of this week’s RAW available. You can click here to check that out.

– I was told that WWE determined that Rhea Ripley vs Nia Jax would main event Elimination Chamber several weeks before the event. 

– Bodyslam.net reported that WWE hired a new writer’s assistant from the indie wrestling world.

– Finn Balor is totally fine after his bloody injury during Elimination Chamber.

-It was a busy day for Vince McMahon allegation talk. Kevin Owens reacted to the allegations, where he condemned them. Also, Becky Lynch opened up a bit about her experience in WWE in response to a question about the allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit.

– Raquel Rodriguez competed at WWE Elimination Chamber, but she didn’t have a great time before the event. A flare-up of her MCAS almost caused her to miss the match.

-WWE has two matches announced for RAW this week. You can check out the two matches planned for Feb 26’s episode of RAW (so far) below.

  • Sami Zayn vs. Nakamura
  • Street Fight: New Day vs Imperium

AEW

– Although QT Marshall is not planned to wrestle for AEW, he was backstage at Collision on Saturday, and Fightful reports that they took photos of him in his ring gear. 

– Ric Flair turned 75-years-old, so happy birthday to The Nature Boy.

– Lex Luger was asked on his Lex Expressed podcast whether he will be at Sting’s last match at AEW Revolution on March 3rd. The former pro wrestling star replied to say, “You want me to answer that? Let me put it this way. I will go back to 35 years of friendship. Friendship sometimes transcends the kayfabe or workup the other and there may be ramifications or there may not. Sting was there for me at three in the morning when I had my motorcycle wreck and they wanted to cut my arm off and kind of stopped the doctors from cutting my arm off. So people could read into that what they want, on whether I might be at the building or not. I won’t confirm anything, but I’m just saying. I’ll leave it in that context. How’s that?”

– Matt Hardy had big props for AEW picking up Jennifer Pepperman from WWE as their new VP of Content.

– Speaking of Jennifer Pepperman, Fightful reported that she was at AEW television last week, but it’s unknown if she has officially started working in her new role, or what capacity she had her hands in anything yet.

– Jack Perry’s first match since AEW All In London is confirmed for March 6, 2024, where he will square off against Shota Umino for NJPW.

– Swerve Strickland admitted that he’s still a Paul Heyman Guy. On that note, you can check out a great list of next perspective Paul Heyman Guys/Girls below.

– It looks like AEW has Okada locked in. While speaking to Tokyo Sports, he said that he has no intention of returning to NJPW. “I’m already looking ahead to what’s next, and I’m going out with the intention of never coming back to New Japan,” Okada said. “I’m sorry about that, but I don’t think so. Of course, I want to treasure the feeling and the words I received.”

TNA

– Fightful reported that Steve Maclin only has a couple of months left on his TNA Wrestling contract.

-Josh Alexander also didn’t want TNA Wrestling to renew his contract for another year, but they did. 

– It was reported that one top star for the company wanted to leave, but the talent meeting they held changed their mind. Stay tuned for this still-developing story. 

– It has been revealed what TNA talent said to higher-ups after Scott D’Amore’s firing. There was also a special meeting. This story has a lot to unpack at the end of the day.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

  • AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
  • AEW Revolution is planned for the following weekend, on Sunday, March 3.
  • WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
  • WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
  • Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
  • WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
  • WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
  • WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

The Undertaker Reveals What Could Have Extended His WWE Career

Bishal Roy
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WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker seemingly wanted to carry on with his in-ring career for a few more years. But he couldn’t. Well, what if he got a tour bus sooner?

The Undertaker is an iconic figure in WWE and has carved an unparalleled legacy spanning over three decades. Making his debut in 1990, his ominous presence and legendary streak at WrestleMania captivated the fans worldwide. 

Throughout his illustrious career, he held multiple world championships and was embroiled in memorable rivalries. His retirement in 2020 marked the end of an era and received a farewell with a cinematic match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36. ‘The Phenom’ has certainly left an indelible impact in the pro wrestling world.

Over the last few decades, pro wrestling world has seen major shifts in the culture and The Undertaker has seen it all. He has now spoken candidly about the introduction of tour buses for the WWE Superstars.

The Undertaker feels the tour buses could have helped in extending his WWE run

Speaking on his Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker talked about how much the service of tour buses has increased longevity for WWE Superstars.

“There’s a lot of talent buses, you got crew buses. Hell, there’s 30 semis full of their sets,” said Undertaker.

Reflecting about his own time on a tour bus, Taker said that most of that was for after his matches to take better care of himself. ‘The Phenom’ stated that he believes he would have had higher quality matches and lasted longer as a full-time performer if he had taken more care of himself.

“I would have had higher quality matches, I would have I think I mean, even I lasted for as long as I did. I think I might have even lasted longer if I had been able to take that kind of care of myself. The struggle for me those last seven-eight years, it was just health. There was nothing really that happened or could happen that I didn’t feel I had a grasp on how to handle it or how to make it work. That part was second nature at that point, but physically trying to perform and keep myself at a level where I could perform.”

Undertaker went on to poke fun that if he had a few more nights of sleep in the 90s, he might have been performing, perhaps at a high level. He said:

“If I got on the bus sooner, and maybe slept a few more nights in the 90s? Hell, I might be still wrestling right now. Yeah, at a high level,” he joked. “It would have helped, but the 90s, I started in a hole.”

The Undertaker currently performs 1 deadMAN show where he is seen in an intimate setting and shares never-before-heard stories followed by taking questions from the WWE Universe in attendance.

NXT Star Impressing At Live Events, Big Future Plans for the War Dogs

Thomas Lowson
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NXT Superstar Impressing

Je’Von Evans is proving to be one to watch at NXT live events and has been impressing officials according to Fightful Select. He is expected to be a regular on NXT TV moving forward. Evans, who previously competed as Jay Malachi, featured in a backstage segment on the February 13, edition of the show. He signed with the company in November of 2023. 

Praise for Byron Saxton

Byron Saxton has received praise for taking up Booker T’s role as part of the commentary team. Shortly before NXT Vengeance Day, Booker announced that a medical issue would keep him from that show and upcoming events. He is expected to return very soon. 

Plans for the War Dogs

WWE NXT Tag Team Champions Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker have proven to be a hit with fans and with those backstage. There have been discussions about Corbin joining Breakker on the main roster now that Bron has signed with SmackDown. There are also talks about renaming the group to ‘Spear of Days.’ 

Not Taking WWE NXT Off Air

Earlier this month, the WWE NXT crowd were told to watch their language after heavy profanity was sent the way of Carmelo Hayes. Despite rumors suggesting last week’s NXT could have been taken off the air due to the chants, there was ‘no chance’ it would be taken off the air by the USA Network. 

Edris Enofe Injury

It was previously reported by the Wrestling Observer that Edris Enofe suffered an injury on the February 6, WWE NXT. Fightful reports that Enofe is said to have suffered the injury about halfway through the tag team bout with Nathan Frazer and Axiom.

Ric Flair Turns 75: Charlotte Shares Heartwarming Birthday Tribute To Her Father

Thomas Lowson
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Charlotte Flair has shared her tribute to her legendary father Ric Flair as the Nature Boy has turned 75 years old. 

Born February 25, 1949, Flair is considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Flair is already a two-time WWE Hall of Famer and was the first inductee to receive a second nod. Flair is also hopeful for a third WWE Hall of Fame induction for his role in Evolution. 

In October of last year, Flair joined AEW and has been part of Sting’s retirement run. The pair were fierce rivals in the NWA and WCW and competed in the final WCW match during the March 26, 2001, edition of WCW Monday Nitro. 

Ric Flair’s Birthday Wish

As a megastar in wrestling, Flair’s birthday earned a ton of well-wishes from fans around the world. On Twitter, Charlotte shared a heartfelt message to her father, saying her love for him is as big as the sky. The Younger Flair included a photo of herself, Ric, and her husband Andrade El Idolo. 

AEW also shared its birthday wish to the legendary wrestler. 

In a tweet of his own, Ric Flair was grateful for the well-wishes by fans. 

What’s Next? 

Charlotte suffered an injury in December of last year that has kept the Queen out of action ever since. Flair recently said that she is ahead of her recovery time-frame in positive news from the former Women’s Champion. The Queen was spotted at WWE’s Performance Center with John Cena last week. 

Randy Orton: Giving Back To The Business Is So Important to Me Right Now

Thomas Lowson
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Randy Orton is motivated by giving back to the wrestling business in the latter stages of his career with WWE. 

Orton is one of WWE’s most decorated Superstars, with 14 World Championships, a Grand Slam, and two Royal Rumble victories to his name. The Viper returned to TV at last year’s Survivor Series: WarGames event after a severe back injury nearly ended his wrestling career. 

Randy Orton On His Role in WWE

Speaking for his A&E Biography: Legends episode, Orton addressed the importance of giving back to the business that has done so much for him. 

“I’d say paying it forward, giving back to the business [is the most important thing to me at this stage of my career.] Just helping out the guys who need the help. When I was coming up, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Triple H, all these guys. They made sure to instill in me as many good habits as they could. Here I am, 20 years later and a lot of things come full circle.”

WWE Superstars on Randy Orton

Borrowing a line from his WWE return promo, Cody Rhodes spoke about his mentor, and how despite Orton often being against authority, he has become a moral compass. 

“The path we take to avoid our destiny is often the one that leads us directly to it. I think Randy senses that he is now in a position where he can leave the industry better than he found it.

Cody also recognized the irony of Orton of all people now being a person who is looked to as a leader given his often controversial actions in the past. 

For an individual who has [been] so adamantly against rules and structure and management, the irony is that he’s become such a great leader. 

Seth Rollins, who was Orton’s first feud after his 2015 WWE World Heavyweight Championship win, was appreciative of all the Viper does. 

“He’s really taken on the responsibility of helping out the younger generation.”

The Miz, who defeated Orton in November 2010 to win his first of two WWE Championships, also had praise for the Viper. 

“Yeah he’s a locker room leader now [but] he didn’t have to be either. But he took on that role because he cares about this business. And he doesn’t get the credit. He’ll never get the credit that he deserves. Until now hopefully.”

What’s Next? 

At last weekend’s WWE Elimination Chamber 2024 event, Orton competed in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match. The Viper was able to eliminate Logan Paul but was attacked by the Maverick with brass knuckles afterward. The match was won by Drew McIntyre. Given what happened in Perth, it has been rumored that Orton and Paul will face off at WrestleMania 40. 

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

What Was Said AT TNA’s Meeting with Talent & Management After Scott D’Amore’s Firing?

Thomas Lowson
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The TNA Wrestling roster was able to have its say at a large meeting with management following the firing of former President Scott D’Amore. 

D’Amore was fired earlier this month by TNA’s parent company Anthem Entertainment, who have replaced him with their own President Anthony Cicione. Replacing D’Amore with Cicione has been part of an effort to strengthen ties between the two parties. The decision to cut D’Amore has been met with backlash. TNA’s roster has issued a letter to Anthem, expressing their views on the matter. It was reported last week that a meeting between TNA talent and management would take place 

Who Was At TNA’s Meeting?

The meeting was meticulously planned out ahead of time, according to Fightful Select. Attendees of the meeting included TNA Wrestling talent and bosses within Anthem, some familiar to TNA’s roster and others that talent will be answering to from now on. Some of the TNA wrestlers had spoken with higher-ups on a one-on-one basis as well.

What Was Said at the Meeting? 

The general consensus of the meeting was that nobody wanted the roster to abandon the hard work they’ve done collectively, even if the roster wasn’t in agreement with the decision to fire D’Amore. One top name with TNA was reportedly looking to leave the company as a result of D’Amore’s exit. They later decided to work the weekend’s taping and see how the meeting went before doing anything too extreme. 

The Future of TNA Wrestling

TNA’s new higher-ups were said to be open to feedback from the talent roster. Many wrestlers in the company said that while they disagreed with the decision, the meeting did do a good job of getting them excited about the possibilities going forward. While many in the company are still hoping Scott D’Amore will rejoin TNA at some point, it is not expected to happen.

Swerve Strickland is A Paul Heyman Guy, Talks AEW Ideas With WWE Mentor

Thomas Lowson
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Swerve Strickland may have found a home for himself in AEW, but the popular star remains in touch with one of WWE’s most notable on-screen personalities. 

Strickland joined WWE in 2019 and the former NXT North American Champion was released in late 2021. He would later join AEW at Revolution 2022 in March. On the latest edition of his Swerve City podcast, Strickland spoke about his journey in wrestling and revealed that he still converses with Paul Heyman. 

“Little do people know, I still talk to Paul Heyman. Just on a mentorship-type state. I go to him for advice on like my promos and my segments that like … when I was doing the home invasion segments and all this stuff, I was like ‘how did this make you feel?’ I would get reception back from him.”

Paul Heyman on AEW

Heyman has unsurprisingly never appeared for AEW, but the special counsel to Roman Reigns does keep an eye on the competition. Speaking to BT Sport ahead of Survivor Series 2021, Heyman was asked for his take on Tony Khan’s company. 

“Oh, they’re viable. They are a viable entity, and God bless them for being there.”

What’s Next? 

This weekend, Swerve Strickland will compete in the main event of AEW Revolution 2024. Strickland will challenge AEW World Champion Samoa Joe in a triple threat match that will also feature ‘Hangman’ Adam Page. With that said, the Cowboy may not be in the match despite his recent ‘injury’ on Dynamite being confirmed to be a work. This match will mark Strickland’s first AEW pay-per-view main event. 

As for Heyman, he will remain close to The Bloodline on WWE TV. Roman Reigns will defend the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40. At WWE Elimination Chamber 2024, Cody Rhodes challenged The Rock to go one-on-one. 

WWE Hires Retired Indie Wrestler For Latest Creative Team Addition

Aaron Varble
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WWE has many hours of television to fill, and they are always open to good ideas. The company will also bring in fresh minds from time to time so liven things up. Now, we can confirm that they have hired an indie wrestler for that part of the company.

WWE Hires New Writer’s Assistant

WWE’s internal hirings don’t go public very often, unless it’s a newsworthy event. They have posted openings for their creative team in recent memory, and now they have hired Patrick Scott to join the company.

Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net reported that WWE has hired a new writer for their team. Patrick Scott, who is a retired indie wrestler, is now joining WWE’s creative team as a writer’s assistant for the SmackDown brand. His start date was not disclosed in the report.

Sources have confirmed to me that Independent Wrestler Patrick Scott has been hired by WWE has the new writer’s assistant for SmackDown, and is said to be starting this Monday.

Patrick Scott Speaks Out

Scott has previously posted on social media to indicate that a big career change is coming. He promised to have more updates soon as he posed a photo to illustrate this transition.

I’ll have a lot more to say in the coming days. For now, I will just say this… Thank you.

SEScoops would like to congratulate Patrick Scott for this great opportunity. He is joining WWE’s team as they embark on the road to WrestleMania, an event that will likely be an all-hands-on-deck kind of situation creatively.

Becky Lynch Speaks on Her WWE Experience In Response To Vince McMahon Allegations

Aaron Varble
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0

Vince McMahon was forced to resign from WWE a second time when Janel Grant filed a damning lawsuit that alleged him of heinous acts including sex trafficking, assault, and more. The locker room is starting to speak out on the matter, and now it is Becky Lynch’s turn.

Becky Lynch Speaks on Vince McMahon Allegations

During an interview with Inside the Ropes prior to yesterday’s WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth, Becky Lynch was questioned about the allegations against Vince McMahon.

Becky Lynch responded, “I’ve been fortunate in my career that I’ve always felt supported by the company. These allegations are horrible. It’s hard to reconcile, as a talent and as a woman, but my experience in WWE has only ever been amazing.”

The Man went on to explain that, in the beginning of her time in WWE, the company limited talent. They pushed through that, and she has had a great ride in the company. Those words were spoken in a solemn tone, because Lynch realized that not everyone can say the same about their experience. 

“Yes, in the beginning, there were some restrictions put on things. We couldn’t punch, we had to hair pull, there were weird things there. Being able to push us forward, push women forward, I’m very grateful for that and the opportunity to even have my family. This company…some of these things are hard to reconcile.”

Becky Lynch won the 2024 Women’s Elimination Chamber match. Now, she will go onto WrestleMania 40, where she will take on Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s World Title.

Other WWE Superstar Reactions To Vince McMahon Allegations

Randy Orton also addressed Vince McMahon, expressing that the allegations against him were heartbreaking. The Apex Predator further acknowledged that he owes his entire career to Mr. McMahon.

John Cena also spoke out about this situation, but he also stated that he still loves McMahon. They went through a lot over the years, and Cena was as frank as he could while speaking on the Howard Stern Show.

Kevin Owens has also reacted to the Vince McMahon allegations in recent memory. He condemned McMahon’s actions as he spoke carefully on the subject.

As of this writing, WWE has handed down no directive to any talent saying that they are not allowed to speak about Vince McMahon’s situation. Obviously, they are speaking out as this question comes up, and the number of Superstars who are speaking out on the matter is likely to grow as time goes on.

WWE RAW Preview (2/26): Elimination Chamber Fallout, Imperium vs New Day Street Fight

Aaron Varble
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0

WWE RAW’s February 26th episode will go down in the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The episode promises to feature fallout from the recent Elimination Chamber event held in Australia. As WrestleMania approaches, with only 40 days until the grand event, the anticipation is palpable. Let’s take a look at what WWE has booked already.

There are currently two matches scheduled for RAW, including Sami Zayn taking on Nakamura, and a Street Fight between the New Day and Imperium. Additionally, Drew McIntyre emerged victorious in the Elimination Chamber, earning the opportunity to challenge Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40. Furthermore, Becky Lynch secured a significant victory in the Elimination Chamber, earning the right to challenge Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship at the upcoming WrestleMania 40 event.

  • Sami Zayn vs. Nakamura
  • Street Fight: New Day vs Imperium

Raw Preview (2/26/24)

Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Zayn and Nakamura were excluded from WWE’s Elimination Chamber booking. They already had this contest booked for RAW, and both men have a lot to prove. Sami is still trying to find his footing, and his eyes are on GUNTHER for a WrestleMania IC Title shot. Also, Nakamura could use a big win, as his efforts to derail Cody Rhodes as he tried to finish his story were not successful.

Street Fight: New Day vs Imperium

New Day and Imperium have been building toward this match for a while. Both teams were left off Elimination Chamber, and odds are, they will leave it all on the table in San Jose. Since we are on the road to WrestleMania, every match is even more important, especially in a contest like this were both teams could use the boost in momentum. After Judgment Day retained their titles in Perth, it is very possible that the winner of this match will have a title match in their future.

Drew McIntyre’s Next Move

Drew McIntyre won Elimination Chamber to challenge Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40. The Scottish Warrior will be there to really start his WrestleMania build, something that he has actually been at work on for a while now.

Becky Lynch Celebrates Road to WrestleMANia

Becky Lynch won Elimination Chamber to challenge Rhea Ridley for the Women’s World championship at WrestleMania 40 as well. With both Chamber winners coming out of the red brand, it seems that this week’s episode of WWE RAW is more must-see than ever.

SEScoops will have more coverage of WWE RAW as updates are made available. Keep checking back during the show for breaking headlines!

WWE Star Kevin Owens Condemns Vince McMahon Allegations

Aaron Varble
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Janel Grant’s blockbuster lawsuit caused Vince McMahon to resign from the company he helped build. Now, McMahon’s memory is being erased in many ways as the world takes a step back to see the man that he tried to hide for years. Some members of the locker room are now speaking out to express their shock at the whole situation.

Kevin Owens Reacts To Vince McMahon Allegations

The allegations against Vince McMahon sparked reactions from all over. The pro wrestling bubble was busted wide-open, as main stream outlets also picked up the story.

Vince McMahon was responsible for booking Kevin Owens as Universal Champion, his WrestleMania main event match against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and so much more. He may owe McMahon a lot for giving him those opportunities, but it doesn’t change the heinous allegations of sex trafficking, assault, and abuse that Janel Granted included in her lawsuit.

While speaking to Alex McCarthy of Daily Mail, Owens spoke out against the allegations.

“Everything that has come out is awful. Just terrible.   There’s really no words to describe how sad this makes me feel. If the people spoke out went through what they went through, that’s terrible. It’s shameful and it can’t ever happen again. That’s what it comes down to.”

Other Reactions To Vince McMahon Allegations

Randy Orton also spoke out against Vince McMahon, and he said the allegations against McMahon were heartbreaking. The Apex Predator also admitted that he owes his entire career to Mr. McMahon.

John Cena also spoke out about this situation, but he also stated that he still loves McMahon. They went through a lot over the years, and Cena was as frank as he could while speaking on the Howard Stern Show.

“I’ve openly said, I love the guy, I have a great relationship with the guy, and that’s that. It’s largely my construct of operating with honesty and communication. The whole thing is super unfortunate and it sucks. It deals with an individual I love and an entity I love.”

What’s Next

Vince McMahon will likely never be back in WWE. At this point, he has no leverage to cause a return like he saw after his first retirement stint. He cannot return with the same amount of power, and this is also comforting for some to know.

Bill Simmons is still working on his six-part Netflix docuseries about Vince McMahon. That series will likely blow the lid off a lot of McMahon’s life, as it promises to pull no punches.

WWE Superstars Raked Up Extensive Travel for Australia’s Elimination Chamber

Aaron Varble
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Elimination Chamber went down in Perth on February 24th, making the company’s return to Australia for a huge event since 2018’s Super Show-Down event. Tons of fans turned out for the Chamber, and those Superstars had a long trip to make it there.

WWE Elimination Chamber Travel 

WWE Superstars are used to time on the road, and they certainly raked up frequent flyer miles this week. A majority of the roster went to Australia for the Elimination Chamber event, and there was a lot of travel required. 

Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that some talent had quite a trip to Australia. Some of them required multiple flight transfers to make sure that they made their way to Elimination Chamber in time. 

The WWE travel to Australia for some went to California, Hawaii, then Australia. There were some that ended up taking 4-5 legs of a flight to get back home.

WWE Elimination Chamber Attendance

Triple H showed up before the main event of the Chamber pay-per-view, and he had a big announcement. The WWE COO revealed that the attendance in Optus Stadium was 52,590.

Elimination Chamber drew a significant crowd, but it fell short of WWE’s previous major event in Australia. That event was the 2018 Super Show-Down, held on October 6, 2018, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The attendance for WWE Super Show-Down was reported to be approximately 62,000.

What’s Next

WWE is well on the road to WrestleMania at this point. There is a lot at stake for Superstars to stay healthy and maintain focus during this time. Thankfully, the flight to Elimination Chamber, although it was grueling, it didn’t seem to negatively change anyone’s performance during the massive event.

Sting Insisted On Taking Dangerous Bump In Daily’s Place At AEW Dynamite Homecoming

Aaron Varble
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Sting has certainly given his all since signing with AEW. Few fans thought that he would get involved in AEW matches like he has, and now The Icon is set to have his final match at Revolution on March 3rd, and he wanted to go out with all guns blazing at this point.

Sting Insisted On Danger

Darby Allin and Sting took on the Don Callis Family during AEW’s Homecoming episode in Daily’s Place. That match ended with The Stinger going through a table, but that wasn’t supposed to be his spot. 

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that Darby Allin was supposed to take the big bump in Daily’s Place that ended their tornado tag team match, but that wasn’t how things turned out. It seems that Sting insisted on taking that bump instead. 

In asking around about the road to Sting’s retirement match, there were some backstage that had pushed for Darby Allin to take the bump at the end of the Daily’s Place tag team match instead of Sting, but Sting was insistent. Obviously he’s been fine in the follow up.

Sting Was Advised Against This

Darby Allin previously spoke about that dangerous spot at Daily’s Place. He told Sting not to take the bump, but that didn’t convince The Icon from doing it anyway.

What’s Next For Sting

Sting and Darby Allin are set to take on The Young Bucks at AEW Revolution on March 3rd. That will be a historic event at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it will also mark the company’s first pay-per-view in the city. It will also be the end of Sting’s in-ring career, so odds are the whole pro wrestling world will be watching.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of Sting’s final days as an active wrestler for AEW. 

Cringe-Worthy: Kevin Owens Explains Why He Doesn’t Watch His Old ROH Performances

Aaron Varble
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WWE Superstars can sometimes work for a decade or longer in the pro wrestling business before getting their shot. Kevin Owens certainly had to put in his time on the indies, but now that he is a WWE Superstar, although he appreciates his past, he is looking forward.

Kevin Owens Speaks on His Time in ROH

Kevin Owens is known all over the world now for his work in WWE. However, prior to rising to prominence in the global wrestling scene, Owens was a fixture in Ring of Honor from 2011 to 2013. It seems that he doesn’t really think about that time in his career anymore.

During conversation with Wrestle Radio Australia, Kevin Owens mentioned that the current phase of his career aligns more closely with his true self compared to his time in Ring of Honor. He acknowledged that during his Ring of Honor days, he often aimed to shock people and gain recognition, even if it meant doing things he wouldn’t do now.

Owens then expressed gratitude for reaching his desired destination in his career, although he doesn’t necessarily reminisce about his Ring of Honor years. He doesn’t watch that footage, and some of it is cringe-worthy for him now.

I mean, this is a lot closer to myself than I am, you know, the Ring of Honor stuff. A lot of it was about shocking people and trying to get my name out there and for better or for worse, you know? There’s a lot of things I did back then that I would not do today. You know what I mean? So I’m glad that I’ve managed to get to where I wanted to get to, and the Ring of Honor years are great years for me, but they’re not necessarily years I even look back on. I don’t really watch that stuff back. If I did, I’d probably cringe at a lot of stuff I did. You know, licking people’s blood and just a lot of crazy things in the ring that I probably shouldn’t have been doing. But, you know, it all paid off ultimately. I am where I wanted to go.”

What’s Next For Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens does not have a match on WrestleMania 40 yet, but odds are that will change as the weeks tick down for the show of shows. This could be an eventful time for him, because the road to WrestleMania has been known to pick up for the Prize Fighter since his debut on the main roster.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of Kevin Owens’ career, and everything else in the pro wrestling world. 

Drew McIntyre Reveals Possible Eardrum Injury After Grueling WWE Elimination Chamber Win

Aaron Varble
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Drew McIntyre appears to have regained the momentum he lost during his WWE championship reign. After winning the 2024 Men’s Elimination Chamber match, the Scottish Warrior has a World Heavyweight Championship match waiting for him at the showcase of the immortals. He was also banged up a bit in the process, but it was all worth it. 

Drew McIntyre’s Big Win

Drew McIntyre has been through a lot on the road to WrestleMania. It appears that he may have also ruptured his eardrum in the process.

This win has secured him a World Heavyweight title shot against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40. Speaking with Byron Saxton on WWE’s The Bump after the match, Drew McIntyre expressed that every hardship endured in the chamber was worthwhile. He is now focused on concluding his journey for all those who believed in him at The Show of Shows.

“I can barely hear the words after getting hit in the ear so hard. It’s fine. I said I would do whatever it takes, not just for me but for everybody else. And every superplex, every dive off the cage, every power bomb in the back of my neck was worth it. I said I’d go through any obstacle. Push Cody to finish his story, that’s what the fans wanted. Push Seth to stop being selfish. Some people are like, it’s just so you can get Seth at WrestleMania.”

“Yeah, I just had to beat AJ Styles and I just had to put myself through hell while jet lagged, while this eardrum appears to be burst. Worth it. I did it for each and every one of you. We’re so close, so close. WrestleMania, we finish our own story and I finally get my moment.”

Drew McIntyre’s WWE Journey

The Scottish Warrior ascended to the main event scene in 2020, capturing the World title from Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36. Unfortunately, the global pandemic prevented an audience from witnessing McIntyre’s triumph.

However, since the start of 2024, McIntyre’s popularity has surged once again, with fans firmly supporting his dominant performances. The Elimination Chamber match at WWE’s PLE in Perth, Australia was just what he wanted to maintain that momentum.

What’s Next for Drew McIntyre

The Scottish Warrior will take on Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40. That match may be a massive notch in his belt, but it could also be a huge highlight near the end of his road with WWE.

Drew McIntyre’s WWE contract is up soon, and while he has not re-signed yet, the thought is that he has far too much momentum at this point to leave. SEScoops will have more on this story as more information is available. 

AEW Star Praises Company For Signing Former WWE Writer Jennifer Pepperman

Aaron Varble
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AEW has pulled in a few former WWE names in the past, and they scored a big behind-the-scenes acquisition by securing a tenured Senior Writer and Producer. Matt Hardy remembers his days in WWE, and he can see why this signing will be very beneficial.

Matt Hardy Speaks on AEW’s New Creative Force

Former WWE Senior Writer and Producer Jennifer Pepperman opted to leave the company. Her departure was voluntary rather than a result of being let go. I was told at the time that the overall thought was that she already landed a job elsewhere.

Pepperman has since joined AEW for an extended period, a move that Matt Hardy sees as beneficial. She has also worked extensively with Sasha Banks in the past, and Mercedes Mone is expected to make her AEW debut during March 13th’s Big Business Collision in Boston.

While speaking on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, the show’s co-host, Jon Alba, highlighted the recruitment of Jennifer Pepperman. Hardy then pointed out that he views her as a valuable addition to AEW, particularly given her background in WWE.

“I worked with her when I went back to WWE in 2017. I was there [from] 2017 through 2020, got along good with her, interacted with her some. I don’t know her extremely well, but I do know her. I think it’s very interesting.”

“I think it’s a positive thing that Tony is bringing someone that has been in the WWE format and the WWE writing room and the WWE structuring room, to bring them and give insight on AEW. I think it’s a positive.”

What’s Next for Jennifer Pepperman in AEW

Jennifer Pepperman has taken on the role of Vice President of Content at AEW. She is expected to work closely with Mercedes, similar to Brian Gewirtz’s collaboration with The Rock.

We will have to see how her creative influence changes AEW’s product. She had a lot of creative pull in WWE, and many were shocked by her departure.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is available. 

Baron Corbin Clinches Silver In Jiu-Jitsu World League, Vows to Win Gold Next Time

Thomas Lowson
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WWE NXT Tag Team Champion Baron Corbin is ready to improve after clinching a silver medal in a Jiu-Jitsu World League tournament. 

Taking to Instagram, the Lone Wolf shared a photo of himself as well as the Bronze and Gold medalists on their respective podiums. Corbin admitted it wasn’t the result he wanted but is ready to learn from his mistakes. 

Obviously not the result I wanted last night! Lost 2-0 on points in the finals. @the305mvp put it in perspective and said “You win or you learn. What did you learn?” I defn learned a few things and will get back in the Lab and work! The work is never done! @rudos_bjj already has a plan.

We all stumble and it should push us to get better. I’m taking home another gold in the next tournament. I hope the guy who beat me is there so I can get it back. Let’s go!

#bjj #silversucks #oss #fujibjj

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C3xesiOrNxf

Baron Corbin in WWE

Corbin has been a part of the WWE roster since 2014. In addition to his current reign as an NXT Tag Team Champion with Joe Gacy, he is a former United States Champion. Corbin has also captured the King of the Ring crown and Money in the Bank briefcase but failed in his cash-in attempt. 

Baron Corbin’s Fighting Prowess

Baron Corbin’s fighting skills were long established before he stepped foot in a WWE ring. He is a two-time Golden Gloves regional amateur boxing champion. In 2008, he competed in the Golden Gloves National Tournament of Champions in the super heavyweight division and made it to the quarter-finals. 

More recently, Corbin captured gold at a different Jiu-Jitsu World League contest as a representative of the Rodos BJJ fighting gym. Alumni of Rudos BJJ include Matt Riddle, Shayna Baszler, and reigning WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY.

Orange Cassidy Sets the Record Straight on ‘Comedy Wrestling’

Aaron Varble
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Tony Khan has done a lot while booking AEW so far, but his transformation of Orange Cassidy has been impressive to see. Some were initially worried when TK signed the indie darling who couldn’t keep his hands out of his pockets. After introducing Cassidy to the world, they have not accepted him as a pro wrestling star. Still, it’s hard to shake that comic stigma that brought him to the table.

Orange Cassidy Speaks on Comedic Wrestling

Orange Cassidy, a prominent figure in Tony Khan’s AEW, is celebrated for his captivating in-ring abilities. Despite his silence and comedic routines, Cassidy has garnered immense popularity among wrestling enthusiasts.

The current AEW International Champion is often seen as a comedic attraction, known for his playful gestures such as teasing opponents with kicks and responding to others with his signature thumb raise. 

During a recent interview with theathletic.com, Cassidy expressed gratitude towards AEW, highlighting the opportunity it provides to showcase a range of emotions. He emphasized the importance of versatility in professional wrestling, stating that being pigeonholed into one role would lead to stagnation. In the end, he doesn’t really care for the term “comedic wrestling.”

“I don’t really like the term comedy wrestler because I feel that professional wrestling is an art. This is the art I create and art, to me, should generate emotions out of people. Those emotions could be laughter. They could also be joy, it could also be sadness, it could be regret, it could be depression. If I was just a comedic wrestler, would people really care, would they be invested?“

Orange Cassidy remarked that in a movie solely filled with laughter for 90 minutes, there’s always a moment that deeply resonates with the audience. He expressed gratitude towards AEW for providing him with the opportunity to display various emotions, emphasizing that elsewhere, he might be confined to a single comedic role. Cassidy noted the risk of becoming stale if restricted to one-dimensional character portrayals. He stressed the importance of being a professional wrestler above all else to evoke genuine emotions from the audience.

It was once difficult to get more than three words out of Orange Cassidy. Now, he’s doing full-fledged interviews, while diving into his own version of pro wrestling theory.

What’s Next

AEW has built Orange Cassidy into a legitimate champion, as fans follow what Freshly Squeezed does next. We will have to see how Tony Khan books OC in the future, because he has certainly done a lot for him so far.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of AEW and Orange Cassidy whenever new headlines drop, so keep checking back for more.

Update on Finn Balor After Injury Scare At WWE Elimination Chamber 2024

Thomas Lowson
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An update has emerged on Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Finn Balor following some concerning scenes at WWE Elimination Chamber 2024. 

In the sole tag-team match on the card, Balor and Damian Priest retained the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships against New Catch Republic (Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne.) The British tag team qualified for this match by winning a four-way tag match and then became number-one contenders by defeating DIY. 

Latest On Finn Balor

After the match, WWE’s camera team spotted Balor who was bleeding heavily from his thumb. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez gave an update on the Judgment Day member. 

“We had Finn Balor who, at the end of the match, holds up his hand and his thumb is bleeding like crazy. And man, he sold that thing big. And we weren’t sure if he had broken his thumb or cut it open or whatever. But apparently, whatever it was, he’s alright.“

What’s Next? 

With Elimination Chamber 2024 out of the way, Balor and Priest will be looking ahead to WrestleMania 40 and defending their titles in Philadelphia. The show will mark one year since the Undisputed WWE Tag Titles headlined WrestleMania 39: Saturday.

It’s unclear who the champs will face this April but the future is clear for Judgment Day ally Rhea Ripley. After retaining against Nia Jax in Perth, the WWE Women’s World Champion will defend against Becky Lynch, who won the Women’s Elimination Chamber match to earn a title shot at WrestleMania 40. 

Raquel Rodriguez Missed WWE Elimination Chamber Rehearsals Due To MCAS Flare-Up

Aaron Varble
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WWE Superstars have to go through a lot that they don’t tell fans about. Raquel Rodriguez has been very open about her illness in recent memory, and she was able to overcome a huge obstacle to compete in Perth.

Raquel Rodriguez Almost Missed The Elimination Chamber

WWE held the WWE Elimination Chamber PLE with Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, Naomi, and Raquel Rodriguez competing in the women’s Elimination Chamber match. Lynch emerged victorious in the match, but one competitor had a pretty difficult time before the match even started.

Raquel had previously mentioned that her Mast Cell Activation Syndrome was flaring up before the event.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, it was reported that Raquel’s condition was uncertain at one point due to the MCAS, resulting in her absence from the practice match.

“It was touch and go […] as you know her thing flared up. She missed the, they basically did a practice match while in Australia, and she missed that, but she was able to do the match today, so good for her, she got to do it, but she had a flare-up on the flight over.”

After her Elimination Chamber match, Lynch is now set to challenge WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40.

What’s Next for Raquel?

We can only hope that Raquel Rodriguez doesn’t have any more issues with her MSAC. It seems like a terrible problem that hasn’t gone away yet. She certainly means a lot to WWE fans, who want to see her healthy and able to compete without worrying about this kind of complication.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is made available. 

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