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Brock Lesnar Was Not Totally Removed From WWE 2K24

Aaron Varble
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People love a good video game story, and this is certainly a controversial one. The allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE and John Laurinaitis spilled into the video game world, as 2k was forced to make a change. Despite the appearance that Brock Lesnar was removed from the game, he is still in the files.

Brock Lesnar is Not Totally Removed

WWE 2K24’s roster dropped this week, and Brock Lesnar was missing. This was a very interesting omission from the game, but it was also too late in the process to remove him completely.

According to Mike Straw at Insider Gaming, Brock Lesnar is still in the files of the game. He just won’t be a playable character.

Despite being unplayable, his character and game files are still within WWE 2K24. That means that there will be ways for those with the ability to get him to become playable, it’ll just take some work to make it happen.

Since Brock Lesnar is still in the files of the game, odds are it won’t take long for someone to break into the game and insert him into their regular gameplay. 

Reason For Brock Lesnar’s Removal

Janel Grant’s lawsuit alleges that in July 2021, Vince McMahon directed Janel Grant to create personalized sexual content for a WWE superstar he wanted to re-sign.
The lawsuit did not identify the wrestler but described them as both a UFC fighter and WWE talent. Given the timeline of 2021, it’s relatively straightforward to narrow down those options, although Brock Lesnar was not mentioned.

According to the lawsuit, McMahon shared explicit photos with the WWE Superstar, who expressed approval, stating, “he likes what he sees.”

In December of the same year, McMahon allegedly provided Grant’s personal cellphone number to the unnamed WWE Superstar. The lawsuit alleges that the wrestler requested a video of her urinating, and after she complied, he used derogatory language, referring to her as ‘b*tch.’ A meetup was planned, but they never followed through with it due to travel issues.

What’s Next For Brock Lesnar in WWE

Brock Lesnar was supposed to have a match against Dominik Mysterio at Elimination Chamber, and then he was going to face GUNTHER at WrestleMania. Neither of those matches are happening.

Lesnar was also pulled from the 2024 Royal Rumble match, and Bron Breakker took his spot as a last-minute replacement. That also marked Breakker’s official call-up, although he still has things to settle in NXT first. 

Brock Lesnar is not in any WWE creative plans. I asked around about his status, and I was told that the only people speaking his name are high up in the food chain, and it is not in any regard to bringing him back. At this point, the belief within WWE is that the Beast Incarnate may be done in WWE.

Triple H Confirms The Rock’s Status For Elimination Chamber 2024

Dominic DeAngelo
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The Rock lightly teased that he’d fly down to Australia to lay the smackdown on Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes and Triple H wanted to make Dwayne Johnson’s status perfectly clear for the fans down under.

Speaking on the Xav & Michelle Show, Triple H let the people know that “The People’s Champ” would in fact not be in attendance for Elimination Chamber.

“You are not (going to see The Rock at Elimination Chamber). I’m not gonna spin that because I don’t want people expecting that and not see that. This show will be spectacular and nobody will miss The Rock. As this all came to be, his schedule is quite tight as you can imagine. So we have him for a lot of events, unfortunately, this was not one of them.” 

The Rock may not be in Perth but the star power is powerful for Elimination Chamber. In addition to Triple H, it appears that Australia will get a special appearance from The Undertaker at some point during the PLE. Plus, major names like Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins are lined up for a Grayson Waller Effect segment. Additionally, Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, LA Knight and Randy Orton are all on hand to compete on the card.

Rhea Ripley will more than likely get a “Rock” like reaction as the Women’s World Champion is returning to her home country to defend gold against Nia Jax.

The absense of The Rock will be somewhat bittersweet considering his recent return to his 1998 aura. This past Friday on WWE SmackDown The Rock took some specific verbal jabs at Salt Lake City, so one could only imagine that he would have some gems in store for the people in Perth.

H/t to WrestlePurists for the transcription.

WWE Hopes To Have WrestleMania Moment For Sylvester Stallone

Aaron Varble
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WrestleMania history is dotted with incredible appearances and celebrity guests. This years’ grandest stage of them all will be no exception, as the company is looking to bring Sylvester Stallone in for something.

WWE Targeting Sylvester Stallone

WWE has a lot of plans for WrestleMania, and they like to do things special to the location every year. Since they are going to be in the City of Brotherly Love, they are aiming for a massive name to come in.

According to WrestleVotes, WWE is very interested in having Sylvester Stallone in for WrestelMania in Philadelphia. It’s not clear how far along those discussions are at this time, or what kind of role the Rocky actor may have. 

Sources within WWE indicate there is interest in collaborating with Sylvester Stallone for WrestleMania in some form. While any communication status is unclear, I’m told there’s hope for it. Whether it ultimately ends up happening or not is to be determined.Stallone, born in NYC, gained fame through the iconic Rocky films, deeply associated with Philadelphia.

Additionally, Stallone is no stranger to the WWE world, having inducted Hulk Hogan into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

WrestleMania 40 Date, Location, & Card

WrestleMania 40 is set to unfold at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on April 6 and 7. Following the declarations from Royal Rumble victors Cody Rhodes and Bayley regarding their WrestleMania aspirations, the event’s lineup is beginning to take shape.

More matches, such as Jimmy Uso vs Jey Uso, and many more, are expected for the show. So far, Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes and Bayley vs IYO Sky are the only matches confirmed for the show of shows.

AEW Worked Fans With Hangman Page Ankle Injury Drama

Aaron Varble
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AEW Dynamite was an interesting show this week. There was a bit of chaos surrounding changes that needed to be made to the show Then former AEW World Champion Adam “Hangman” Page suffered an injury during a multi-man tag team match later on. Now, we have some new information about that story.

https://twitter.com/AIRGold_/status/1760513335630422314

Hangman Page’s Current Situation

During the conclusion of the February 21 episode of AEW Dynamite, Hangman Page caused concern among fans when he appeared to be injured. He landed on his feet as he got out of a Muscle Buster from Samoa Joe.

Page did not return to the match, and he appeared to be in a lot of pain. RVD later took a choke and lost the match, as the AEW World Champion won the match for his team.

After holding his ankle and signaling for the cameras to refrain from filming him, Hangman was assisted backstage while visibly limping. 

However, Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that this was part of a scripted angle, and Hangman was uninjured once he reached the backstage area.

We’re told this could be worked into the show now, but upon returning to the backstage area, Page was completely fine. One talent used a phrase that has often been used in situations like this “yeah, he’s okay. He’s just good at his job.”

What’s Next

We will have to see how AEW uses this injury angle in their storyline. They just brought Jennifer Pepperman in as their new VP of Content, and she was with WWE as a Senior Writer for years. 

As of now, AEW has not released an official update regarding Hangman Page’s status. SEScoops will have ongoing coverage of this story.

Watch: AAW Alum Seth Rollins Congratulates Promotion on 20th Anniversary

Thomas Lowson
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Seth Rollins has become one of WWE’s very top stars, but the World Heavyweight Champion will never forget where he came from.

Long before making it to WWE, Rollins made his name in several promotions, often under the name Tyler Black. One such company is All American Wrestling who is celebrating its 20th anniversary. On Twitter, Rollins congratulated AAW on the milestone and spoke about his own experiences with the company. 

”Well well well, 20 years huh? That’s a long damn time. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years, I’m not that old. I’m better than I’ve ever been, but I wanted to stop by and say thank you, thank you and congratulations to AAW.

“First of all, thank you because I wouldn’t be where I am, who I am without AAW and the chance they took on me as a young performer, as a young man, really nurtured me. I’ve always been proud to wave the AAW banner, to be able to say that I was one of the first guys there, I laid the bedrock, all that good stuff. 20 years is a long time, especially in the independent world.

“I wouldn’t be where I’m at without the company and the loyal independent mid-west wrestling fans, you guys are my bedrock. Thank you so much for allowing me to be yours, I love you. Have a hell of a night, congratulations.”

Seth Rollins in AAW

Rollins was part of AAW from 2006 to 2010, making the company one of his last promotions before signing with WWE. As part of AAW, he captured the AAW Heavyweight Championship on two occasions. He also held the AAW Tag Team Championships twice with reigns alongside Marek Brave and Jimmy Jacobs. 

What’s Next for Seth Rollins?

Rollins will appear at this weekend’s WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth event as a guest on the Grayson Waller Effect. Cody Rhodes, who Rollins has formed an alliance with against The Bloodline, will also be on the show. 

Rollins, who is currently out with an injury, will defend the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40. His opponent will be decided in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match. 

WWE Expected Jen Pepperman to Join AEW Given Friendship with Mercedes Mone

Thomas Lowson
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Jennifer Pepperman’s arrival in AEW may have come as a surprise to many, but not to her former employers at WWE. 

Pepperman’s status with AEW was confirmed earlier this week, in a quick turnaround for the former WWE Senior Writer. She parted ways with WWE less than a week ago. It was said that Pepperman, who joined WWE in 2017, left voluntarily and her departure was not a release. Pepperman was the longest-tenured female member of the creative team with WWE.

Not a Surprise

Those in WWE expected Pepperman to join AEW when she left, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Pepperman is known to be close with Mercedes Mone, who is expected to join AEW at the upcoming Big Business edition of Dynamite in Boston, MA. 

SE Scoops’ Aaron Varble previously reported that Pepperman’s exit from WWE was unexpected but that many in the company had the feeling she had work already lined up. 

Responsibilities in AEW

Pepperman has been announced as AEW’s new Vice President of Content Development. In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter however, it is suggested that she could also serve as a “personal writer” for Mone when she debuts for the promotion. 

Meltzer compared this to Brian Gewirtz who is the personal writer for The Rock. Gewirtz spent years with WWE and worked on The Rock’s promos before joining the Brahma Bull’s Seven Bucks Productions movie studio. When The Rock has appeared for WWE in the years since making it big in Hollywood, Gewirtz has served as his personal writer. 

Rhea Ripley Sends Message To Haters Before Headlining Elimination Chamber 2024: Where Are You Now?

Anutosh Bajpai
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Rhea Ripley is the headlining star of the Elimination Chamber 2024. From being the cover star for the event poster to being the face of the official hashtag for the show, she is in front and center of all the promotion for the PLE in Australia. According to the Women’s World Champion herself, the event from Perth is like her own WrestleMania.

This journey to the top of the wrestling world has not been an easy one for the female star, however. Ripley’s struggles to find her grove in the company have been well-documented. Though the Judgement Day Star had to go through many hardships even before that and she had to face haters at every stage even before joining the company.

Rhea Ripley detailed some of these struggles during her recent appearance on The Bump. When asked the message she has for her haters before the Elimination Chamber PPV, The Mami recalled how there were many people in her life who tried to discourage her wrestling aspirations. She questioned where are they now:

“Yeah those people that doubted me through the whole thing like I’ve had school teachers that laughed in my face when I wanted to do projects on WWE and wrestling in general. I had people judge me for wanting to try out for Riot City wrestling, which is the independent scene that I wrestled for in Australia. Then even just having the plan that I did to try and dedicate my craft and make it to WWE.

I had people all the time, like saying, ‘You should find a real job. You should study. You should do something else.’ Like ‘You’re never gonna make it. It’s never gonna happen. It’s a silly dream. You have to be more realistic about your life.’ And the one thing I have to say to that is ‘Where are you guys?’ I’m here living my dream. I worked hard for this dream and they’re miserable in their little crappy lives. So yeah, sue me.”

The Women’s Champion will be defending her title against Nia Jax in a singles match at Elimination Chamber 2024 from the Optus Stadium in Perth Australia. There will also be a Women’s Chamber match to determine Rhea Ripley’s opponent for WrestleMania 40.

You can tune in to SEScoops for all the latest updates during the show.

If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

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

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

AEW Changes Plan

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

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

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

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

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

More on AEW’s Changing Plan

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

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

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

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

Sting’s Plans Changed

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

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

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

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

Christian Cage Controversy

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

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

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

What’s Next

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘Hangman’ Page Injured

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

Latest on Adam Page

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

Broken Ankle

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

This Was All A Work

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

Nick Hogan Court Hearing Date For DUI Arrest Revealed

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

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

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

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

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

Nick Hogan is set for court hearing on 2/23

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

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

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

Austin Theory Threatens To Smack Australian Journalist For Disrespecting Pro Wrestling

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

Austin Theory Puts His Foot Down

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

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

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

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

Repeated History

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

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

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

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

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

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

WWE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AEW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TNA & NWA

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

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

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

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

  • WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth is scheduled for next Saturday, February 24.
  • AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
  • AEW Revolution is planned for the following weekend, on Sunday, March 3.
  • WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
  • WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
  • Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
  • WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
  • WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
  • WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

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

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

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

Robert Roode is Green Lit to Wrestle

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

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

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

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

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

A Mental Struggle 

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

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

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

Robert Roode On His Injury

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Triple H Meets Tryout Athletes

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

WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

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

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

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

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

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

Randy Orton On His Uncles

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

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

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

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

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

Cowboy Bob Orton On Young Randy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Will Ospreay coming to AEW Dynamite next week

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Change of Plans

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

Backstage Perception

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

Kyle Fletcher in Ring of Honor

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

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

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

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

Bronson Reed on WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

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

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

WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

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

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

WWE Superstars Hang Out With A Koala Ahead Of Elimination Chamber

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

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

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

What’s On Tap For WWE Elimination Chamber

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

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

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

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

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

Val Venis’ Social Media History

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Val Venis Claims He’s Being Erased

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

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

AEW Hires Recently Departed WWE Senior Writer Jennifer Pepperman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chandler Speaks On WWE RAW Appearance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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