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WWE 2K24 Teaser Video Hints at Return of Fan-Favorite Feature

Aaron Varble
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WWE fans expect a yearly video game at this point, and WWE 2K24 is not disappointing when it comes to the hype so far. We are getting more information about the game as the weeks tick down until the latest offering from 2k drops, and this will also include the return of a much-requested feature.

WWE 2K24 Bringing Back Fan-Favorite Feature

2k dropped a new teaser video today that said a lot. The short hype video included several tweets from WWE fans, begging them to bring back the special guest referee feature. Then they cut to a striped shirt Randy Orton delivering an RKO outta nowhere as a referee.

The post on Twitter/X also included a caption that simply said: “Master of the rules.” This post has already caused a stir with fans who missed the ability to play as a referee in their 2k video game experience.

Other WWE 2K24 News

Songs from the upcoming WWE 2K24 soundtrack have already been released, and it has an impressive lineup. The hype is certainly there, and it appears that the 2k team is listening to fans as well, so we’ll have to see if they add any other lost features down the line.

WWE 2K24 Release Details

WWE 2K24 will offer three editions: Deluxe, Forty Years of WrestleMania, and Standard. These editions will roll out globally on March 8, 2024. Keep an eye out for updates on the game’s soundtrack, roster, Superstar ratings, and other details.

Stay tuned to SE Scoops for ongoing coverage of WWE 2K24 and all the latest in the world of professional wrestling.

Vince McMahon Ally Bruce Prichard Returns To WWE Following Surgery

Rayan Saayed
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It was reported that Bruce Prichard had surgery earlier this month for his triceps. Conrad Thompson, who co-hosts Bruce Prichard’s podcast Something to Wrestle With, revealed that Prichard was scheduled for surgery on February 1. Now, in the latest update, he’s back after the surgery.

According to PWInsider, Prichard was backstage at Raw on February 19 in Anaheim, CA. Mike Johnson reported that he believes this could be Prichard’s comeback after the triceps surgery.

Prichard has undergone surgery before. He has had a couple of shoulder surgeries in the past, and this is actually the fourth time he has needed it done in the last five years.

Prichard’s role backstage at WWE is the executive director of Raw and SmackDown, which is a significant position in the company.

Prichard on Vince McMahon allegations

Prichard also made recent headlines for not commenting on the Vince McMahon situation.

Following the allegations against McMahon, Ronda Rousey stated that as long as Prichard remains with WWE, Vince McMahon’s influence will always be evident:

“Bruce Prichard is basically Vince’s avatar, if he’s still around Vince still has a hand in the business. Vince was still running things through Bruce when he was “gone” before.”

On the Something to Wrestle With podcast, Prichard was asked about the lawsuit against McMahon and WWE. Prichard stated that he won’t comment on the matter because he is “not at liberty” to discuss the “legal matters of the company whatsoever.”

“There can’t be a response from the legal standpoint. You can ask until you’re blue in the face, and that’s going to be your answer. I’m not involved, I’m not being sued, I’m not being accused of anything. It’s a legal matter.”

He also added that no matter what, there will be some who believe the claims, and some who don’t. However, talent in the company who did comment on the matter include Cody Rhodes, who described the situation as a “dark cloud,” and Seth Rollins, who expressed hope that everyone involved in the situation received the deserved consequences.

Kenny Omega On How Wrestling Can Draw New Fans, Similarities to Gaming

Tyriece Simon
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All Elite Wrestling superstar Kenny Omega wants to bring more non-wrestling fans into the profession. He has been involved in the wrestling business for over 20 years, allowing him to understand how to build a fanbase. The former AEW World Champion believes that giving your program time and care is one of the key factors in bringing in a new audience to your company. 

In an interview with Gamespot’s Dave Jewitt, Omega shared his thoughts on the video game Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth and how it can relate to wrestling. He believes wrestling shouldn’t be afraid to be creative and have fun like the video game. Omega’s philosophy is that wrestling fans will appreciate it and can bring a new audience to the profession.

“As a wrestler in 2024, you always think of new ways. How are we going to bring new fans in? How can we get a new fanbase,” said Omega. 

The former AEW World Champion explained that he believes wrestling should try to appeal to different people, whether it be age or culture. 

“…We want anyone to appreciate what we do as an art form, as a form of entertainment. Much like the Like A Dragon universe, it can be whatever you want it to be as long as you give it a proper introduction, explain it, and have fun with it,” said Omega. 

He added, “…That’s sort of my take on wrestling and clearly that sort of like the take on this game where if you put time and care into everything that you do, you’ll get the appreciation back. People will have fun with it.”

Update On Kenny Omega 

Omega is currently out of action as he looks to recover from diverticulitis. He had initially thought that it was a hernia until he went to the hospital on December 15, 2023. The AEW superstar revealed on Twitter after his diagnosis that he would be out of action for an indefinite amount of time.

 AEW President Tony Khan shared in a recent interview with Sports Grid that Omega is doing better than before. However, he is still far from making a return and hopes he makes a full recovery. 

It’s expected Omega will take his time to heal before he steps back into a ring. Although it’s unfortunate that ‘The Best Bout Machine’ could be out for most of the year, it should be encouraging that he looks in good shape and spirits during his interview. 

WWE Injury Update: Shotzi Blackheart Is Heading For Surgery

Aaron Varble
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WWE’s NXT brand saw Shotzi return for a match against Lyra Valkyria, and that did not end well at all. The WWE Superstar was injured, and she suffered a serious knee injury. Now, she is going under the knife to repair the damage. That match will air tonight, Feb 20th, on the USA Network’s weekly show.

Shotzi Blackheart’s Injury

The injury for Shotzi prompted WWE to alter plans, as she was originally scheduled to compete in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying match against Tiffany Stratton on SmackDown. For what it’s worth, it was always the plan to have Stratton in the Chamber match.

According to PW Insider, reports circulating at Monday Night Raw suggested that Shotzi had traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, possibly for knee surgery. WWE often sends injured wrestlers to Birmingham for surgical procedures.

The word making the rounds at yesterday’s Monday Night Raw taping was that Shotzi was in Birmingham, Alabama ahead of a possible (likely) knee surgery after getting hurt on the WWE NXT episode that will air tonight.

What’s Next

Shotzi Blackheart’s injury left NXT management in a really tough spot. In the end, Shotzi was devastated to miss out on her Elimination Chamber opportunity. 

Now, the charismatic WWE Superstar will have to wait in the wings for a majority of 2024 as she recovers. Only time will tell how much momentum she comes back with, but fans will certainly be more than excited to see her return happen.

Everyone at SE Scoops is wishing Shotzi the best on her recovery.

Update: Shotzi Confirms Injury

Shotzi got on Instagram to share that she tore her ACL. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C3lZtWDPBM3

Omos In Holding Pattern: Creative Plans For WWE’s Nigerian Giant

Aaron Varble
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WWE has a lot of Superstars on their roster who are champing at the bit for their opportunity to shine. Omos is a bit different, because he knows his value and understands how the company is using him. As a special attraction, WWE just needs to figure out a situation where he fits best.

Omos’ Current WWE Status (Exclusive)

Omos recently spoke to SEScoops‘ Scott Fishman, where he admitted to his special attraction status. It seems that he is embracing it at this point, as he said that they will book him when the money is there.

I asked about Omos’ current creative status, and was told that WWE is “holding Omos for the right program for either him or an opponent who could use a big win.”

At this time, Omos is doing community events for the company, interviews, and other things. He also makes house show appearances, with his latest being on February 18, 2024 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California, USA, where he beat Akira Tozawa during a WWE Road To WrestleMania event.

Who is Omos

Omos has a background in college basketball, and WWE was quick to sign him to a deal once they met him. He played basketball at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland after transferring from USF

As the tallest wrestler on WWE’s active roster, he stands out for his imposing stature. Now managed by MVP, they are categorized as “free agents,” granting them the flexibility to appear on both the Raw and SmackDown brands. As of this writing, fans are still waiting to see the 31-year-old Nigerian giant re-appear on television for either side.

SE Scoops will have more on this story if there are any further developments.

Josh Alexander Re-Signs With TNA Wrestling

Dominic DeAngelo
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Josh Alexander aims to be the face of TNA wrestling moving forward.

Alexander has inked a new deal with the promotion, as first reported by Justin Barrasso of SI. The the exact terms of the contract were not disclosed, but Alexander confirmed his motivation for sticking with TNA:

“With the rebranding and the return of those iconic letters, TNA, those letters that inspired me to get in the ring in the first place and chase this wild dream of being a wrestler, I’ve dreamt of that moment, being there at Hard To Kill, hearing those letters.” said Alexander.

The Walking Weapon has accomplished a lot over the past few years, but still he’s still looking to accomplish a few more bucket list items. He’s doing it for the younger version of himself who never dreamed all of this is possible, as well as his his son.

“I got a lot of work to do this year. I have to find some success because I think more so than myself, the 15-year-old kid who was sitting on the couch never dreamt this was possible wouldn’t believe that I could be TNA World Champion or TNA X-Division Champion, things that are still on my bucket list, but, I know my son wants me to bring home some gold.”

Josh Alexander: TNA Franchise

New TNA President Anthony Cicione called Alexander one of the most popular wrestlers in TNA history and he’s thrilled to have him on board as the brand embarks on the coming year.

Josh Alexander is set to compete this weekend at TNA No Surrender as he faces former Vaudevillain Simon Gotch in singles action.

He’s well on his way to being an all-time great for TNA, as he’s spent his whole mainstream career with the promotion. He’ll even be one of the figures featured in the first line of toys from PowerTown Wrestling.

Zelina Vega Is Done With Playing Second-Best, Vows To Become Champion

Bishal Roy
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Zelina Vega has revealed her goal to become a champion in WWE and will go the extra mile to achieve that.

Over the years, Zelina Vega’s role in WWE has evolved. From serving as a manager to becoming an active in-ring performer, her career has seen a major shift. She has also become a part of LWO and one of the biggest moments in her career took place last year when she faced Rhea Ripley at Backlash in Puerto Rico where she received a grand ovation from the fans.

Zelina Vega has also showcased impressive performances in the recent past and earned support from the fans. However, her momentum was lost at the end of last year and has been striving ever since. 

On last week’s SmackDown, Zelina Vega competed qualifying match for the Women’s Elimination Chamber match against Tiffany Stratton in a losing effort. 

On last night’s Raw, Vega yet again had the chance to qualify as she competed in the Last Chance Battle Royal. However, her arch-rival Elektra Lopez eliminated her and Raquel Rodriguez eventually emerged victorious by last eliminating Chelsea Green. 

Zelina Vega: I will make sure that at some point, I am standing there as champion 

In a WWE Raw Exclusive, Zelina Vega shared her thoughts on her loss but said that she won’t back down and contend for the title. She said:

“I don’t think anybody could imagine…not many people know what it’s like to be just having the title within your grasp, and I’ve been chasing this since Backlash, okay, and now Rhea gets to go along to Australia and have exactly what I had in Puerto Rico. She gets to just have that love and be the champion, and it’s great, except now I’m here getting left behind because now I’m trying to get my hands on Zelina Vega-lite, Zelina Vega 2.0. Again, this is bigger than Elektra. I don’t care about Elektra. This is all Santos’ fault. Realistically, what did he do? He’s trying to find somebody to equalize me because I wouldn’t feed bus delusions? Is that really what this comes down to? I’m done with playing second-best or being in people’s shadows. I’m done with that. They get to go on to Elimination Chamber and go to WrestleMania, and have these amazing moments, and I’m stuck behind.” 

She added:

“I’m not gonna let that happen anymore. When I tell you that something in me recently has broken, I’m not saying that to scare anybody. I’m not saying it as a threat. I’m telling you, this is what’s going to happen, and it is a warning to anybody that gets in my way. Whoever walks out of WrestleMania the champion, that is who I’m setting my sights on, and that is exactly who I’m gunning for, to take that title. I don’t care if I’m on Raw or SmackDown. I will make sure that at some point, I am standing there as champion. I don’t care how I have to do it. But first thing’s first, I’m going to find Elektra. I don’t care if I have to rip this arena apart to find her.”

The 2024 Elimination Chamber event will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia. The show will start at 5:00 AM EST, and keep an eye on SEScoops for the coverage of the show.

Initial WWE Raw Plans Had Jey Uso Winning The Intercontinental Championship from GUNTHER

Thomas Lowson
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GUNTHER is still the Intercontinental Champion, but many in WWE were confident that the title would be changing hands this week.

On the January 19, 2024, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, GUNTHER put his title on the line against ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso. The Austrian retained thanks to a distraction by Jimmy Uso, who would lay out his brother after the match. The match marked Jey’s first shot at the workhorse title.

A Possible Title Change? 

Jey Uso didn’t win the WWE Intercontinental Championship, which will have come as a surprise to some in WWE. Wrestle Votes reports that “multiple people” within WWE were under the impression that Jey would be ending GUNTHER’s historic reign.

As far as 6 pm, several internal rundowns for Raw stated that Jey Uso was going to be winning the title. With that said, it cannot be counted out that WWE were using false rundowns to avoid the actual match result getting out. With this win, GUNTHER now holds the record for the most collective days as Intercontinental Champion.

What’s Next? 

The dominant Austrian is not set to compete at WWE’s upcoming Elimination Chamber event from Perth, Australia. Due to strict immigration regulations, GUNTHER is currently unable to leave the United States, which could mean he misses the recently- announced WWE live event in Vienna, Austria.

As for Jey Uso, this week’s Raw has led to speculation that a match against Jimmy is an inevitability. After Jimmy betrayed his brother at SummerSlam 2023, it was reported that WWE was considering a match between the pair for WrestleMania 40.

Cody Rhodes Suffered Historic Loss On 2/19 WWE RAW

Aaron Varble
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WWE has treated Cody Rhodes like a bona fide Superstar since he made his return to the company. As Cody continues the mission to finish his story, that doesn’t give a lot of time to lose matches. 

Cody Rhodes’ Big Loss

Monday’s WWE Raw kicked off with Cody Rhodes against Drew McIntyre. The match took a dramatic turn when The Bloodline intervened to assist McIntyre. 

Jimmy Uso’s interference led to his ejection from ringside, while Solo Sikoa made his presence felt by attacking Rhodes with a Samoan spike. As he seized the opportunity, McIntyre delivered a devastating Claymore Kick to secure the victory via pinfall, which marked a very rare loss for The American Nightmare. 

According to CageMatch.net, this loss represents Rhodes’ first television singles match defeat since May 2016, when he was known as Stardust and lost to Zack Ryder on an episode of Superstars. Since returning to WWE at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, Rhodes has only suffered singles match losses to Reigns and Brock Lesnar on television or premium live events. 

Rhodes’ most recent loss took place last November on WWE RAW, when he and Jey Uso dropped the Undisputed Tag Team Titles to The Judgment Day. Since then, WWE has protected him in a big way, but they also gave a huge win to Drew McIntyre this week in the process.

What’s Next For Cody Rhodes in WWE

This defeat comes as Rhodes prepares to challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title at WrestleMania 40. Additionally, Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins are scheduled to appear on the Grayson Waller Effect at Elimination Chamber this Saturday, where WWE is anticipated to finalize a match between Rhodes & Rollins and The Rock & Reigns for the first night of WrestleMania. 

That Solo Sikoa interference was the same spot that saw Cody lose to Roman at WrestleMania 39. Odds are, WWE is setting fans up for the same spot at Mania 40, but Cody will kick out next time. 

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story, and many more, on the road to WrestleMania 40.

Raquel Rodriguez Celebrates With Comedian After Securing Spot In Women’s Elimination Chamber Match

Bishal Roy
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0

WWE Superstar Raquel Rodriguez recently celebrated her massive win with WWE fan Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias on Raw.

Rodriguez surprised the Anaheim crowd on last night’s Raw when she returned to in-ring action on the red brand. Raquel Rodriguez competed in the Last Chance Battle Royal Match that also featured the likes of Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, Natalya and Chelsea Green. Rodriguez eventually emerged victorious to become the final participant in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match. 

Raquel Rodriguez celebrates with Gabriel Iglesias 

In a WWE Raw Exclusive, renowned comedian and known WWE fan Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias interviewed Raquel Rodriguez following her win. Rodriguez hugged Iglesias, and they both yelled with excitement. Iglesias then asked Rodriguez about her return.

“It feels good. It feels good. Those couple of months out felt like years to me. You don’t understand how crazy I was going, just being at home, walking back and forth like, ‘I gotta get back in the ring, I gotta get back in the ring, I gotta get healthy, I gotta get back.’ Finally, I’m here, and not only am I here, but I won, and I get to go to go Australia, and I get to go to the Chamber,” Rodriguez said.

Iglesias noted that he ran into Chelsea Green, and she was not happy. Rodriguez responded by saying that she lost, and she had eliminated Chelsea in other battle royals. Iglesias agreed that Green probably didn’t like her too much before he congratulated her again.

Rodriguez had been away from in-ring action for quite some time. Last month, she revealed that she has been diagnosed with a disease called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome [MCAS], which stopped her from competing inside the squared circle. Her last match before the hiatus was at a live event back on December 3. She suffered a loss against Nia Jax in a singles bout during the house show in Portland.

Now, she has a huge task at hand and will be eyeing to outlast the other competitors inside the brutal steel structure and head to WrestleMania 40.

The 2024 Elimination Chamber event will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia. The show will start at 5:00 AM EST, and keep an eye on SEScoops for the coverage of the show.

Jade Cargill Removed: Likely Reason Why WWE Took Her Out Of Elimination Chamber Plans

Aaron Varble
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Jade Cargill made a big impression on the WWE roster when she finally made her debut. Although she hasn’t mixed it up much, she is around. There was a slot for her at the Elimination Chamber in Perth, Australia, but WWE changed those plans around.

Cargill is out of the Chamber

Despite Jade Cargill’s impactful debut at the Royal Rumble, WWE has yet to get her really going with an angle. The initial plans for her involvement in Elimination Chamber have been changed.

During this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW, Raquel Rodriguez made her big return and secured the final spot in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match by winning the last-chance battle royal. Cargill wasn’t even in the last chance battle royal.

WWE initially had plans for Jade Cargill at Elimination Chamber, but those were ultimately discarded. While speaking about this on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer shed light on Jade Cargill’s situation, as he said that the possible reason for pulling her laid on the fact that it made no creative sense to put her in that match if she is not going to win it.

“Obviously we saw something change in the women’s match. The women’s battle Royal, and it probably did since Friday. Because, if you saw the scene on Friday where they had everyone there that was for the women’s Chamber, they had Cargill in the room, basically foreshadowing and the plan was Cargill, and then they took her out, probably for all the reasons I said they should. I mean, because if you actaully looked at it, it made no sense to put her in that chamber match, none at all, and so they didn’t. They put Raquel Rodriguez in there instead.”

Jade Cargill’s First Impression In WWE

Earlier this week, I inquired about Jade Cargill’s status for the Royal Rumble. In response, I was informed that WWE has several plans in store for Cargill. While it wasn’t explicitly confirmed whether she would participate in the Royal Rumble match, her presence at rehearsals on Thursday strongly suggests her involvement.

Following her signing with WWE, Jade Cargill made a notable appearance during the Fastlane kickoff show. However, her visibility has been limited since then, with only brief appearances on RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. During these instances, she remained backstage, with her entrance music undisclosed and her presence in the ring unseen.

After Cargill’s debut for the company, I was told that there was “a ton of buzz about how professional Jade Cargill was backstage, how impressive she is up close, how well she fit in, and how quickly she did that.”

What’s Next In WWE

Raquel Rodriguez apparently took Cargill’s spot in the last-chance battle royal. We will have to see how WWE books the big chamber match in Perth, but Jade Cargill apparently didn’t factor into their plans.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of Elimination Chamber, and everything else going on in the pro wrestling world.

WWE Has Another Dream Match Planned For WrestleMania 40

Aaron Varble
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WWE is on the road to WrestleMania, and they are setting up the matches for the big show as we speak. This week’s episode of RAW saw a lot of momentum toward the grandest stage of them all, and a big match is already coming together. This match is also one that some fans have dreamed about witnessing for years. 

WWE’s WrestleMania Plan

During WWE RAW this week, Jey Uso battled GUNTHER for the IC Title. Uce didn’t win that match, but he was really close at one point.

Jimmy Uso interrupted that match by ringing the bell to stop a count when Jey was pinning GUNTHER. That distraction caused GUNTHER to get another shot in the match, and he ended up pulling off the win.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer made it clear that Jimmy vs Jey Uso is the match at WrestleMania. This has been the plan for months, so they are going that way with them.

“Obviously, they’re setting up Jimmy vs Jey at WrestleMania, which has been the plan for like, six months.”

What’s Next on the Road to WrestleMania 40

Jimmy and Jey Uso have won a ton of titles together, and they are one of the best tag teams of all time. They have yet to really battle it out in the ring, and this year’s showcase of the immortals will certainly give them that opportunity.

The card is always subject to change, and you never know what obstacles may arise in the next month and a half, but it looks like fans will finally see The Usos get their WrestleMania moment in a singles match this year.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of the road to WrestleMania. Please keep checking back for more updates.

Daily Drop (2/20): Conor McGregor Called Out On WWE RAW, CM Punk Appears After The Show

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

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

  • WrestleMania 40 COUNTDOWN: 46 days away

WWE

– CM Punk showed up after WWE RAW this week. Footage of his appearance went viral shortly after this week’s show. He had a nice segment for the live crowd with Cody Rhodes, with Jey Uso in the ring.

– Michael Chandler showed up on WWE RAW this week, and he had a very interesting thing to say. He grabbed the microphone and called out Conor McGregor in epic fashion. We will have to see if this is the beginning of more WWE and UFC joint programming down the line.

– Raquel Rodriguez returned to WWE television this week. She took part in the last chance battle royal, and she clinched the final spot in the 2024 Women’s Elimination Chamber match in Perth.

– WWE 2K24 confirmed that Bad Bunny will be a playable character in the upcoming game.

AEW

– AEW continues to get grief over how the Jeff Hardy injury spot was recently handled. Eric Bischoff called it a mess, adding to the many negative things he’s had to say about All Elite Wrestling in recent memory. 

TNA & Beyond

– There are some serious questions going around about the TNA roster right now. They may lose a few top members of their locker room at this point.

– There is also an hourglass trend that drew a ton of attention. Only time will tell how this situation escalates, but we will have continued coverage here at SEScoops.

Upcoming 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.

Nyla Rose is “Serious” About Voicing An Iconic TMNT Villain in the Mutant Mayhem Sequel

Thomas Lowson
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AEW wrestler Nyla Rose has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the ring, and she now wants to take her shot at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

Taking to Twitter, Rose shared her experience watching last year’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and was moved by a scene in which the humans helped the Turtles leader Shredder. In a follow-up tweet, Rose shared her hope to play TMNT staple baddie Krang in the sequel. 

It has been confirmed that Mutant Mayhem will receive a sequel though details remain scarce on the plot. A TV series about Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michaelangelo is also in the works. 

Who is Krang? 

An alien being from Dimension X, Krang first appeared in the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated show as part of the second episode. His first comic book appearance was in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures vol. 1, #1, published by Archie Comics in August 1988. Krang is often seen working alongside Shredder, another staple villain of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe. 

While not physically imposing, Krang possesses an impressive intellect and some psychic powers. He can often be found piloting an android body which provides him with great strength. 

Wrestling and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Should Rose be selected as the voice of Krang, she’ll join former WWE Champion John Cena who voiced Rocksteady in Mutant Mayhem. Sheamus played the same character in the 2016 live-action film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows. 

 

What Does the Hourglass Mean? TNA Wrestling Roster Come Together with Cryptic Message

Thomas Lowson
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The TNA Wrestling roster has left fans scratching their heads with the use of a single emoji, an hourglass, in a series of tweets. 

On Twitter, several wrestlers in the company shared the context-free tweet, leaving fans to speculate in the comments as to what this means. Some fans speculated that the talent were counting down until their contract expired, perhaps in response to the controversial decision by Anthem Entertainment to remove Scott D’Amore. D’Amore had been part of TNA for years and was a pivotal part of the company’s relaunch earlier this year which was a hit with fans. TNA’s roster recently issued a letter to Anthem expressing their support for D’Amore. 

You can check out some of the tweets from the TNA Wrestling roster below. 

What’s Next for TNA Wrestling? 

TNA will now be overseen by Anthony Cicione, who is the company’s new President in addition to being Anthem Entertainment’s President. The promotion’s next big event will be this week’s No Surrender pay-per-view. The card for the upcoming show is as follows: 

  • The System (Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers) (with Alisha Edwards) vs. Intergalactic Jet Setters (Kushida and Kevin Knight)
  • Chris Sabin (c) vs. Mustafa Ali (TNA X-Division Championship)
  • Jordynne Grace (c) vs. Gisele Shaw (TNA Knockouts Championship)
  • Decay (Havok and Rosemary) (c) vs. MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich and Killer Kelly) (TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championships)
  • PCO vs. Kon
  • Josh Alexander vs. Simon Gotch
  • ABC (Ace Austin and Chris Bey) (c) vs. Grizzled Young Vets (James Drake and Zack Gibson) (TNA World Tag Team Championships)
  • Moose (c) (with Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers) vs. Alex Shelley (with Kevin Knight and Kushida) (No Surrender Rules Match, TNA World Championship)

Eric Bischoff Blasts AEW For Recent Jeff Hardy Injury Scare: “It’s A Mess”

Anutosh Bajpai
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Eric Bischoff is not happy with the recent Jeff Hardy injury scare.

The Charismatic Enigma faced Sammy Guevara in a No Disqualification match on last Friday’s edition of Rampage. A clip from this match went viral on social media which saw Guevara botching a top rope dive and hitting Hardy on the face with his knee.

The former WCW president talked about this spot during the most recent 83 Weeks Episode. Bischoff was asked if such repeated botches are a result of talent wrestling a lot less frequently in AEW, and the wrestling veteran explained that AEW’s culture to promote high risk moves is also to blame:

“Very concerned for Jeff. He took that knee right to the side of the face. I don’t know where it actually hit him, but it looked to me like it planted right on his cheekbone, his temple. That’s a lot of power coming down off, that’s a lot of weight coming down off that top turnbuckle and there’s nowhere for Jeff’s head to go. So, fearful clearly, I didn’t really ask myself why.

But I think your observation’s probably mostly correct. Part of it is too because of the nature of what AEW finds appealing is so much of the high risk, justified ‘this is awesome’ chants, which usually are a result of something really, really high-risk and stupid. That’s what they’re going for. I think the talent probably feels like they’ve got to go to an extreme to get over.

Particularly cos you’re wrestling in front of 2000 people on a television show. The audience isn’t into your shit at all from the opening match on. It’s like wrestling in front of a high school cafeteria crowd. That makes it harder for talent and they push even further and they do things that are even riskier to try to overcome that issue.”

“What’s It Gonna Take?”: Eric Bischoff

Eric Bischoff also refuted Wrestling Observer’s report on Jeff Hardy’s status after the match. He questioned what will it take for officials to make an effort and tone things down:

“But I think mostly it’s the reps. Guys are just not as tight and sharp as they would be if they’re on the road three or four or five days a week. It is an issue. I think Dave Meltzer reported finish went according to plan and it’s not that big of an injury. I have heard substantially the opposite. It’s a mess. It’s a mess, and it’s a mistake.

Somebody’s gonna get hurt. Seriously hurt. People get hurt all the time. You start taking knees to the head from the top rope. What’s it gonna take? Somebody’s gonna need to die? Somebody’s gonna have to get brain injuries before somebody finally wakes up and goes ‘ok we need to get a little better control over what we do and how we do it.’ I don’t know. Hopefully not.”

Paul Roma: WWE Higher-Ups Pressued Male Talent To Do “Sexual Things” with Other Men

Thomas Lowson
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Multiple WWE higher-ups allegedly pressured male talent to perform sexual acts with other men, according to ex-Superstar Paul Roma. 

McMahon re-signed from TKO and WWE last month, following a lawsuit filed by ex-employee Janel Grant. Miss Grant claims that McMahon was sexually abusive to her and that he trafficked her to others in the company, including a former UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Paul Roma on WWE’s Accusations

With the Grant lawsuit, McMahon’s practices with WWE Superstars have been under severe scrutiny over the past month. Speaking on News Nation, Paul Roma said you would hear talk of McMahon being inappropriate on a regular basis. 

“Yes. It was pretty regular. You heard it on a regular basis for the most part. Then you wouldn’t hear it for a while. Then it would come full circle. But it wasn’t so much Vince, as it was people that he had surrounding him. You’re talking about an industry where you have young, good-looking well-built men in the ring. Half naked, three-quarters naked actually. So yeah it left a door open. 

“He had a lot of people around him. Vice Presidents and bookers that were very much into that. And they put you in a really bad situation. Especially once you started making some money. You kind of get comfortable with that. Then you find out that your job’s on the line. Do it or get fired. And I witnessed quite a few walk away. The money wasn’t worth it.”

When asked to clarify what the male talents were asked to do that led to some walking away, Roma said that he saw talent being pressured to perform sexual acts. 

“They were asked to do things, sexual things, with other men, that they did not want to do. My former partner being one of them. I was actually in a cab ride in Washington, and we were coming back. The gentleman next to me kept saying it’s not worth it. It’s not worth the Benjamins… The next day we were filming for our second TV taping and he was gone. He jumped on a flight and went back home and never showed up again to wrestle.”

Roma was asked if the person in the cab ride with him was coerced by a member of management and said there would be no one else in the company who’d do such a thing. 

“Let’s leave it this way. That’s all it could be. If somebody is going to give you money, it has to be that. There is nothing else. It’s not going to be one of the boys that you’re wrestling with. They’re not going to offer you money.

“Even my former partner. They offered him money, drugs. ‘Just lay on your back you don’ have to do a thing.’ And he came running right to me when I came to TV and I said ‘Dude. What are you going to do?’ He told me ‘I’ve already spoke to Arnold.’ And I say ‘Well why would you do that? You just killed our team. What do you think he’s going to do? He’s going to go to the people who propositioned you.'”

When the host Ashleigh Banfield spoke about a prior interview with Mario Mancini, she reiterated a claim that there is at least once incident from years ago that are worse than any allegations in the Grant lawsuit. Roma said he was aware of the claim but did not feel it was his role to speak publicly on that specific situation. Roma added that the alleged victim may have their reasons for not coming forward. 

“We’re surprised no-one has come forward but on the flip side, I think that they’re of an age now. They may be married and have kids and they don’t want to open Pandora’s box. And I don’t blame them. And I said that to Mario. Can you blame them?” 

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

Potential Spoiler Of Which City Will Host WWE SummerSlam 2024

Thomas Lowson
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The citizens of Cleveland, Ohio could be flocking to Municipal Stadium later this year for WWE’s annual SummerSlam, if recent reports are to be believed. 

The Columbus Dispatch reports that WWE will be receiving a $1.676 million tax credit from the state of Ohio this year. This is part of Ohio’s $44 million credit that will be awarded to television and film productions happening there in 2024.

No major WWE event has been announced for Ohio yet, despite this $1.676 million tax credit. With that said, there has been speculation that the tax credit could be tied to rumors of Cleveland hosting SummerSlam. Fightful Select reported in October of last year that ‘The Forest City’ was the front-runner to host the Biggest Party of the Summer. 

WWE & Cleveland

WWE has a rich history of hosting Premium Live Events in the city of Cleveland, Ohio. WWE’s first PLE in the city was SummerSlam 1996 which saw then-WWF Champion Shawn Michaels retain his gold against Big Van Vader. Other WWE events hosted in Cleveland include No Mercy 1999, Survivor Series 2004, Unforgiven 2008, and WWE TLC 2014. 

The promotion’s most recent PLE in Cleveland was Fastlane 2019 which saw The Shield defeat Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley, and Drew McIntyre in a six-man tag-team match. The bout marked the first match featuring the Shield following Roman Reigns’ return from his second victory over leukemia. 

Several WWE Superstars are also native to Cleveland. While The Miz now calls Los Angeles home, the WWE A-Lister was born and raised in Cleveland, as was Johnny Gargano. 

Hiroshi Tanahashi Acknowledges NJPW’s Need For New Stars After Recent Departures

Tyriece Simon
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New Japan Pro Wrestling is currently undergoing massive changes to start the year. The company has seen featured stars on their roster leave for All Elite Wrestling in the past year. Recently, NJPW could not re-sign fan favorites Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, and Mercedes Monè. In the wake of talent leaving, fans have questioned who can fill the void left. 

NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi knows the company’s condition and aims to create new stars. In an interview with Inside The Ropes’ Liam Wyatt, Tanahashi spoke openly about NJPW needing star power and its importance in the wrestling business. 

New Japan Pro Wrestling President Hiroshi Tanahashi at a press conference

Inside The Ropes‘ Alex Hunt transcribed the following quote.

“This is a star-driven business, and we need to make new stars. That goes beyond success in the ring as well- mainstream awareness and name value is the key to success. I want more of our wrestlers becoming household names,” said Tanahashi

In the past year, NJPW has tried to feature some of the talent the company views highly. Shota Umino, Ren Narita, and Yota Tsuji were named the Reiwa Three Musketeers. This is an honor to recognize talent they believe will lead the company for this generation. However, NJPW has made questionable decisions, like not having Okada or Ospreay take a loss against any of the younger talent.

The most notable decision was not to have Umino defeat Ospreay to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship at NJPW Power Struggle on November 4, 2023. Ospreay would sign with AEW a few weeks later at AEW Full Gear. 

Although the company has a star power issue, talent leaving puts NJPW in a position to be motivated to focus on its future. 

What’s The Next Big Events In NJPW?

NJPW has a chance to showcase their roster on the next big event, NJPW The New Beginning In Sapporo, on February 23 and 24. The two-day show will have Okada compete in his final matches in NJPW and represent a new start for the company. 

One of NJPW’s younger stars, Umino, will be in a featured match against NEVER Openweight Champion EVIL for the title. The ‘Roughneck’ will attempt to win his first championship with the company and potentially end his rivalry with the NJPW veteran. 

The upcoming two-day event presents Tanahashi with an opportunity to start creating new stars that can lead the way in a new era for NJPW. 

“Love You Brother”: The Rock Gives Tribute to Man Who Changed His Life at Daytona 500

Thomas Lowson
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Dwayne Johnson has become a huge megastar in the world of entertainment, but that wouldn’t have happened if not for the influence of a very special person. 

This week, The Rock served as the Grand Marshal of the Daytona 500. The Brahma Bull had been scheduled to kick off the annual race last weekend before severe weather delayed plans. 

The Rock’s Tribute

The Rock had a great time at the Daytona 500, which was covered on Twitter by the FOX: NASCAR account. During the video shared online, The Rock can be seen being interviewed by somebody, and looking up to the sky saying “Rest in peace, I love you brother.” In a tweet of his own, The Rock gave context, revealing that he was speaking about somebody who changed his life. 

“Crazy moment here. You’ll see at the end, I’m shooting a cellphone vid for a guy – he gets my attention, by yelling my old high school in Pennsylvania (Freedom) and mentioning my high school football coach, Jody Cwik.

“The last time I got arrested at 15, Jody said “hey stop getting arrested and come play football for me”.

“I did.

“And it changed my life.

“He changed my life. You’ll see me look up and point, and and say “rest in peace, I love you brother”

“Amidst the adrenaline and beautiful chaos of #DAYTONA500 this moment was the last thing I expected.

“I’m grateful it did.

Who Was Jody Cwik? 

Cwik passed away in 2006 at the age of 51. A graduate of Philipsburg High School, he would later study at Kutztown University, earning a BS in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies. Later, he received his Master’s Degree in Education also from Kutztown University. At the time of his passing, he was survived by his wife and their one daughter Lauren. 

Dwayne Johnson has often spoken highly of Cwick and the profound effect he had on his life. In 2016, the former WWE Champion recalled shaking hands with Cwik and how his grades and attitude improved at school when he began playing football. Johnson said in an interview with Oprah’s Master Class that to this day, he tries to see the best in kids who have been written off by others. 

WWE trademark name for Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate Tag Team

Tyriece Simon
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The newly formed tag team of Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate is on the rise in WWE. Dunne and Bate joined forces on the main roster last month and quickly became tag team title contenders. Ahead of their championship opportunity at WWE Elimination Chamber on February 24, WWE has filed a trademark for their official tag team name. 

Dunne and Bate will go by the tag team name New Catch Republic moving forward. The trademark for the same was registered on February 18, 

Bate initially revealed the name on the February 16 episode of WWE Friday Night Smackdown. In a backstage interview with Kayla Braxton, Dunne and Bate spoke about their match against The Judgement Day (Finn Balor & Damian Priest) for the WWE Raw and Smackdown Tag Team Championship at WWE Elimination Chamber. After the ‘Bruiserweight’ shared the team’s goal of winning the titles, Bate introduced the New Catch Republic, to which Dunne nodded his approval. 

Afterward, Dominick Mysterio interrupted their interview to set up a tag team match alongside JD McDonagh against the New Catch Republic. The match will occur on a taped WWE Friday Night Smackdown episode on February 23. WWE’s decision to have the match is a way to build momentum for the newly formed tag team ahead of their bout against Balor and Priest. 

More On The Judgement Day vs. New Catch Republic At WWE Elimination Chamber

The upcoming premium live event presents an excellent opportunity for the New Catch Republic to showcase their skills against the tag team champions. Since becoming a team, Dunne and Bate have impressed WWE fans and added a new level of interest in the tag division. 

That said, Balor and Priest are seemingly the favorites to retain their titles at WWE Elimination Chamber. Although the tag titles are set to be defended this Saturday, the company seems to already be teasing R-Truth and The Miz as possible future challengers for Balor and Priest.

The Judgement Day has held the tag championship since the October 16 WWE Monday Night Raw episode last year. Since then, they have only defended their belts four times but have looked dominant everytime they have put the titles on the line. 

The new Catch Republic vs. The Judgement Day still has the potential to be one of the best matches at the upcoming premium live event. While they may not win, an excellent showing for Dunne and Bate could garner more fan attention and make WWE consider featuring them more on TV. 

GUNTHER Breaks Pedro Morales’ Record for the Most Combined Days As WWE Intercontinental Champion

Thomas Lowson
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GUNTHER will go down in history as the WWE Superstar who has held the Intercontinental Champion more than any other. 

The Austrian captured the Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown in June 2022 with a victory over Ricochet. Since then, GUNTHER has retained against a litany of different opponents. At WWE Clash at the Castle 2022, GUNTHER would retain in a five-star classic against Sheamus, who only needs the IC title to complete the Grand Slam. 

Smashing the Record

In September of last year, GUNTHER broke the record for the longest individual reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion. That record had been held for decades by the Honky Tonk Man, though GUNTHER wasn’t surprised to surpass the WWE Hall of Famer. 

Now, GUNTHER has another accolade to his name. As of today, the Imperium leader has surpassed Pedro Morales’ collective 619 days across two reigns to now hold the record for the most collective days with the gold. Morales held the title from December 1980 to June 1981 and later from November 1981 to January 1983. 

What’s Next? 

On last night’s Raw, GUNTHER put his title on the line against ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso. The Austrian retained thanks to a distraction by Jimmy Uso, who would lay out his brother after the match. The match marked Jey’s first shot at the workhorse title. The dominant Austrian is not set to compete at WWE’s upcoming Elimination Chamber event from Perth, Australia. 

One thing fans shouldn’t expect to see next from GUNTHER is a pursuit of a WWE World Championship. Last August, GUNTHER expressed his hesitation at being a double champion and said it was not the time for him to pursue a World Championship. 

Watch: The Rock Teams With Dwayne Johnson In ZOA’s ‘Big Dwayne Energy’ Commercial

Thomas Lowson
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Consumers of The Rock’s new energy drink will experience ‘Big Dwayne Energy’ according to a new ad campaign from the Bloodline member. 

 BDE is the newest beverage from ZOA Energy, which is the sports drink company owned by the Brahma Bull. In a statement, Chief Visionary Officer Dany Garcia had this to say about BDE: 

“At ZOA Energy, we are illustrating that everyone has access to “Big Dwayne Energy” – this intangible concept of fearlessly owning who you are and unapologetically sharing your one-of-a-kind self with the world. By embracing this mindset and fueling the body with ZOA, people not only feel energized but confident, bold, and determined to reach their full potential.”

The Rock, who is the company’s ‘Chief Energy Officer,’ also weighed in on the impact of ZOA Energy: 

“When someone with a great, radiating energy enters the room, people feel it. ZOA Energy helps you be that best version of yourself and positively influence those around you – confidently owning your authentic self, having fun and doing your best to live life to the fullest. Before you know it, everyone is hooked on ZOA.”

ZOA Energy has also released a new video promoting BDE which shows consumers (literally) experiencing Big Dwayne Energy. The humorous commercial ends with modern-day Dwayne Johnson sharing the screen with his 90s counterpart. 

The Rock’s Other Ventures

In addition to ZOA, The Rock has his own award-winning Tequila brand which was launched in October of 2019. The Brahma Bull is also a co-owner of the United Football League. The UFL was confirmed last year and saw Johnson’s XFL merge with the USFL.

Watch: What Happened With CM Punk After Raw Went Off Air

Anutosh Bajpai
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Tonight’s Elimination Chamber go-home episode of Raw was filled with many notable moments and this trend continued even after the show from Honda Center in Anaheim, California went off air.

The show opened with a PPV quality match between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes. The two competed in a hard-fought bout for nearly 20 minutes.

McIntyre interestingly came out with a victory in this match after Solo Sikoa interfered. This was Rhodes’ first Televised singles loss since May 2023, when Brock Lesnar beat Cody at Night of Champions.

Apart from this the show also featured Chad Gable picking up an impressive submission victory over Ivar and a returning Raquel Rodriguez earning her spot in the Women’s Chamber match for the upcoming show.

What Happened After Raw

The main event of this week’s Raw saw Gunther defending his IC Title against Jey Uso, as the Ring General overtook Pedro Morales to become the longest-reigning IC Champion for combined days.

Just like the opening match, this bout also ended with an interference from a Bloodline member. This time, Jimmy Uso helped Gunther pick up the victory over his twin brother.

Jimmy attacked his brother after this match and the show went off air with The Bloodline member standing tall. Though he didn’t leave the ring even after the broadcast ended and Uso only retreated when Cody Rhodes made the save.

After coming out to help Jey, Rhodes introduced another big name. He asked CM Punk who had been backstage for the show to come out. The Straight Edge star finally cut a short promo for the crowd before ending the night.

Cody Rhodes saves Jey Uso after Raw

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