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Darby Allin Shuns Valuable Advice From Ric Flair

Bishal Roy
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AEW superstar Darby Allin recently revealed that he isn’t listening to pro wrestling legend Ric Flair’s advice. 

Allin has a reputation for involving himself in high-risk spots in his matches. He has captivated the fans with his dangerous stunts that thrill the fans. However, suffering career-threatening injuries look inevitable. He has suffered injuries from time to time but that isn’t stopping him anytime soon. 

Pro wrestling takes a toll on the physical health of the performers and it is no secret. Veterans of the business have dealt with complications at the latter stage of life and WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, who has experienced the same, shared a piece of advice for Allin. 

Darby Allin won’t listen to Ric Flair

During a recent interview with Rock 106.1, Darby Allin revealed that though he appreciates Ric Flair’s advice to slow down he won’t listen to him. Allin says that he feels good physically and doesn’t see himself stopping. He said: 

“Ric Flair, a couple weeks ago, he came up to me and is like, ‘Darby, you need to slow down.’ I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ ‘You’re crazier than Mick Foley.’ I’m like, ‘Getting advice from Ric Flair?’ What’s funny is, people don’t know how great I feel physically. I feel amazing, like nothing hurts.“

“DDP also, he’s like, ‘We have to put you in a lab. They have to test you out and see what’s going on because you’re not human.’ I feel amazing. I won’t stop doing it. Sorry for anybody trying to give me advice, all the people out there telling me to slow down. I can’t and I won’t.”

Darby Allin and his tag team partner ‘The Icon’ Sting have their sights set on the AEW Tag Team Championships. On the latest edition of AEW Dynamite, the duo challenged the champs Big Bill and Ricky Starks, who eventually accepted the challenge. 

Jey Uso Hails Roman Reigns’ Remarkable Evolution: “He’s the blueprint of what hard work does”

Bishal Roy
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Former Bloodline member Jey Uso has nothing but high praise for his cousin and the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.

‘The Trible Chief’ has become one of the most recognizable and unstoppable characters in WWE history. His journey to superstardom dates back to his early days at Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which was then WWE’s developmental territory. It was there that Reigns developed his skills and started laying the groundwork for his future success.

His history-making WWE Universal Championship reign for 1,243 days and counting remains to be one of the greatest chapters in WWE and Reigns has established himself as the ‘Tribal Chief.’ 

He has demonstrated unmatched skills in the ring and has become the face of WWE SmackDown brand. His phenomenal development as a performer and a character highlights his commitment to the business which cements his place among the greatest of all time in the WWE.

Jey Uso lauds Roman Reigns’ meteoric rise

Just like any other WWE fan, Jey Uso is also thrilled about the idea of Roman Reigns vs. The Rock. Regarding the dream match potentially materializing as soon as this year’s WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, Jey is excited while highlighting how far Reigns has come. 

During a recent interview with Chamatkar Sandhu of TNT Sports, “Main Event” Jey Uso said:

“Yeah, I’m so excited because, like I said, people want to see that match, and it’s a big W for my family still,” Jey stated. “Like that makes me joyful. It’s breathtaking. I look at my cousin now, Roman, and I’m just happy on how far he’s come. From the day he walked into FCW, developmental, which I was there, to present. Inspiring, man.

“He’s the blueprint of what hard work does and you can never knock that. He has great work ethic. He deserves all the time off that he has, he earned it. But I really fell like The Rock is stepping back into a place where he don’t know what’s gonna hit him, let alone The Great One. We The Ones, or we used to be The Ones, but that’s The Great One.”

Roman Reigns will defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against LA Knight, Randy Orton and AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event on Saturday, January 27.

LA Knight vs Solo Sikoa Added To SmackDown

Bishal Roy
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This weekend’s Royal Rumble Premium Live Event will be a massive show but ahead of the event, WWE has announced a blockbuster clash for Royal Rumble’s go-home SmackDown show. LA Knight is set to take on the Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa on this week’s Friday Night SmackDown lineup. 

LA Knight and Solo Sikoa clash in a rematch

Knight vs. Sikoa is a rematch from the October 13 SmackDown where Knight secured a win over Sikoa in the build up to challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal title at Crown Jewel in November.

Knight has a huge opportunity at hands as he participates in a four-way Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match with title holder Roman Reigns, AJ Styles, and Randy Orton. 

Apart from LA Knight vs Solo Sikoa, WWE announced a Women’s Tag Team title match as Katana Chance & Kayden Carter put their titles on the line against Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane). On the other hand, Carlito will square off against Santos Escobar, while Austin Theory faces  Carmelo Hayes. A face-to-face segment with The Pride and The Final Testament factions has also been announced.

Lineup for the Friday, January 26 SmackDown:

  • LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa
  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Katana Chance & Kayden Carter defend against Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane)
  • Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory
  • The Pride (Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits) & The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Authors of Pain, Scarlett & Paul Ellering) face-to-face
  • Carlito vs. Santos Escobar

Rhea Ripley: “I Was Trying to be The Girl Next Door, But That Wasn’t Me”

Thomas Lowson
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Rhea Ripley has become one of WWE’s very top Superstars, but that has only come about after she narrowly avoided being released. 

Ripley is WWE’s reigning Women’s World Champion, a reign that began at WrestleMania 39 with her SmackDown Women’s Championship win over Charlotte Flair. Ripley’s work with The Judgment Day has been praised by fans and has helped make the ‘Mami’ one of WWE’s must-see Superstars. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lT9DIey1Ts

Ripley Is True to Herself

With her unique look, Ripley certainly stands out among the roster of WWE’s women. When she debuted in WWE, Ripley had a more traditional look to her, complete with long, blonde hair. During a recent interview with The Ringer, Ripley recalled trying to fit in with what she believed WWE wanted from her, which ironically led to talks about whether to let her go. 

“I was on the chopping block. I nearly got fired a few times. I don’t know if they wanted me to know that, but I did know that

Realizing that a change needed to be made, Ripley looked to her taste in music and the performers she has gravitated toward throughout her life. 

“They didn’t care about what anyone thought. And I really aspired to be like that. I love the studded jackets, I love the painted jackets. I love the black makeup, the black hair. I’ve always loved that grungy look. And that’s been me, deep down. I’ve just been hiding it for so long because I was trying to be the girl next door, the beachy sort of vibes, but it wasn’t me.”

Ripley’s most recent title defense saw the Eradicator retain against Ivy Nile on the Day 1 edition of Monday Night Raw. She is not booked to compete at this weekend’s Royal Rumble event. 

 Rhea Ripley recently reached another milestone in her WWE career… 

Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling Returns: Promotion Founded by Dusty Rhodes Holding Event Next Month

Thomas Lowson
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Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling, the promotion founded by the late Dusty Rhodes will host an event next month, the first in over two decades. 

PW Insider reports that TCW will host an event on February 8, in Atlanta, Georgia from the Nightmare Factory school in McDonagh. Rhodes’ daughter Teil and QT Marshall are said to be heavily involved with the promotion. Last month, Cody Rhodes and Marshall filed a trademark for the company’s name, which led to the belief that a revival was in the works. 

Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling

Dusty Rhodes started making plans for TCW in 1999 and would establish offices in East Cobb County, Georgia. At the time, Rhodes described his idea for the new promotion as “old school but with modern ideas.” The first TCW event took place in July 2000 and saw Glacier win a tournament to become the first TCW Heavyweight Champion.

The following year, TCW would host its first pay-per-view, and would also begin airing on TV. In March of 2001, Scott “The Clap” Anton and “The Extreme Dream” Erik Watts became the first TCW Tag Team Champions defeating Glacier and Jorge Estrada.

With the demise of WCW and ECW, TCW welcomed talent that the WWF did not pick up. In an August 2001 interview with Greg Oliver, Dustin Rhodes had high praise for TCW.

“TCW is the alternative to the World Wrestling Federation. To me in my mind, my opinion, and my dad’s opinion, we are the World Wrestling Federation’s competition. We are not an independent, we are a company. We want to be treated as one.”

The original TCW saw several notable names compete, including Scott Hall, ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan, New Jack, Leilani Kai, Daffney, and Steve Corino. Years before he’d make it big as part of TNA Wrestling, James Storm would compete during the latter stages of the company.

Kazuchika Okada Grateful After First TNA Match in 13 Years: “Thank You Everyone!”

Thomas Lowson
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Kazuchika Okada made sure to express his gratitude to TNA and the fans after wrestling his first match for the promotion in over a decade. 

In the main event of this week’s episode of iMPACT! on AXS TV, Okada teamed with the Motor City Machine Guns to defeat The System’s Eddie Edwards, Bryan Myers, and TNA World Champion Moose. After the match, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin spoke about their love for TNA before handing the microphone over to Okada. 

“Thank you! Many people asked me ‘Why you hate TNA?’ You know, but I don’t hate TNA. Thank you TNA! TNA made me, not the Rainmaker, but [it was] a good thing for me. Thank you TNA! Thank you everyone!”

Okada would shake hands with fans after his promo as the popular ‘Cross the Line’ theme for TNA iMPACT! played. Okada would return to the ring and kiss the mat, which features the TNA Wrestling logo, in a sign of respect to the promotion. 

Kazuchika Okada and TNA Wrestling

Okada doesn’t hate TNA Wrestling, despite what some have claimed based on a previous run with the company. Okada first appeared for TNA in 2010 and would be established as a fan favorite in 2011. Dubbed ‘Okato’, the future IWGP Heavyweight Champion would use a look inspired by Kato from The Green Hornet series. A Green Hornet film would come out that same year, though TNA Wrestling had no official partnership with the project. Many felt that the gimmick was goofy and beneath someone of Okada’s immense skill set. 

What’s Next for Kazuchika Okada? 

Okada’s contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling will expire this month and after a handful of shows in February, he will be a completely free agent. Despite previously working with AEW, it is believed Okada will sign with WWE. There has been talk that he will begin his WWE run as a high-profile member of the WWE NXT roster. 

Mustafa Ali Makes TNA Wrestling Debut: ‘It’s Time For an X-Factor’

Thomas Lowson
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The momentum of former WWE Superstar Mustafa Ali has found its way to TNA Wrestling as of this week’s episode of TNA iMPACT! on AXS TV. 

Ali was among those cut from WWE in September 2023, as part of the first wave of talent cuts following the launch of TKO Group Holdings. Ali’s release came as a surprise given that he was in the middle of a storyline in WWE NXT. There had been plans for Ali to win the NXT North American Championship before being cut.

Mustafa Ali’s TNA Wrestling Debut

In a vignette aired during this week’s episode of iMPACT! a voiceover speaks about the changes TNA has experienced in recent weeks. The voice adds that it’s now time for a different kind of change, to images of a politician being escorted and prepared by secret service officers. Ali then appears on camera, and true to his political campaign, says that he approves of this message. 

The Changes to TNA Wrestling

Ali is right to say that TNA Wrestling has experienced a change as of late. The company officially relaunched as TNA at Hard to Kill 2024 after years of operating as IMPACT Wrestling. This relaunch also saw new championship designs be introduced. In the main event,  Moose dethroned Alex Shelley to capture the TNA World Championship. His celebration would be short-lived as Nic Nemeth would debut for TNA after the main event and lay out the new champion. Ash By Elegance also made her TNA debut at Hard to Kill, in her first appearance in wrestling following her release from WWE last September. 

TNA Wrestling won’t be the only place that fans will be able to see Mustafa Ali in action… 

Bianca Belair Unveils Her Strategy for a Potential Heel Run: “Right type of heel”

Bishal Roy
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Is the former Women’s Champion Bianca Belair looking for a heel turn? 

Well, ‘The EST of WWE’  has been one of the most popular superstars. She was called up from NXT and joined the main roster during the pandemic era of WWE. Bianca Belair won the 2021 Royal Rumble and at WrestleMania 37, she headlined the WrestleMania Saturday with Sasha Banks. That night Belair became the Smackdown Women’s Champion for the first time. 

It can be said that Bianca Belair has shone on the main roster as a babyface. She has inspired several women off the screen with her character and continues to portray a heroic role. However, Belair’s heel run in NXT years ago was undeniable as well. It seems that we could see Bianca Belair as a heel in the near future.

Bianca Belair shares her plan for her possible heel run

Speaking to Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, Belair was asked if she prefers being a babyface or heel, to which she replied: 

“I love being a good guy, I love being a babyface because it puts purpose to what I do. I feel like it has a bigger impact and I’m able to do stuff with the community and it’s very purposeful and inspirational and impactful. That being said, when I was a heel in NXT, it was so much fun. I feel like being a heel is a lot easier. It’s a lot easier to get people to not like you than to get people to like you and keep liking you and keeping it fresh.”

In addition to this, she also discussed what she would want out of a heel run if she turned now:

“At NXT, I was a heel, but if I ever turned heel now, I want to be the right type of heel. I was the cool heel in NXT, which I don’t feel like benefitted anyone but myself. I got myself over. If I’m in there with a babyface that’s not as established, it’s very hard for them. I learned when I got to the main roster how great it is to work with an amazing heel like Bayley when I first came in. The reason why I think I hit the ground running, as a good guy, was I had this amazing heel who was established and over. She helped introduce me to the audience and helped people get to know me and care about me. That’s what I want to do if I ever turn heel, so I won’t be the heel you like and cheer for,” she said.

Recently, Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley were featured on the cover of WWE 2K24: Deluxe Edition. A video clip was also released where Triple H surprised them.

Vince McMahon Trafficking Allegations May Change Planned WWE Royal Rumble Surprise

Aaron Varble
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Vince McMahon made headlines in a huge way, as a new lawsuit surfaced that was full of horrible allegations. WWE is days away from the Royal Rumble event, and despite plans in place, the card and booking is always subject to change.

Huge Royal Rumble Surprise May Change

It was recently reported that Brock Lesnar is returning to WWE television very soon. With the Royal Rumble coming up, that brings a natural idea that he may re-emerge at Tropicana Field.

Sean Ross Sapp has now reported on Fightful Select to confirm that Brock Lesnar is expected for the January 27th pay-per-view event. Everything is subject to change, but Lesnar is slated to be at the Royal Rumble.

That being said, Lesnar was slated for a return prior to the recent Vince McMahon lawsuit. The former Universal Champion’s name was brought into the controversy, and that may force a change for things.

This week, Fightful learned that Royal Rumble was originally discussed as a potential target. This was reiterated to Fightful Thursday, but it was noted that in light of Lesnar’s implied inclusion in the Vince McMahon lawsuit, that may change.

Numerous Royal Rumble surprises are anticipated, with one having the potential to undergo changes for evident reasons. You may find a few more expected spoiler returns here.

Brock Lesnar’s Involvement in Vince McMahon Lawsuit

The recent lawsuit against Vince McMahon did not specifically name Brock Lesnar, but it was very heavily implied that the Beast Incarnate was involved in some way. The lawsuit noted that a former UFC Heavyweight Champion under WWE contract wanted to “play” with the victim as part of his contract renewal.

In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).

Reactions to Vince McMahon Allegations

TKO Group Holdings already stated that they plan to take action internally regarding this matter. This is in spite of the fact that these allegations took place prior to Endeavor’s takeover.

Vince McMahon’s camp has released a statement of outright denial. It seems that McMahon is going to fight these allegations.

With the Royal Rumble coming up on Saturday, and so much going on in WWE, it’s easy to see that this will be a very busy weekend for everyone involved. SE Scoops will have continued coverage for more breaking news concerning Vince McMahon’s latest controversy as well.

Vince McMahon’s Camp Vehemently Denies Recent Shocking Lawsuit Allegations

Aaron Varble
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Vince McMahon made headlines in a huge way, as a new lawsuit surfaced that was full of horrible allegations. Text messages, allegedly from Vince McMahon, and a victim’s statements tell stories of sexual assault and a total abuse of power. Now, McMahon’s people have spoken on the matter.

McMahon’s Statement on the Matter

Janel Grant, a former employee at WWE’s headquarters, claimed in the lawsuit filed on Thursday that she experienced abuse and sexual exploitation by McMahon during his tenure as chief executive.

Vince McMahon’s camp responded to this new lawsuit. In a statement released to Deadline, it was stated that the allegations are full of lies, and Mr. McMahon will defend himself.

“This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He will vigorously defend himself.”

TKO Responds

TKO Group Holdings stated that, although these alleged acts took place before their takeover of the company, they are taking this situation seriously. They also said that they plan to handle things internally.

Details On Vince McMahon Allegations

These allegations against Vince McMahon were quite damning. McMahon and John Laurinaitis were accused of horrible things by the victim. A top WWE Superstar, one that many believe may be Brock Lesnar, was also mentioned in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit did not specify the wrestler but characterized them as both a UFC fighter and WWE talent. Considering the timeline is 2021, it’s relatively straightforward to narrow down the options, even though Brock Lesnar was not mentioned.

According to the lawsuit, McMahon shared explicit photos with the WWE Superstar, who expressed that “he likes what he sees.” Additionally, 4 WWE Producers and television production techs were allegedly recipients of this explicit content.

TKO Plans To Take Action After Horrific Vince McMahon Allegations

Aaron Varble
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Vince McMahon stepped away from WWE following the public revelation of a hush money scandal. An internal investigation took place, and McMahon eventually made a comeback to WWE to play a role in their eventual merger with the UFC. However, a lawsuit surfaced with significant allegations, ready to expose a side of the man that could change McMahon’s legacy.

TKO Group Holdings Statement

The Wall Street Journal has reported that a woman, Janel Grant, a former employee at WWE’s headquarters, claimed in the lawsuit filed on Thursday that she experienced abuse and sexual exploitation by McMahon during his tenure as chief executive.

Vince McMahon and WWE is the subject of a new blockbuster lawsuit from former employee Janel Grant. There were a lot of accusations, including some that involve WWE producers, tech guys, and one top WWE talent. 

Variety reports that TKO Group Holdings released a statement on these allegations against Vince McMahon. It was made clear that they do not oversee the daily operations of WWE, and they are taking these horrific allegations seriously. They will also take action by addressing the situation internally. 

“Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE. While this matter predates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”

There May Be More To Uncover

This new set of allegations against Vince McMahon is very concerning. It was also made clear in the lawsuit that his accuser is coming forward for those who cannot, but wish that they might. The idea that there may be more with stories about Mr. McMahon is quite concerning.

‘Ms. Grant is filing this lawsuit not just to address her own suffering, but also to act for those who are afraid to speak out. Plaintiff Janel Grant is a former employee of WWE who was the victim of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and trafficking at WWE.’

We will have continued coverage of this ongoing lawsuit at SE Scoops. This is a very new story, so there will likely be plenty of updates to come.

Kazuchika Okada Brings A Storm Of Excitement to WWE

Zack Heydorn
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It’s already raining in WWE. Raining talent, raining momentum, and raining zeros in the form of billions for a brand spanking new, state of the art streaming agreement with Netflix. Things are good for Triple H, Nick Khan, and The Rock up in Stamford, but a storm is coming. A rain storm. A rain storm of excitement. 

The Rainmaker.

Last week, New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that Kazuchika Okada would be leaving their company when his contract ends this month. Okada is a New Japan legend, multiple time heavyweight champion, and the man partly responsible for the company’s rebirth a decade ago.

This week, Monthly Puroresu reported that Okada was headed to WWE, a move that would shock the system in pro wrestling given Okada’s relationship with AEW and WWE’s poor history of booking top tier Japanese talent. 

A different WWE

WWE deserves all the criticism in the world for that ineptitude, but they are a different company today than they were a year ago. International expansion is a key maneuver to growth and has manifested itself in major PLE shows taking place around the world in places like Germany, the UK, and annual blood money extravaganzas in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, WWE is expanding that slate of shows to include major events in Australia and France. Japan is surely a smart play in that grand plan for WWE global dominance and Kazuchika Okada is the biggest Japanese star on earth to carry the WWE flag into the market. 

So, Okada makes perfect business sense for an expanding global company. The excitement doesn’t just reside in a corporate board room, though. Okada in a WWE ring and on WWE Raw or Smackdown weekly should jolt excitement for wrestling fans too. What would a Kazuchika Okada run look like in WWE? Let’s take a look.

The first thing that stands out for an Okada run in WWE is all the fresh matches he can have with top talent on the roster. That reality is the key reason why Okada to WWE is more exciting than Okada to AEW. There’s a lot of “been there, done that” for him in AEW — not so in WWE.

Dream matches galore

Roman Reigns is the first stand out opponent that comes to mind when making a Cody Rhodes-esque list of matches of Okada in WWE. Reigns is and has been the top dog in WWE and Okada was his equal in New Japan. A clash between those titans would generate global interest and would be an excellent in-ring showcase, too. Stylistically, Reigns and Okada are capable of having a classic.

Okada vs. CM Punk? There’s a match that nobody thought would ever happen. Even when Punk was surviving in AEW, he was disconnected from Okada and behind guys in AEW like Bryan Danielson for the big Okada crossover match. WWE certainly would have been the last company predicted to showcase the match, but now it’s more than a possibility. Okada and Punk is a match for the diehards. A true pro wrestling dream match that those who understand the history of both guys, understand why it’s as big as it is.

How about Okada against Cody Rhodes? The world saw this match at the NJPW G1 USA Special in July of 2017 when Cody was free on the independent circuit. Okada won the match and retained his IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Was it a taste of things to come? Not really. In 2017, there wasn’t a reason to believe the match would happen again in a major capacity for a big company, so it was what it was then. In 2024, Cody Rhodes is premiere level star for the biggest wrestling company in the world. Running the match back at a top WWE level has dollar signs all around it.

What else? Oh, Brock Lesnar. You could plaster “The Beast vs. “The Rainmaker” on billboards everywhere and it would pop as much as anything else WWE could book. My body hurts just thinking about this one. Brock Lesnar is the bigger man, but Okada can deliver his stuff as stiff as anyone. The two would beat the tar out of one another much like Gunther and Sheamus did at Clash at the Castle in 2022. What wrestling fan wouldn’t want to see that?

Hmm, speaking of Gunther? Gunther vs. Okada sounds like a dream match to me. Gunther has been the most well booked new act in the last five years in WWE and stands heads above the rest of the current, everyday roster because of it. He’s been treated as something special and a program with Okada would certainly reemphasize that point. The match would go a lot like a Lesnar vs. Okada match would go in terms of the tar being beaten out of both men. I’d be looking out for the chop battle. Okada can bring em. Gunther can too. WWE medical team, get the bandages ready.

Seth Rollins is a strong opponent for Okada. Rollins is a prototypical WWE wrestler and would be a good person for Okada to work with early in his run to adapt to the WWE style ring-wise, but production-wise too. Rollins is a pro and their names on a marquee could sell an event nicely for the company.

That’s enough matches for two years of Kazuchika Okada programs in WWE, but I’ll keep going because it’s fun to dream big. John Cena, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, AJ Styles again, Finn Balor, LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, Logan Paul, Rey Mysterio, and heck even Dominik Mysterio all provide Okada with top level opponents. Up and coming NXT talent work opposite Okada too. Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, and Trick Williams are future members of the WWE roster with whom Okada can work with. 

Honestly, it’s an embarrassment of riches. WWE legends, current top stars, future top stars? It’s all there for Okada on one rainy gold freaking platter.  

Okada WWE moments

It’s not all about the matches. WWE has built it’s brand on moments and Okada has a plethora of those waiting for him if he shows up. 

Okada’s first WrestleMania appearance will be huge. First, the notion of that happening was unfathomable six months ago, so the unbelievable turning into reality is a moment in and of itself. The spectacle of WrestleMania is enormous, though. Okada will get the shine in front of 80,000 plus and will check a bucket list item, while collecting a thick, thick check at the same time. 

This next moment likely won’t happen this year barring some kind of unforeseen circumstance, but Okada in the Royal Rumble will be forever a lasting memory. The pageantry of surprise Royal Rumble appearances is deeply rooted within WWE lore. John Cena had a big return at the event. AJ Styles had his moment in the sun thanks to the surprise of the Royal Rumble. Same thing with Edge and others. Okada would join those ranks and that’s some great company. 

Further down the road, Okada joining the WWE Hall of Fame is a moment. Again, unthinkable just a few months ago, but if he joins the company, why not? Okada will certainly get his New Japan flowers at some point, but proper recognition in the United States is essential. The WWE Hall of Fame has it’s issues, of course, but remains a strong way to solidify a mark on the wrestling business. It would be fun to see someone with ties to Okada’s Japanese history like Shinsuke Nakamura or AJ Styles do the induction, wouldn’t it? 

Gaze into the crystal ball

That’s how the crystal ball looks to me when gazing deep into Kazuchika Okada as a member of the WWE roster. Excited? You should be. 

Now, WWE has a history of completely botching international stars. If you’re worried about how Okada would be treated, you should be. WWE has to prove itself from that perspective, but Okada is the perfect star to do it with. 

Okada joining WWE is one of those rare “it works for everyone” moments in pro wrestling. As a company, WWE wins with him signing. They’d have access to an international megastar that lines up perfectly with thei
r global business strategy. Okada wins. He gets to expand his star power to the biggest wrestling company in the world and will do so while earning top dollar for his services. The fans win too. See above. The matches and the moments Okada can have in WWE speak for themselves.

It’s pouring ladies and gentleman. Okada in WWE? Let’s sing in the rain. 

Logan Paul Has Re-Signed With WWE, Brawls with Kevin Owens at Performance Center

Thomas Lowson
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WWE United States Champion Logan Paul will remain with the promotion for the foreseeable future after signing a new deal, but his celebration was short-lived. 

Taking to Instagram this week, Paul shared a video of himself training in the ring. The Maverick said that WWE had renewed his contract and that he has been training at the Performance Center in Orlando. From there, Paul would run the ropes before taking several bumps as part of his training. 

Logan Paul then discussed WWE’s deal with Netflix to bring Raw to the streaming service in 2025 as well as The Rock’s appointment to TKO’s Board of Directors. During more training in the ring, Paul was confronted by Kevin Owens. After some punches were shared, the trainers, which included Shane ‘Hurricane’ Helms, were able to keep the two apart. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C2iDyh9JplF

Logan Paul in WWE

After debuting for WWE in 2021, Paul signed with the promotion the following year. He is currently 4-4 in the ring and has won at WWE’s two biggest shows, WrestleMania and SummerSlam. He has held the U.S. title since WWE Crown Jewel last November, where he dethroned Roman Reigns. 

What’s Next for Logan Paul? 

Paul’s next match will take place this weekend and see the Maverick defend the United States Championship against Owens. The match at the upcoming Royal Rumble Premium Live Event will mark Paul’s first title defense. 

Win or lose, Paul will appear at next month’s Elimination Chamber: Perth event. The show will be WWE’s first Premium Live Event in Australia since 2018. While not confirmed at this time, it’s likely that Paul will compete at WrestleMania 40 this April. 

Vince McMahon Allegedly Involved Top WWE Talent & Producers In Explosive Lawsuit Allegations

Aaron Varble
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Vince McMahon and WWE is the subject of a new blockbuster lawsuit from former employee Janel Grant. There is a lot to unpack in this situation, and another big name that everyone knows very well may be involved as well. 

WWE Talent Mentioned In New Lawsuit

In July 2021, according to the lawsuit, Vince McMahon instructed Janel Grant to create personalized sexual content for a WWE superstar he sought to re-sign. 

The lawsuit didn’t specify the wrestler but described them as both a UFC fighter and WWE talent. Given the timeline is 2021, it’s pretty easy to narrow down those choices, although Brock Lesnar was not named.

The lawsuit states that McMahon shared explicit photos with the WWE Superstar, who said that, “he likes what he sees.” 4 WWE Producers and television production techs were also allegedly received this explicit content.

In December of the same year, McMahon allegedly provided Grant’s personal cellphone number to the unnamed WWE Superstar. The lawsuit claims that the wrestler requested a video of her urinating, and after she complied, he used derogatory language, calling her ‘b*tch.” 

In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).

Lawsuit’s Allegations Get Even Heavier

The WWE Superstar, whom the lawsuit noted is widely acknowledged as a top talent with a substantial fan base that contributed to viewership and live event attendance, was allegedly recruited by McMahon for a sexual encounter with Ms. Grant. This purported recruitment occurred while she held the position of coordinator in the legal department. By July 2021, McMahon reportedly informed Ms. Grant that the WWE Superstar was intended to be their next “playmate.”

Similar to previous instances, McMahon allegedly expressed his fantasy of witnessing Ms. Grant engaged in explicit acts with the WWE Superstar, describing a desire to “rip” her open. McMahon also disclosed his intention to have WWE Superstar sign a new contract, while the Superstar expressed interest in returning to other professional pursuits.

Upon information and belief, McMahon began to recruit WWE Superstar for a sexual encounter with Ms. Grant while she was still a coordinator in the legal department. By July of 2021, McMahon informed Ms. Grant that WWE Superstar would be their next “playmate.”  As in other instances, McMahon described his fantasy of seeing Ms. Grant engaged in unmerciful sexual acts with WWE Superstar during which he would “rip” her open.

McMahon also confided to Ms. Grant that he wanted to have WWE Superstar under a new contract, while WWE Superstar indicated an interest in a return to other professional endeavors.

Around July 12, 2021, McMahon allegedly directed Ms. Grant to create personalized sexual content for WWE Superstar. After sharing the explicit photos with WWE Superstar, McMahon informed Ms. Grant that he was pleased with the content.

On July 21, 2021, McMahon or someone at his behest arranged for the WWE Superstar to fly into a local airport and travel to Connecticut for what McMahon described to Ms. Grant as a “business dinner” and a subsequent sexual encounter at McMahon’s condo. 

The dinner, allegedly discussing WWE Superstar’s ongoing involvement with the company, was preceded by a brief visit to Ms. Grant’s building. However, the WWE Superstar, reportedly too intoxicated, did not return for a sexual encounter and was taken back to the plane.

Anthony Ogogo Re-Signs With AEW

Dominic DeAngelo
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Despite not being seen on AEW television for a long time, the company has re-signed one of it’s stars during the COVID-19 era.

Anthony Ogogo revealed on the latest episode of AEW Restricted that he has signed a new deal with All Elite Wrestling and believes that Tony Khan has a lot of confidence in him as a star.

“There’s working there (on the independents) and there’s working AEW. So I’m in a weird situation now where I think there’s a lot of potential around me and Tony Khan has signed me and he’s re-signed me. So he obviously sees something in me and I have this aura which people haven’t got because they haven’t done what I’ve done in real life.”

Ogogo did make an appearance in his home country at AEW All In in London, but in a segment with Paul Wight and Grado. The former rival of Cody Rhodes questioned the prospect of working on the independents to get more experience, but also believes he’s ready for the main stage.

“I don’t wanna be patient… I don’t wanna be patient anymore. I wanna show my worth. I just wanna show what I can do… If I didn’t think I could deliver, I wouldn’t be saying this. But I know what I can do, I know what I have. I just wanna contribute.”

The former boxer admitted that his initial run in AEW hasn’t met his expectations, but realizes he has to put in the work.

“All I can do is work hard and give it my all and when the call comes, hopefully the call will come, to show up and turn up and that’s what I’m doing.”

Please credit AEW Unrestricted and h/t to Andrew Thompson of POST Wrestling for the transcription.

New Bombshell Lawsuit Against Vince McMahon & WWE Alleges Heinous Crimes

Aaron Varble
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Vince McMahon retired from WWE after a hush money scandal went public. There was an internal investigation in the matter, and McMahon later returned to WWE to help usher in their eventual merger with the UFC. Now, some incredibly heavy allegations have emerged thanks to a new lawsuit.

New Unspeakable Vince McMahon Allegations

The Wall Street Journal has reported that a woman, Janel Grant, a former employee at WWE’s headquarters, claimed in the lawsuit filed on Thursday that she experienced abuse and sexual exploitation by McMahon during his tenure as chief executive. 

She received a payout from McMahon, and has filed a new lawsuit accusing McMahon, the company, and a former executive of sex trafficking. This legal action raises questions about the scope of an internal company probe conducted by a law firm last year.

Grant asserted that McMahon enticed her with promises of career advancement, only to exploit and traffic her to other men within the company. John Laurinaitis was also named in the lawsuit. 

Filed in a Connecticut federal court, the lawsuit provides a detailed account of Grant’s interactions with McMahon, including graphic descriptions of alleged incidents. According to Grant, on June 15, 2021, McMahon and another WWE executive reportedly locked her in an office at WWE’s headquarters in Stamford, where they took turns sexually assaulting her while other staff members were working.

On June 23, 2021, in the midst of a workday, McMahon allegedly locked Grant inside his private locker room at WWE’s offices and forced himself on her over a massage table, the lawsuit claimed. Later that day, McMahon’s personal assistant delivered $15,000 in Bloomingdale’s gift cards to Grant in her office.

According to legal documents, McMahon is accused of using sex toys forcefully, including dildos named after WWE Superstars, causing injuries such as bruising and bleeding. The lawsuit also alleges an incident where McMahon is said to have defecated on a woman’s head during a threesome.

As one example of McMahon’s extreme depravity, on May 9, 2020, he defecated on Ms. Grant during a threesome, and then commanded her to continue pleasuring his “friend”— with feces in her hair and running down her back—while McMahon went to the bathroom to Case 3:24-cv-00090 Document 1 Filed 01/25/24 Page 4 of 67 5 shower off. Upon his return from the bathroom, McMahon and his “friend” actively resumed the threesome, which lasted over an hour and a half, while Ms. Grant remained covered in McMahon’s filth. When McMahon’s “friend” left, McMahon ordered her to stay and to continue to sexually gratify him.

The lawsuit also includes screenshots of explicit text messages that McMahon allegedly sent to Grant, with one from May 2020 stating, “I’m the only one who owns U and controls who I want to f*ck U.”

Vince McMahon in WWE Now

Vince McMahon was removed from creative control of WWE when Triple H was appointed the company’s Chief Content Officer. McMahon still holds a seat on the company’s board of directors.

It was previously noted that TKO Group Holdings named Vince as a potential risk for their continued success. We have to wonder about the internal investigation that went down within WWE after the hush money scandal first broke. 

As of this writing, WWE has not released any public statement on the new Wall Street Journal report. We have also not heard whether Netflix’s upcoming documentary will need a fresh edit, but it’s very likely that there is more story to tell in this situation. It was reported that the upcoming multipart documentary will not pull any punches, and neither did this lawsuit.

Ivy Nile On ‘Her Full Circle Moment’ With The Rock, Match With Rhea Ripley At WWE Raw Day 1 (Exclusive)

Ella Jay
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Before she graced the screens of WWE NXT and WWE RAW, Ivy Nile made a name for herself on another notable television program — that being NBC’s Titan Games. 

Competing under her real name of Emily Andzulis, Nile appeared in season one of The Titan Games, where she soon became the show’s first female champion. The following year, Nile inked a contract with WWE, pivoting her focus to a full-time career as a professional wrestler. 

On January 1, 2024, Nile’s worlds intersected, as the former host of The Titan Games — Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson — made a surprise appearance on the special Day One edition of WWE Raw to lay the smack down on Jinder Mahal and set the stage for a match with Roman Reigns.

During a recent interview with Ella Jay for SEScoops, Ivy Nile revealed that she and The Rock caught up backstage at the 2024 ‘WWE Day 1’ edition of Raw in what she described as an insane, full-circle moment for her life and career.

“It’s insane. It’s like, how did this happen? It was almost five, six years ago that the Titan Games happened. Next thing you know, I’m in WWE and I see him, not a lot, but more than the average person. So when he was at Day One, I didn’t know he was going to be there. Next thing you know, I saw him and it was like, ‘Wait a second.’ We had a short conversation. It’s about like he’s super proud that a titan of his is now here, so it’s really cool. I got to talk to him for a little bit, and I had a match that night, so there definitely a lot going on, for sure.”

Ivy Nile on working with Rhea Ripley

As Nile alluded to, January 1 also marked her first televised title opportunity on WWE’s main roster. On this occasion, Nile challenged Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s World Championship.

Ripley has been a dominant champion during her reign, but Nile believes she was able to push ‘The Eradicator’ out of her comfort zone by utilizing the element of surprise. 

“Rhea Ripley, she is one of the most dominating females in all of WWE, right? And from me being someone who just got moved up [to the main roster], that doesn’t have a lot to show for, I think that worked in my favor because she didn’t have a lot to see what I could do,” Nile said. “She didn’t know what I could do. So for me, I studied her, I watched her matches, like what she does and what she likes to do. I just like to study her like film study. And with her, with me, she kind of didn’t know [what to expect], so that kind of helped in my favor. So I can throw out a bunch of stuff that she didn’t really know I could do, and maybe that caught her off guard. I think that’s what worked for me. I think that’s pretty much what it was.”

After a feverish 13-minute battle, Ripley finally put away Nile with a Riptide to retain the WWE Women’s World Championship. You can watch highlights from the match herE:

Sting and Darby Allin Challenge For The AEW Tag Team Championships

Samantha Schipman
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We’re closing in on Sting’s final match and his opponent(s) are still technically up in the air. On the Homecoming episode of Dynamite, the Young Bucks returned and seemingly challenged Sting and Darby Allin for AEW Revolution. The match has yet to made official. 

In the meantime, Allin and Sting have some important business to take care of. On Dynamite, Allin told a story of how he flew to Texas when Sting signed with AEW. He wrestled Sting in his own ring that he has in his garage. Within minutes, he told the veteran he still had it. After winning 27 matches together, Allin confirms that “The Icon” still has it. 

Allin pointed out that the rankings are back and thus they are the number one contenders for the tag team titles. Allin asked Sting if he wanted to end his career as tag team champions. Sting replied that he was “all in!” (as an AEW ALL IN graphic was on the screen behind him).

Later in the night, Ricky Starks and Big Bill accepted their challenge. Starks pointed out that it was fitting that he would be facing them since Sting’s first match back was against himself and another partner (Brian Cage). “It’s very fitting that now, me and the best partner I have will be the end of you. You are not making it to Revolution, my man.” 

The match has been made official for Wednesday, February 7 in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Details On WWE Firing Kevin Patrick After SmackDown Removal

Aaron Varble
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WWE has seen their fair share of commentators and play-by-play announcers come through the company. It’s hard to get the right chemistry, and understand what is really going on to tell a story in the squared circle. Pro wrestling fans are also incredibly hard to please when it comes to their commentary teams, and now they are set to see another change for the company’s announcer set-up.

Kevin Patrick is Gone from WWE

I broke the news that Kevin Patrick was removed from WWE SmackDown’s announce team during RAW this week. Now, we have confirmation that his removal from the blue brand spelled an end to his WWE career.

Patrick will now likely be known as Kevin Egan once again, because he has officially been released by WWE. PW Insider reports that the former SmackDown announcer has been let go.

Kevin Egan previously worked as a backstage interviewer in WWE before he was moved to a commentator role. His tenure with the company spanned from March 2021 to January 2023.

To fill the gap left by Patrick for this week’s SmackDown, Corey Graves will be joined once again by Michael Cole. This is only a temporary fix, as Cole is the announcer on RAW. It was noted that this adjustment was prompted by Cole’s prior commitment to call the Royal Rumble the following night in Florida.

The decision to remove Kevin Patrick from the SmackDown commentary team appears to have been made abruptly, given initial plans for Patrick to be at SmackDown this Friday.

I was told that things just weren’t working out, so WWE higher-ups made the call to shift things dramatically right before the Royal Rumble event.

More Kevin Patrick’s WWE Release Details (Exclusive)

I was told that the WWE creative team was informed that, “he was relieved of his duties as announcer for Smackdown.” He was released a short time after that, but you can never say never in WWE.

When asking specifically about Patrick’s situation, on Monday I was told that, “People get fired and hired back the next day” in WWE, so no departure is 100% forever. We will have to see where his road takes him, because others have returned to the company later on.

We’re wishing Kevin Egan the best in his future endeavors, because he has a lot of experience that he could help contribute to any team.

Broadcaster Kevin Patrick Released From WWE Days After Being Pulled From SmackDown Job

Thomas Lowson
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The WWE tenure of Kevin Patrick has come to an end with the Irish broadcaster’s release from the promotion today. 

PW Insider broke the news about Patrick’s departure from the company. This news comes mere days after Patrick was removed from SmackDown’s commentary team, with the belief backstage that his tenure on the blue brand just wasn’t working. Patrick has since been replaced by Michael Cole, who will be calling the action with Corey Graves moving forward. 

January hasn’t been an easy month for Patrick by any stretch of the imagination. In the weeks leading up to his release, there was a consensus in WWE that he needed to prove himself in the high-profile role on SmackDown. Patrick’s time on the blue brand would be short-lived, as he was only moved to SmackDown a few weeks ago.  Despite this, Patrick was said to be well-liked by those in the company. He was the co-host of the After the Bell podcast with Corey Graves. 

More on Kevin Patrick

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Patrick studied journalism at Ireland’s Griffith College Dublin, and worked as part of the RTÉ Sport team covering the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. He left Ireland for the United States in 2009.

Prior to joining WWE, he worked for a number of major media companies, including CNN, Fox Sports and also did commentary for Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United home games on Apple TV+.

Kevin Patrick isn’t the only notable member of his family. His father Liam was an All-Ireland-winning Gaelic footballer. While Kevin played for Raheny GAA, an injury would cut his athletics career short. 

“Come Take Over WWE With Us” – Bayley Offers Damage CTRL Invite to Top NXT Prospect

Thomas Lowson
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The future of Damage CTRL may be looking increasingly uncertain, but Bayley hopes to bring an NXT Superstar on board when the time is right. 

Damage CTRL debuted at SummerSlam 2022, which marked the return of Bayley after an injury that kept her out of the ring for over a year. The Role Model showed up in Nashville with Dakota Kai (who had been released earlier that year) and Io Shirai (since renamed IYO SKY) whose contract was close to expiring. 

A New Member? 

In November of last year, Kairi Sane and Asuka joined the faction, despite the Empress’ previous battles with Damage CTRL. On Instagram this week, Bayley threw out an offer to WWE NXT Superstar Cora Jade who is currently out of action with an ACL injury. 

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Cora Jade’s Injury

Jade suffered her injury at a WWE NXT live event during a match with NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria. It was later confirmed that she suffered a torn ACL. Jade, a former WWE NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, is expected to miss up to a year of ring time due to the injury. This injury comes at an awful time for Jade. She had only returned to WWE programming weeks prior at NXT Deadline after a hiatus from TV that lasted for several months. 

Cora Jade joined WWE in 2021. She has previously competed under the name Elyanna Black and has made appearances for TNA Wrestling (IMPACT Wrestling) at the time, as well as AEW. 

Cora Jade’s efforts in the ring haven’t gone unnoticed by one of WWE’s veteran performers… 

WWE Royal Rumble Returns & Surprises: Several Possible Spoilers

Aaron Varble
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WWE’s Royal Rumble event is set to go down at Tropicana Field on January 27th, and the pro wrestling world can’t wait to see how Triple H books his first Rumble without Vince McMahon’s creative oversight. Now, we have a couple possible spoilers about whom to expect during one of the big matches.

The Women’s Royal Rumble match

Mike Johnson from PW Insider reported that Sonya Deville and Jade Cargill could be potential entrants in the upcoming women’s Rumble match. Both of them are reportedly scheduled to be at the Royal Rumble event, but there’s no assurance that they will actively participate in the Rumble match.

Sonya Deville has been on the mend from a torn ACL, focusing on her recovery. Her inclusion in the Rumble match would mark a significant return for Deville, adding anticipation to her comeback in the wrestling scene.

Jade Cargill Has Been Training Hard

Jade Cargill is undergoing training at the Performance Center, gearing up for her WWE in-ring debut. While her participation in the Rumble match is not confirmed, fans are eager to see how her training translates into her first official WWE match.

I asked around specifically about Jade’s status for the Royal Rumble match this Saturday. Although I did not pull down any concrete spoiler on her participation, one tenured member of the creative team told me that, “I’ve heard lots of things regarding Jade Cargill.”

As the 2024 Royal Rumble event approaches, the potential involvement of Sonya Deville and Jade Cargill add an element of unpredictability to the women’s Rumble match, keeping the excitement high for wrestling fans.

Another Possible Royal Rumble Surprise

Trinity finished up her time with TNA Wrestling. She also gave a heartfelt speech after her final television taping event for the company. Her WWE return has been reportedly in line for several weeks. That being said, Naomi’s return is also expected for the Royal Rumble event.

That being said, the Women’s Royal Rumble match could include some big surprises this year, with The Glow, Deville, and Jade Cargill’s names in the situation, anything can happen.

End of the WWE Network: Streaming Service to Be Absorbed By Netflix Next Year (Report)

Thomas Lowson
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The era of the WWE Network will seemingly come to an end next year as part of the promotion’s lucrative deal with Netflix. 

This week, WWE and Netflix confirmed a deal that will see Monday Night Raw move to the streaming juggernaut. The deal, valued at over $5 billion, will last for ten years, though Netflix has the offer to end the deal at the five-year mark or extend it past ten years for another decade. 

The End of the WWE Network?

For fans outside the United States, they will receive Raw, SmackDown, WWE NXT, and Premium Live Events as part of this deal. This has raised questions about the future of the WWE Network, which fans outside the U.S. currently use for said shows. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that Netflix will take up the brunt of the workload. 

”For most of the world, they’re going to be taking over the WWE Network. The WWE Network itself, that exists outside the United States, that will be folding at the end of the year and Netflix will pick up the content.

“So a lot of people have asked will they pick up all the content? All the archives? I don’t know. But they will be the sole source of that, the archival content of all the old territories and all the old stuff that was on the old WWE Network. That will, that will move to Netflix outside the United States in January.”

Meltzer then looked at WWE’s relationship with Peacock, where the WWE Network in North America currently resides. Meltzer wouldn’t be surprised if this also falls under Netflix’s watch when the time is right. 

 “When the Peacock deal is up, if Netflix were to get that, that’d be interesting to see how much more they would pay. Obviously, it’s a $200 million deal per year deal right now. So that’s the next deal. That’s coming up.”

Raw will move to Netflix in Jan 2025, but their deal with the USA Network will expire in September 2024… 

Netflix Won’t Pull Any Punches For Upcoming Vince McMahon Documentary

Aaron Varble
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Vince McMahon has quite a story to tell. Even though fans believe that they may know ever detail about Mr. McMahon’s life so far, there is a lot to be uncovered. A new Netflix documentary will shine a light on his entire career and controversies.

Netflix’s Vince McMahon Documentary

Dave Meltzer talked about the Vince McMahon documentary on Wrestling Observer Radio. He mentioned that the documentary, which was started by Netflix years ago, has changed from the initial plan. Vince McMahon wanted it to be genuine and not a fake portrayal of his life.

According to Meltzer, Vince’s interview was the most interesting part. The documentary will also be split up into several parts, with some already finished, and the remaining part would cover Vince’s return and the sale. It seems that Nefflix is going to go all in with telling the story of Vince McMahon.

When this documentary started, ordered by Netflix years and years ago, obviously, this was not the end result that anyone imagined. It was going to be something that they did. And Vince told them that he does not want a fake documentary. And Vince was probably the most interesting interview on the documentary. I don’t know all the different people they talk to. I only know what I talked about. And they were told this was anything but meant to be a puff piece if it ends up being, perhaps, much of the documentary.

Netflix’s Vince McMahon Documentary Will Cover Recent Events

Vince McMahon has a lot of skeletons in his closet, and some of those are widely known at this point. It will be interesting to see if Netflix pulls any punches, especially with their new blockbuster deal to secure the rights for RAW and non-US rights for all premium live events.

This documentary will also cover the latter part of Vince McMahon’s time in WWE, which will include his hush money scandal. Needless to say, this upcoming offering from the streaming giant could be a huge attraction, even for mainstream viewers who may first discover this new spotlight on Mr. McMahon via one of their endless scrolling sessions on the service.

WWE RAW Faces Uncertain 3-Month Gap Before New Netflix Deal Begins

Aaron Varble
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WWE announced a blockbuster deal with Netflix, one that will start in January 2025. Since their deal with the USA Network is ending in October this year, that leaves two months of action for WWE’s flagship show unaccounted for.

WWE RAW’s Three Month Issue

After concluding an agreement with the USA Network, RAW’s future has sparked even more speculation. Now it’s confirmed that the USA Network won’t be renewing its deal with RAW beyond September 2024. 

WWE and Netflix officially announced the move, revealing a staggering 10-year deal exceeding $5 billion starting in January 2025. Dave Meltzer discussed RAW’s fate post-September this year on Wrestling Observer Radio. The big question is what will happen with the show after October this year, but WWE seemingly has a plan.

“I talked to WWE pretty extensively about this, and I guess the biggest unanswered question is what happens to RAW at the end of September this year. In January, RAW is going to Netflix. At the end of September, their contract is up. USA Network has told Brandon Thurston that they’re not airing it after the end of September.”

“So, it’s not like they’re gonna go three more months on USA. WWE told me that they will make an announcement relatively soon about that. I guess they have something, what it is, I don’t know.”

WWE RAW’s Overrun On Netflix

Dave Meltzer also noted that WWE RAW may get more of a flexible overrun with their new Netflix deal. It was stated that they may get an overrun deal like Tony Khan has with Warner Brothers Discovery, where WWE can get more time if they need it.

”The other one is that if they run long, I don’t think they’re gonna panic, I think it will be the deal AEW has with, you know, TNT and TBS now. I think that there won’t be this ‘You’ve got to finish this exactly at 3!’ If you wanna go five minutes over because things are going long, I think that 3 will be the target, but it will be like a pay-per-view. A pay-per-view has a target time, but they go over it constantly. They don’t have that hard-out at 3 hours, so that will change.”

It was also noted that WWE may not want to extend RAW too many times, because they have other television deals for the show in different countries. 

WWE’s Other Television Deals

WWE already agreed to deals for SmackDown and NXT. The USA Network will begin airing SmackDown in October this year. The CW will pick up NXT, but it’s unclear where RAW will go during that time. 

The company has options, and it appears that they have an announcement planned about this three-month limbo period of time at the end of this year. Odds are, they won’t miss an episode, so they may remain the longest running weekly episodic television show in history without skipping any shows.

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