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Unexpected Souvenir: Cody Rhodes Gifts Fan Rhea Ripley’s Gum After WWE SmackDown

Aaron Varble
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Cody Rhodes is a man of the people, and that sometimes calls for him to answer strange requests from fans. He recently demonstrated this fact in a big way.

It seems that one fan really wanted Rhea Ripley’s gum as a souvenir. Thankfully, they asked Cody Rhodes for that little keepsake, and the American Nightmare obliged.

Cody Rhodes Fulfills Fan’s Strange Request

This week’s Friday Night SmackDown was live from Memphis, Tennessee. During the show, they laid important groundwork for WrestleMania 40. However, one peculiar incident involving Cody Rhodes and a fan went down after the show.

Following the conclusion of WWE SmackDown this week, two dark matches took place, with Rhea Ripley and Cody Rhodes participating separately.

This is what opened the door for a fan who shared videos and a photo on Twitter, revealing that he requested Cody Rhodes retrieve the piece of gum Rhea Ripley threw into the ring. Rhodes obliged and handed him the chewed-out gum.

The fan posted, “I’m gonna be judged hard for this but oh well . Last night @RheaRipley_WWE spat her gum out & it landed in the ring. Then later on @CodyRhodes was making his way around ringside for pics/autographs. I asked him if I could have Rhea’s gum & yep… (No I did not chew it).”

Cody’s Road to WrestleMania 40

Cody Rhodes is well aware of the fact that he is a massive babyface on the road to WrestleMania 40. He will team up with Seth Rollins to take on The Rock and Roman Reigns during the first night of WrestleMania 40. Then, on night two he will battle Roman Reigns with the WWE Undisputed Universal Title on the line.

The Rock originally had a much different plan for Mania. Cody was going to sit out, thanks to a kayfabed injury, and the Great One vs Roman Reigns was going to headline the show of shows. That was not the plan, and you can check out all the drama around that change here.

Fans have flocked to Rhodes, and those fans earned the nickname of Cody Crybabies from The Rock. Only time will tell if The Great One accepts Cody’s one-on-one challenge, but the Grandson of a Plumber will keep doing everything he can for fans in the meantime.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more from all around the pro wrestling world. Please keep checking back for more updates as additional information is made known on the road to WrestleMania. 

WWE SmackDown Match Cut For Time After The Rock’s Musical Promo Ran Long

Aaron Varble
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The Rock gets to do a lot of things that normal WWE Superstars aren’t allowed to do. This includes going over time, and he certainly took full advantage of his position this week on SmackDown.

We previously reported that The Rock’s musical promo ran over time this week on the March 15th episode of SmackDown. Now, we know one match that was cut down from two segments to just 11 minutes, which is a good indication that this is where WWE trimmed the show for The Rock’s overrun. Angel Garza and Humberto’s match was initially slated for two segments, but it ultimately lasted for a total of 11 minutes, including both their entrances and the post-match segment.

WWE Made Edit to Match

The Rock had quite a time on SmackDown this week. His freedom is evident, and as a member of the TKO board of directors, there isn’t much that is off limits. He obviously doesn’t have to wrap things up when they tell him he’s run out of time.

Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo’s match was actually slated to go longer, but that wasn’t what happened when the show went live.

Angel Garza & Humberto’s match was scheduled for two segments. It ended up getting 11 minutes with entrances and post match.

The Rock’s Latest Controversy

I exclusively reported that a recent memo emphasized the need for talent to follow PG guidelines on TV and social media. Despite this, The Rock’s use of profanity, like in a recent promo, raised questions among talent about double standards. They wondered why he was allowed to curse while others weren’t.

I learned that The Rock’s viral promos, where he frequently curses, including opening his recent social media promo with “are you f*cking kidding me?” about Cody, has made some talent raise questions. There’s a sense of a double standard at play, especially considering it’s Dwayne Johnson we’re discussing.

It appears that The Rock has the freedom to use profanity liberally on social media, while the rest of the roster is expected to adhere to PG guidelines. Additionally, there’s questioning among talent about why The Rock receives special treatment.

The sentiment among some is that, “even if he is the big movie star, shouldn’t everyone play by the same rules? So he can curse and use that to get over, but everyone else is handcuffed?”

SEScoops will keep a close eye on this story for additional updates. You never know what will break next, especially on the road to WrestleMania 40.

Seth Rollins Had No Clue Risqué Photo With Becky Lynch Made Her New Book

Aaron Varble
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Becky Lynch has done a lot in WWE, and so has her husband, Seth Rollins. It seems that when they were champions at the same time, the WWE power couple took a photo in the buff, with only their titles covering them. It was a big shock when that photo ended up in The Man’s new book.

A photo of Rollins and Lynch clad only in their titles is in her new book. It turns out that Seth Rollins had no clue that photo was going to see the light of day.

The Infamous Photo

Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins are both important figures in WWE history, each having achieved multiple world title reigns. Recently, there has been a surprising revelation concerning Lynch’s upcoming book, “Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Girl.” During a period of time when the couple was covered in gold, they took full advantage of that opportunity and snapped a winner of a photo.

Scheduled for release on March 26th, Lynch’s book has garnered attention ahead of its launch due to leaked pages circulating online. One particular page features a NSFW photo of Lynch and Rollins, both rocking only their WWE Championships. The photo was captured after WrestleMania 35 when their relationship started.

In an interview with The New York Post, Lynch disclosed that Rollins was taken aback by the inclusion of the NSFW photo in the book, as she had neglected to inform him beforehand.

“I could have sworn that I told him. Turns out, I must have had the conversation with myself and thought that I had it with him. Apparently I didn’t ask him about putting the picture in the book. But he just laughed, he thought it was funny. Thank God. That could have gone horribly wrong.”

Becky Lynch’s New Book

Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl is available on Amazon for pre-order now. You can pick up your copy by clicking on this link.

We will have to see how many copies of her book Becky Lynch sells. The fact that this photo made the book is a very good indication that some people will buy it just to have a memento like that around.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more. Please keep checking back for more updates.

LA Knight’s 3/15 WWE SmackDown Segment Was Not Included On Internal Rundown

Aaron Varble
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WWE has a solid plan whenever they enter into a live television broadcast. It turns out that one segment wasn’t on the run sheet for some reason.

LA Knight came out to cut a promo on AJ Styles this week on SmackDown. That all ended with a WrestleMania challenge. It turns out that Knight’s segment was a surprise for some.

LA Knight’s Situation on SmackDown

Kayla Braxton introduced LA Knight, and the Memphis fans popped for him big time. He had a lot to say about AJ Styles costing him the Elimination Chamber match.

In the end, Knight laid down a WrestleMania challenge, and Styles was quick to accept it. The Phenomenal One did this by attacking his future opponent with a steel chair.

Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that it seem LA Knight’s segment wasn’t even on the rundown in the first place. This left some very surprised that he showed up, because it was not in the early spoilers for the show.

LA Knight’s interview wasn’t listed on internal rundowns.

LA Knight’s Road to WrestleMania 40

LA Knight gained popularity among fans during the Elimination Chamber, despite not emerging victorious. However, his hopes were dashed when AJ Styles blindsided him during the match, making his victory prospects slim. This week on SmackDown, LA Knight addressed the incident, leading to a WrestleMania 40 challenge.

After traveling to Australia for the Elimination Chamber event, LA Knight was a favorite to win the match and secure a World Heavyweight Championship match against Seth Rollins. Suddenly, without any notice, AJ Styles jumped in the ring and took out LA Knight.

Styles wasn’t even booked for Elimination Chamber, so he was brought around the planet just to disrupt Knight’s plan and set up their WrestleMania 40 encounter.

We will have to see how WWE books the rest of WrestleMania 40. At this point, the show of shows if coming together. You can check out the updated card (so far) below.

WrestleMania 40 Card:

  • Night 1: The Bloodline (The Rock and Roman Reigns) vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins
  • Night 2: Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship
  • Night 2: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
  • Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton – Triple threat match for WWE United Stated Title
  • Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley for the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch for the Women’s World Championship
  • Gunther (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
  • The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Angel and Berto) vs. Four teams TBD in a Six-Pack Ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
  • AJ Styles vs. LA Knight in a Singles match
  • Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso in a Singles match

The Man in DC: Becky Lynch to Spend St. Patrick’s Day at the White House

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Raw Superstar Becky Lynch will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in style with a trip to the White House. 

The annual celebration falls on March 17 each year and celebrates St. Patrick, who is believed to have died on the day. While initially a religious holiday, the day has become a day of celebration of Irish culture.

Becky Lynch at the White House

As St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, the date is of course significant to WWE’s first Irish-born female champion. Speaking recently to the New York Post, Lynch shared her unique plans for the annual celebration. 

“I got invited to the White House because I’m Ireland’s national treasure,” said Lynch. “It’s a significant Irish celebration, so I’ll be there.”

Lynch won’t be the only notable name to attend the upcoming White House celebration. Leo Varadker, who is Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minster) will also be in attendance and will likely speak with President Joe Biden, who is of Irish ancestry. 

What’s Next for Becky Lynch? 

Just one day after her Saint Patrick’s Day celebration, Lynch will be in action on the upcoming episode of Raw, where she will face Nia Jax. The two have been at odds for months, with Jax looking to prove she is deserving of a Women’s World Championship shot. 

Looking ahead, Lynch will have her hands full when she challenges WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40. Lynch earned a shot at the Australian by winning the 2024 Women’s Elimination Chamber match.

WWE Roster Not Shocked: The Rock’s 3/15 WWE SmackDown Concert Segment Ran Way Over Time

Aaron Varble
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The Rock took over SmackDown this week with a twenty-minute concert/promo. That being said, the company didn’t initially have that much time blocked off for him.

It is now reported that The Rock’s concert on the March 15th episode of WWE SmackDown actually ran long. That being said, this also wasn’t a huge surprise.

The Rock Runs Over Time

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that The Rock’s segment on SmackDown this week went way over time. Then again, this didn’t really surprise anyone, because we’re talking about Dwayne Johnson.

It was reported that, although The Rock’s musical segment went long, it was honestly expected to go longer than planned.

The Rock’s concert was only scheduled for one segment, but those backstage told us “of course” they knew it would go longer.

Triple H was also wise to book The Rock’s segment as the first in the two-hour show. This gave him a lot more room to be creative when it came to trimming the rest of the show to make room for The Great One.

Double Standard With The Rock

I exclusively reported that a recent memo from Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, and Dan Ventrille emphasized the importance of following PG guidelines on both television and social media platforms.

Despite this directive, The Rock has been observed using profanity, including opening a recent social media promo with “are you fucking kidding me?” in reference to Cody. This has led some talent to question why The Rock appears to receive special treatment, allowing him to curse while others are expected to strictly adhere to the guidelines.

There’s a sentiment among some talent that if The Rock, despite his status as a big movie star, can use profanity to connect with the audience, then everyone should have the same freedom to do so.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is made available. For additional headlines and stories, please keep checking back with us throughout the day!

Double Standard: WWE Talent Question The Rock’s Special Treatment After Internal PG Memo

Aaron Varble
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The Rock is back in WWE, and having a great time as a heel. It also seems that the rules don’t apply to him.

I can exclusively report that a recent memo emphasized the need for talent to follow PG guidelines on TV and social media. Despite this, The Rock’s use of profanity, like in a recent promo, has raised questions among talent about double standards. They wonder why he’s allowed to curse while others aren’t.

WWE’s PG Memo (Exclusive)

I am told that Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, Dan Ventrelle sent out a memo “the other week” about how talent needs to adhere to PG guidelines on TV and also on social media. The Rock, like most things in his life at this point, is getting a bit of special treatment.

WWE is under the TKO banner, and a publicly traded company. They also need to adhere to TV-PG guidelines. That being said, there seems to be an exception that is getting under some talent’s skin.

The Rock Getting A Pass (Exclusive)

I was told that The Rock’s viral promos, where he keeps cursing, including opening up his social media promo this week with “are you f*cking kidding me?” about Cody, has rubbed some people the wrong way. There seems to be a feeling that we are seeing a double standard, because we’re talking about Dwayne Johnson here.

It seems that The Rock is able to get away with dropping every flowery profanity he wants to on social media, while the rest of the roster are wearing PG handcuffs. I was additionally told that talent are asking why The Rock is getting a pass.

I was told that the thinking is that “even if he is the big movie star, shouldn’t everyone play by the same rules? So he can curse and use that to get over, but everyone else is handcuffed?”

The Rock Internal Pull In WWE & Beyond

The Rock will wrestle alongside Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 in a tag team match, but that was not the match he wanted. He wanted a singles match against Roman, but now he will face Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in tag team action. Dwayne Johnson’s original plan had to shift, and I exclusively covered that story as it unfolded.

Lia Maivia, the grandmother of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame next month. While WWE has yet to announce the news, this would make Maivia the final inductee in the Class of 2024, and The Rock had a huge hand in making that happen.

Dwayne Johnson is also on the TKO board of directors. This is something that a lot of people have brought into his storyline, and it might be more of a shoot than some fans realize. He is obviously afforded certain privileges, but he also isn’t back for the long-term at all.

The Rock will remain on the TKO board of directors. His seat also came with $30 million in company stock, and a WrestleMania match. He may come back for another match, but he will have to work it into his Hollywood schedule.

The Rock’s next movie, The Smashing Machine, will start shooting on May 1st. That doesn’t give him a lot of time after WrestleMania to get prepared fro his next project. SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, as additional information is made available. 

TNA Roster Shake-Up: Bully Ray’s Name Vanishes Without a Trace

Aaron Varble
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TNA Wrestling is going through a few changes, and we have extensively covered that transition. It also called for Scott D’Amore’s removal from the picture, and now it appears that another longtime member of the locker room may also be gone.

Bully Ray was recently removed from the TNA Wrestling roster page. This alteration was noticed by fans. At this time, we have received no official announcement from the company.

TNA Removes Bully Ray

Bully Ray’s absence from the TNA roster page has sparked intrigue among wrestling fans. Then again, he hasn’t been seen around the company since before they transitioned from Impact Wrestling to TNA Wrestling.

His last recorded match with Impact Wrestling took place on October 22, 2023, where he teamed up with Jordynne Grace to defeat KiLynn King and Steve Maclin. This event occurred during Impact Wrestling #1008, held at Cicero Stadium in Cicero, Illinois, USA.

What’s Next For Bully Ray

The removal of Bully Ray from the roster list signifies a potential departure from TNA Wrestling. Despite this change, fans can still catch him on Busted Open Radio, where he continues to engage with the wrestling community and share his insights.

We will have to see what Bully Ray does next. He still has a ton to offer the pro wrestling world. We can only imagine what the future holds, but it appears that his time with TNA Wrestling has come to an end.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, just in case there are any updates. Please keep checking back for the headlines and stories that you need.

Reason Revealed: Austin Theory Explains Exaggerated Stunner Sell Job On 3/15 WWE SmackDown

Aaron Varble
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WWE Superstars are able to perform incredible feats in the ring, but you only get one take for live television. This week’s SmackDown saw Austin Theory’s timing off a bit, and fans let him have it.

The March 15th episode of SmackDown got fans talking for many reasons. During WWE Smackdown on March 15th, 2024, Kevin Owens delivered a stunner to Austin Theory, who then received an RKO in mid-air. The spot received criticism online for its timing issues, and Austin Theory had to chime in.

https://twitter.com/MrBurnerCFB/status/1768807632427507769

Theory Explains Himself

Austin Theory understands the business, and he also knows how to use social media. He explained this botch after his appearance on SmackDown this week, as he said he was dizzy.

It seems that Austin Theory thought he could jump over Owens and Orton to avoid any further damage, but he was wrong. An RKO came outta nowhere for Theory, and he took both finishers. So, he wasn’t late on selling the stunner at all, apparently.

Theory explained this in a video on social media, one that he shared on social media along with #SmackDown. Obviously, he realized that fans were dunking on his timing a bit, so he had to explain himself.

Austin Theory’s Place in WWE

Austin Theory doesn’t have a match at WrestleMania 40 just yet, but only time will tell where he ends up on the card. He’s stepping up in a big way, proving himself to be a real asset to Triple H, and that’s exactly why he has the spot he does in WWE.

Theory was also groomed for greatness as one of EVOLVE’s biggest talents years ago. He ended up in NXT, where he had a couple stints, but now he is one of the most hated heels on the WWE main roster, exactly where he should be. Hopefully, fans will let that hesitation on selling the stunner pass, because Austin Theory has plenty of memories to make in the future.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, just in case there are any updates on this story. Keep checking back for more of the headlines that you need.

Made Of Glass: Drew McIntyre Worried CM Punk Will Break Again Before Eventual WWE Encounter

Aaron Varble
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CM Punk is out of action with a triceps injury that he sustained during the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. Even though he’s out of action, Drew McIntyre is keeping things going in a big way, and he’s not letting go of his disdain for the Second City Savior.

Drew McIntyre recently made it clear that he wants a match against CM Punk. He’s just worried that Punk is made of glass, and he’ll break again before the match can happen.

McIntyre Speaks on Punk

Drew McIntyre’s journey in WWE since his debut on Raw has been marked by remarkable consistency and impressive performances. Despite facing initial setbacks, such as his loss to Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, McIntyre has since rebounded with determination and resilience.

In the Men’s Royal Rumble match, McIntyre showcased his endurance and skill, making it to the Top 3 contenders. However, a clash with CM Punk resulted in McIntyre’s elimination, albeit with a consequential injury to Punk. As Punk focuses on his recovery, McIntyre has continued to fuel their rivalry, hinting at future storylines and expressing his eagerness for a showdown at SummerSlam.

In a recent interview with the Gorilla Position, McIntyre emphasized his desire for the match while also expressing concern for Punk’s well-being, given his injury-prone history. Reflecting on their past encounter at the Royal Rumble, McIntyre highlighted his dominance in the ring, underscoring his physical prowess and the impact of his performance on Punk.

“Yeah, I just hope he’s careful. Just worried he’s going to injure something else during rehab. Man’s made of glass. I want that match. I really want that match.“

“I’m just concerned for him, especially wrestling someone like me. I’m a freaking monster in there…I got my hands on him. You saw what I did to him at ‘Rumble. I tore him to pieces. I chopped him to bits…[CM] Punk was black and blue. I ended up hurting him in there.”

Drew McIntyre’s Road to WrestleMania and Beyond

As McIntyre prepares for his upcoming title challenge against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania, he isn’t losing focus of Punk. The Scottish Warrior’s current contract situation is also interesting.

McIntyre has not re-signed with WWE. The last report we heard said that is being advertised well past his contract expiration date, but a new deal hasn’t been signed.

With the potential for the World Heavyweight Championship to be involved in McIntyre’s future stories, things are even more interesting. This is especially true if CM Punk may be in McIntyre’s future. After all, CM Punk vs Seth Rollins was the plan for WrestleMania before Punk’s injury got in the way. 

Mercedes Mone Makes Strategic Trademark Move After AEW Debut

Rayan Saayed
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AEW secured Mercedes Mone months ago, but she just made her big debut. Now, it appears that she is gearing up to continue cashing in on every piece of intellectual property she can.

Mercedes Moné filed to trademark the term “Bo$$ton” via her company Soulnado, Inc, on March 14. That Bo$$ton word was used on the Big Business poster to hype Mercedes’ impending debut without directly promoting it.

Mercedes’ New Trademark

As reported by Fightful, the trademark’s description states: “Mark For: BO$$TON trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of hats; Shirts; Shirts and short-sleeved shirts; Sweatshirts; Hooded sweatshirts.”

“Bo$$ton” appears to be a play on the words “boss” and “Boston,” which is the hometown of Moné. Of course, she was The Boss in WWE, a trademark she didn’t take with her, along with her Sasha Banks name.

What’s Next for Mercedes Mone

Fans can probably expect to see some Bo$$ton clothing merch soon with this trademark. She already has an AEW t-shirt that is a play off her relationship to Snoop Dogg.

Moné recently debuted for AEW at the Big Business edition of Dynamite, in front of her hometown crowd in Boston. She was warmly welcomed, even expressing that she felt “so cool” like Steve Austin.

After Dynamite went off the air, Moné came out to the ring following a dark match between Willow Nightingale and Riho. Seeing Julia Hart and Sky Blue attacking Nightingale after the match, Moné, donning her new ring gear, rushed to her aid. She swiftly took out Blue and delivered her signature move, the Mone Maker, to Hart.

Mercedes Turned Down WWE

Moné received a “generous offer” from WWE before her debut in the rival promotion. However, her gut instinct led her to choose AEW instead. More details can be found here.

The women’s division at AEW played a big role in Mercedes Moné’s decision to sign with the company. While there’s no official word yet on her first match or opponent, Moné has hinted at potential feuds. She mentioned having “unfinished business” with Willow Nightingale, suggesting a possible rivalry. Britt Baker also expressed interest in facing Moné last year, hinting at another potential matchup.

Of course, Mone also got a bit of heat within AEW over that comment concerning how she believes she will be back in WWE. She said that before her debut, but she was still with the contract under contract for two months prior to that.

Ja Morant Responds to The Rock’s Mention of Gun Controversy at WWE SmackDown Concert

Bishal Roy
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Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant had an amusing response to The Rock taking a jab at him on last night’s Friday Night SmackDown. He saw The People’s Champ’s little remark about him like everyone else.

Ja Morant replied to The Rock’s dig at his gun situation by simply giving an animated gif in response. This paticular gif showed 50 Cent asking what TF did he do. 

The Rock’s Jab at Ja Morant

‘The Great One’ has embraced his heel side, and he has been dropping bombshells on the mic week after week. He also took over the blue brand with a musical segment for the Memphis crowd. 

During the musical affair on this week’s SmackDown, The Rock took a jibe at Morant and dropped a reference to his controversy involving a gun. “The Rock” sang the following:

“You’re simply an embarrassment, son. Just like Ja Morant when he’s waving a gun. I love you, Ja!”

Context 

NBA suspended the Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant for as many as 25 games without pay due to the gun controversy. This marked his second major suspension in a couple of months after his appearance on social media, waving a gun.

It’s worth noting that after he departed a social event in Memphis on May 13, Morant went on to take a selfie in a car and posed with his gun on a live stream. A statement from the NBA stated that he had already served an eight-game, non-paying suspension for having a gun on March 4 during a livestream at a club in the Denver area while also being intoxicated.

Ja Morant responds

Despite being in hot waters, Morant took the jab sportingly and responded to The Rock on social media. He posted the popular 50 Cent meme which was the “What I Do” meme from a previous dispute that 50 Cent had about boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.

Currently, Morant is recuperating from shoulder surgery and has been on the sidelines. Following his suspension, in January he sustained a separated shoulder which put him on the shelf for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, The Rock is set to team up with Roman Reigns and take on the team of Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night One of WrestleMania 40. If the heels win the big Mania match, then it will be Bloodline Rules for Cody vs Roman on night 2.

WWE Boom: Triple H Close To Raking Up Incredible Achievement For Sold-Out Shows

Aaron Varble
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WWE is on fire right now when it comes to their live attendance. The road to WrestleMania usually generates added interest, but this year certainly feels special. Triple H is close to raking up a nice achievement in the process.

The upcoming WWE Monday Night RAW event scheduled for March 18, 2024, at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC, currently has 947 tickets available out of a total setup of 12,770 seats, with 11,823 tickets already distributed. With just five days until the show and considering the strong ticket sales trend, this event has the potential to mark the 9th consecutive TV sellout if the streak continues.

WWE’s Big Business 

WWE’s touring business is thriving, showing no signs of slowing down as it approaches a significant milestone. Over the past eighteen months WWE has seen notable improvements across various aspects, including morale, booking, live attendance, and other key metrics.

In recent weeks, WWE has experienced a remarkable consecutive sellout streak and appears poised to reach a new achievement. Monday’s episode of Raw on March 18 marks the potential ninth consecutive sellout, with only 947 tickets remaining to be sold following the sale of 11,823 tickets at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC, as reported by WrestleTix on their Patreon.

If this show achieves a sellout, WWE will then go for the tenth consecutive TV sellout with SmackDown next Friday at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. The event is nearing a sellout already, with the latest update two days ago indicating only 90 tickets were available after selling 10,718 tickets.

What’s Next For WWE

The boost in WWE’s popularity does coincide with Triple H assuming control of main roster creative from Vince McMahon after the 2022 summer hush money scandal. Mr. McMahon did return, and there was a period where he made remote changes, but he is now totally out of the picture.

Only time will tell if WWE sees their business slow down. With WrestleMania 40 coming up in a matter of weeks, odds are that won’t happen any time soon.

SEScoops will have more on this story and so much more. Please keep checking back for constant updates for the stories you need.

WWE Talent Unhappy Over Will Ospreay’s AEW Move After Triple H Talks

Aaron Varble
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AEW pulled Will Ospreay in after making a big deal to secure his services. It seems that WWE was also in the running to get him, but AEW simply tried a lot harder, and now he is All Elite. This move might not have left a ton of happiness within in WWE.

Triple H is believed to have not realized Will Ospreay’s potential, and he didn’t lock him down with a contract. According to Dave Meltzer, there are some unhappy WWE Superstars due to the fact that The Game let Ospreay go to AEW.

The Set-Up For Controversy

Now that Will Ospreay has begun to gain attention in AEW shortly after officially joining the promotion, there is a prevailing sentiment that WWE overlooked an opportunity in not signing him when they expressed interest.

There are apparently individuals within WWE who believe that Triple H presented Ospreay with a less-than-ideal contract offer during their negotiations prior to Ospreay’s decision to sign with All Elite Wrestling last November. We previously reported that there are those who believe that he didn’t appreciate Ospreay’s abilities.

During a discussion on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer highlighted the perspective held by some within WWE that Ospreay could have been comparable to a younger version of AJ Styles when Styles initially joined the company in 2016. Consequently, there were feelings of disappointment among certain individuals within WWE regarding their failure to secure Ospreay’s services, given the high regard in which they held him.

Meltzer further elaborated on the perception of Ospreay within WWE, suggesting that while some saw him as potentially akin to AJ Styles in terms of talent upon his arrival, there was recognition that Ospreay possessed distinct attributes that set him apart, including a notably stronger charisma.

“AJ when he first came in there, and still now he’s a super talented guy, but the thing with Ospreay, it’s I know people in that company who are very, very high on him, and that were very upset. I don’t say very upset, but upset surely they didn’t get him because they knew he was this good. And they just thought that he’s a guy who can be like a real major player here.”

AEW’s Money Situation

WWE also didn’t jump on getting Mercedes Mone when they were in talks with her. The company did offer her a substantial contract, but it wasn’t enough to beat out Tony Khan.

Tony Khan’s substantial wealth isn’t solely derived from his role as a wrestling promoter. In addition to overseeing a wrestling promotion, he juggles various other endeavors, like his ownership of the Fulham Football Club in London and the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s worth noting that Tony’s father, Shahid Khan, boasts a net worth of 12.2 billion USD.

AEW has a lot of money, because TK has incredibly deep pockets. Only time will tell when he hits his salary cap, or if that day will ever come for the Land of All Elite. Either way, Will Ospreay is now a heel in AEW, and he’s getting some great exposure with a new audience who may not have followed him for years as others have who know him from NJPW.

SEScoops will have ongoing coverage of this story, and so much more. Keep checking back for the latest updates and headlines that you need.

Built to Last! WWE’s Natalya Revels In Unique 20+ Year Accolade

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Superstar Natalya has proven that she’s built to last, considering the impressive streak she’s built for over 20 years. 

Natalya made her WWE TV debut in 2008, making her one of the longest tenured Superstars, regardless of sex, in the company today. She is also the wife of TJ Wilson, a WWE producer who worked under Tyson Kidd until his in-ring career ended due to injury in 2015. 

Natalya’s Unique Record

Given her lengthy tenure in the ring, you’d be surprised to learn that Natalya has been able to avoid long-term injuries throughout her career. On Twitter, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful pointed out that since 2004, the Queen of Harts has never been out of the ring for longer than three months. Responding, Natalya said she’s had luck on her side and has been fortunate enough to work with pros. The veteran added that she’s “built to F’N last” to explain how she’s been able to keep active in the ring. 

Natalya’s Accolades

Natalya is a former WWE Divas Champion, having held the title from November 2010 to January 2011. In 2017 she captured the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship from Naomi. She and Tamina won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships in 2017. 

The self-professed BOAT (Best Of All Time) also holds several Guinness World Records. They include: 

  • Most Matches in WWE History (Female)
  • Most Wins in WWE History (Female)
  • Most WWE Premium Live Event Matches (Female)
  • Most WWE WrestleMania appearances (Female)
  • Most WWE Monday Night Raw Matches
  • Most WWE SmackDown Matches

Health Setback: David Finlay Withdraws from NJPW Tournament

Aaron Varble
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0

There are a lot of plans in place for NJPW, but they can’t predict everything. Sadly, David Finlay is unable to wrestle as planned, and the company was forced to figure things out.

NJPW announced today that David Finlay will not compete tonight in Nagoya due to illness. He is currently undergoing evaluation at a local hospital. Hirooki Goto will advance to the semifinals via forfeit.

David Finlay is Out

In a recent announcement by NJPW, it was revealed that David Finlay would be absent from the event in Nagoya due to an unexpected illness. This was a bit of a surprise, because fans were expecting to see him.

With Finlay unable to compete, NJPW announced that Hirooki Goto would advance to the semifinals of the tournament by default. While Goto’s advancement was a result of Finlay’s unfortunate circumstance, it provided him with an opportunity to progress in the tournament that he didn’t pass up.

Who is David Finlay

With a rich wrestling lineage as a fourth-generation wrestler, David debuted in NJPW during the 2015 Best of the Super Jr. tournament. He then joined the New Japan Dojo. His road in NJPW included a tag team run with Juice Robinson, but now he is on his own.

After assuming leadership of Bullet Club, Finlay declared that the group was now exclusively for ‘savages,’ as he kicked out El Phantasmo and recruited Clark Connors. He then challenged for the NEVER Openweight Championship, winning over Tama Tonga in a brutal encounter.

Although Finlay lost the title to Tama later that October, he made a significant impact at Power Struggle in Osaka by attacking Will Ospreay and Jon Moxley after their US(UK) Heavyweight Championship match, destroying both belts.

In the aftermath, a new IWGP Global Championship was established, and Finlay claimed the inaugural title at Wrestle Kingdom 18. Now, he is still going strong in NJPW, despite his recent health setback.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more. You never know what will happen next, but we can’t wait to bring you all the headlines you need.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q-Ar6_mKIw

Daily Drop (3/16): Controversial WWE RAW Angle Not Received Well Internally, Mercedes Mone Already Has Heat In AEW

Aaron Varble
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0

Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Saturday, March 16. A lot of things changed in the past 24 hours, including Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut at Big Business.

Days until WrestleMania 40: 21

First off, it’s 3:16 day, so celebrate by giving someone the Stunner, flipping them the bird, and downing a Steveweiser. Oh, HELL YEAH!

WWE:

– Candice LeRae dissing Maxxine Dupri’s dead brother wasn’t just received poorly by fans. I was told that this was not received well by anyone backstage. Here’s hoping it didn’t do too much damage to anyone involved.

– The report about CM Punk and Booker T having a tiff backstage at NXT was not accurate. Booker T was just being himself and hyping things up, but there was nothing there. So, bets are still on if you have money on how long it will be until CM Punk starts a controversy in WWE this time around.

– Rey Mysterio returned during SmackDown this week. He got right back to business, as he challenged Santos Escobar to a match on the blue brand’s show next week.

– The Rock’s next movie starts shooting in May. Take that for what it’s worth, but it may give us a clue about his availability after WrestleMania 40.

– The Rock also had an epic musical segment on SmackDown in Memphis this week.

– WWE made a ton of additions to the WrestleMania 40 card during SmackDown this week. You may check out the updated card below.

WrestleMania 40 Card:

  • Night 1: The Bloodline (The Rock and Roman Reigns) vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins
  • Night 2: Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship
  • Night 2: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
  • Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton – Triple threat match for WWE United Stated Title
  • Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley for the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch for the Women’s World Championship
  • Gunther (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
  • The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. Legado Del Fantasma (Angel and Berto) vs. Four teams TBD in a Six-Pack Ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
  • AJ Styles vs. LA Knight in a Singles match
  • Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso in a Singles match

AEW:

– Some people within the company were pretty upset about Mercedes Mone saying that she will go back to WWE eventually. She’s just getting started in AEW, but to be fair, she said that before her “unannounced” debut for the company.

– Darby Allin won’t be climbing Mount Everest after all, because he broke his foot. He was still going to climb the dangerous mountain after cutting his back to ribbons at AEW Revolution.

– AEW Collision will not air on March 23. They are being preempted by NCAA March Madness.

– Mercedes Mone said that she felt like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin during her AEW Dynamite debut at Big Business.

– Kyle O’Reilly would have been okay with retirement after his last injury.

AEW Collision Card for 3/16:

  • AEW TBS Championship Open House Match: Julia Hart vs. Trish Adora
  • Kyle O’Reilly vs. Bryan Keith
  • Bryan Danielson vs. Katsuyori Shibata
  • Komander vs. PAC
  • AEW World Tag Team Tournament kicks off

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events:

  • 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.
  • AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
  • 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 SummerSlam is taking over Cleveland’s Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 3rd.
  • WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

WWE & GCW: Who Made the Call for Stars to Step Through the Forbidden Door?

Thomas Lowson
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Fans excited to see WWE Superstars make appearances outside the promotion know who exactly who to thank for this huge deal. 

Earlier this week, it was reported that WWE Superstars would be competing at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, which will be part of the GCW Collective during WrestleMania 40 week. GCW themselves wasted little time in confirming the report by announcing that Shayna Baszler will be part of their Bloodsport show. 

WWE’s Decision Maker

WWE talent working the GCW Collective is a huge deal given the Sports Entertainment juggernauts historic reluctance to work with others. In his Figure-Four daily update, Dave Meltzer revealed that the call for WWE talent to take indie dates around WrestleMania week came from none other than Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque himself. Meltzer added that the Game has a “different view on these things” compared to his father-in-law Vince McMahon. 

Playing Well with Others

While this is a historic move by WWE, it isn’t the first time that Triple H has shown a willingness to work with other promotions. In 2020, WWE brought in then-IMPACT Knockouts Champion Mickie James for that year’s Women’s Royal Rumble. This year’s match saw TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace compete in the match. 

On the men’s side of things, Shinsuke Nakamura was able to compete for Pro Wrestling NOAH last year as part of The Great Muta’s retirement tour. More recently, WWE NXT Superstar Charlie Dempsey challenged for the AJPW Triple Crown Championship this past January. 

Booker T Says Fans Are Making Far Too Much of ‘Run-In’ with CM Punk

Thomas Lowson
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Booker T isn’t quite sure why fans are making such a big deal after claiming he had a ‘run-in’ with CM Punk at the March 12, NXT.

The episode saw the Superstars of the gold brand continue on the road to NXT Stand & Deliver. The upcoming event will take place on Saturday, April 6, mere hours before WWE WrestleMania 40: Saturday. 

Booker T’ and CM Punk

CM Punk was present at this week’s episode of WWE NXT but he was acknowledged during the broadcast. On a recent edition of his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker claimed that he had a ‘run-in’ with Punk and teased the pair had an altercation. Booker did not disclose details but said he would share more at a later time. 

Booker T Responds

The reported backstage altercation quickly went viral as fans compared the situation to Punk’s previous issues behind the scenes in AEW. On Twitter, Booker (seemingly unaware of Punk’s prior altercations) questioned why fans were making such a big deal of things. The WWE NXT commentator said their ‘run-in’ could have been over something as simple as a banana, but still stopped short of saying what exactly the issue was. 

Is Booker T Lying? 

There has been scepticism within WWE as to whether this altercation actually took place. No sources within WWE saw any sort of ‘run-in’ between the two. In fact, since Punk’s return to WWE, the former AEW World Champion has been on his best behavior and has been very helpful at past WWE NXT tapings. 

Drew McIntyre Believes Seth Rollins Should Focus On Raw: I Wouldn’t Piss On SmackDown To Put Out A Fire If They Begged Me

Anutosh Bajpai
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0

Drew McIntyre believes that the top champion of Raw should be focused on their own brand instead of getting involved in stories of other shows.

The Scottish Warrior spoke up about his WrestleMania 40 opponent Seth Rollins in a recent interview with the Gorilla Position podcast. Speaking about Seth and Cody’s partnership, Drew claimed that Rollins should be focused on his own brands while also explaining why Rhodes is a liar:

“I’ve made my feelings pretty clear on the show last week that his focus should be on the World Championship. His focus should be on Raw and he shouldn’t be, one spreading himself so thin but at the same time it seems it’s coming from a selfish place to me.

He was trying to convince Cody to have the match with him, instead of finishing the story which Cody promised everyone he was going to do. The fans were clearly saying ‘We don’t want this. We want Cody to do what he said he was going to do – finish the story’ and I had to physically nudge him in the right direction to make the right decision.

At the same time, he lied to the Rock. He’s wondering why Rock’s being like this. He said you can have this match then he took it away so Cody’s a liar but that’s not my business. Whatever Smackdown, handle it over there.”

Drew McIntyre Doesn’t Care About SmackDown’s Problems

Drew McIntyre then targeted The Architect for lack of focus on the red brand. He proclaimed that things will change under his reign. According to the former champion, he would not piss on SmackDown if the show was on fire, because it’s not his problem:

“Seth should be focused on ‘Okay the world title, get myself healthier, the best match possible, Drew McIntyre.’ It is all about Raw but he can’t help himself. It goes back to the Shield days, [he] has to latch on to whatever’s cool, get that extra spotlight.

Be it Cody’s return, be it the Edge stuff, be it Punk’s return or be it The Rock’s return. Always has to stick his nose into the spotlight, wants that little bit more. [He] doesn’t think about what’s best for the roster, thinks about what’s best for him.

That’s what annoys me and I said it last week, when I’m champion in Raw, it’s gonna be all about Raw, all about my roster on Raw. I don’t care if SmackDown is on fire and they’re on their knees begging for help. I will not pee on them to put that fire out because that’s a them problem. I’m focused on Raw responsibilities as he should be.”

Drew McIntyre will be challenging Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40. You can check out his full interview below:

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

Mercedes Moné Felt Like Steve Austin During AEW Debut

Rayan Saayed
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0

Mercedes Moné, formerly known as Sasha Banks, said that the hometown crowd of Boston made her feel “so cool,” akin to Steve Austin.

Having debuted for All Elite Wrestling the previous Wednesday, Moné received a warm  welcome from fans. Reflecting on the experience with Variety, she described it as “unbelievable.”

Moné stole the spotlight during the Big Business edition of AEW Dynamite with her debut. As she entered the TD Garden, she was greeted with loud cheers and chants of “CEO.”

“I still haven’t gotten to take everything in yet, but my heart was just pounding out of my chest. Once I heard the beat drop in the music and the ‘CEO’ chants were on the screens, and then they revealed the ‘Mercedes Moné’ name, that eruption was so electric. I felt so cool. I felt like Stone Cold Steve Austin, when fans just lift up all their signs and stand up with their arms raised. I felt so cool. It was the best feeling in the world.”

Moné expressed gratitude to fans for their support over the past two years while she was recovering from an ankle injury. Visibly emotional, she conveyed how much their support meant to her, and the importance of wrestling in her life.

She also added that is looking forward to wrestling with the women in the Dynamite locker room, particularly mentioning Willow Nightingale, with whom Moné has unfinished business. The two competed against each other in the final of the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship tournament, after which Moné sustained an injury. Speaking to Variety, she also mentioned her openness to facing someone she has never encountered in the ring before.

“I always feel like it’s best when I’ve never been in the ring with an opponent before just so we can feed off that the natural chemistry and the magic instantly. But to tie up with Willow again when we only had like half a match, to tie it up with Saraya again would be amazing. I’ve never gotten to wrestle [AEW Women’s Champion] Toni Storm. I’ve never wrestled Skye Blue, or Julia Hart. The talent is just endless. I’m looking forward to facing everybody.”

Shane Helms Hits Back At “Lying POS” Buff Bagwell Over Dark Side of the Ring Claims

Thomas Lowson
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Shane ‘Hurricane’ Helms has fired back at the comments made by Buff Bagwell on Dark Side of the Ring, branding his fellow WCW alum a “lying POS.”

Bagwell’s life, career, and struggles were covered in the latest episode of the hit VICE series which documents the darker side of pro-wrestling. The episode looked at Bagwell’s upbringing, time with WCW, his issues with substances, and more from his life. 

Buff Bagwell Accuses Shane Helms

The Dark Side of the Ring episode covers Bagwell’s brief tenure with WWE which saw him fired after his much-panned 2001 main event bout with Booker T. This match was so bad it reportedly led to Vince McMahon nixing any plans for WCW to be revived as its own show. 

In the episode, it is claimed that Bagwell confronted Helms during a training session and that Helms allegedly called Buff a drug addict. Bagwell claims he slapped Helms resulting in Helms using a frozen bottle of water as a weapon, resulting in Buff needing 24 staples for his Monday Night Raw debut. 

In the episode, Bagwell blames his WWE release on the fact that he was blamed for striking Helms first during their confrontation. 

Helms Fires Back

On Twitter, a fan who watched Dark Side of the Ring criticized Helms, blaming the former Cruiserweight Champions on Buff’s release. Helms hit back by claiming that Bagwell is lying and witnesses at the scene would disagree with his claims. 

A different fan also questioned Buff’s story, especially as it’s been believed for years that his mother Judy rung up to say her son should be booked better. Helms noted that Bagwell has a history of blaming others for his lack of WWE success. 

When a fan said that Bagwell seemed like a changed man after being helped by Diamond Dallas Page, Helms said: 

Who’s In? Brackets Revealed for AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament

Thomas Lowson
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0

The brackets have been revealed for the tournament that will see AEW crown its next pair of World Tag Team Champions. 

At AEW Full Gear, Sting and Darby Allin defeated the Young Bucks to retain the titles, in what was the final match of the Icon’s legendary career. During the post-show media scrum, it was confirmed that the titles had been vacated and a tournament would be held to determine the new champions. 

AEW Tag Tournament Brackets

On the March 15, 2024, edition of AEW Rampage, fans caught their first glimpse at the brackets for the tournament. The first-round matches are as follows: 

  • The Young Bucks Vs. Private Party
  • The Undisputed Kingdom Vs. Wild Card Team #1
  • Best Friends Vs. The Don Callis Family (Wild Card Match)
  • Ricky Starks & Big Bill Vs. Top Flight
  • FTR Vs. Wild Card Team #2
  • Infantry Vs. The House of Black (Wild Card Match)

The tournament will kick off on the March 16, 2024, edition of AEW Collision with the House of Black taking on Infantry in their Wild Card match. The new AEW World Tag Team Champions will be crowned at the first-ever AEW Dynasty pay-per-view next month.

AEW Dynasty 2024

AEW Dynasty 2024 will take place on April 21, 2024, from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, the first AEW pay-per-view to be held in the state. Tickets for the show went on sale on March 8. 

The card for AEW Dynasty 2024 so far is as follows: 

  • Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson
  • TBD vs. TBD (Tournament final for the vacant AEW World Tag Team Championship)

Drew McIntyre Unknowingly Taught Himself To Lip Read Because Of Hearing Issues

Anutosh Bajpai
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0

Drew McIntyre has revealed that he has hearing problems and he unknowingly taught himself to read lips because of it.

The former world champion recently had an interview with Gorilla Position to promote his upcoming match against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40. When asked how he’s feeling before the bout, McIntyre mentioned that the effects from the Elimination Chamber match last month have not worn off completely.

Talking about the perforated eardrum he suffered during the extreme bout, McIntyre disclosed that he has had hearing issues going far back. The Scottish Warrior revealed that he actually taught himself lip reading without even realizing, and explained how he finally found out about it:

“I found out about a year and a half ago from an ear specialist, because I have bad hearing in general,” said Drew McIntyre, “that I taught myself to lip read, which I had no idea.

We did a little test, where he was talking. He had me put my fingers in my ears where I could still hear him, [I] was telling him what he was seeing. He slowly slipped up a piece of paper in front of his face and I was like ‘I can’t hear what you’re saying. you’ve lowered your voice.’ My wife was like ‘He hasn’t, it’s the exact same volume.’

He went ‘Yeah, you’re a smart guy. You’ve just taught yourself to lip-read because you’re hearing so bad.’ [I went] ‘Oh, fantastic.’ Then I got perforated. So I wouldn’t say who it was because I don’t want them to feel bad, but it’s very annoying because I can’t hear jack.”

Despite the injury, Drew McIntyre not only completed the match but went on to win the Elimination Chamber. The victory has earned him an opportunity to challenge Seth Rollins for his World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40 from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia next month.

You can learn more about speech and hearing impairment at the official website of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association here

Drew’s full interview can be seen below:

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

WWE Made “Generous Offer” to Mercedes Mone Ahead Of AEW Big Business Dynamite Debut

Thomas Lowson
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0

Mercedes Mone is officially All-Elite after making her debut this week, but that only came about after a generous offer was made for her to return to WWE. 

Mone arrived in AEW during the Big Business episode of Dynamite, following weeks of speculation that she’d be joining. Mone had hardly been subtle in the run-up to the show, making clear to fans that she was in Boston, MA, her hometown and the host of Big Business, mere hours before the show.

WWE’s Offer to Mercedes Mone

During an appearance on the Heal Squad podcast, Keven Undergaro, an advocate for Mone who helped produce her new theme, spoke about the CEO. Undergo shared how WWE made an offer for Mone to return, close to two years after he and Naomi walked out of the company. 

“A few months ago, we get a call from her old home saying they want her back. They put out a generous offer.”

Undergaro said that a “rival company” to WWE, that being AEW, put out an offer and Mone’s gut instinct was to go with the All-Elite promotion. In the interview, he also shared that AEW’s deal was seen as the better one in terms of opportunity, creativity, and mental help. 

In the interview, Undergaro added that he was pleased that Mone will have the opportunity to thrive in wrestling and entertainment in AEW. 

“They see her for what she is, which is a star. This is a girl that, even just being on Mandalorian in her small role, they made nine action figures for her. They don’t do that out of charity, they do that because they sell.”

What’s Next? 

Mone has said that the women’s division was a major factor in her decision to sign with AEW. The division is home to stars Mone has never faced before. Last year, Britt Baker said she was hoping to see Mone join AEW so that they could eventually have a match. Currently, it is unclear when Mone’s debut match will take place or who her first opponent will be. 

H/T – Fightful

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