Seth Rollins sustained a knee injury during his match against Jinder Mahal on the January 15th episode of WWE RAW,. He was then removed from this weekend’s live events, but a replacement was announced. Interestingly enough, that replacement wasn’t present, either.
Randy Orton No-Shows Event
Randy Orton marked his return at the 2023 Survivor Series, as he helped the babyface team win WarGames. Despite being slated to compete at a recent WWE live event, he wasn’t on the show after all.
Randy Orton was advertised to take Seth Rollins’ place in the WWE live events. The Apex Predator’s render took the place of The Visionary’s on the promotion for the show.
Fans were anticipating Orton’s performance, but they were left disappointed when he didn’t show up. One fan noted that they drove hours to see him, as he dropped a disappointed looking video selfie.
The reason behind The Viper’s nonattendance remains unclear, but it’s plausible that the company may have made last-minute adjustments to its plans for the Montgomery event. Either way, that marked another change after Seth Rollins was taken off the card.
Randy Orton has other matters on his plate, as he is set to face AJ Styles, LA Knight, and Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble on January 27th for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. That fatal four-way match could have a very interesting outcome, for sure.
Seth Rollins, on the other hand, will be on WWE RAW this week. He will address his future as World Heavyweight Champion to open the January 22nd episode of WWE RAW.
WWE 2K24 has generated some major excitement among gamers for its upcoming release, and the teasers are keeping fans intrigued. Now we know who got the cover of the game this year.
2K announced that Cody Rhodes will be the cover Superstar for the upcoming WWE 2K24 game. He will be on the cover of the regular version.
The WWE Games account made this big announcement as they included some lyrics from Cody’s famous Kingdom theme song, “Crowd is here, about to blow Waitin’ for me to start the show Out the curtain, lights go up, I’m home. WOAAAAHHH”
? Crowd is here, about to blow Waitin’ for me to start the show Out the curtain, lights go up, I’m home ?
The WWE Games account also unveiled that Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley will share the cover of the deluxe edition of the game. They are sharing the cover in a stylish split-screen fashion.
While saying that the deluxe edition of the game is the EST, they also noted, “Two groundbreaking superstars. One historic cover.”
Two groundbreaking superstars. One historic cover ? ?
WWE Games also announced that the upcoming WWE 2K24 game will include a special feature called “Forty Years of WrestleMania.”
It is unclear what that feature will include at this time, but there will likely be a lot more updates to come. This could have also been why WWE Games dropped so many legendary teases over the past few days.
The release date for WWE 2K24 has not been announced at the moment, but examining the timing of last year’s release provides some insight into what to anticipate.
WWE 2K23, reviewed favorably by SEScoops, was launched on March 14th, 2023, available on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley has got a new ink.
Rhea Ripley has become a formidable superstar in WWE and experienced a meteoric rise in WWE after joining The Judgment Day. Her affinity towards body ink is no secret. In addition to her in-ring prowess, ‘Mami’ is recognized for her distinctive canvas of tattoos and they are very personal representations of her identity and her journey in life. With a variety of tattoos, Ripley has created a distinct look that is fitting for her character.
Rhe Ripley reveals her new ink
That being said, Rhea Ripley recently took to Twitter and flaunted her new tattoo on the back of her neck. It seems that it is a set of wings.
As we approach the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event this weekend, it’s worth noting that she has fond memories of the event. ‘The Eradicator’ had won last year’s Women’s Royal Rumble match and earned a title shot. She defeated Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39 to capture the gold. This year’s Women’s Royal Rumble match will see a new winner and her reign could be at jeopardy at WrestleMania 40.
On the most recent edition of SmackDown, Bayley was ringside for the women’s tag team match. She called out Rhea Ripley and referred to herself as the ‘Mami Slayer.’ Bayley has been considered to be a favorite to win this year’s high-stakes match. On the other hand, Ripley and Becky Lynch recently had a confrontation which could to WrestleMania 40 as well. It is to be seen who steps up to Rhea Ripley next.
Royal Rumble 2024 WWE Premium Live Event which will emanate live from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida on January 27.
WWE Superstar Natalya has expressed her desire to battle one of the legendary women’s wrestlers, Gail Kim.
Natalya is a pro wrestling veteran and has been one of the mainstays in WWE for more than a decade. While he has several accomplishments and fought legendary superstars over the years, she never got an opportunity to face Gail Kim. Well, now she has revealed that she would have loved to face Kim and that she’s her dream opponent.
Natalya took to her Instagram story to repost Gail Kim’s recent picture with Nattie’s real-life husband, TJ Wilson (also known as Tyson Kidd).
“Always love you both. My Faves And you’re a DREAM MATCH OF MINE.”
Natalya says Gail Kim is ‘so talented’
The former Women’s Champion also recently took to Twitter and responded to a post from a fan. The veteran star responded by saying that she would love to wrestle Gail Kim, and she believes that the former WWE superstar is very talented.
“Would so love to wrestle Gail. I think she’s so talented,” she wrote.
Gail Kim’s legacy in wrestling is defined by her trailblazing achievements. In WWE, Gail Kim made an immediate impact by winning the WWE Women’s Championship in her debut match in 2003. However, she left the company in 2004. She returned to the company in 2008 and that run lasted until 2011.
It was in TNA where Gail Kim truly cemented her legacy. She is considered as a trailblazer, who helped to elevate the TNA Knockouts Division to new heights. With her in-ring prowess, she set a new standard for women’s wrestling.
She’s a 7-time TNA Knockouts Champion and apart from in-ring performances, she also played a pivotal role behind the scenes. In 2016, she was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame and it was certainly a fitting tribute to her contributions.
AEW star Kenny Omega is yet to have surgery and a concerning report has emerged regarding his health.
‘The Cleaner’ is currently out of action for an indefinite period after he was diagnosed with diverticulitis following his match with Ethan Page. The former AEW World Champion was hospitalized immediately after the match. Omega was set to team up with Chris Jericho at AEW Worlds End but that match had to be scrapped off due to Omega’s absence.
We had reported that Omega has a long road ahead for recovery. Now, it has come to light that his condition is bad enough that surgery could be risky at the time and a decision of the surgery is yet to be made.
Update on Kenny Omega
Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio reported that the current plan is to monitor Omega’s condition for seven weeks before deciding on surgery. Meltzer has highlighted that during this period, Omega will receive no treatment, and after seven weeks, a decision will be made depending on his progress on recovery.
Meltzer stated:
“It’s going to be nothing for seven weeks and then in seven weeks, they are going to see how everything goes and, at that point, he’ll either need surgery or he… I don’t know how he won’t need surgery, but if he can heal.
Normally, you would have already done the surgery right away but his condition and everything was so bad that they could not risk the surgery at the time and now they are kind of just… it’s going to be in seven weeks he’ll either have the surgery or he won’t and then at that point we’ll see. He’s in a tough situation, I feel very bad for him. Until that happens, it’s a painful situation.”
It is certainly a tough time for Omega, given his future is up in the air. Fans are hopeful that he’ll recover and get back inside the ring soon.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson may be one of the biggest stars in the world, but he’ll always have time to meet the fine folks at Make-A-Wish.
In the video, The Rock recalled meeting 21 children from the Make-A-Wish foundation, who were thrilled to hang out with the People’s Champion. In the video, The Rock reflected on how incredible the experience was for him.
“I anticipated having a great day hey but today was something unlike I’ve ever experienced.”
The Brahma Bull also reflected on his family’s history with Make-A-Wish and was honored to be performing in the same role as his father Rocky Johnson.
“We [myself and Make-A-Wish] go way way back. Make-A-Wish and my dad, granting the first wish in the state of New Jersey. I was 11 at that time the concept of that, I remember then being blown away. Like ‘wait this is this little kid’s wish?’
“I always say that, you know, really they’re the heroes and their families are the superstars. It’s unbelievable and what an honor and and a privilege that I get to meet these kids to surprise them and it just gets no better than this.”
As part of the day’s festivities, The Rock toured Universal Studios with the kids and their families, and answered questions about his role in the Fast and Furious franchise.
Later in the day, The Rock hosted a special party for the kids and their families. The Hollywood A-Lister gifted Project Rock merch and a Rock-themed Xbox to each kid, courtesy of ‘Dwanta Claus.’ Johnson also made sure to speak to every kid in one-on-one conversations and gave them some words of wisdom.
Did The Rock reveal a massive WWE future plan when meeting a kid from Make-A-Wish…
Dwayne Johnson has added another accolade to his impressive resume by being inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.
Years before he was wowing fans as The Rock, Johnson played for the Miami Hurricanes as a defensive tackle. This week, The former WWE Champion was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, which recognizes athletes from Tonga, Samoa and surrounding islands. On Twitter, the Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment was honored to receive the induction.
Thank you Fam. Life’s road is long, wild and unpredictable. Core values & relentless work ethic principles I learned at @CanesFootball. Honored and grateful to be inducted in the @PolynesianFBHOF ?? https://t.co/nj57zxxnub
Speaking about the Brahma Bull, former Miami head coach Dennis Erickson recalled Johnson’s time with the University of Miami via the College Football Hall of Fame:
“Back then, he was a broad-shouldered defensive lineman and his teammates called him ‘Dewey’. He was often spotted walking around campus in a lava-lava skirt singing country music.”
During Johnson’s time at Miami, he was responsible for 77 tackles and 4.25 sacks, according to Pro Football Network.
One WWE NXT Superstar hopes to make an impression in this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble match, which will take place later this week.
On Twitter this week, the USA Network account asked fans who they’d like to see in the upcoming Royal Rumble matches. In a response, NXT Superstar Thea Hail made clear she wants in her first Women’s Royal Rumble match.
This year’s Women’s Rumble match will be the seventh in history after the match type was introduced in 2018. Previous winners of the Women’s Rumble match include Asuka, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Ronda Rousey, and reigning Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley.
Thea Hail is Over-The-Top
While Hail has yet to compete in a Royal Rumble match, the Chase U member has seen success in over-the-top-rope battle royals. Hail has competed in five battle royals in WWE and with a victory in 2 of those matches, she boasts a 40% win record. Hail was part of the battle royal that took place on last week’s WWE NXT, but failed to make it to the final four.
WWE Royal Rumble 2024
Here is the card for the WWE 2024 Royal Rumble PLE as it currently stands:
Men’s Royal Rumble match (Confirmed entrants: Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, GUNTHER.
New Japan Pro Wrestling has been very good to Kazuchika Okada, so it’s not hard to see why there’d be a temptation to stay. In an interview with Tokyo Sports, however, Okada explained that this comfort in New Japan was a factor in his decision to leave.
“Maybe if I stay here, I can wrestle without any inconvenience. But I don’t want to become the same Kazuchika Okada without such hunger.
“I don’t want to be in a situation where I have to rest on my laurels. If I were “human” Okada, I would have friends here, and I would be in the best environment. But as “wrestler” Okada, it was different.”
WWE 2K24 has gamers excited about their next offering, and we can’t get enough of the teases. Who will be on the cover of the upcoming game is a huge discussion point, and now we have a possible spoiler for that big reveal.
WWE 2K24 Cover Superstar Tease
WWE 2K24 is coming, and fans are awaiting big news on January 22nd. If they plan to reveal the cover Superstar, it appears that a recent tease may have given that away.
WWE Games sent out a social media blast that drew a lot of attention. They parodied Cody Rhodes’ famous bucket list that he put out after he left WWE. This time, it included things to do upon his return to the company, including snagging a cover Superstar spot for a 2k game.
The last three items on Cody’s new list were not checked off. This leads many to assume that he will be the cover Superstar for WWE 2K24.
If you need to be reminded of Cody Rhodes’ previous list, we’ve posted it below. He achieved a great deal of those bullet points and so much more.
2K’s Teaser campaign
The WWE 2K series has been getting consistently better since it was overhauled two years ago and we’re hoping the improvements continue and 2K24 reaches new heights.
WWE and 2K are booting the hype machine for this year’s game. It’s WrestleMania 40, WWE is under new ownership and business is booming. This year’s game has to be big and we’re already seeing the attention being put towards ensuring a record-setting launch.
The revelation that Cody Rhodes included ‘WWE 2K24 Cover Superstar’ on his career bucket list is the latest drop from an ongoing social media campaign from 2K. They sent out an Instagram post with a photo of a referee shirt and tagged “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in the photo, which drew a lot of attention.
The WWE 2K24 release date has not been announced as of press time, but we can look at the timing of last year’s release to get some idea of what to expect.
WWE 2K23, which SEScoops gave a strong review to in our review, was released on March 14th, 2023 for PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
We will be covering WWE 2K24 extensively in the months ahead. Stay tuned!
Kazuchika Okada was one of the biggest names in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, but his time with the company is ending. He is not retiring, so Okada will find another pro wrestling home. That brings up a couple obvious choices, but nothing is in stone yet.
Kazuchika Okada leaving NJPW
Okada will depart NJPW when his contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling concludes later this month, with potential moves to either WWE or AEW in early 2024.
WWE has shown interest in Okada for some time, but he has never made his way there from NJPW. There is currently a perception that Okada was significantly underpaid during his tenure as a top star in New Japan Pro Wrestling, especially in comparison to potential earnings in the United States, whether with WWE or AEW.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer brought up Okada’s current situation. At this time, he is still weighing his options, because he has a huge decision to make.
“He’s gonna go to whoever makes the best offer. I’ve heard from people and talked to people who know him very well, who have talked to him in the last day or two. And he has not decided. It’s not like a secret. He just hasn’t decided yet. I know people in AEW who think they’ve got him.”
“I know people in AEW who hope they’ve got him but don’t think they’ve got him. I know people in WWE who hope they’re gonna get him and who believe that..one person mentioned…..he wants the legacy, and it’s kinda like they’re like, ‘Well, maybe we can pay him less, but you can have your WrestleMania moment”. And again, what his goal is in his life, for some people that means more and either way he’s gonna make great money.”
Both WWE and AEW presented proposals for Okada, and it was rumored that AEW had put forth a more compelling initial offer. Although no agreement has been finalized, both companies believe that they have a shot at securing the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion’s services.
Dakota Kai may play a heel on television for WWE, but she has a heart of gold outside the squared circle. She recently encountered a puppy who needed her help, and she took action.
Dakota Kai’s Puppy Story
The Damage CTRL member recently received a message from her friend. Someone dumped a puppy with her, and she couldn’t keep her. Kai wasted no time taking action.
Dakota posted on her Instagram story to show off this little puppy. She also included a caption to explain this humanitarian situation.
URGENT: Hey Florida people, this sweet anxious baby was ditched with my friend. She can’t keep her. HMU if you can help out even if it’s to foster in the meantime.”
The WWE Superstar updated fans with a few Instagram stories about this puppy. She was very happy to meet the little girl, but she was even happier to let fans know that she found a home for him.
It didn’t take much time for Dakota Kai to let fans know that it appears that they found a fur-ever home for this little girl. That is a great ending for this story.
Dakota Kai appears on WWE television practically every week, but she is not wrestling. She is still out of action with an injury.
Kai recently updated fans with a bit of apparent frustration, stating, “It’s irritating to hear people saying, ‘She can run and jump, so why isn’t she cleared yet?’ That’s not the process. I’ve been running and jumping for the past few months, but there’s a set date for official clearance because I need to go through matches, and they have specific criteria to meet before declaring me fully cleared. I won’t be in a wheelchair for nine months and then suddenly stand up and claim, ‘I’m cured.’ It doesn’t work that way.”
As fans await her in-ring return, this is definitely a great story to hear in the meantime.
In the aftermath of Kevin Dunn’s departure from WWE, notable changes have emerged, and recent developments shed light on the impact of this shift. Sean Ross Sapp dropped a detailed report on Fightful Select to shed light on new details.
Numerous sources, approached by Fightful, provided insights into Dunn’s working dynamics. According to one source relayed by Corey Brennan, Dunn, contrary to expectations, was not excessively challenging to work with. However, he maintained a standard of excellence, expecting the best from everyone involved.
Dunn’s influence extended across various facets of WWE broadcasts, encompassing graphics, lighting, camera work, audio, pyrotechnics, and video production. He actively engaged in providing feedback for improvements and played a central role as the orchestrator of the broadcasts.
Dunn’s consistent presence at almost every show was notable. In instances where he was absent, NXT producers stepped in to fill his role, particularly during the year-end shows he missed. Comparisons were drawn to Michael Cole’s regular attendance, but it was clarified that Dunn took a standard amount of holidays during his tenure.
It was also noted that Triple H took charge of the broadcast during WWE Survivor Series and CM Punk’s return, given Dunn’s absence from the show.
Kevin Dunn as a Co-Worker in WWE
Colleagues attested to Kevin Dunn’s positive working relationships with Triple H, Vince McMahon, Bruce Prichard, and segment producers. So, there was no animosity there, which is a departure from the narrative some painted.
Collaboration and idea exchange were reportedly common practices, and there was a notable emphasis on safety. For instance, during Cody Rhodes’ return at WrestleMania 38, Dunn ensured a prolonged hold on pyrotechnics to guarantee the safety of the camera crew on the ramp.
Kevin Dunn may be gone from WWE, but he left a lasting impression on the entire pro wrestling business with his contributions. Although he was a scapegoat for fans and a controversial figure for others, Dunn was a constant in WWE, and he also left very large shoes to fill.
Big E’s life changed when Ridge Holland did a German suplex on him outside the ring, and he didn’t make a full rotation. Since the March 11th, 2022 episode of WWE SmackDown, Big E has dealt with the aftermath of a broken neck. As we approach two years since that injury, a return is always a big question.
While speaking to TMZ, Big E was asked how his neck is doing. “It’s all together, the bones connect to the other bones,” the former WWE Champion replied.
Then got honest about his expected return timetable from injury. The truth is that, at this present time, there is no such expectation for his return.
Big E stated that he doesn’t want to end up in a wheelchair, so he wants to make sure an in-ring return is the best choice to make for his own life.
“I don’t have a timeline, unfortunately, but thank you for asking. ‘I just want to make a smart decision. I didn’t start wrestling to end up in a wheelchair, so I just want to make sure I’m just making the best decision for myself.”
Big E In WWE During Injury Hiatus
Big E is widely adored as a WWE Superstar, but he continues to be absent from the ring due to a severe neck injury. That doesn’t keep him out of WWE activities, because he still stays busy for the company.
The New Day member has been present at WWE tryouts, where he kept an eye on talent. He has also acted as a scout in other respects. WWE uses Big E on a frequent basis for community events as well.
When that teaser came at Bound for Glory that Impact Wrestling was returning to its roots of TNA Wrestling, I admit to questioning the thought process. However, seeing the energy and excitement in the weeks leading up to Hard to Kill those concerns melted away. Then after a strong pay-per-view, I witnessed the rebrand firsthand over two nights of television tapings at the Osceola Park in Kissimmee. I can now say with confidence they made the right move. TNA! TNA! TNA!
The company used the venue just a year prior, but there was something about seeing the set complete with the yellow and red color scheme, and tunnel and hearing those TNA chants again. Talk about goosebumps. So many memories started flooding back for TNA’s Orlando homecoming, thinking about all the shows I used to attend at the Universal Orlando. A lot of the promotion’s history can be traced to Central Florida. My wife remarked to me on the first night of the shows that she felt the nostalgia, especially seeing longtime talents like Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, and Frankie Kazarian.
Friday’s event proved extra special for Trinity Fatu. The former Knockouts champion had family in attendance for this homecoming. This Orlando native and former Orlando Magic dancer glowed a little more than usual as she teamed with current women’s title holder Jordynne Grace against Gisele Shaw and Savannah Evans. Following the match, Trinity spoke to the fans about what her TNA run has meant. It was a tearful goodbye, amid rumors of where she would end up next including going back to WWE. Claps could be heard from the TNA team when Trinity made her way backstage.
It may have been the last night for one performer, but for the former Dolph Ziggler, the tapings served as the continuation of a new chapter. Nic Nemeth worked Trey Miguel and advanced his feud with Steve Maclin. In a nice tribute to Trinity, and in typical Nic fashion, he wore Trin’s robe during their meet-and-greet after. The Grizzled Young Vets showed up and showed out in their Orlando return, this time under the TNA banner, with two great matches during Friday and Saturday against ABC Bullet Club tag team chants Chris Bey and Ace Austin. Their chemistry was on full display.
TNA Impact Tapings (Night 2)
Night 2 featured the TNA in-ring debut of the former Dana Brooke, now known as Ash by Elegance. The entrance, complete with George Iceman’s grand intro, made her come off as a big-time star. It’s too early to tell how fruitful this run will be, but it’s clear a lot of time and care is being put into Ash’s presentation. That alone is a step forward for the new signing. Speaking of fresh starts, it looks to be one for Simon Gotch. A strong return for the former Vaudevillian. Another AJ in AJ Francis certainly making an impact. The former Hit Rower had an entertaining segment with Joe Hendry.
It was fun experiencing high-production entrances at the events. At the top was PCO, whose Frankenstein-inspired visuals really added a lot. The same for the Decay and MK Ultra. Speaking of the female talent, Xia Brookside has come a long way since her first introduction to audiences in the WWE Mae Young Classic.
For me, a breakout during the tapings was Kevin Knight. The New Japan Pro Wrestling star really turned heads working with Alex Shelley and Kushida against The System. His interaction, particularly against TNA Champ Moose, made me want to see two from both of them.
In all, a good set of shows leading into the No Surrender event in the weeks to come. TNA is gaining momentum one fan at a time. I took someone who had never seen pro wrestling or been to a show before. She had the time of her life. So if you find them in your town, make sure to check them out and support this crew because they will give you your money’s worth.
WWE Raw Superstar Cody Rhodes has continued to prove himself as a hero of modern fans with a heartwarming interaction at a recent live event.
At the recent event in Montgomery, AL, Rhodes defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in a Bullrope match. After the bout, Rhodes met up with a young fan named Harrison, who was decked head to toe in a Cody-themed costume. Rhodes was thrilled to meet the young fan, and was relieved to learn that Harrison’s favorite wrestler is none other than Cody himself. You can check out the heartwarming interaction below.
TNA Wrestling has been making an impact in recent weeks, and the latest tapings saw allies of a popular WWE faction face off.
During the latest aired episode of TNA iMPACT, Frankie Kazarian attacked Eric Young, turning heel on the former World Champion. The pair had previously lost to the Grizzled Young Veterans. During the most recent tapings, the angle continued and Kazarian told EY that he’d only face him once Young had banished a ghost of his past. This brought out Big Damp, better known to WWE fans as Killian Dain. Despite his best efforts, Damp would lose to Young.
Scoop #20: Eric Young out to wrestle
Frankie Kazarian says EY doesn’t get to decide when they wrestle, he does, and he’s not in the mood tonight
But EY has ghosts in his closet, and tonight he will face one
Damo and Young were part of SANITY in WWE, which was formed in 2016. The group would capture the NXT Tag Team Championships before being called up to the main roster in 2018 (sans Nikki Cross.) The faction’s time on the main roster would be underwhelming and the members were released in the coming years. The faction recently reunited in PROGRESS Wrestling and was represented by Damo, Young, and Axel Tischer (Alexander Wolfe in WWE.)
Big Damo in TNA Wrestling
Big Damo is no stranger to TNA, having had two matches for the promotion during their 2016 tour of the UK. Ironically, both of Damo’s matches for TNA would see him face Young. EY bested Damo in a singles match in their first encounter. Their second encounter saw Young retain the King of the Mountain Championship in a King of the Mountain match against Damo, Jimmy Havoc, Bram, and Will Ospreay.
Months after his shocking release from WWE, Nemeth arrived in New Japan Pro Wrestling where he introduced the fans to his ‘Wanted Man gimmick’ and most recently he made an appearance in TNA.
Nic Nemeth uses his WWE theme song
Nic Nemeth recently worked WWC Euphoria event in Puerto Rico. Fans noted an interesting thing which is that he used his WWE theme ‘Here To Show The World’ while making his entrance to the ring. Former WWE Superstar Primo Colon introduced Nemeth to the fans and hyped up his appearance. At the event, Nic Nemeth squared faced Ray Gonzalez in a singles match.
After his NJPW and TNA appearances, fans are hopeful that Nic Nemeth will show up in AEW eventually. It’s worth noting that his brother Ryan Nemeth is also a part of the AEW roster. He had been trying to convince Nic for a decade that he should exit WWE.
But for now, it seems that Nic Nemeth made his goals in TNA clear during his first promo in the promotion. He is going after the ultimate prize of the promotion, TNA World Championship. Read more below:
Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes was the plan for the Undisputed Universal Title match at WrestleMania 40. That would have seen Rhodes return a year after his Mania 39 loss to face Reigns again. After The Rock returned to the picture, that brought a big possible change.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that, “Reigns’ opponent is expected to be either The Rock or Rhodes, or it could be a three-way.”
Roman Reigns’ Match (Exclusive)
While we cannot provide any information about WWE’s final decision for Reigns’ WrestleMania main event match, we can confirm that one of those three options is off the table. A triple threat match is not going to be how they resolve this issue.
A tenured member of the WWE creative team confirmed to me that there will be, “No Triple Threat for Mania.” I was told that the creative team was informed of that last week.
At this time, I am told that The Rock, Roman Reigns, and Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania situation “is being held tight at the highest levels.”
History of The Rock vs Roman Reigns at WrestleMania
The Rock vs Roman Reigns was pencilled in for WrestleMania 37 at SoFi Stadium, but then that event was moved to Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, because WrestleMania 36 went down in front of zero fans. The pandemic caused Tampa to lose Mania 36, but WWE’s dedication to Florida brought them back for a show of shows in front of live fans the next year.
The big cousin vs cousin main event was then tabled after I was told The Rock was a “virtual lock.”
The Rock later confirmed on the Pat McAfee Show that he was very close to having that match against Roman on the grandest stage of them all, but things changed.
“The Rock headlining WrestleMania with Roman Reigns, SoFi Stadium, that was locked. We were doing it. But let me just tell you, so about the beginning of 2022, Nick Khan, very good friend, he’s the man, he was very instrumental in bringing Vince and I together. We all flew to LA, we met, we sat. This was the beginning of 2022. We broke out the Teremana, we toasted life, we toasted the business we love, and about an hour later, we started talking about the potential of what this match could be between myself and Roman Reigns headlining WrestleMania at SoFi.”
The Royal Rumble event on January 27th will likely answer more than a few questions about what WWE is planning for WrestleMania 40. Don’t count on a triple threat match, but the Tribal Chief is practically guaranteed to have a big match at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.
Damage CTRL led by Bayley has been a formidable faction in the women’s division. The faction originally had Dakota Kai and IYO SKY and later Asuka and Kairi Sane joined the group.
Bayley recently posted a new photo with herself, Kairi Sane, Asuka, IYO SKY, and Dakota Kai. The former Women’s Champion wrote the following in the caption:
“They said we won’t. I bet we will.”
CM Punk jokes about wanting to join Damage CTRL
CM Punk took note of the photo and wrote an amusing comment. He joked that he applied to join Damage CTRL.
“I sent in my application to join but haven’t heard anything yet,” he said.
Bayley and CM Punk will compete in respective Royal Rumble 2024 matches
Royal Rumble 2024 WWE Premium Live Event which will emanate live from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida is less than a week away. The show takes place on January 27.
Damage CTRL’s Bayley is certainly among the
favorites to win this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match. With Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley seemingly locked for a title bout for WrestleMania 40, ‘The Role Model’ could win the high-stakes match and go after IYO SKY’s WWE Women’s title, adding a new layer to their storyline.
Meanwhile, CM Punk who made a blockbuster return in November last year has made a major impact. He had been the talk of the town for quite some time and if he wins the Royal Rumble match, he could even go on to main event WrestleMania 40.
While a portion of professional wrestling fans may be extremely tribal, those in AEW are happy to see its main competition, WWE, succeed.
Since launching in 2019, AEW has proven to be the biggest competition to WWE since the demise of WCW in 2001. When AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT competed in the Wednesday Night Wars, AEW’s flagship show would win the majority of battles over ratings. When the two shows went head-to-head last October, however, NXT earned a comfortable, decisive victory over Dynamite.
AEW Are Happy for WWE
The topic of tribalism has been a hot-button issue since the launch of AEW, with Tony Khan’s recent outburst about Raw’s booking making headlines. In a recent interview with Adrian Hernandez, however, Daniel Garcia made it clear why AEW’s roster hopes to see WWE do well and vice versa.
“The fans are so AEW or WWE, they think the talent is like that as well. They think we hate each other and we don’t interact with each other. When it comes down to it, having both companies is great for all of us. It gets us all more money, it makes the product better. The competition is great.
“We’re very grateful for WWE succeeding and I’m sure people at WWE, the talent, is very grateful for AEW being successful. All talent, for the most part, I think everyone gets along and interacts with each other.”
Garcia competed on this week’s AEW Collision, where he defeated Buddy Matthews. He was attacked by the House of Black after the match.
One AEW star has called for less hostility among fans of AEW and WWE…
A24’s The Iron Claw has proven to be a hit among wrestling fans and movie-goers alike, and pop sensation Adele has also been impressed.
The biopic delves into the lives, careers, and many tragedies of the Von Erich family. Zac Efron plays Kevin Von Erich alongside Jeremy Allen White (Kerry) and Harris Dickinson (David). Several wrestlers appear in the film including MJF (as Lance Von Erich), Chavo Guerrero Jr. (Ed ‘The Sheik’ Farhat), and Ryan Nemeth (Gino Hernandez).
Adele Praises The Iron Claw
At her latest Weekends With Adele residency show, the british musician had plenty of praise for The Iron Claw. Adele, known for hits including Hello, Someone Like You, and Rolling in the Deep, even went as far as to call the Von Erich biopic her favorite film of the past year.
“There’s loads of great movies, but if you haven’t seen it, [The] Iron Claw was my favorite movie of the year. It’s about a very famous American wrestling family… f*****g phenomenal. They’re all amazing. But [The] Iron Claw, I was so blown away by Zac Efron in that movie and after it I cried for three hours… So [The] Iron Claw is the best movie I’ve seen all year. Watch it if you haven’t seen it.”
The sold-out The Colosseum at Caesars Palace crowd erupted in agreement with Adele’s review of the film. The film is currently in cinemas in the United States and is set to be released in Adele’s native UK very soon.
Zac Efron’s role as Kevin Von Erich will soon be immortalized in a unique way…
The UFC may be allied with WWE as part of TKO Group Holdings, but it was AEW’s Adam Copeland whose theme was used at a recent event.
At last night’s UFC 297 event, Chris Curtis walked into his fight with Alterbridge’s Metalingus playing. Copeland has used the theme since a 2004 heel turn as Edge in WWE and has been able to keep using the theme as part of AEW following his debut at WrestleDream.
Curtis competed against Marc-André Barriault in a middleweight-division fight. After going the distance in three rounds, Curtis was awarded the victory by decision. Curtis’ wrestling fandom can’t be denied, as during a weigh-in, he hit a pose that fans of a certain Apex Predator may find very familiar.
Pro-Wrestling Themes in UFC
Copeland’s theme isn’t the first wrestling tune to make its way to the world of UFC. Colby Covington has often used ‘Medal’, the theme synonymous with Kurt Angle in WWE, though the song was also used by Sgt. Slaughter and The Patriot.
At UFC 276, Israel Adesanya went one further, using an entrance based on The Undertaker. In addition to using the Phenom’s theme song, Adesanya wore an Undertaker-themed hat and solemnly walked to the cage with an urn. At that same event, Jessica Rose-Clark would walk to the cage for her fight to the theme of one of The Undertaker’s greatest rivals: Shawn Michaels.
Australia’s Jake Matthews didn’t bring a sledgehammer or water bottle to his fight at UFC 243 in 2019, but did walk out to Triple H’s ‘The Game’ theme. This tribute earned a reaction from the man himself, who described the entrance as “badass” in a tweet.
When the UFC returned to Calgary, Alberta in July 2018, it was fitting that Ion Cutelaba walked out to Bret Hart’s WWE theme. After winning over the fans with his Bret Hart shades, the Moldovan fighter would win in the cage.
For more information about UFC 297, click here to check out all the latest news, courtesy of MMANews.com
Shelton Benjamin isn’t motivated by championships or glory in this upcoming chapter of his wrestling career following his departure from WWE, but rather having fun.
Benjamin was among those released from WWE in September of last year. The Gold Standard had been with the company since 2016. Before this, Benjamin had been under contract with the promotion from 2000 to 2010. He is a former U.S. Champion, Intercontinental Champion, Tag Champion, and WWE 24/7 Champion.
Shelton Benjamin On His Wrestling Future
Shelton Benjamin hasn’t wrestled since the final WWE Main Event taping before his release, where he and Cedric Alexander lost to the Viking Raiders. On a recent edition of the Kurt Angle Show podcast, Benjamin was asked about his future in the ring and admitted that he’s yet to commit to a singular goal.
“I’m still weighing options. I’ve had a knock on my door here and there. I have no commitments, nothing major to announce aside from a few indie dates and a lot of autograph sessions. I’ve been taking my time on deciding what I want to do next.”
Benjamin went on to explain what’s important for him at this stage of his wrestling career.
“I am at a point in my career where I want to have fun. If it’s not worth it, I want to have fun and make money, if it’s not worth it, I just don’t want to do it. I’m not trying to build a name, I have a name, but I want to be where I’m appreciated and featured and can have some fun.”
Shelton Benjamin will be back in the ring in due time…
Bang Bang Scissor Gang will go down in the history books alongside the handful of supergroups that the pro wrestling world has witnessed.
The recently formed group of The Undisputed Kingdom (Adam Cole, Wardlow, Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) had assaulted Jay White and The Acclaimed in the weeks leading up to the reveal of Adam Cole’s identity as The Devil at AEW Worlds End. This certainly gave a reason to The Acclaimed and Bullet Club Gold to unite and form a supergroup.
While the two factions haven’t been on the same page in the past, they are united now and gave fans a reason to cheer about last night on AEW Collision.
Bullet Club Gold and The Acclaimed unite to form The Bang Bang Scissor Gang
On last night’s edition of AEW Collision, the newly crowned Ring of Honor Six-Man Tag Team Champions, Bullet Club Gold’s Jay White, Austin Gunn, and Colten Gunn had a segment to celebrate their victory over the Mogul Embassy on January 17’s AEW Dynamite where they became the new champs.
Soon, AEW Trios Champions The Acclaimed (“Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn, Anthony Bowens, and Max Caster) interrupted them. It has been teased for weeks that they will unite to form a supergroup, The Bang Bang Gang. The Acclaimed had been pursuing them to and this time around, they would not leave the ring until they got their answer.
This led to The St Louis crowd chanting “Bang Bang Scissor Gang.” Colten and Austin Gunn were ready to shake hands with The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn but Jay White stopped them.
The Bullet Club Gold then had a little chat before turning around and do the ‘scissoring gesture,’ thus officially forming the Bang Bang Scissor Gang.
Check out the video clip of the segment below:
The new faction has reunited Billy Gunn with his sons, Austin and Colten Gunn. They were previously known as Gunn Club.
We will now have to wait and see how this storyline pans out.
