Home Blog Page 409

Cody Rhodes Makes Blind Fan’s Day at WWE Live Event in Fresno

Rayan Saayed
-
0

Fans online are appreciating Cody Rhodes’s kind gesture towards a blind fan at the recent WWE live event in Fresno, California. The heart-warming moment, captured on camera, has been viewed 17,000 times on X.

At the WWE: Road To WrestleMania SuperShow event held at the Save Mart Center in Fresno on February 18, Cody Rhodes faced off against Shinsuke Nakamura in a Street Fight match and emerged victorious in the night’s main event. 

Following the match, he addressed the fans in the arena to finish the evening. Rhodes expressed his gratitude towards the enthusiastic Fresno crowd, stating, “I really appreciate it. There’s one sign that has caught my eye. It’s over here and it says, ‘Blindness can’t stop me from seeing Cody.'”

The audience in the arena couldn’t help but appreciate the heart-warming sign. In a gesture of gratitude, Rhodes approached the barricade to meet the fan at her seat. 

Will Cody Rhodes Finish the Story at WrestleMania 40?

The fan’s husband took to X and shared a photo of them together with the wrestler, expressing, “My wife meeting Cody Rhodes tonight was a dream come true! Cody, she is blind and loves you so much! You reading her sign made her world! Thank you!”

The audience in the arena naturally appreciated The American Nightmare’s sweet gesture, with chants of Cody’s name echoing throughout. Online, people are also showing their love, dubbing him “The people’s champ” and hoping for a lengthy reign if he clinches the championship.

The title in question is the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, which Rhodes is slated to compete against Roman Reigns for at WrestleMania 40, set to take place at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

WWE World: Fanatics To Power 5-Day Fan Experience Over WrestleMania Weekend

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Fans attending WrestleMania 40 will be able to enjoy a time like no other as part of the ‘WWE World’ experience.

In a statement, WWE announced their partnership with Fanatics to produce WWE World, which will serve as a successor to the popular WrestleMania Axxess. 

Scott Zanghellini, WWE’s Co-Head of Revenue Strategy & Development, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Fanatics:

“Fanatics has a phenomenal ability to customize offerings for fans and we’re excited to partner with them on this first-of-its-kind experience for the WWE Universe at WrestleMania XL.”

Lance Fensterman, CEO of Fanatics Events, shared Zanghellini’s enthusiasm about the collaboration. 

 “Through unique content, Superstar access and immersive experiences, we look forward to curating a captivating event for all fans who are in Philadelphia for WWE’s marquee event.”

WWE World: What to Expect

Tickets for WWE World will go on sale this Thursday at 10 AM Eastern, with prices ranging from $30 to $300. Attendees can look forward to a diverse array of attractions, including roundtable discussions with top WWE Superstars, a WWE 2K24 gaming tournament, live podcast recordings, and direct memorabilia and autograph sales facilitated by Fanatics Live.

WWE World will be a five-day event, scheduled for April 4 to April 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The event will also feature a WWE Superstore filled with merchandise. 

WWE WrestleMania 40

WrestleMania 40 will take place on April 6, and April 7, and mark the promotion’s fifth two-night event. The card for the show so far is as follows: 

  • Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns (c) Vs. Cody Rhodes
  • WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY (c) Vs. Bayley

Darby Allin on his Cody Rhodes promo: “He’s the reason I’m in AEW”

Bishal Roy
-
0

AEW star Darby Allin recently explained why he mentioned former AEW VP and current WWE star Cody Rhodes during his recent promo on AEW Dynamite.

Darby Allin and ‘The Icon’ Sting are set to team up for latter’s retirement match against The Young Bucks at AEW Revolution pay-per-view next month. Ahead of the highly- anticipated battle, Darby Allin grabbed the attention as he namedropped Cody Rhodes on the February 14 February edition of AEW Dynamite. The reference took fans by surprise and the former TNT Champion has explained his decision to mention WWE Superstar in hyping the upcoming bout.

Darby Allin gives credit to Cody Rhodes 

During a recent interview with Digital Spy, Allin addressed his decision to mention ‘The American Nightmare’ though the latter is not signed with AEW anymore.

“That’s easy because he’s the reason I’m in AEW. You think back to my debut, I wrestled him at Fyter Fest and we went a 20-minute Broadway draw. For him to take a chance on me that early… I was relatively super unknown still, I was never really the guy on the independent scene. He did that. You’ve got to give respect where respect is due. I feel very strongly on paying homage to how I got here because I never thought I was going to get here.”

Allin also addressed online criticism after his he cut the promo but he highlighted the importance of his history with the company and mentioned Rhodes’ contribution in his career and in the company overall. He said:

“I only pay attention to what I think, I really don’t care about what anyone else thinks. You’ve just got to listen to yourself about things. I really felt it was important for me to tell my part of the story leading into that match and not just be this second-rate character going into the match. I have a lot of things I wanted to say to the Young Bucks and I said it and so be it. I just want to go out there and speak my mind on things.”

Allin will team with Sting to defend the AEW Tag Team Championship against The Young Bucks (Matthew and Nicholas Jackson) at AEW Revolution pay-per-view on March 3 at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Ryback Opens Up About Pro Wrestling Return Amid Stem Cell Therapy Journey

Aaron Varble
-
0

Pro wrestling can take a lot out of someone, and Ryback understands that all too well. He walked out of WWE a number of years ago, and he hasn’t looked back except to call out WWE for their misdeeds. Although Ryback hasn’t wrestled much since his WWE departure, there is a hope that he will lock up again some day.

Ryback Talks About In-Ring Return

Ryback’s last match took place in August 2018 when Northeast Wrestling presented an event as part of their Wrestling Under The Stars 7 Tour. The event took place at Muzzy Field in Bristol, Connecticut, USA. One of the featured matches of the evening saw Ryback emerge victorious over Dylan Bostic in a hard-fought battle. The Big Guy hasn’t wrestled since then. 

During a recent TikTok video, Ryback addressed his return to the ring. It seems that stem cell therapy has helped repair his back, but his shoulder still has issues. There is also a problem with the scar tissue that remains.

The one question I get all the time is ‘Ryback, when are you going back to WWE? When are you going back pro wrestling?’ The answer is that I don’t know. The reason I don’t know is in 2016, when I walked out on a multi-million dollar contract in WWE, I was told I needed a five-disc fusion and shoulder replacement at 34-years-old. See, I was able to get stem cell treatments, and they were able to regrow all five discs in my back, so that is not an issue. My right shoulder, which I have no cartridge due to negligent WWE doctors injecting cortizone into it multiple times a year and lying to me, that has been a bigger issue.

Ryback then explained that he has a massive amount of scar tissue that has built up. They are working daily to break that up, and if they can succeed, then he can make a return to the ring. Until that happens, he will keep working toward that goal.

What’s Next for Ryback

In the meantime, Ryback said that he is happy running his Feed Me More nutrition brand of supplements. He also runs daily live shows on his social media accounts, which he doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.

We will have to see if Ryback ever makes a return to the ring. At this point, he seems to be working hard for that day to come, although he still has some more work to do. 

WWE Elimination Chamber Stage Already Under Construction In Perth, Australia

Aaron Varble
-
0

The 2024 Elimination Chamber event is going down on February 24th in Perth, Australia. They have a big show in store, and the stage is already being set in Opus Stadium.

The Chamber Set-Up

Opus Stadium in Perth, Australia boasts a capacity of 70,000 seats, and WWE plans to utilize 55,000. We will have to see how the stadium looks as it is full of WWE fans, but we already have a look at the set-up for the event.

Given that Opus Stadium is an open-air venue, attendees can anticipate an energetic atmosphere for the show. The stage setup for the Elimination Chamber is already well underway and nearing completion within days.

The staging is already being set in the stadium. They might not have a ton up already, but this is a great start. A photo is now circulating showing off exactly how much they had constructed as of last night.

WWE Elimination Chamber Start Time

The 2024 Elimination Chamber event will start at 5:00 AM EST. This might be a very early day for fans in America, but it will give those Australian fans a chance to catch some unforgettable action.

This event will be the last stop on the road to WrestleMania XL, an event that no Superstar wants to miss.

At the Elimination Chamber event in Perth, Australia, several matches are set to unfold. The Judgment Day, represented by Finn Bálor and Damian Priest, will defend their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship against challengers Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate from New Catch Republic. In one of the Chamber match, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, Naomi, and the winner of a last-chance Battle Royal will compete for a shot at the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania XL.

Rhea Ripley will defend her Women’s World Championship against Nia Jax in a singles match. Additionally, Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, Bobby Lashley, LA Knight, Kevin Owens, and Logan Paul will face off in an Elimination Chamber match for the opportunity to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XL.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of the Elimination Chamber as more information is made available. 

Daily Drop (2/19): The Rock Staying For Daytona 500, Malakai Black Wrestles First Match This Year

Aaron Varble
-
0

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

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

  • WrestleMania 40 COUNTDOWN: 47 days away

Here’s the Daily Drop news report for Wednesday, February 19, 2024:

WWE

– The Rock is staying in Daytona for the second day of NASCAR’s big race. The race was delayed due to rain, but Dwayne Johnson isn’t leaving until he tells drivers to start their engines.

–Ex WWE Superstar Mandy Rose revealed that one of her fans once dropped $55,000 on her FanTime account. That was a pretty crazy story.

– LA Knight is being considered for a big title match at WrestleMania 40.

– Fans aren’t happy that Ex WWE NXT Superstar Velveteen Dream made his return to pro wrestling.

– Indi Hartwell isn’t happy at all that she didn’t get an Elimination Chamber qualifying match, especially since she is from Australia. 

AEW

– Orange Cassidy made a very surprising debut for RevPro as AEW International Champion.

– Malakai Black made his in-ring return, but it wasn’t during an AEW event. He competed at the Dark Arts gym. His last singles match took place in September 2022 when he competed for PRESTIGE. Meanwhile, his last singles match in AEW took place in June 2022.

https://twitter.com/PuroresuFlow/status/1759346418035069250

What’s Next

– WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth takes place next Saturday, February 24.

– AEW Dynamite: Big Business is coming to Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.

– AEW Revolution takes place the following weekend on Sunday, March 3.

– WWE NXT Stand & Deliver will be on the afternoon of April 6th, right before the first night of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.

– WrestleMania XL will take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, airing as a two-part event.

– Backlash France will be held on May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.

– WWE NXT Battleground is scheduled for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, and will be available exclusively on the WWE Network and Peacock.

– WWE Money in the Bank will take place on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.

– WWE Bash In Berlin is set for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

Grayson Waller Takes Cheeky Jab At Cody Rhodes On ‘Finishing the story’

Bishal Roy
-
0

WWE Superstar Grayson Waller has continued to pull off heel tactics and took a jab at 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes.

‘The American Nightmare’ recently won the Men’s Royal Rumble for the second time and he is on his Road to WrestleMania. While the road is bumpy, Rhodes is trying to overcome the hindrances and ‘finish his story.’ 

Cody Rhodes seemingly made the way for The Rock to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 but that soon changed. After fans outraged and WWE received , the main event was reverted back to the original plans of Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal title match at ‘The Show of Shows.’

This year, Elimination Chamber is heading to Perth, Australia which is Grayson Waller’s homeland. Ahead of the show, the Aussie star decided to take a shot at Rhodes.

Grayson Waller claims to have finished his story before Cody Rhodes

During the flight to Australia, Grayson Waller stated that he already finished his book and highlighted the fact that at least someone in WWE can finish a story which is a jab at Cody Rhodes. 

“Halfway to Perth and already finished my book. At least someone in WWE can finish a story”

This is not the first time Grayson Waller provoked Cody Rhodes. Waller also poked fun at Cody for being slapped by The Rock during the WrestleMania 40 kick-off press conference.

At Elimination Chamber: Perth, Grayson Waller will host Cody Rhodes and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins on his ‘The Grayson Waller Effect’ show. We will have to wait and see how it pans out.

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

Malakai Black Competes In Singles Match For The First Time Since 2022 But Outside AEW

Bishal Roy
-
0

AEW star Malakai Black recently competed in a singles match and this marks his first singles match since 2022. However, the match didn’t take place in AEW but in his wrestling school, the Dark Arts Gym.

Black has been competing in tag-team action alongside Brody King and Buddy Matthews since returning from injury in October last year. Black had suffered a slight calf tear and knee hyperextension that put him on the shelf for several months. Following his return, fans noticed that Malakai Black has not been competing in singles matches which sparked a rumor.

His last singles match took place in September 2022 when he competed for PRESTIGE. Meanwhile, his last singles match in AEW took place in June 2022.

Malakai Black competes in singles match

For those who are unaware, The House of Black leader runs this school, Dark Arts Gym with his wife, WWE Superstar Zelina Vega. He competed in its latest show. 

The Dark Arts Gym recently posted the full show on YouTube from their latest event, Dark Prospects: Ritual 1. Malakai Black headlined the event as he faced Orion. The match also featured AEW commentator Tony Schiavone’s commentary. The match lasted for almost 15 minutes and Malakai hit the Black Mass on his opponent to secure the win.

https://twitter.com/PuroresuFlow/status/1759346418035069250

Last week, former NXT star Bobby Fish also made his presence felt in Malakai Black’s Dark Arts Gym. He paid a visit to share his experience with the up-and-coming superstars.

Mandy Rose Reveals “Crazy ” Amount One Fan Spent On Her FanTime Account

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Former WWE Superstar Mandy Rose won’t have to worry about paying the bills for some time thanks to just one fan who paid for her FanTime account. 

Rose was released from WWE in December 2022, a day after she lost the NXT Women’s Champion to Roxanne Perez. Rose’s sudden release came after WWE officials learned of the explicit content shared on her website. Rose has stated that she was never given any warning to take her website down prior to her contract being terminated.

Mandy Rose’s Crazy Amount

Rose’s website has certainly granted the former NXT Superstar financial security. Within a month of her WWE departure, it was reported that the website had earned $1 million. Rose opened an OnlyFans account in September of last year. 

Speaking on the ‘Power Alphas‘ podcast hosted by her fiancé Tino Sabbatelli, Rose recalled one fan who was willing to pay big money to see her exclusive content. 

“I’ve had one person, I won’t say any names. One person, and this is on FanTime, spent $55,000 on me. One person. $55,000. So I’m like ‘Wow, what does he do for a living that he’s able to spend this kind of money on one person?’ $55,000. And it wasn’t even [over a long period.] It was definitely over a little time period. But it was definitely, yeah. Wild. So thank you! It is kind of crazy.”

Sabbatelli was also pleased to hear about his future wife’s boon, simply telling the fan who spent $50,000 “Thank you.”

Could Mandy Rose one day return to WWE… 

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

Montez Ford is 100% Interested In One Day Competing in the UFC

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Could fans one day see Montez Ford step into the Octagon for a fight in the UFC? The former WWE Tag Team Champion certainly hopes so. 

Ford and his wife Bianca Belair attended the recent UFC 298 event, which took place at the Honda Center in California. The show was part of the first-ever WWE/UFC combo tickets, with attendees able to purchase seats for the show as well as this week’s episode of Raw. 

Montez Ford on UFC

Speaking to TNT Sports at UFC 298, Ford was asked if he’d ever shown interest in stepping into the Octagon. The Street Profit made it clear that it is something he’s considered.

“100 percent. Now I do get nervous about messing up this pretty face. I do look better in person, I know the camera is a little different. But I will say I’ve always been a fan of it, always trained for it. It is something I was talking about in the last two years, about actually going over and having a match. Seeing CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, and even Bobby Lashley, the guy I’m with now, doing different promotions, doing those fighting promotions… It’s something I had interest in but it got shut down quickly by… ahem [gestures to Belair.]”

Bianca Belair on UFC

While Ford is itching for a chance in the cage, Bianca Belair doesn’t share her husband’s desire. With that said, Belair made clear that she’d love to train with MMA fighters to hone her skills. 

“I would love to train and get the skills that they have. I’ve been in the ring with some women who have some of this background like Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler and they are tough. I would love to have some skills that they have. But as far as competing, I think I’m good in the WWE ring.”

What’s Next? 

While not a UFC cage, Belair will step inside the Elimination Chamber later this week for the Women’s Elimination Chamber match. Belair will face Tiffany Stratton, Becky Lynch, Naomi, Liv Morgan, and another entrant. A battle royal featuring Shayna Baszler, Mia Yim, Alba Fyre, Zelina Vega, and Zoey Stark will take place on this week’s Raw to decide the final entrant. 

H/T – Cageside Seats

The Rock Staying for NASCAR Daytona 500 Day 2 as Grand Marshal After Rain Delay

Aaron Varble
-
0

The Daytona 500 is an annual event that serves as the season-opening race for the NASCAR Cup Series. This year’s race was a bit rainy, so they’re running it tomorrow. The Rock was a bit bummed to see the race delayed, but he will be around for day 2.

The Rock Speaks On NASCAR Daytona 500 Rain Out

The Rock was in Daytona to be the Grand Marshal for this year’s race. He knew that a rain out was possible, which he stated during his video that he dropped today. 

Dwayne Johnson didn’t get to tell racers to start their engines, but he was around for the rain out. He also spoke to the panel at the raceway, where he assured them that he will be around for tomorrow’s delayed race.

The Rock spoke about his midnight workout session, and how driving past the raceway was an incredible experience. Even in the middle of the night, workers filled the iconic NASCAR venue, preparing themselves for today’s race.

While he was there, The Rock also spoke about the XFL’s new deal with the USFL to form the UFL. He is very happy to bring that gridiron action to FOX as part of their new deal as well.

What This Means For WWE

According to Dave Meltzer’s Daily Update, the Daytona 500 getting bumped could help WWE SmackDown make history. 

Meltzer explained that, “Due to the cancellation of today’s Daytona 500, there’s a strong possibility that Smackdown on Friday could emerge as the highest-rated show on network television for the week. However, due to the holiday, this may not be confirmed until Wednesday or Thursday. Such an occurrence has never been recorded in the history of televised professional wrestling, which has been ongoing since 1947.”

What is the Daytona 500

The Daytona 500 will run on February 19th, due to this rain delay. The annual race takes place at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The race is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in American motorsports and attracts a large audience both at the track and through television broadcasts. The Daytona 500 features high-speed racing, with drivers competing for the coveted title of Daytona 500 champion.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story as more updates are made available. 

Indi Hartwell Calls Out WWE Official for Qualifying Match Snub Ahead of Elimination Chamber

Aaron Varble
-
0

WWE is gearing up for their Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, and there is a lot going on to set up the big show. One Australian WWE Superstar is rather bummed, because it seems the company has snubbed her from the show.

WWE Didn’t Include Indi Hartwell

Indi Hartwell voiced her frustration on social media towards WWE official Adam Pearce for not arranging a qualifying match for her in the upcoming Elimination Chamber event.

In preparation for WWE Elimination Chamber, the company held numerous qualifying matches to secure spots in the men’s and women’s chamber matches. Indi Hartwell, although she’s from Australia, is not included.

In the Women’s Elimination Chamber match, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, and Naomi have all successfully secured spots in the match. Jade Cargill was supposed to be in the match, but she is no longer competing in the unforgiving structure.

The final participant in the women’s match remains undetermined, with a Last Chance Battle Royal scheduled to feature previous qualifying match losers and additional female talent competing for the coveted spot.

On February 18, Indi Hartwell responded to a fan’s tweet showing support with the hashtag #WeWantIndi, which was posted under WWE’s announcement of the “Last Chance” Battle Royal. In her reply, Hartwell directly addressed Adam Pearce, questioning why she was not given the opportunity for a qualifying match.

“Crazy how @ScrapDaddyAP didn’t give the Aussie a qualifying match.”

Indi Hartwell isn’t the only Aussie who is upset about not getting into an Elimination Chamber match. Bronson Reed was not happy either, and this caused him to do a lot of thinking about how things are panning out for him in WWE.

What’s Next

This week’s episode of WWE Raw, on February 19, will feature a Last Chance Battle Royal. Sadly, Indi Hartwell isn’t advertised to be in that match, but the lineup includes names like Shayna Baszler, Michin, Zoey Stark, Zelina Vega, and Alba Fyre.

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

SE Scoops will have more updates on this story as they are made available. 

Braun Strowman Surprises Fans at WWE Experience in Saudi Arabia Amid Injury Hiatus

Aaron Varble
-
0

WWE has a few Superstars who are out of action with an injury. Braun Strowman needed neck fusion surgery in June 2023, and he hasn’t been back to the ring since then. As fans wait for his return to action, Strowman is still making appearances for WWE.

Strowman Arrives in Saudi Arabia 

Braun Strowman surprised fans with an appearance at the WWE Experience in Saudi Arabia. This indoor theme park in Riyadh’s Boulevard City solidifies WWE’s connection with its Saudi fan base. They promise an immersive WWE experience, which goes along with the name.

WWE launched the WWE Experience in Riyadh on Friday, February 16th, featuring interactive attractions like The Undertaker’s Graveyard Escape puzzle. Tons of WW artifacts are also there, along with interactive exhibits. Visitors can also create their personalized entrance experience.

Despite his absence from the ring since last May due to neck fusion surgery, Braun Strowman made a notable presence at the event. Throughout his recovery, the former Universal Champion has kept fans updated on his health journey.

WWE recently shared some images from the Saudi Arabian WWE Experience on social media. Among the attendees were Natalya, Jinder Mahal, Chelsea Green, and Braun Strowman. 

Braun expressed gratitude on social media for the opportunity to participate in the Riyadh event, acknowledging how great the WWE experience is, while saying it was an honor to make the trip.

What’s Next

We haven’t heard when Braun Strowman may make his way back to the ring. At this time, it doesn’t appear that they have set any timetable to make that happen. In the meantime, he seems to be doing well, and he is still in great shape.

SEScoops will have more on this story as more updates are available about Braun Strowman’s return to the ring.

WWE Drops Another Tease for Bron Breakker as a ‘Paul Heyman Guy’

Dominic DeAngelo
-
0

Could Bron Breakker be the next Paul Heyman guy? WWE sure isn’t letting their foot on the gas when it comes to that notion.

Breaker became the hot “free agent” acquisition of WWE SmackDown this past Friday after weeks of teasing which brand he’d sign to. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis came out and had Breakker put pen to paper to make it official.

Now WWE has released a YouTube video package showcasing the skills and achievements of Breakker down during his NXT days and it starts with a voiceover by current Wiseman of The Bloodline, Paul Heyman.

Heyman hasn’t been shy about his enthusiasm for the talent and limitless ceiling of Breakker and that is clearly on display in the video.

The following SmackDown after the notorious WrestleMania Kickoff, Heyman even interrupted Breakker and Triple H to further hammer home his interest in the son of Rick Steiner.

Paul Heyman keeps crossing paths with Bron Breakker on WWE TV

Breakker’s trajectory to the SmackDown roster did get a bit interesting this past Tuesday as he along with Baron Corbin became the new NXT Tag Team Champions after winning the 2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. That aspect won’t slow Breakker’s rise to SmackDown down, however, but their have been discussions at bringing Corbin to the blue brand too due to the duo’s strong chemistry with one another.

Heyman has had a wide range of “Paul Heyman Guys” in his WWE tenure. Including Roman Reigns, Heyman has managed Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, CM Punk, Big Show, Brock Lesnar, Claudio Castagnoli and Curtis Axel.

Orange Cassidy Shocks Fans With Surprise AEW International Title Defense At RevPro Event

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Fans who attended the most recent Revolution Pro Wrestling event received a huge surprise in the form of reigning AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy. 

Cassidy was part of a multi-man scramble match that saw the International title on the line at the company’s High Stakes show.  He defended the gold against Sha Samuels, Spike Trivet, Richard Holliday, Cameron Khai, and TNA Wrestling’s Flash Morgan Webster. On Twitter, Rev Pro shared the moment Cassidy made his entrance and the electric response he received from the fans. 

In a tweet of his own, Webster shared his delight at challenging for the AEW International Championship and believes it is a strong start to what will be an epic 2024. 

While Cassidy’s appearance at the show was a surprise, it was no secret that the Freshly Squeezed wrestler was overseas in the United Kingdom. Cassidy, alongside AEW World Tag Team Champion Darby Allin, was seen with AEW President Tony Khan at a Fulham FC soccer game. Unfortunately for the AEW trio, Fulham lost 2-1 to Aston Villa. 

Orange Cassidy in AEW

Cassidy is in his record-setting second reign as the AEW International Champion. His first reign with the title is the longest in the title’s history. Cassidy also holds the record for the most successful title defenses in AEW. Outside of singles competition, Cassidy is part of the Best Friends stable alongside Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta, and Kris Statlander. Cassidy made his debut for AEW at their inaugural Double or Nothing event in 2019 and would sign with the promotion that same year. 

Dynasty Wrestling Alum Hits Out At “Disgusting” Decision To Have Patrick Clark Appear At Event

Thomas Lowson
-
0

A former wrestler for Dynasty Wrestling has spoken out against the promotion for using Patrick Clark at one of their recent events. 

Clark, better known to fans as Velveteen Dream, was part of a show earlier this month that marked the former WWE NXT Superstar’s return to wrestling. In 2020, Clark faced allegations of sending inappropriate messages to minors. WWE claimed that their investigation into the matter showed no proof of misconduct, though one of Clark’s accusers would state that WWE never reached out as part of their investigation. After massive fan backlash, Clark was released from WWE in 2021. 

Terra Calaway on Dynasty Wrestling

Given the allegations Clark has faced as well as additional run-ins with the law, Dynasty’s decision to use him at their event has received a mixed response from fans. On Twitter, Dynasty defended using Clark, saying they wanted to give somebody a second chance to live out their dream. 

This message caught the attention of Terra Calaway, a former member of the Dynasty Wrestling roster. In a tweet of her own, Calaway shared her disappointment and disgust at using Clark. Calaway, a victim of sexual assault, said that using Clark made it clear that victims are not safe at Dynasty Wrestling. 

Patrick Clark Outside of the Ring

Clark recently emerged in Culpeper and spoke at a County Board of Supervisors meeting. The former WWE NXT Superstar urged the board to prioritize the collective desires of the county’s residents and suggested potential drawbacks of solar power. In a recent video, Clark apologized to WWE and Triple H for causing them problems but stopped short of admitting to any of the allegations against him. 

Afa’s WXW Promotion to Close After 27 Years Over WWE Hall of Famer’s Health Issues

Thomas Lowson
-
0

WXW, the wrestling promotion run by WWE Hall of Famer Afa, will host its very last show in less than two months, it has been confirmed. 

In a statement from the WXW Wrestling account on Facebook, it was said that Afa’s health issues have led to this sad but ultimately necessary decision: 

Good morning, WXW Universe. Our wrestlers, staff, family, and fans are all heartbroken and reeling from the announcement last night from our beloved founder and Pops, Afa the Wild Samoan, that Saturday April 13th will be the last #WXWWrestling show.

“Instead of X-Treme War, that event will be called The Grand Finale. After 27 years, WXW will be opening our doors one last time. This news was not easy to hear last night.

“Due to Afa’s serious heart condition, his mild-moderate vascular dementia with Alzheimer’s, and other health complications, he felt that April would be the perfect time to take our final bows and close an amazing 27- year chapter. Being that he is the heart and soul of WXW, his family tearfully agreed, and his wrestlers, though very sad, support his decision.

“We’ll see you one more time in person, Saturday, April 13th for the Grand Finale super-show. There will be more matches, an earlier start time, and some big names from WXW’s incredible 27-year legacy. We love you all, thank you for all your support throughout these many years.”

In a separate statement, WXW’s COO and ‘Central Nervous System Vale Anoa’i added: 

“I handled it the best I could last night, but I’m an absolute sobbing mess this morning. WXW has been the center of my universe for 27 years, I was 11 years old when we started WXW after closing down its predecessor, Trans-World Wrestling Federation. 

“Now, on the verge of 39, I look back in wonder and astonishment at how much of an impact this company, this wrestling life, has made. How many people from all over the world were brought together for this one purpose? How many thousands of wrestlers, referees, managers, camera operators, ring announcers, music people, ring crew, students, editors, photographers, ticket takers, poster/flyer designers, commercial makers, food concession workers, bell ringers, etc. have been part of us through the decades. How many fans from near and far followed and supported WXW since the beginning. Most significantly, how many people learned something from my father?

“How some of the very biggest stars in wrestling history have been part of us. It’s an incredibly emotional time for me, my family, and all of WXW. So all I can say is thank you, I love you, and hopefully as many of us as possible will be together on April 13th to honor this astonishing legacy.”

At this time, no matches have been announced for The Grand Finale. 

GUNTHER: We May Never See Brock Lesnar Again But I’m Wide Open For A Match

Thomas Lowson
-
0

GUNTHER is aware that his dream match with Brock Lesnar is unlikely but he’s not ready to give up hope just yet.

The prospect of the Ring General Vs. The Beast has been of great interest to the WWE Universe for some time. In late 2022, it was reported that GUNTHER Vs. Lesnar was in the works for WrestleMania 39. That didn’t happen as Lesnar faced Omos in LA while the Intercontinental Champion retained against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus.

GUNTHER On Brock Lesnar Match

Recently, Brock Lesnar was pulled from all WWE plans due to his reported ties to Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon. While Lesnar isn’t mentioned by name, Miss Grant alleges that McMahon trafficked her to a former UFC Heavyweight Champion believed to be the Beast. 

WWE had plans for Lesnar Vs. GUNTHER at WrestleMania 40 before plans changed. Speaking with GV Wire, the Imperium leader addressed the potential Lesnar match given the current circumstances. 

“I always was vocal about my dream match in the past, but that fell through now. I don’t know if we’ll see Brock again if that’s ever going to happen. But I’m wide open when it comes to that as of now.”

What’s Next? 

Lesnar had been scheduled to face Dominik Mysterio at WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth but that is no longer the case. Lesnar’s name is similarly not being brought up regarding plans for WrestleMania 40.

The future looks far brighter for GUNTHER. The Austrian is mere days away from breaking the record for the most collective days as Intercontinental Champion. GUNTHER broke the record for the longest individual title reign in September of last year.

Logan Paul Racks Up Impressive Stat In WWE History After 2/16 SmackDown

Aaron Varble
-
0

WWE has brought a few people in who were already celebrities on their own. Logan Paul definitely brought a ton of attention to the company, and his time is not over yet.

Logan Paul’s Impressive Stat

In the latest development, Logan Paul emerged victorious over The Miz in a Men’s Elimination Chamber qualifier on Friday’s SmackDown. This win secured his spot in the Men’s Chamber match at the upcoming PLE event.

Competing against formidable opponents such as Randy Orton, AJ Styles, LA Knight, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, and Kevin Owens, the winner of this match will earn a shot at Seth Rollins’ World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania.

Additionally, WWE Stats highlighted that this marked Paul’s first non-PLE match in his career, making it his tenth overall match. Notably, he became the first wrestler to participate in nine PLE matches before competing in matches on television or at house shows. That is quite impressive, and highlights his special attraction booking.

I was told in November last year that “the internal feeling about Logan Paul is that he’s already generated great publicity for the US Title.” Obviously, WWE is happy about what he is able to do with his few appearances.

Logan Paul in WWE

Logan Paul made his debut in WWE at WrestleMania 37 in 2021, initially serving as the special guest of Sami Zayn for his match against Kevin Owens. That was just the beginning for The Maverick, because it seemed that he was meant to be a WWE Superstar.

LP had his first-ever official match the following year, teaming up with The Miz for a tag match against Rey and Dominik Mysterio. His heel tactics continued from that point on with each appearance.

Logan Paul secured a victory over Rey Mysterio to claim the United States Title at WWE Crown Jewel 2023 and later retained the title via disqualification against Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble.

CM Punk Delivers Candid Insights on WWE Comeback Plans & Trash Talking The Rock

Aaron Varble
-
0

CM Punk was on the road to WrestleMania 40, where he was going to have a match against Seth Rollins. His Elimination Chamber win won’t happen this year, leaving fans to wait for his return from a triceps injury instead. Even though he’s out of action, Punk wants to remain in the mix.

CM Punk Speaks on Return

CM Punk participated in an interview with TNT Sport during his attendance at UFC 298 on Saturday night. In the discussion, he covered topics such as his recovery from torn triceps, The Rock’s return for the WWE WrestleMania 40 buildup, and the potential for his own return to WWE.

“Yeah, well, I’m a clumsy idiot. I tore my left tricep about two years ago. So, the right one was jealous. I’m like, I’m like an old car. I’m like a 72 Nova, you know what I mean? We have to, we have to change some parts every now and again. So once we fix up all the parts, the engine is still strong. We’ll still be good to go. We’re thinking maybe six to eight months, but I’m not really in a rush to get back to compete. I’m in a rush to get healthy. I’m in a rush to get better. And the sooner I do that, the better. I’ll be when I come back. “

CM Punk stated that he believes that timing is crucial, emphasizing that he wrestled for a significant period before signing with WWE. Having spent ten years on the road without a break, he acknowledges the toll it took on him. He admits that in his youth, he pursued every opportunity without considering balance, leading to burnout. Ten years ago, he reached a point of burnout and decided to explore other ventures, which allowed him to engage in various fulfilling activities. 

With time, he has realized that past grievances become less significant, as people come and go, and leadership changes. Returning now feels comfortable, akin to an old slipper, and he’s grateful for the experience, acknowledging that the journey wouldn’t have been the same without its challenges. He concludes by expressing gratitude for the present moment, emphasizing that it’s a good day.

CM Punk Speaks On The Rock’s Return

Punk also spoke on The Rock’s return. He is glad to be in the mix, even though he’s injured. That will provide him with an opportunity to talk a little bit of trash.

“I think it’s fantastic. Ten years ago, I was the guy that was wrestling The Rock when he came back, and now ten years later, he’s coming back, and I think the landscape has completely changed, right? WrestleMania is two nights now. It’s even bigger. Him coming back only helps. I always say high tide raises all ships. So I’m just happy that even though I’m hurt, I’m still gonna kinda be in the mix. My mouth still works, so I’m gonna still be able to talk some trash. I don’t know if you saw the kickoff we did in Vegas with Rock and Roman and Seth and Cody. It was a lot of fun and I hope to just continue to do that while I’m recuperating because I can always just talk trash with the best of them. It’s the best part. It’s what I do.”

CM Punk was on the panel during WWE’s WrestleMania kickoff event in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. He had a lot of fun, even though Big E jokingly admitted that he was only there, so Punk didn’t get fired. Only time will tell how much he shows up on the road to WrestleMania, but he seems game to do as much as he can.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of CM Punk’s recovery, hopefully he is able to make a return soon.

Vince McMahon’s Victim Rita Chatterton Makes Special Appearance At Indie Show

Aaron Varble
-
0

WWE has a lot of names throughout their history that brings up a variety of memories. Rita Chatterton is a name that reminds fans Vince McMahon has been up to the kind of acts that Janel Grant’s lawsuit alleged he did for a long time. She is still getting out there and recently made a rare public appearance.

Rita Chatterton’s Allegations Against Vince McMahon

Rita Chatterton claimed that Vince McMahon sexually assaulted her in his limousine in July 1986. She departed from WWE that year amidst conflicting narratives, with WWE’s attorney stating she was “fired for cause.”

Chatterton joined WWE at 27 years old. During her initial role with WWE, Pat Patterson reportedly doubted her credentials as a referee. After presenting her referee license, Patterson was visibly angered. Chatterton alleges Patterson stormed off, exclaiming, “Who the f*ck would give a female a referee license?”

Her name has come up a lot more in recent memory, especially after Janel Grant’s lawsuit against McMahon brought heinous allegations to light. 

Chatterton’s Special Appearance

Rita Chatterton is back in the pro wrestling scene, and she recently made another appearance at an indie show. The Dynasty hosted Chatterton as a special guest, and she was the timekeeper for a match during the event. 

On a related note, this was the same event where Velveteen Dream also made his return to the ring. As Patrick Clark, he won the main event match after issuing an open challenge.

What’s Next

Bret Hart apologized to Rita Chatterton after years of doubting her story. The recent allegations about Vince McMahon shined a new light on a part of McMahon’s life that he never wanted to be exposed.

It will be interesting to see if Chatterton is interviewed by Bill Simmons’ upcoming six-part Netflix docuseries. SEScoops will have more updates as they are made available. 

The Rock Jokes That 100k Sold Out Daytona 500 Crowd Is Due To His Grand Marshal Gig

Aaron Varble
-
0

WWE saw The Rock’s return to the fold as he inserted himself on the road to WrestleMania. He still has a full schedule outside the company, and today is an exciting day for him.

The Rock is ready for Daytona 500

The Rock is back on WWE television as WrestleMania 40 approaches, but he’s not thinking about that today. The Daytona 500 is going down and he has an important role.

Dwayne Johnson will be the Grand Marshal for this iconic race, The Great One will likely get a grand introduction during the pre-race rituals as well.

While taking to Instagram, The Rock shared his arrival in Daytona Beach in his pick-up truck a day before the race. However, he also noted heavy rain and expressed hope for clearer weather to ensure a safe racetrack.

Gettin’ into some midnight tequila trouble in Daytona Beach baby!! (actually, heading to the gym because I can’t sleep;) I’m pumped to pull Grand Marshall duties for tomorrow’s iconic DAYTONA 500 – a super cool honor for me and I can’t wait. Hoping our weather clears up for a safe track and awesome race for the boys. Completely SOLD OUT – 100,000+ STRONG! LFG!!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C3euU4vMjs5

The Rock talked up the 100,000 plus sold out crowd for the Daytona 500 race, and he joked that it was all because of him. Then he quickly admitted that he had nothing to do with any ticket sold for that event. He said it was all thanks to the incredible NASCAR drivers.

He also hoped that it doesn’t rain for the big race. It was pouring last night, and he said that they have had discussions about what they will do. In the end, he hopes for all the drivers’ safety. 

What’s Next for The Rock

Although The Rock might have had a huge smile on his face for this video, that is far from his current WWE character. He is currently a huge heel on WWE television, as he lambasted the crowd in Salt Lake City for SmackDown this week.

The Rock also made it very clear that he joined The Bloodline stable. His road to WrestleMania also saw a big change as he conceded his match against Roman Reigns to Cody Rhodes. It will be interesting to see if his current heel streak carries over into some boos from the Daytona 500 crowd.

Update: Rain Delay

The Daytona 500 was rained out. That being said, The Rock made it clear that he will be around to be the Grand Marshal for the race on Monday. 

Daily Drop (2/18): LA Knight’s WrestleMania Plans, Mercedes Mone’s AEW Payday & More

Aaron Varble
-
0

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

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

  • WrestleMania 40 COUNTDOWN: 48 days away

Here’s the Daily Drop news report for Wednesday, February 18, 2024:

WWE

– SEScoops was able to report who had a hand in The Rock and Roman Reigns’ SmackDown promo this week.

– LA Knight is being considered for a big title match at WrestleMania 40.

– Fightful Select provided a new extensive report about Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE.

– Velveteen Dream ended his long hiatus from the ring by re-appearing at an indie wrestling show.

– Nic Nemeth revealed that he actually requested his WWE release several times before the company finally fired him in September 2023.

AEW

– Rush made his current visa situation very clear, as there was a previous report on the matter.

– There was another injury for the AEW roster 

– Ric Flair, who is now associated with Tony Khan’s company, discussed the fact that skeletons in his closet ended his political aspirations.

– New information is out that revealed the ballpark of how much Mercedes Mone asked for from WWE. She reportedly inked a deal with AEW and will make her debut during the March 13th episode of AEW Collision in Boston.

What’s Next

– WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth takes place next Saturday, February 24.

– AEW Dynamite: Big Business is coming to Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.

– AEW Revolution takes place the following weekend on Sunday, March 3.

– WWE NXT Stand & Deliver will be on the afternoon of April 6th, right before the first night of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.

– WrestleMania XL will take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, airing as a two-part event.

– Backlash France will be held on May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.

– WWE NXT Battleground is scheduled for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, and will be available exclusively on the WWE Network and Peacock.

– WWE Money in the Bank will take place on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.

– WWE Bash In Berlin is set for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

Elias (now Elijah) Endures Defeat In First Match After Departing WWE

Bishal Roy
-
0

Former WWE Superstar Elias, now known as Elijah recently suffered a loss in his first match after he was let go from WWE last year. 

Elias was released from WWE in September 2023 and was part of the first wave of talent releases following the launch of TKO Group Holdings. He had joined WWE in 2014 and during his run he became a 4-time 24/7 Champion. He is also a one-time Slammy Award winner (Best Musical Performance of 2020) and a one-time WWE Year-End Award winner (Breakout Superstar of 2018). 

Over the years, Elias was involved in high-profile rivalries with the likes of John Cena and Braun Strowman. However, he was always on the losing end. In 2022, he even re-debuted as his brother, Ezekiel.

With the Elias name owned by WWE, the former Superstar repackaged his gimmick and is now known as Elijah. It’s worth noting that the Elias and Elijah names come from the Old Testament prophet of the same name. 

Elijah suffered a loss against ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey

Elijah recently made his comeback to the ring at last night’s Wrestling REVOLVER event, where he faced ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey in a singles match. The former Elias was in great shape despite being away from the ring since May last year.

In the end, Mike Bailey defeated Elijah. The former WWE 24/7 Champion was furious with the outcome and launched a brutal attack on Bailey after the match, thus cementing his heel character.

We will now have to wait and see what the future holds for Elijah.

El Hijo del Vikingo Match Stopped After AAA Mega Champion Suffers Knee Injury

Thomas Lowson
-
0

El Hijo del Vikingo’s immediate in-ring future is currently uncertain after the wrestler suffered what is feared to be a serious injury at a recent event. 

On Twitter, Mas Lucha informed fans that Vikingo’s match at the López Mateos Arena had to be called off due to an injury to his right knee. Vikingo was assessed at the arena and there has been talk that he may have damaged a ligament. Mas Lucha also shared photos of Vikingo being tended to at the event. 

“El Hijo del Vikingo could not finish the fight in the López Mateos Arena. He injured his right knee after a movement.

“After the first assessment in the arena, there is talk that it may be a ligament rupture.”

El Hijo del Vikingo’s Injuries

This is the latest setback for Vikingo, who suffered a significant injury in late 2023. Vikingo suffered a hip injury at an ROH event when a dive went wrong and was seen using a wheelchair after the match. That incident happened just one month after Vikingo collapsed backstage at AAA TripleMania XXXI: Mexico City. On social media, a video backstage made its way around, showing the Vikingo down backstage and being stretchered away.

More on El Hijo del Vikingo

El Hijo del Vikingo is the current AAA Mega Champion in his first reign. He captured the title at Triplemanía Regia II in December 2021 in a five-way to win the vacant title. At over 800 days, Vikingo’s reign is the longest in the history of the title. He has the second most amount of collective days as champion, only behind El Texano Jr.’s 1,096 days across two reigns. Vikingo also holds the record for the most title defenses at 23. 

1...408409410...3,399Page 409 of 3,399