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Scott Hall Remembered By Friends & Fans On 2-Year Anniversary Of His Passing

Aaron Varble
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The pro wrestling world lost a legend when Scott Hall tragically passed away two years ago on March 14, 2022. Hall remains a beloved figure to this day for countless reasons, including his iconic Razor Ramon persona and the groundbreaking New World Order storyline that changed wrestling forever.

The pro wrestling world is remembering The Bad Guy on the anniversary of his passing. Hall’s name trended on social media as his friends and fans across the world shared memories of the two-time WWE Hall of Famer’s remarkable career. 

Sean Waltman shared this of Hall wearing one of his t-shirts at the height of the nWo’s popularity.

Diamond Dallas Page shared a video of his longtime friend, along with a touching message. The master of the Diamond Cutter doesn’t want anyone to forget about the incredible man we lost too soon.

Jim Ross re-tweeted this clip from Scott Hall’s memorable 2014 WWE Hall of Fame speech:

Memories of Scott Hall continue to surface, even years after his passing. His daughter recently shared an unseen piece of pro wrestling video history, one that showed Triple H and The Outsiders mingling at home during the Monday Night Wars era.

Scott Hall is remembered for so many reasons, and all of them are entertaining. He gave his body for the enjoyment of fans for decades, and he made a ton of memories along the way. On March 14th, fans wanted to make sure that nobody forgot about him.

Scott Hall’s Passing

Scott Hall’s health deteriorated drastically in March 2022 after he suffered a fall and broke his hip, necessitating hospitalization. He remained immobile on the floor for several days until his friend Diamond Dallas Page found him during a wellness check. Hall underwent hip replacement surgery, but complications arose when a blood clot dislodged, leading to three heart attacks on March 12, 2022. He was placed on life support at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia.

https://twitter.com/PuroresuFlow/status/1768326176500527440

With his family gathered at the hospital on March 14, 2022, the difficult decision was made to remove the WWE Hall of Famer from life support. He passed away approximately 4 to 6 hours later at the age of 63. WWE announced his death and paid tribute to him with a video during that day’s episode of RAW. While he will be deeply missed, his legacy will endure indefinitely.

SEScoops would like to preserve the legacy of Scott Hall however we can. His life had a huge spotlight on him, and he was taken from us far took soon. RIP Razor, and thanks for everything.

Remembering Scott Hall

Here are some WWE videos and playlists looking back on the life of Scott Hall:

Jackie Crockett, Stalwart Cameraman For JCP & WCW, Passes Away

Dominic DeAngelo
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Jackie Crockett, the former lead cameraman for his family’s promotion, Jim Crockett Promotions, has passed away, PWInsider reports.

Charles J. “Jackie” Crockett had been hospitalized for a month before passing away on the evening of March 13. Jackie’s brother, David made the following comment regarding his passing:

“It has been a long journey for Jackie and he went out his way. Tonight Jackie’s breathing was very labored and when we thought he was gone, he would come back like a wrestling false finish.”

Jackie was one of the three brothers of the very popular promotion in the southeast and stayed on as a cameraman after JCP was bought out by Turner Broadcasting all the way up until the final WCW Monday Nitro. 

Jackie will be buried alongside his older brother, Jim Crockett Jr. and their parents in Bristol, VA..

Jackie Crockett’s Relationship With R-Truth

Jackie got later notoriety for being a major help in getting Ron Killings, aka R-Truth, on the straight and narrow by introducing him to pro wrestling. Truth went in-depth about Jackie Crockett’s influence back in 2020 on the Feel The Power podcast with New Day.

“I met Jack Crockett in a halfway house. Messing around with dudes in the street, man. Doing stuff I shouldn’t be doing, man. Back and forth to jail, back and forth to jail. Now you talking about a R-Truth that was street, just straight. All I knew is that I had one job in my life, man. That was it. So met Jack Crockett at a halfway house and he saw me being me…

“He saw all of that man and he said, ‘You don’t belong here. I think this is just one of your pit stops in life.’ And then again, I had somebody else instilling that knowledge in me, man. God has always put what I call ‘rams in the bush’ around me, you know what I’m saying? To protect me, to give me that whisper in my ear what I need to do.

At the time, Truth still had aspirations to be a rapper and it took two years for him to let Jackie help point him in the right direction.

“He took me to three WCW shows and the first person to come out was Ric Flair and when Ric Flair’s music hit and that crowd man came up. Bro, it was my first time being at a wrestling show and Crockett was beside me and he said, ‘You see Ric Flair?’ He said, ‘That’s you. You could be there rapping. Rapping all those raps you’ve rapping in jail and dancing and you get in the ring. You can fight, you can fight and you can dance and you mix it all together and you create this character, but be yourself because people like you as you. Be original, be authentic, just be yourself.”

We at SEScoops would like to extend our deepest prayers and condolences to David Crockett, and all of Jackie’s family and friends at this time.

Tenille Dashwood Is Disappointed With Her Last WWE Run

Aaron Varble
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WWE decided to make roster cuts in September 2023. Some notable names were on that list, and not all of them were happy about their run with the company.

While speaking to Chris Van Vliet’s Insight podcast, Tenille Dashwood was rather candid about the fact that she wasn’t happy about her last WWE run. It ended suddenly, and she didn’t get to do nearly as much.

Tenille Dashwood Speaks on her WWE Exit

On September 21, 2023, WWE made the decision to release several talents from their roster, among them Tenille Dashwood, also known as Emma, and her husband Mike Rallis, who wrestled under the name Riddick Moss. Despite being featured as an on-screen couple, their appearances on television were limited, with a notable exception being a brief storyline involving a feud with Karrion Kross and Scarlett.

Interestingly, the day of their release coincided with WWE’s announcement of the Elimination Chamber event in Australia, a development that Dashwood had eagerly anticipated and was actively promoting. However, her excitement quickly turned to dismay when she discovered just hours later that she had been let go by the company.

While thinking back on the emotions of that sad day, Dashwood shared that she was actually disappointed by the way that latest run with WWE turned out. She recounted how the news of the upcoming event in her home country had been a long-held aspiration during her time with WWE, and she had persistently inquired about the possibility of participating in tours there.

Despite facing challenges due to travel restrictions in previous years, Dashwood remained hopeful for the opportunity to wrestle in Australia. The sudden announcement on social media caught her off guard, as she had not received any prior indication from WWE about her involvement. As the day progressed and reports of releases circulated, Dashwood and her husband found themselves anticipating the inevitable, ultimately receiving the news they had feared.

“I will say, I was a little disappointed with that last run, and a little upset with how things went. I do think I have a lot more to contribute and I had very high hopes when I returned, it just didn’t turn out the way that I would have liked. In saying that, we did see it as a positive, we just weren’t being used, so it was, ‘Okay, let’s go do the things we want.’ That has been very exciting. At this point, we’re focusing on that. We do have a tour in Australia that we’ve committed to. Some autograph signings and a match. Past that, we’re focusing on other things right now. I can’t imagine ever fully stepping away from wrestling. It’s been my dream since I was a little girl and it’s the only thing I really wanted to do. I’m so glad I’ve gone after it and had the career that I’ve had. It would be hard for me to say, ‘I’m done with wrestling.’ In that same instance, I’m not actively pursuing anything or don’t have a plan moving forward at this point.”

What’s Next for Tenille Dashwood

Dashwood was released from WWE the first time in 2017, but then she was brought back in 2022. Sadly, that last run wasn’t as long.

It’s not all sad news for Tenille and Mike. On March 8, Dashwood and Rallis tied the knot in Hawaii. Their wedding was a very happy day, and they owe their relationship to WWE, because they met while with the company.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, if more updates are available. Keep checking back for more headlines on the stories you need.

Chris Jericho Issues A Challenge For 3/20 AEW Dynamite

Dominic DeAngelo
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Chris Jericho is back to his Lionheart ways and has taken HOOK under his wing. After the duo picked up a victory on this week’s AEW Big Business special, All Elite Wrestling’s first World Champion laid down a challenge to his partner for a singles match next week on AEW Dynamite.

Jericho & Hook Victorious at Big Business

Jericho and HOOK seemed to compliment one another well in the ring and that was made clear in the finish as the two isolated Bishop Kaun. HOOK attempted to lock Kaun in the Red Rum and Jericho slid in to put him in the Walls of Jericho.

When Toa Loa went for the save, Jericho gave him a springboard dropkick and HOOK cinched in the Red Rum for the submission win.

LionHOOK Explodes Next Week

Paquette caught up with Jericho and Hook backstage after their hard-earned W. She dubbed them LionHOOK, which Jericho loved.

Jericho said the Gates of Agony were no joke, but Hook showed him he’s got ‘future world champion’ potential. He likes what he’s seen from hook when they’re on the same team, but wants to see what Hook is made of when they’re on opposite sides of the ring. 

HOOK fist-bumped Jericho and agreed to the challenge, which was made official later in the show. 

Chris Jericho vs. Hook will take place on the March 20 edition of AEW Dynamite from Toronto.

HOOK is no stranger to teaming with wrestling legends. Prior to his pairing with Jericho, the 24-year-old former lacrosse payer teamed with Rob Van Dam on several occasions.

Best in the World: Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin Make Bold Claim of Dominance

Aaron Varble
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WWE has plenty of options when it comes to their booking, but certain Superstars will always stand apart from the rest. Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin are quite a pair, and they’re not finished dominating yet.

The conversation can be had for years about who is the greatest tag team. If you ask Baron Corbin, he believes his tandem with Breakker is the greatest pairing in the business right now.

Baron Corbin’s Bold Claim

Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin swiftly ascended in NXT’s tag team ranks. Their partnership began during the 2024 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, culminating in victory at NXT Vengeance Day. Following their triumph, they secured the NXT Tag Team Championship by defeating Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo on the February 13 episode of NXT.

In a conversation on WWE’s The Bump, Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin reflected on their achievements. Breakker asserted their dominance, proclaiming themselves as the premier tag team globally.

Bron Breakker expressed his firm belief that they stand as the foremost team globally. He emphasized the depth of their partnership, highlighting its uniqueness. Drawing attention to their shared NFL background, he underscored the rarity of their collaboration in WWE. According to Breakker, their current performance and entertainment level surpasses expectations, showcasing their seamless synergy and maximum effort.

Baron Corbin Explains His Statement 

Corbin echoed Breakker’s sentiments, emphasizing their ability to switch gears in competition—a quality few possess. He expressed confidence in their capability to challenge any opponent, including the reigning Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, The Judgment Day.

He mentioned a recent statement made on television. Corbin highlighted their seamless transition from backstage camaraderie to intense competition when the bell rings. According to him, this ability to switch gears sets them apart, enabling them to escalate the intensity of their performances. Their dynamic encourages friendly competition, pushing each other to excel in every aspect of their matches. Despite the allure of competing on Raw and SmackDown, they remain focused on their current position as NXT Tag Team Champions.

We should get a shot at those. That should be something we can get. We can go and we can cut whoever in half that we need to Saturday morning at NXT, and then we can go on to WrestleMania, and I think we can take those titles off of Judgment Day.

I think we can handle anybody in the ring. He says best in the world, and that includes all those teams in WWE that are thinking that they’re on our level. We got eight weeks in the bank together, and we’re already tag champs. That speaks volumes to what we can accomplish.”

What’s Next For Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin

Bron Breakker was officially called up to the WWE main roster during the 2024 Royal Rumble match. He was a last-minute replacement for Brock Lesnar, who was pulled from the match when his name was connected to Janel Grant’s bombshell of a lawsuit.

Although Breakker’s call-up was official, and he later joined the SmackDown brand, he still had things to wrap up in NXT. Obviously, that called for an NXT Tag Team Title run, and he’s having a great time with Baron Corbin.

Only time will tell if that team transcends to the main roster, but they’re having quite a time in NXT.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, as more information is known. As always, keep checking back for the updates and headlines that you need.

Kyle O’Reilly’s First AEW Match Since June 2022 Announced

Dominic DeAngelo
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Kyle O’Reilly will be stepping back in the wrestling ring after there was a time he thought he’d never receive that opportunity again.

O’Reilly underwent neck fusion surgery in 2022 and he hadn’t been back until making an unexpected return at AEW Revolution. While it seemed he may align with the Undisputed Kingdom, Kyle made clear that he planned to take his return into his own hands.

On this Saturday’s episode of AEW Collision O’Reilly steps foot in the ring against All Elite newcomer “The Bounty Hunter” Bryan Keith in singles action.

Wildly enough, O’Reilly’s last match happened to be an AEW World Title match against then-champion Jon Moxley. O’Reilly competed in a Casino Battle Royal to earn his shot, but came up short against the champ. 

A lot has changed since O’Reilly has been away, including the exit of his ReDRagon partner, Bobby Fish, who just recently competed in Major League Wrestling against that promotion’s former World Champion in Alex Kane. Also, Kyle’s long-time friend Adam Cole is clearly out with injury, but did up becoming “The Devil” in the extensive storyline involving MJF in 2023 and now leads Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett and Wardlow.

Also On Tap For AEW Collision

Not only will Collision host Kyle O’Reilly’s in-ring return, but it also be the start of the AEW World Tag Team Title tournament. This is after Sting and Darby Allin defeated The Young Bucks to retain their tag gold, but being Sting’s retirement match, the titles were vacated.

Mercedes Mone’s First AEW Merch References Cousin Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Records

Dominic DeAngelo
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Mercedes Mone made AEW Big Business her business on Wednesday and the company made sure they tied her first piece of merchandise tied into her own history.

Mone is the new “CEO” of AEW and she was the one to kick off Big Business in her hometown of Boston, MA as the TD Garden went bonkers for the former Sasha Banks.

AEW decided to embrace Mone’s mogul identity as they unleashed a classic hip-hop design that is reflective of imagery used by the storied Death Row Records label.

Death Row Records was an independent record label consisting of Dr. Dre, the late 2Pac, The Dogg Pound and of course, Mone’s cousin Snoop Dogg.

Mercedes cut a “hero’s welcome” promo in front of the crowd and did get a little emotional in front of the crowd. She end-capped the evening as Willow Nightingale took on Riho in the main event of the program, but Mone made clear that she had unfinished business with Willow Nightingale.

Mercedes Mone & Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg and Mone are indeed tight as it was Dogg who introduced her to the ring for WrestleMania 32. Snoop may be the true locksmith to pro wrestling’s forbidden door as he’s not just a WWE Hall Of Famer, but also famously got physical on AEW Dynamite with a questionable top rope splash onto Serpentico. 

However, Dogg completely redeemed himself as he ended up defeated The Miz at WrestleMania 39 after Shane McMahon unexpectedly got injured after a surprise return. That moment got high praise from COO Triple H.

“I’ve known Snoop for years in this environment and what kind of a fan he is, but tonight he put himself on a different playing field and respect factor for me. I know a lot of guys that have been in business a long time; if that happened, they’d go, ‘what do we do?’ It was amazing.”

The Undertaker Says It Hasn’t Been Easy Adjusting To Life After WWE: ‘It Leaves A Huge Void’

Anutosh Bajpai
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Wrestling is a tough business and you have to be really passionate about it to make a career in the sport. The same passion, however, also makes it hard for veterans to leave the ring when their bodies can’t handle the strain anymore. 

It’s especially hard for someone like The Undertaker who has spent over half his life as an active wrestler and according to the Dead Man, he still has trouble accepting that he won’t be competing again.

The former World Champion answered some fan questions on a new episode of his podcast on Patreon. When asked about his transition from wrestling to now a retired life, Taker mentioned how something like that leaves a void that many find hard to refill:

“My transition…I knew my time had come. But I wasn’t ready for it to come. I just knew that my body couldn’t deliver what my mind and my heart wanted to give the fans and it was kind of difficult. You have to remember that for over half of my life, being in the ring is what I did, and then it’s not there anymore.

That does, it leaves a huge void in you because you’re trying to fill that void, which was a passion. You’re trying to find out what that next passion is and what it is that you’re gonna sink your teeth into and there just may not be something that will ever refill that void.”

It’s Hard For Me Still To This Day: The Undertaker

The Undertaker officially retired from the ring after a Boneyard match with AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36. The Cinematic match saw Taker burying Styles in a grave and then riding off into the sunset.

The WWE Hall of Famer mentioned how it’s been 4 years since his final match but admitted that it’s still hard to visit any WWE shows in person for him because he gets the itch:

“I watch it’s hard for me to…it’s hard for me still to this day. When I retired, I retired in 2020 and here we are in 2024. I still find myself sometimes struggling, not so much at home. I’m more analytical and more of an analyst type while I’m watching it at home.

But if I’m like live in the venue, there’s a lot of times where I just have to leave because there’s that thing in me that saying ‘You should be getting ready to go to the ring.’ I hope it goes away at some point but as of now, it hasn’t.”

You can relive Undertaker’s last match below:

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

Violated: Swerve Strickland Explains Shocking Reason For Hangman Page Home Invasion

Aaron Varble
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AEW has featured a few big angles to hype fans for pay-per-view confrontations. Adam “Hangman” Page and Swerve Strickland’s war may be over for now, but there were plenty of reasons to do battle.

Strickland recently opened up about the meaning behind breaking into Hangman Page’s house during his feud going into Full Gear, where the two tore each other apart in a Texas Death Match.

Swerve Speaks on Hangman’s House

Swerve Strickland reflected on his ongoing feud with ‘Hangman’ Adam Page. Over the past few months, Strickland and Page have been embroiled in a heated rivalry that has captivated the wrestling world.

In an interview with Fightful, Strickland discussed various aspects of his feud with Page, including its origins and development. He explained, “I honestly didn’t know where we were going to start, what was the baseline. Will Washington came up with the idea of, ‘Hey, we don’t know where you’re going following Wembley, but I have an idea of what I want to do with Swerve. I think you two right now, we need to get Hangman back in them singles—’ ‘Cause he was doing trios.” Strickland described Page as the main character of AEW and expressed his intention to challenge and disrupt Page’s purity.

Regarding his approach to the feud, Strickland likened it to adding iodine to pure water, gradually altering the character dynamics and storyline themes. He emphasized the importance of these elements in defining characters and shaping the narrative tone. Strickland also touched on the symbolism behind his entrance music, which he described as luring fans into a false sense of security before revealing darker undertones.

In particular, Strickland highlighted a symbolic reference to “Hangman’s house” in his actions, indicating a deliberate intrusion into Page’s personal and psychological space. Reflecting on his recent actions, Strickland acknowledged a period of introspection and contemplation about the consequences of his character’s evil deeds.

“It’s like a candy coated painting of things. Hangman is the elements of ‘I’m dragging you down to hell, we’ll see who comes out at the end of it.’ It seems like we both came out, but somebody came out differently. So I came out of it, ‘Oh, man. I think this evil, this resentment I’m holding inside of me is holding me back from achieving my goals.’ ‘Cause if you noticed, when I started doing that, the International title? I had it, lost it. The Continental Classic? I had it, I lost it. The TNT title opportunity. I had it and I lost it. The AEW World Title? I had it and I lost it. I was like, ‘Is this evil worth it?’ So now I’m kind of understanding, which goes back to the promo I cut this past week on TV. Am I supposed to play this role of the guy that gets close enough, but can’t get it done? Or maybe this is karma from all the bad I was doing. Maybe it’s what got me to there, but something more is gonna have to get me over the hump.”

Swerve & the AEW World Title

With two singles victories already under his belt, Strickland faced Page for the third time on the February 7 edition of Dynamite, resulting in a draw. Additionally, the duo, along with Samoa Joe, competed in a three-way match for the AEW World Championship at Revolution, which Joe emerged as World Champion once again.

We will have to see what Swerve Strickland is able to do in AEW. It stands to reason that he may be a future World Champion. If anything, you know that Tony Khan is booking him in a position where he has a ton of trust and attention.

SEScoops will have more on Swerve Strickland’s journey in AEW, and whatever happens next. Keep checking back for more updates and headlines that you need! 

AEW Breakup: Stable Surprisingly Splits During Big Business Dynamite

Aaron Varble
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AEW has a few stables going, but they don’t have as many as they used to. Now, after their Big Business Dynamite, it is apparent that they have one less faction on their roster, but the war is not over.

The Bang Bang Scissor Gang joined up as Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, and Billy Gunn joined Bullet Club Gold. Now, they are no longer together after Jay White betrayed the former AEW Trios Champions.

Bang Bang Scissor Gang Breakup

AEW recently disbanded the Bang Bang Scissor Gang, a stable that hadn’t been around for long, to set up a feud between its former members. The dissolution of the group was evident on the March 13 episode of AEW Dynamite when Jay White won a singles match against Darby Allin. 

Following the match, White attempted to inflict more damage on Allin, prompting The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn to rush to the ring to intervene. This did not set too well with Switchblade. 

Initially, White appeared to back off, allowing Caster and Bowens to assist Allin out of the ring. However, when Caster and Bowens left the ring, White suddenly attacked Billy Gunn with a chair, surprising the Boston fans in a big way. 

Despite Caster and Bowens’ attempts to intervene, they were overpowered by Colten and Austin Gunn. This caused a beatdown for the babyfaces.

What’s Next

The dramatic turn of events marked the end of the Bang Bang Scissor Gang’s run. The trio had joined forces on the January 20 episode of Collision. Currently, The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn still hold the AEW World Trios Championship, while Jay White & The Gunns retain the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team titles.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional updates are made available. Odds are, fans have not heard the last of this story at all. The Acclaimed will not likely go after the Bullet Club Gold stable to turned on them.

Crackhead Karens: The Rock Explains Freedom Behind Latest WWE Heel Run

Aaron Varble
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John Cena has taken on some daring roles in Hollywood so far, stretching his comfort level to flex his acting muscles. The 96th annual Academy Awards certainly included a side of Cena that some fans never expected to see.

Cena did a streaking skit at the Oscar Awards this year alongside Jimmy Kimmel. Cena was the only nude one, and The Rock had a very good view of the whole spectacle. He also made it clear why he didn’t want to make Cena’s night any worse. The Rock is also loving his role as a heel on WWE television, and he couldn’t wait to open up about that, either. 

The Rock Reacts to John Cena Stunt

The Rock crossed paths with his fellow WWE Superstar, John Cena, backstage at the 96th Oscars ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. However, Cena appeared in an unusual attire, donning a toga instead of his typical formal wear, which he changed into after his nude stunt.

Cena’s unique appearance garnered significant attention from fans, with his act receiving widespread applause. While reflecting on his interaction with Cena the day before, The Rock shared his perspective during an appearance on Monday night’s edition of Jimmy Kimmel Live.

During the interview, Kimmel humorously suggested that The Rock missed an opportunity to confront Cena, to which The Rock responded with laughter, implying that a half-naked Cena wasn’t a suitable target for him. When asked if he would consider confronting Cena if he were “fully naked,” The Rock humorously replied that he would need Cena to be completely unclothed before considering such an action, clarifying that it was a playful remark.

“Right, a half-naked John Cena isn’t the guy who I want to attack [laughs],” The Rock said.

When Kimmel asked him if he would attack Cena if he was “fully naked?” To this, The Rock replied, “I need him fully naked before I attack him. That was his joke, by the way.”

The Rock and John Cena shook hands backstage at the Oscars, but Kimmel still joked that he felt a WrestleMania moment coming on. No steel chairs were busted out in that meeting, but you never know what else The Rock is capable of during this heel run.

The Rock on his Heel Turn

The Rock also had a chance to speak about his heel role in the road to WrestleMania. Kimmel played a clip of Dwayne Johnson in Phoenix berating the “Crackhead Karens,” and that line received a great response from the crowd.

He also explained how great it is to come back and really cut loose during this run of his career.

It is the best to go back to WWE in this Rock 10.0 version, where I can become a heel and say the things that people wanna say.

Road to WrestleMania 40

The Rock is back in WWE on the road to WrestleMania 40. He will team up with Roman Reigns during the first night of WrestleMania to take on Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.

John Cena has not been officially booked for WrestleMania 40 yet. As I exclusively reported in a recent edition of SEScoops’ Daily Drop, WWE is still working on making that happen for the 16x World Champion.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling world. So, keep checking back for more updates, because you never know what can happen on the road to WrestleMania.

Big Meaty Men Slapping Meat! Bronson Reed Seeking Big E-Inspired WrestleMania Match

Thomas Lowson
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‘Big’ Bronson Reed is ready to prove that his ‘meat’ can’t be beat with a unique match next month dedicated to the injured Big E. 

Taking to Twitter, Reed spoke about this year’s WrestleMania 40 event that will take place from Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on April 6-7. Reed addressed that his “BIG brothers” are missing from the WrestleMania card. Reed suggested a “MEATY INVITATIONAL” dedicated to Big E. 

The former WWE NXT North American Champion also made sure to tag WWE to ensure that the company got the message. 

Big E & His Meat

Big E, a big man in his own right, has hardly been subtle with his support for the meatier wrestlers in WWE. During an infamous episode of the New Day’s ‘Feel the Power’ podcast, Big E named Goldberg as his dream opponent, declaring that the match would be “Big meaty men slapping meat!” When asked for three opponents for the New Day to face, Big E had an equally hilarious answer: three Goldbergs. 

The Meat Men of WWE

Reed will need some participants in his Meaty Invitational if such a match is to happen. There’s no shortage of larger Superstars though, such as Ivar, who has been impressing in his singles run while Viking Raider ally Erik recovers from neck surgery. The missing-from-TV Odyssey Jones would also be right at home in such a meaty match. 

WWE WrestleMania 40

This year’s WrestleMania will be the fifth annual two-night WrestleMania, a tradition that began with the Covid-19 pandemic. The show will also be the first WrestleMania following the launch of TKO Group Holdings last September. The card for the show so far is as follows:

  • Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Universal Championship)
  • Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley (WWE Women’s Championship)
  • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch (WWE Women’s World Championship)
  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins & Cody Rhodes Vs. Roman Reigns & The Rock
  • GUNTHER (c) vs. Sami Zayn (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
  • The Judgment Day (c) vs. TBA vs. TBA vs. TBA vs. TBA vs.TBA (Six-Pack Ladder Match, Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships)

John Cena Is Yet To Find The ‘Golden Ticket’ For WrestleMania 40

Bishal Roy
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We are less than a month away from WrestleMania 40 and this year’s edition of ‘The Show of Shows’ is bigger than ever. Will the fans witness John Cena at the show? Well, the 16-time World Champion is still waiting for the green signal.

This year’s edition of WrestleMania is set to be the fifth annual of the two-night extravaganza which started with the pandemic. It’s worth noting that the show will also be the first WrestleMania after the inception of TKO Group Holdings. The card is stacked with some huge matches and fans are speculating that ‘The Leader of Cenation’ will make his presence felt in Philly.

John Cena opens up on possible appearance at WrestleMania 40

Speaking on The Drew Barrymore Show, John Cena revealed that he is waiting for his invite as he hasn’t found a ‘golden ticket’ to the show. He said that he would try to be at the show. Cena said:

“I’m kind of waiting for my invite. Unfortunately, it’s not like a… I don’t have a prom date, so I have no one to go to prom with. I haven’t been asked to go yet. But that’s okay. That’s alright. I have not yet found a golden ticket in my chocolate bar, so I guess I gotta keep eating chocolate bars to find a golden ticket.

It’s the 40th installment of WrestleMania and that gives me a tremendous joy and happiness, because the event is bigger than it’s ever been. I believe you should leave a place better than when you found it, and I think I’ve done that. [It] brings my heart so much joy to see the event in the place that it is now.”

Previously, Cena stated that he hopes to do ‘something’ at WrestleMania 40. However, his commitments to filming Peacemaker’s second season might hinder his appearance. 

Though WWE never fails to pull some strings at the last minute and who knows, we might even end up witnessing John Cena at ‘The Grandest Stage of Them All.’

WrestleMania 40 takes place on April 6 & 7 at the iconic Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WWE Mishap: Triple H Believed To Have Mishandled Will Ospreay Contract Talks

Aaron Varble
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Will Ospreay is All Elite, and he’s set to have some epic matches for Tony Khan’s company. WWE was in the game to bring Ospreay in, but that didn’t happen. In the end, AEW snagged him, and Triple H missed out.

There is now apparently a feeling within WWE that Triple H kind of dropped the ball with Will Ospreay. Dave Meltzer stated that it is believed that Triple H undervalued what Ospreay could bring to the table.

Will Ospreay in AEW

Will Ospreay made headlines last year at AEW Full Gear, officially joining the AEW roster and shifting gears to a full-time role. Despite potential interest from WWE, Ospreay opted for AEW, a decision that garnered attention from WWE personnel who felt Triple H may have underestimated Ospreay’s worth.

During AEW Full Gear, Ospreay declared his intention to join AEW full-time after fulfilling his commitments with NJPW. This move solidified his status as one of wrestling’s top free agents, culminating in his decision to sign with AEW after weighing options from various companies.

Ospreay’s contributions extend beyond his in-ring performances, as evidenced by his display of personality on AEW television, notably during the recent AEW Dynamite: Big Business episode. 

Dave Meltzer spoke about this on Wrestling Observer Radio, where he shed light on WWE’s perspective, indicating that Ospreay’s promo abilities were overlooked by Triple H during negotiations.

“He’s had two matches on this run and he’s getting this kind of a reaction, so yeah. I think that they, I mean I know people in WWE when this was going down and it was becoming very clear that he was going to AEW instead of WWE. They offered a lot less money, and I know people there who were saying that [Triple H] didn’t realize, he just thought it was one of these great workers, but this guy [Ospreay] has more, as far as complete package, there are very few people when it comes to complete total package.”

What’s Next For Will Ospreay

Will Ospreay joined the Don Callis Family, and that was quite a way to book him in the Land of All Elite. Tony Khan will likely have years to book Ospreay from this point on, so he is only getting started.

Only time will tell if Will Ospreay will ever end up in WWE. At 30 years old, he still has plenty of time to make a decision about his career down the line.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, as new developments arise. Keep checking back for more updates and headlines that you need.

Back in the Ring: Wes Lee Shares Recovery Video Amid NXT Absence

Thomas Lowson
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Wes Lee has shared a positive update on his condition with a video of the WWE NXT Superstar getting back in the ring. 

Lee went down with a back injury in late 2023, one that he said at the time would keep him out of action for eight to twelve months. This injury led to plans for Lee, which included a title match with then-NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio, being scrapped. 

Wes Lee’s Back in the Ring

This week, Wes took to Twitter to share a video of himself getting back in the ring. Seeing himself as the mythical phoenix that rises once more after being destroyed, Lee captioned his video “from the ashes…”

What’s Next? 

At this time, there’s no word on when fans can expect Wes Lee back in the ring on WWE NXT programming. A former North American Champion, many expect that Wes will be back in the hunt for the title, currently held by Oba Femi, when he is back. The Nigerian powerhouse has proven to be unstoppable since winning the title from Dragon Lee. 

With that said, many also would argue that Lee did everything he could win the title. and that his next opportunity upon returning should be for the WWE NXT Championship. Ilja Dragunov currently holds the gold and will defend against Tony D’Angelo at Stand & Deliver. 

Dynasty’s Chris Envy On Booking Patrick Clark Backlash: ‘You’d Pay to See Vince McMahon’

Thomas Lowson
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The promoter of Dynasty Wrestling has defended booking Patrick Clark for an event following backlash among fans. 

Clark, known for his time as Velveteen Dream in WWE NXT, appeared at a Dynasty event in New York last month. The show marked Clark’s first wrestling appearance since his release from WWE in 2021. 

The former NXT North American champion was let go following allegations that he had sent explicit messages and photos to minors. WWE said they found no evidence in their investigation, though one of Clark’s accusers would later state that they were never contacted for the investigation. 

Dynasty Defends Clark Booking

The choice to feature Clark at the event was met with heavy backlash, especially as fans were not informed of his presence at the show ahead of time. One of Dynasty’s ex-talent also believed that Clark’s involvement sent the wrong message. 

Speaking to Bucklebomb Entertainment, Dynasty promoter Chris Envy spoke highly of Clark. 

“He is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. We spent a couple hours together that day. He was so nice, one of the nicest people… He said hello to everybody, he took pictures, class act all around.”

Many fans took issue with Clark appearing on the same show as Rita Chatterton. The former WWE referee has alleged for years that she was raped by Vince McMahon in the 1980s. In the interview, Envy claimed that Chatterton supported Clark at the event. 

“They were shoulder to shoulder, there was nothing uncomfortable about the situation. She told me to give him her number and have him reach out to her.”

Envy argued that it ultimately comes down to the Dynasty fans, who he believes would be excited to see Vince McMahon despite the allegations against the ex-WWE Chairman. 

“All these people that are coming at me, ‘you’re not family entertainment.’ It’s easy to say that, but if I had Vince McMahon on my next show, all those clowns would still be buying tickets.”

What’s Next?

Patrick Clark hasn’t competed since the Dynasty Wrestling show. In the interview, Envy said that he he has had talks with Clark regarding future bookings and that other promoters have reached out to ask about obtaining Clark’s services. 

H/T – Fightful

Daily Drop (3/14): WWE Superstars Sneak Into AEW Big Business, Mercedes Mone Called Out For Ripping Off GUNTHER

Aaron Varble
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Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Thursday, March 14. A lot of things changed in the past 24 hours, including Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut at Big Business.

Days until WrestleMania 40: 23

WWE:

– Minneapolis officially put in a bid to host WrestleMania 41. They have already been rumored to host the show of shows next year at the Vikings US Bank Stadium.

– Thunderbolt Patterson was announced as an inductee for the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame.

– WWE is thinking about switching up their start times for premium live events going forward.

– Bayley, Naomi, and Tamina Snuka were at AEW Big Business last night to see Mercedes Mone’s debut for Tony Khan’s company.

– Ex WWE Superstar Nic Nemeth joined the cast of Busted Open Radio.

AEW:

– Some have called out Mercedes Mone’s AEW theme song for ripping off GUNTHER’S old WWE theme. He even apparently commented on the drama, because there was quite a bit of it.

– Tony Khan spoke about how much trust he puts into Darby Allin to be safe while performing his incredibly dangerous stunts.

– The show kept going with Mercedes Mone after AEW Big Business was over last night. You can check out that footage here.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events:

  • WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
  • WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
  • AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
  • Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
  • WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
  • WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
  • WWE SummerSlam is taking over Cleveland’s Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 3rd.
  • WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

WWE Considering Start-Time Change for Premium Live Events Going Forward

Thomas Lowson
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WWE’s Premium Live Events could be in line for a massive change if the promotion goes ahead with an idea it has been weighing up.

The Sports Entertainment juggernaut is considering moving its monthly Premium Live Events to an earlier start time, PW Insider reports. This unclarified earlier start time would affect domestic events and would be the same time that WWE utilized “many years ago.” At this time, there’s not been a decision as to whether an earlier start time will become a permanent fixture. 

WWE WrestleMania 40 will see a slightly earlier start time on both nights of its broadcast. Next month’s event will take place at 6:30 PM Eastern, instead of the usual start time of 8 PM Eastern. Doors will open at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA at 4:30 PM Eastern. 

Changes to Premium Live Events

If WWE goes through with this idea, it’ll hardly be the first time that the company’s biggest events have undergone a dramatic change. It was only until a few years ago that WWE dubbed its events ‘pay-per-views.’ The name was changed to the currently-used ‘Premium Live Events’ given that said events are now almost exclusively streamed instead of the antiquated PPV method. 

It was also within recent years that WWE moved its pay-per-view events from Sunday evenings to Saturday. Other days that have seen pay-per-views be hosted include Taboo Tuesday in 2004 and 2005, while the early Survivor Series events happened on Thanksgiving Thursday. 

The People’s Schedule: What’s Next for The Rock After WWE WrestleMania 40?

Thomas Lowson
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The Rock will return to the ring next month at WrestleMania 40, but fans may be waiting for some time for his next match after that.

On WrestleMania 40: Saturday, The Rock & Roman Reigns will face off against Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins in what’ll presumably be the main event. Should The Bloodline win, then the Undisputed WWE Universal title match the next night will be under ‘Bloodline Rules.’ Should Rhodes and Rollins win, there’ll be no Bloodline involvement when Rhodes challenges Reigns on WrestleMania 40: Sunday. 

What Comes Next?

While Rock and Reigns are currently allies, there is a belief that the two will face off one day in a match WWE initially intended to have at WrestleMania. It has been reported that WWE are hoping to get the Brahma Bull for the match at their next event in Saudi Arabia. 

That may prove to be easier said than done thanks to The Rock’s Hollywood career. PW Insider reports that Johnson is poised to begin work on a new project after WrestleMania 40 titled The Smashing Machine. The report adds that casting is underway for a series of supporting characters and that filming is currently scheduled to last from May to August. This will keep Rock out of doing anything physical for WWE. 

The Smashing Machine

The Smashing Machine will be produced by The Rock’s Seven Bucks Productions and will focus on the life of UFC fighter Mike Kerr. The film will follow Kerr’s struggle with addiction and fights both in and out of the Octagon. The Rock is set to play Kerr. 

Tony Khan Has Faith That Darby Allin Will Perform Insane Stunts As Safely As Possible

Thomas Lowson
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AEW President Tony Khan is well aware of how dangerous Darby Allin’s spots may be, but is confident that the wrestler always finds a way to do them safely. 

Since arriving in AEW, Allin has put his body on the line several times in spots far more dangerous than seen from others. At AEW Revolution 2024, a spot involving Allin saw the former TNT Champion fall off a ladder and go through glass panes. This spot has raised questions as to whether it was necessary in Sting’s final match and whether Allin goes too far with stunts like this, and if so, why AEW allows it. 

Tony Khan on Darby Allin

Sitting down with TV Insider, Khan addressed the spot in question. The AEW President began by touting the importance of safety, an attitude that extends to all on his roster. 

“It has to be something safe. Whenever a wrestler comes in and wants to try something, especially dangerous, I just want to know that there is a safe way to do it.”

Focusing on the former AEW TNT Champion, Khan pointed out that Allin makes sure to ensure he can survive whatever wild stunt he sets his mind to. 

“He is fanatical about finding a way to pull off the impossible and do these incredible, seemingly death-defying stunts. He always finds a safe way to pull them off. He always has a rationale for why he is able to do it.”

What’s Next? 

On this week’s AEW Dynamite, Allin was still selling the effects of the glass pane spot (though we have to wonder how much of it was selling.) This made the former champion an easy target for Jay White. While Allin tried to fight back, a missed Coffin Drop would seal his fate and White would get the win. 

Allin’s next big stunt will be his biggest to date but will take place outside the confines of an AEW ring. The daredevil is planning to begin his climb of Mt. Everest this month, which will of course mean that he won’t be appearing on AEW Dynamite. 

Doing Big Business: How Many Tickets Were Distributed for 3/13 AEW Dynamite?

Thomas Lowson
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AEW’s Big Business edition of Dynamite proved to be a historic night for the promotion, and Boston’s TD Garden was packed for this stacked event. 

The March 13, 2024, edition of AEW Dynamite saw the much-anticipated arrival of Mercedes Mone, close to two years after her WWE exit. Mone spoke about her journey in wrestling and being home in Boston. Later in the show, Mone made the save for Willow Nightingale, who was being attacked by Skye Blue and AEW TBS Champion Julia Hart. It’s notable that Mone saved Willow, given that it was during a match with Nightingale that Mone suffered last year’s ankle injury. 

AEW Big Business Does Big Business

AEW’s Big Business edition of Dynamite saw over 9,400 tickets distributed, sources confirmed to WrestleTix. They added that this means that several upper decks and sections on the hard cam side will have been fully open and distributed. 

The show did a reported gate of $345,660, which makes for an average ticket price of $36 a seat. WrestleTix reported that the average ticket price was much lower than usual. 

AEW Big Business

This week’s show also saw AEW World Champion Samoa Joe retain against Wardlow. The Bang Bang Scissor Gang imploded as Bullet Club Gold turned on The Acclaimed following Jay White’s victory over Darby Allin. In tag-team action, Chris Jericho & Hook, dubbed ‘LionHook,’ defeated Gates of Agony. The Elite defeated Pac, Eddie Kingston and Penta El Zero Miedo, with Kazuchika Okada setting his sights on Kingston’s AEW Continental Championship.

It’s Boss Time: Wrestling World Reacts to Mercedes Mone’s AEW Big Business Debut

Thomas Lowson
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Mercedes Mone is officially All-Elite, and the arrival of the former WWE Superstar has proven to be a huge talking point among those in pro wrestling. 

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

Wrestling World Reacts

After weeks of anticipation, Mone’s arrival in AEW has spawned a ton of reactions. WWE’s own Tyler Breeze was pleased to see his former colleague become All-Elite. 

Matt Hardy was excited to see Mone at the show and felt her kicking off Big Business was the right move. 

Taya Valkyrie was ready to throw out the challenge to the newest member of AEW’s women’s division. 

Renee Paquette was also pleased to see the ‘CEO’ in AEW. 

AEW’s chief music producer Mikey Rukus joked that he was under the impression that a different woman in wrestling would be debuting on the show. 

Former Women’s World Champion Nyla Rose had similarly been under the impression that AEW had something planned other than Mone. 

Referee Aubrey Edwards shared her own experiences watching Mone compete during her WWE run as Sasha Banks. 

Danhausen had quite an interesting reaction to Mone’s arrival, as he’s clearly a fan of AEW’s newest signing. 

WWE’s Cathy Kelley shared her excitement for Mone’s debut through the power of emojis. 

And AEW President Tony Khan took to Twitter to make things official. 

Watch: What Happened With Mercedes Mone After 3/13 AEW Dynamite Went Off Air

Anutosh Bajpai
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Mercedes Mone made her presence felt in a big way during tonight’s Big Business episode of AEW Dynamite from the TD Garden in her hometown of Boston, Massachusetts.

The former WWE star’s official debut for All Elite Wrestling was all but confirmed by the promotion prior to the event. Company president Tony Khan didn’t make the fans wait for long to see what they had come for.

The CEO made her debut during the opening segment of the Wednesday night show. She got a huge ovation from the hometown crowd.

The former IWGP Women’s Champion then cut a promo mentioning her idol, Eddie Guerrero and thanking the fans. Mercedes Mone ended her promo by declaring that AEW was the only place where revolution can be global.

What Happened After Dynamite

This wasn’t the last of Mone fans got to see. The main event of the show featured Willow Nightingale who defeated Riho in a singles match. After the bout, Julia Hart and Sky Blue attacked Nightingale.

Mercedes Mone then made her way out, this time wearing her new ring gear. She took out Blue first and later delivered the Mone Maker to Hart.

The show ended with Nightingale lifting Mercedes’ arm. The debuting star stayed in the ring for some time after the cameras stopped rolling to soak in the moment.

Mone spent a good amount of time greeting the fans at the ringside and dancing to her theme after Dynamite went off air, before finally making her way to the back.

The former champion’s debut was a huge success for AEW. Now it’d be interesting to see what the company has planned for her moving forward.

Bayley at Big Business: WWE Superstar Spotted During Mercedes Mone’s Boston AEW Debut

Aaron Varble
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0

AEW Big Business went down at the TD Garden in Boston, and there was considerable excitement from the crowd all night. Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut dominated discussions prior to the event, and she had a very close friend who was there for the big night.

The Big Business show brought a lot of attention and fans in Boston. It seems that Bayley also made the show, and she was spotted during the event.

Bayley at Big Business

During the March 13 episode of AEW Dynamite, Mercedes Mone entered the scene, confirming her All Elite status. While her debut had been widely anticipated, her appearance comes as no surprise to many amidst swirling rumors.

Ahead of the event, rumors circulate about Bayley and Naomi attending to show support for their friend. We’re not sure about Trinity, but Bayley was spotted in the Garden

WWE Superstar Bayley was indeed spotted at TD Garden, surprising fans all over, but they shouldn’t be too shocked considering their past. While Naomi’s presence remains unconfirmed, considering their past support for Mone, it wouldn’t be unexpected is she was there too.

It appears that Trinity, Tamina, and Bayley were all there at Big Business. The video from Naomi on Twitter/X was a pretty funny hint that they made the show.

Connection Between Mercedes Mone & Bayley

Bayley has said in the past that she begs Mercedes Mone all the time to come back to WWE. That didn’t happen this time around, but you never know what the future holds. At this point, Mone has a multi-year contract with AEW to deal with.

Mone and Bayley were also at Trinity’s Hard to Kill match in Impact Wrestling. They are known to support each other, even if they aren’t in the same company.

SEScoops will have a lot more on this story, and so much more, so please keep checking back for future updates.

Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium puts in Bid To Host WrestleMania 41

Aaron Varble
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0

WrestleMania brings a ton of money to the event every single year. Now, it appears that we know where the grandest stage of them all will be set up in 2025.

WrestleMania 41 may have a venue announcement soon enough. Minneapolis has reportedly submitted their bid to host the 41st annual show of shows.

Minneapolis Looking for WrestleMania 41

Minnesota officially submitted its bid to host WrestleMania 41, as reported by The Star Tribune. The proposed venue for the event would be U.S. Bank Stadium. MNSE’s president and CEO, Wendy Blackshaw, expresses optimism, stating, “We are hopeful, and I hope we get it. It would be amazing.”

It was first reported by Sean Ross Sapp in July 2023 that Minneapolis has been heavily discussed within WWE as a potential location for WrestleMania 41 in 2025. The city planners of Minneapolis had leaked this information to local media, but WWE officials confirmed that Minneapolis was just one of several cities expressing interest.

Expected WrestleMania 41 Venue

U.S. Bank Stadium is favored as the venue due to its capacity and climate-controlled dome, unlike Target Field, which may face weather-related challenges. Despite previous leaks jeopardizing Minneapolis’ chance to host WrestleMania in the past, WWE views U.S. Bank Stadium as a top-tier venue for such events.

Last week, it was also strongly hinted at during a committee hearing that Minnesota may land WrestleMania. The show of shows was not revealed, but it was said that the event in question is second-biggest only to the Super Bowl.

SEScoops will have plenty of updates on this story as additional information is made known. The road to WrestleMania is always exciting, and that may include announcing the destination for next year’s showcase of the immortals.

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