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Adam Copeland Makes It Clear He Wouldn’t Wrestle In AEW If It Wasn’t Fun

Aaron Varble
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Adam Copeland had a WWE contract renewal in his inbox, but he decided against signing it. He wanted something else out of this chapter of his career, and he is finding it in AEW.

Adam Copeland Is Having Fun In AEW

Since arriving in AEW, some fans have noticed that Adam Copeland has worked with a variety of people, including an old frenemy in Christian Cage. The fact that Copeland is holding open challenge matches is also proof that anyone could face him next.

During a conversation with Busted Open Radio, Adam Copeland made it very clear that he wants to have as much fun as possible with his life. Wrestling is his first love, and it’s also a pleasure to work in that world, so he is making the most of every opportunity he can.

Anything I do at this stage of life has to be fun or I’m not going to do it. Wrestling was the first love and it always will be. That can never be taken away. I still find so much fun. The minute it stops being fun is the minute I need to be done. Because it was taken away from me the first time, and then to come back, and have this whole new generation of talent that I’ve never performed with or got in there with. It’s fun. I’ve repeatedly said how much fun I’m having. That’s what it boils down to. No matter what I’m doing, I’m having fun, or I wouldn’t be doing it. I wouldn’t be wrestling Griff Garrison if I didn’t find the fun in that. I wouldn’t be wrestling Lee Moriarty if I didn’t find the fun in that. It’s just a blast.

Copeland later stated that he’s still having fun while wrestling. At this stage in his career, the Rated R Superstar wouldn’t keep going if he wasn’t enjoying himself.

This may sound like a lie, but I’m at a stage in life where, if it’s not fun, I don’t need the money. I know that sounds really bad, but I was always really smart. I still drive a pick-up truck. I don’t waste my money. It hurt too much to make. If I’m doing it, it’s purely for the joy of it.

Adam Copeland’s Road in AEW So Far

Tony Khan was quick to place Adam Copeland right in a feud with Christian Cage, a spot he remains to this day. As the two carry on, it is evident that there are a lot more stories to tell that reek of awesomeness.

Copeland beat Christian at AEW Worlds End for the TNT Title, but then Killswitch gave his guaranteed title shot to Cage, who promptly beat the WWE Hall of Famer for the TNT Title once again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUjhZokvAqs

MLW Expands Programming With Free Monthly Signature Events

Rayan Saayed
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In 2024, Major League Wrestling (MLW) is undergoing changes to its programming. The promotion aims to broaden its schedule by presenting one premium live event and one free signature event each month.

The monthly premium live events will be broadcast as part of Trille TV+. For viewers interested in MLW’s free signature events, they can catch them on TV through BeIN Sports and online via MLW’s YouTube channel.

Recently, MLW made an announcement about returning to its origins in Florida, where the promotion first began over two decades ago. In the upcoming spring, MLW is set to make a comeback with War Chamber, one of its key PLEs, at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg, FL.

In addition to its return to Florida, the company is also marking a comeback to Chicago with its Aztecha Lucha event on Saturday, May 11. This marks MLW’s return to the city for the first time since 2019.

SEScoops had reported back in December 2023 that MLW was gearing up for substantial changes, and this included a comprehensive overhaul of its front office.

On the flip side, MLW was engaged in a legal dispute with WWE in the form of an antitrust lawsuit. The two companies recently settled the lawsuit last month, with the details of the settlement remaining undisclosed.

With the upcoming programming schedule changes, 2024 appears to be an exciting year for MLW. The promotion has added notable names back to its roster such as Matt Riddle, Richard Holliday, Salina de la Renta, Tom Lawlor, and Satoshi Kojima. However, the company experienced a setback as Alex Hammerstone became a free agent. 

MLW Reload

MLW’s inaugural event under the new schedule is Reload, scheduled to air on Saturday, January 20, on both YouTube and BeIN Sports.

TNA Wrestling Bringing Back Classic Theme Song With Company’s Re-Branding

Aaron Varble
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Impact Wrestling is no more as they have totally re-branded to TNA Wrestling once again. Morale is high within the company as they look toward their next chapter. That will also bring back a nostalgic tune for longtime fans.

TNA Wrestling Bringing Back Iconic Theme

As fans think about TNA’s peak in 2008, many think about the iconic ‘Cross the Line’ theme song. Despite its initial popularity, the song was eventually phased out amid various changes within the company.

In a noteworthy announcement on TNA Wrestling’s official Twitter/X account, it was confirmed that the ‘Cross the Line’ theme song would be making a permanent return.

TNA Wrestling noted that this decision stems from the overwhelmingly positive reception the song received during live events, with its reintroduction slated to begin with the upcoming show.

”Due to the overwhelmingly positive reception to it being featured on our recent live events, the iconic Cross the Line theme will return starting TONIGHT on #TNAiMPACT on @AXSTV !”

What’s Next For TNA Wrestling

The recent Hard to Kill pay-per-view marked a significant milestone for TNA Wrestling. It was not only their largest live gate in about a decade, but it also trended on social media. This achievement suggests that the company’s strategic decision to rebrand and embrace its historical roots has already yielded substantial returns.

Bayley Believes Her Story With Mercedes Mone Will Live On Forever

Aaron Varble
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Mercedes Mone and WWE were speaking during a time, but that came to a financial roadblock. Now, all indications point toward an AEW debut very soon. Still, Bayley still believes her story with The Boss will last forever.

Bayley Believes She Will Face Mercedes Mone Again

Bayley, who once admitted that she begs Mercedes Mone to make a WWE return at every chance she has, recently spoke about her old friend, the former Sasha Banks. As Bayley sees it, there is still story left to be written for the two.

While speaking with Sports Illustrated, Bayley admitted that it is their destiny to face each other again. She firmly stated that their story has the ability to live on forever in pro wrestling lore. 

“We’ll always be destined for one more match. We’re going to live on forever because of that match, and it’s something we can carry on forever.”

What Happened To Sasha Banks’ WWE Return 

WWE and Mercedes Mone were talking about a return, but then those negotiations hit a roadblock. Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select at the time that, although the dialogue was friendly, the process was ended as WWE walked away from the deal. 

Top free agent Mercedes Mone aka Sasha Banks and WWE had been engaged in conversations to possibly bring her back to the company. However, WWE sources stated to Fightful Friday night that the two sides are no longer in active negotiations regarding a return. The two sides had recently been engaged in conversations about a return. We’re told the dialogue was friendly, the back and forth failed to progress, and WWE sources claim that their side walked as a result of it.

Bayley & Mercedes Mone’s Current Relationship

Bayley and Mercedes Mone are still close, and the two old friends are still in close contact. They were both spotted watching Trinity at TNA Wrestling’s Hard to Kill event. 

There may be a spot open for Mercedes on the Damage CTRL roster, because that stable apparently can’t get enough members. All signs point toward Mone’s eventual AEW debut, so a WWE return may have to wait.

Newly Signed AEW Star Will Have To Change Gimmick To Avoid Legal Issues

Aaron Varble
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AEW has inked deals with a number of talented wrestlers over the last twelve months, and many of them kept their personas, or simply built onto a pre-existing idea of their character. One star is set to see a gimmick change, but the extent of that alteration is uncertain.

AEW Signs New Star

Tony Khan has successfully secured a new deal for someone who will now be working for both All Elite Wrestling and Ring of Honor. Black Taurus, who has experience in AAA, Impact Wrestling, and so many more destinations, has previously competed under the AEW and ROH banners. Now locked into a contract. 

In the past month, Taurus engaged in three title matches against El Hijo del Vikingo for the AAA Mega Championship, two of which occurred within the AEW/ROH events.

Taurus has also made appearances for TNA Wrestling since 2019. However, with this new contract development, he is now making a transition. 

AEW Star’s Gimmick Has To Change

As reported by Luchablog, who is a reliable source for luchador news, Taurus and Tony Khan have reached an agreement for his services. It’s worth noting that due to AAA’s ownership of the ‘Black Taurus’ name, the wrestler will need to undergo a character and name change to avoid potential legal complications. 

This precautionary step is particularly crucial, given AAA’s previous legal dispute over the Luchasaurus mask, which was eventually settled. The report indicates that Taurus is ready for these alterations to his character.

It is unclear how much Khan will have to tweak Black Taurus’ presentation, but he can’t keep that gimmick he’s been using since 2018.

Killer Kelly on TNA Wrestling morale, working with Masha Slamovich & more (Exclusive)

Zack Heydorn
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Killer Kelly had every right to feel all sorts of emotions walking out the TNA Hard to Kill 2023 PPV event over the weekend. She and tag team partner, Masha Slamovich, lost the Knockout Tag Team Championships to Decay during the event, but the show itself was one of the most successful that TNA has put on in the last ten years. All things considered, Kelly said it all was “crazy.”

In an exclusive interview with SEScoops, Kelly spoke fondly about her company and the progress she’s seen it make the last few years. She also detailed how her chemistry with Masha Slamovich came to be, their Dog Collar Match, and what her top future goals are for herself.

Here’s our interview and highlights:

TNA backstage morale

“The first thing that comes to mind is ‘crazy,'” Kelly said of company morale after Hard to Kill. “Everyone is so happy backstage. Everyone is excited to be a part of TNA. People from the roster, people that aren’t on the roster. Will Ospreay. He was just a kid. Super happy to be a part of TNA. Everyone who arrived at the venue, who saw the tunnel, just freaked out. Like ‘oh my god this is so cool!’ Everyone wanted to show out. Everyone was like, we’re going to show what TNA is all about and everyone did.”

Killer Kelly and Masha Slamovich were a part of a heated rivalry over the summer — a rivalry that jumpstarted their work as a team and one that culminated in vicious Dog Collar Match. Kelly was insistent that working with Slamovich as a partner or opponent was easy due to just how good Slamovich is in the ring.

“We were very lucky that we’re very alike,” Kelly said of Slamovich. “It wasn’t hard at all to get on that level and have that chemistry. It just popped up. We didn’t have to force it. It was just natural to us. That Dog Collar Match was one of my favorite matches ever. We’ve created history together and that chemistry, you can’t make it up. It was there the moment we had our first lock up.”

Regarding the Dog Collar Match between Kelly and Masha Slamovich at Against All Odds 2023 in June, Kelly revealed it was quite easy putting the match together. 

“We didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about that,” Kelly said of planning the match. “It was literally, we got in that day and we’re like ‘ok,’ let’s see how the chain and the dog collar feel because we hadn’t done anything like that before. It was on the day a few hours before the match and we were like ‘oh, this is quite heavy.’ But it was so easy and so quick to come up with ideas. Of course, we had Tommy Dreamer there helping us with the match and it was easy for us because we have the same mind. We’re twisted in our own way. The storytelling, everything. It was a beautiful ending to our little feud and a beautiful start to the relationship of Masha and Killer Kelly.

Jordynne Grace

With TNA momentum behind her, Killer Kelly says she wants to regain the Knockouts Tag Team Championships that she lost, but also would like to have a match with Jordynne Grace.

“I’ve never had a singles match with Jordynne Grace,” Kelly said. “That is one match I’d love to have. Just to push me to my limits. Because every single person you see wrestle her, they just go to another level when they step in the ring with her. She would beat my ass probably, but I would love it.”

Follow Killer Kelly on Twitter @Kelly_WP. She and TNA will be in Florida over the weekend for a set of shows. Visit TNAWrestling.com for ticket information.

TNA No Surrender returns to pay-per-view on February 23 in New Orleans.

WWE 2K24 Tease Involves Stone Cold Steve Austin and a Referee Shirt

Aaron Varble
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WWE’s next video game is on the way. Plenty of rumors are bound to come out about the release, as we expect. Now, we have a tease with a bit more weight, because it came from 2K themselves.

The Latest WWE 2K24 Tease

The 2k team sent out an Instagram post that is getting some attention. In the new drop, they posted a photo of a referee shirt. That wasn’t as interesting as the fact that they also tagged “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in the photo.

Although no direct involvement with Steve Austin has been confirmed for the new WWE video game yet, tagging him certainly draws a connection. It is expected that the Texas Rattlesnake will be featured in the game as a playable character, perhaps even in multiple versions, but he may be even more involved with the project.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C2NzuGjSA51

2K’s Goal With WWE 2K24

WWE’s next video game, WWE 2K24, is coming. The teases are starting to flow in, and those may provide clues on what’s to come. Plenty of featured are desired by gamers, and they are a tough crowd to please. 2K knows what it’s like to botch a video game release, if you remember 2k20, and they don’t want to repeat history at all in that regard.

When WWE 2K24 Will Be Released

The release date for WWE 2K24 remains undisclosed at this point, but we might receive this vital information within the next few days. The latest release in the series, WWE 2K23, became available on March 14th, 2023, offering gamers the chance to experience it on various platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch. 

A comprehensive review of the last game is accessible on Amazon for those interested in exploring its features and gameplay.

EC3: CYN Faced Frivolous Lies & Sabotage, Banning Moves Was Genius

Thomas Lowson
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Control Your Narrative faced saboteurs looking to strike down the company and the genius plans involved, according to promotion co-founder EC3.

Following his release from WWE in 2020 which came after a doomed main-roster run, EC3 would host his own ‘Free the Narrative’ pay-per-views and would speak at length about wanting to control his own narrative. In February 2022, EC3 and Adam ‘Braun Strowman’ Scherr announced Control Your Narrative, a new promotion taking inspiration from the film ‘Fight Club.’

The Sabotage of CYN

The announcement of CYN was met with ridicule by some fans, who poked fun at the overly serious nature of the promotion as well as the idea of talent booking their own storylines. CYN’s ‘rules’ also drew derision from fans, including the ‘rule’ your fight isn’t with your opponent, but with yourself. Speaking on the Insight podcast, EC3 claimed that some of the bad press the promotion received came from acts of sabotage. 

“What is a professional wrestler’s number one job? This is an Al Snow question… To get attention, right? It’s about getting attention. And yeah, there’s good attention and there’s bad attention. It [Control Your Narrative] received bad attention but that attention was all based on frivolous lies and people trying to sabotage something before it even started.

“Because, in theory, we did make some strong waves and provided something unique, where once you become a threat in the industry, you are sought to be destroyed before you grow.”

Banning Moves

One of the most derided aspects of CYN’s rulebook was the outlawing of certain moves, including the superkick and the suicide dive. On the podcast, EC3 stuck to his guns and explained why these bans were a smart call. 

“It is still the most genius concept I have. Because on the surface, you’re overreacting to something where you don’t understand or haven’t seen the content develop. It’s probably my fault you don’t understand because the content wasn’t readily available. But, I banned the superkick, the suicide dive, and the Canadian destroyer. And the reasons were because those moves are so cool. But they’re so overdone, that they’ve lost their meaning.

“If you watch our CYN show in Dallas. We had this big multi-man match where somebody who does the superkick was out of position. Thought about it, couldn’t do it. Something [like that] happens, their instincts kick in. They hit the superkick. BOOM! Nails somebody, he’s out. That dude [the kicker] gets disqualified.

“So as he’s getting thrown out of the building, another guy comes in, pins him [the wrestler who was kicked] because the kick was so effective, that it left that man devastated. So it [banning moves] wasn’t to hate superkicks, it’s just we’re doing them so much. They have so much value if we do them right.

“Same with the suicide dive… You can do whatever you want. Just don’t go flying through the middle rope. But then the idea of that too, was I had somebody go for it. They missed and they got stretchered out of the building because it was so devastating and they didn’t hit it. 

It’s been over a year since CYN held its most recent event. While not confirmed, the future of the promotion looks increasingly bleak, especially considering that Strowman returned to WWE in September 2022. 

EC3 is now the NWA’s top star, but there’s been resentment in that promotion… 

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

WWE Teaming With ACP to Help Veterans, Montez Ford Is Nonprofit’s First Athlete Mentor

Thomas Lowson
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WWE SmackDown Superstar Montez Ford is proud to partner with the ACP to help service veterans transition into civilian careers. 

The ACP (American Corporate Partners) is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping returning veterans and active-duty spouses. ACP often organizes professional developmental mentorship programs that allow those seeking help to learn valuable work and life skills from experts. 

The program was launched in 2008 and to date, over 30,000 veterans and spouses have completed mentorship programs. These include access to résumé building and interview preparation, career exploration, networking opportunities, small business development, and leadership and professional communication resources

Montez Ford and ACP

In a press release, WWE announced that Ford will be the first pro athlete to serve as a registered mentor for ACP. Ford who served in the United States Marine Corps before coming to WWE, said it was an honor to be part of the program. 

“WWE has a long-standing history of supporting our nation’s active service members, veterans, and their families. It is an honor to represent WWE as part of this partnership with ACP and its outstanding mentorship program.”

Sidney E. Goodfriend, Chairman of ACP, was excited about the partnership between WWE and the nonprofit organization. 

“All of us at ACP are excited to begin our partnership with WWE. Frequently our post 9/11 veteran proteges seek career guidance in the field of entertainment and we are delighted to be able to provide them with mentors from a top leader in the industry.”

Montez Ford is a former U.S. Marine, but he isn’t the only name in professional wrestling to serve their country… 

Sammy Guevara Sidelined With An Injury After Scary Bump

Bishal Roy
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Chris Jericho has revealed that Sammy Guevara has sustained an injury that is likely to keep him on the shelf.

Guevara has been missing out on in-ring due to multiple injuries in the recent past. Last year, he suffered a concussion during WrestleDream pay-per-view event. During a trios tag match, Guevara joined forces with Konosuke Takeshita and Will Ospreay to face off Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, and Kota Ibushi. This battle culminated with Guevara pinning Chris Jericho.

Sammy Guevara injured

The former TNT Champion has yet again suffered an injury on last week’s AEW Battle of the Belts IX. Ricky Starks and Big Bill put their AEW World Tag Team Championship on the line against Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara in a Street Fight. 

In the final moments of the match, Guevara dived off a lighting rig onto Starks. However, Powerhouse Hobbs pulled Starks out of the way to make the save and Guevara crashed onto the floor as Starks pinned him for the win. It seems that it was at this moment, ‘The Spanish God’ sustained an injury. Here’s what Chris Jericho said:

Sammy Guevara eyeing to be cautious in the ring

Sammy Guevara has high-flying moves in his arsenal but they are quite risky to execute. A slight mistake could lead to injuries. Though he attempted a risky move this past week, Guevara had previously stated that he would be more cautious with his high-flying spots in the ring now that he and Tay Melo are parents. 

The couple recently welcomed their first child, a baby girl Luna. Guevara could not be happier to be a dad but given his new role as a father, he needs to be more cautious.

Speaking on the Insight podcast, Guevara spoke about how becoming a dad will likely change his wrestling style. He said:

“It’s pretty cool for sure and now it’s got me thinking differently just in wrestling. Because I’m used to doing all the ‘I’m Crazy ‘ stuff but now I’m like, yeah, I guess I can’t be that crazy anymore… I don’t know if we’re going to dial it back but I think we’ll be more selective with how and when we do the crazy stuff.” 

The details of the injury are yet to be disclosed but fans are hoping that it won’t keep him away from the squared circle much longer.

We at SEScoops wish Sammy Guevara a speedy recovery.

Ash By Elegance on Toni Storm Comparrions: “Relax Everyone, It’s a Hair Style”

Thomas Lowson
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TNA Wrestling’s Ash By Elegance is hoping for some calm from fans who have wasted no time in comparing her to AEW’s ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm. 

Elegance debuted for TNA Wrestling at last week’s Hard to Kill event. She is best known for her tenure with WWE from 2015 to 2023 where she worked as Dana Brooke. The elegant wrestler became a 15-time WWE 24/7 Champion before she was among those released in September of last year. 

Elegance Responds to Toni Storm Comparrisons 

Ash By Elegance was certainly dressed to impress at TNA Hard to Kill, as she wore a bedazzled outfit complimented with a fur coat. On-point makeup completed her look which some fans found too similar to the reigning AEW Women’s World Champion. On social media, fans argued that Elegance is ripping off Storm, whose Hollywood starlet character has been a hit with audiences. In a tweet of her own, Ash By Elegance shared her response. 

Ash By Elegance: What Do We Know? 

TNA’s most elegant Knockout didn’t arrive to Hard to Kill alone. Elegance was accompanied by a manager (which some have seen as TNA’s answer to Luther.) This mystery individual is George Iceman. In his Instagram bio, Iceman describes himself as an on-air personality for TNA Wrestling. He also claims that he is the manager of a future TNA Knockouts World Champion. 

Elegance told Busted Open Radio this week that this new persona is a “different side of me.” She vowed to “show everyone what class and elegance really means” and bring all of these traits to her matches. So far, TNA has not confirmed when Ash By Elegance will make her in-ring debut.

The Young Bucks Are Tired Of “Self-Serving Superficial, Cancerous Superstars”

Thomas Lowson
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The Young Bucks didn’t hold back in their comments on this week’s Dynamite, which some believe was about a certain Chicago-Made punk. 

During last week’s Dynamite, the Bucks returned to programming following a hiatus and had a staredown with Darby Allin and Sting. While not confirmed, it is believed the Bucks will face Allin and the Icon at AEW Revolution 2024. The March pay-per-view will mark three years since Sting’s wrestling debut for AEW and will see the WWE Hall of Famer’s last match. 

The Young Bucks Are Tired

On this week’s Dynamite, the Bucks demonstrated their new, serious personas, which falls in line with 2023 reports stating that the pair would have a darker side upon returning. In a sit-down interview with Renee Paquette, the Bucks spoke about how AEW has changed under their watch, and how that change occurred. Matt said: 

“We did lose our way, it was like the culture shifted and toxicity creeped into the locker rooms, and the perception of the company, it was just different. I think I know why. We started to lean on yesterday’s self-serving, superficial, cancerous superstars.”

Many fans have seen this comment as a nod to CM Punk, who the Bucks would butt heads with in AEW. The Bucks and Punk would be on opposite sides during the infamous AEW All Out 2022 brawl that would see all three men (and others) suspended. 

Not only does Punk fit the ‘Superstar’ moniker given his recent return to WWE, but the “cancerous” line is seemingly a knock at the Best in the World. Chris Jericho would call Punk a cancer following the All Out fight. Shortly after, WWE’s Seth Rollins would use the same verbiage when calling for Punk to stay away from WWE. 

Fans Respond

You can check out some of the responses by fans to this week’s promo below:

https://twitter.com/SolitaireRose/status/1747805769142055109

Despite Rollins’ warning, Punk did return to WWE, which Rollins wasn’t happy with… 

Samoa Joe Marks First AEW World Title Defense With Win Over HOOK

Thomas Lowson
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The AEW World Championship reign of Samoa Joe is off to a strong start following a hard-fought victory over HOOK on this week’s Dynamite. 

Joe has held the gold since December 30 when AEW held its first Worlds End pay-per-view. At that event, Samoa Joe won the AEW World Championship from MJF, ending the latter’s record-breaking reign. After the match, Adam Cole would be revealed as the Devil with Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, Roderick Strong, and Wardlow as his minions.

Samoa Joe Vs. HOOK

In the main event of this week’s Dynamite, Joe defended his gold against HOOK. Thanks to a sponsorship from the new Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League video game (in which Joe voices King Shark), the match aired commercial-free. 

Joe dominated early on, and would put HOOK through the announce table, though the second-generation wrestler responded by flipping off the champ. This earned HOOK a powerbomb onto the apron, though he was able to make it back to the ring. 

HOOK mounted a comeback and was able to kick out of a Muscle Buster at one, to the surprise of Joe and the crowd. In the end, the Coquina Clutch sealed the win for the champion, but Joe looked shocked at how much it took to put HOOK away.

After the Match

Despite his defeat, HOOK refused to stay down and trash-talked Joe after the match. This earned the FTW Champion another beatdown. Before more damage could be done, ‘Hangman’ Adam Page and Swerve Strickland arrived on the scene and Joe walked away. Both Page and Strickland have made it clear they intend to challenge Joe for the AEW World Championship when the time is right. 

Mark Briscoe Brings Jay Briscoe’s Children to Dynamite on One Year Anniversary of His Death

Samantha Schipman
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One year ago, the wrestling world was stunned by the death of Jay Briscoe (Jamin Pugh). He and his brother, Mark, were 13-time ROH Tag Team Champions. They last competed together just a few weeks earlier at ROH’s Final Battle. 

At the time of the accident, Jay had his daughters in the car with him. Youngest daughter, Jayleigh, sustained serious injuries. She had to wear a neck brace and an external fixator for several weeks.  

Gracie had back surgery the morning after the accident. Following surgery, she needed outpatient rehab five days a week. Last February, a family friend stated that Gracie was walking with assistance, although she didn’t have full movement below her knee. 

On Dynamite, the Pugh family was in the audience. Mark came out to talk about the anniversary of his brother’s death. 

“My nieces were in the truck with them. Tragically, they told my oldest niece they were injured severely. They told my oldest niece, ‘you’ll never walk again.’ However…dammit. God is on the throne! We Dem Boyz, dammit! We won’t stop because we can’t stop! We ain’t going nowhere! We thank every one of y’all from the bottom of our heart and we love y’all, man. God bless y’all.”

Briscoe embraced his nieces and nephew, Gannon. 

Over the last year, Mark has been wrestling primarily as a singles wrestler. He has called this his rookie year as a singles competitor. Mark splits his time between AEW and his beloved ROH. 

Randy Orton Names His Dream WrestleMania Opponent: “Fans would eat it up”

Dominic DeAngelo
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Randy Orton can be a world title contender at any moment and The Viper will be one of three Royal Rumble weekend, but what about WrestleMania?

Orton will join AJ Styles and LA Knight as challengers for Roman Reigns’ big gold in one of the featured fights. Before that, Orton was a special guest on WWE’s The Bump and was asked about potentially becoming WWE Champion again. This prompted Orton to mention the name of a long-time rival.

“A dream match for me would be to somehow find myself in a situation where I’m fighting Cena at WrestleMania for the title. I don’t know how you get there. I’m not saying it’s gonna happen, but I have never wrestled John at WrestleMania in a singles match. We had some wars back in the day, so being able to revisit that after all this, I think it’s not only something that I would want, I think the fans would eat it up too.” 

To Orton’s point, The Apex Predator saw Cena in the ring nearly countless times over a decade ago. The rivalry was taken to the well so many times that it notoriously became a match-up that fans would get sick of.

Cena made his return to WWE over the summer, but Orton and he crossed like two ships in the night as Orton made his return at Survivor Series.

At Royal Rumble, the initial belief was that Orton would likely challenge Roman Reigns one-on-one for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship, but a report from Dave Meltzer stated Styles and Knight were added to the fight in order to prolong that singles fight for a battle down the road.

Please credit The Bump and h/t to Fightful for the transcription.

TNA Wrestling Officially Inks Deal With Released WWE Superstar

Aaron Varble
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TNA Wrestling is looking to cause as much commotion as they can in the pro wrestling world, and they have inked a former WWE Superstar to a deal in hopes to do just that. WWE released a slew of talent in September 2023, and now one of them is locked into a TNA deal.

TNA Wrestling Secures Another Ex WWE Superstar

Dana Brooke was among those releases in September. Along with Nic Nemeth, she also debuted at TNA Wrestling’s Hard to Kill event. Now, the former Total Divas star is set to do her own thing in another company with a new name.

As Ash By Elegance, Dana Brooke has a lot of attention. She confirmed while speaking with Ring The Belle that her TNA Wrestling contract is official. 

“It is official. The big secret is out. I am signed with TNA Wrestling, which is an amazing opportunity, and I can not wait to explore that Knockouts Division.” 

Ash By Elegance is Very Happy with TNA Wrestling

Ash also thought a bit about her debut for TNA Wrestling. She really enjoyed the experience, as she made her presence known in the company.

“It was spectacular. While that Knockouts Title match was going on, I just wanted to make my way out to the ring, and let my presence be known, and watch an amazing match with one of my old coworkers, Trinity. So I was really excited to show up and watch her against Jordynne, which was an amazing, amazing match. But also wanted to make a statement and let everybody know that my eyes are on that Knockouts Title,”

Ash By Elegance is an interesting name, and she can’t wait to show fans more of that new character. She definitely has a positive outlook on the future.

Kota Ibushi May Need Additional Surgeries After Knee Procedure

Aaron Varble
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Kota Ibushi put his body through a lot during his years in NJPW prior to signing with AEW. Sadly, his time in AEW started off with an injury, and now he could need even more work done.

Kota Ibushi Will Need More Work After Surgery

Kota Ibushi was set to have surgery on January 17th. He had that operation and afterward, he took to social media to give fans an update.

While posting to Twitter/X, Kota Ibushi revealed that he is recovering after his latest operation. Now, he needs to worry about what is next, which includes a pesky bad shoulder.

Sorry for the late report. It looks like the ligament was completely torn (another spot was already little to begin with) and is now completely immobilized in a cast up to about below the knee. The next step is to see what will happen to the left side, and the right side will go for 2 weeks. My shoulder is not in perfect condition and I intend to fix everything this time. I apologize for the inconvenience. I will think about the rest in various ways.

How Kota Ibushi Was Injured

Tony Khan’s roster has seen a few big names go down for an extended period of time. Pro wrestling always comes with risks, but Ibushi is one of the best in the world when he’s on his A-Game. Hopefully, AEW will get a good run with Ibushi before everything is said and done.

Kota had a match against Naomichi Marufuji at NOAH The New Year, during which he sustained an ankle injury. Following the conclusion of the match, he faced difficulty standing and was subsequently transported to the hospital. Pro Wrestling NOAH disclosed that he received a diagnosis of a right tibiofibular ligament tear and a right ankle lateral ligament complex injury.

Samoa Joe Names Three Wrestling Stars Who “Hit Like A Truck”

Dominic DeAngelo
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Samoa Joe is known to be a hard-hitter, but the AEW World Champion named three other names who pack their own special kind of power. However, none of them hit as hard as he does.

In light of his first World Title defense this Wednesday on AEW Dynamite, Samoa Joe spoke with Chris Mueller of Bleacher Report to talk about his one-on-one fight with HOOK. Joe previously had some good praise for the young AEW star and did just as much in this interview too.

Mount Rushmore of Hardest Hitters in Wrestling

The champ was asked about who he would name as the hardest hitters in wrestling. Joe named two Japanese legends before naming three modern talents that devastate with their own power.

“The list is a Mount Rushmore of some of the most dangerous people in the world,” he said. “You start from [Kenta] Kobashi and [Mitsuharu] Misawa. Young Wardlow. He hits like a truck. Brock Lesnar hits like a truck. Roman Reigns hits like a truck.”

There’s tons of people around the sphere of wrestling who all hit hard, and I’ve felt all that power, but they don’t hit as hard as me.”

Reigns and Lesnar have had their fair share of championships, but the AEW World Title is the first World Championship Joe has held since his TNA days. 

Since he defeated MJF for the championship at World’s End, Joe has laid out a new format as to who will be deemed as appropriate for challegning for his AEW gold. To him, wins and losses matter and his first challenger HOOK has an impressive record worthy for his challenge.

John Cena Is Open To Wrestle ‘Big Final Match’ In WWE

Aaron Varble
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John Cena is proclaimed as the Greatest of all Time, and the 16x World Champion is a crossover pop culture star at this point. As he looks back at what he’s done in his career, he has absolutely raked up a ton of advice to share. He also knows that all good things must come to an end, no matter how legendary the journey is.

John Cena’s New Role in Pro Wrestling

During a recent interview with PEOPLE, John Cena opened up about his future. He has done a lot in the ring, but at this point, he wants to mentor talent. The shoo-in WWE Hall of Famer is up to do a lot of things.

Right now, Cena is looking at a new chapter in his career, and he doesn’t know how much time he has left in WWE. He doesn’t want to keep wrestling for his own sake, because it is for the fans.

“I turned 47 this past year and I don’t have much time left in the WWE. You know, I’m trying to figure out when to close that chapter. I wouldn’t be who I am — professionally or personally — without the WWE, and I promised myself that I would never simply just be there for my own sake. Every time I perform, I want to give my all to the audience. And I’ve got to admit when I hit the 45 mark, I had to begin to try to form an exit strategy and I’m trying to work on that currently.”

Cena Is Open To Wrestle A Big Final Match

John Cena has been game to do whatever is best for business, no matter what is asked of him. At this point, he can be placed into any facet of WWE’s product, just to be a part of things, and he’s ready to accept that new role. He also openly stated that he is up for a final match situation.

“I just want to do what’s best for the company. If it’s a big final match or if it’s just a final match, or however I can be integrated into the product to let everyone know that this chapter is over, I’m willing to listen to what WWE has to say.”

John Cena Open To Mentor Talent

John Cena’s time in WWE will be remembered for many things by different people. Cena’s trip to NXT during his latest run in the company showed that he wants to make an effort to pass the knowledge he has along to a new generation.

“I do have almost two and a half decades of wisdom built up where I think I can offer a mentor perspective for sure. So, if I am not integrated with the WWE family moving forward and in perpetuity, then I think it’s a waste for everyone involved.”

Cena is incredibly busy with Hollywood, and it took a historic strike to make his last WWE return a reality. He hasn’t officially hung up his jorts in retirement, but he definitely wants to make the most of every moment he may have left.

Andrade El Idolo’s Expected WWE Return Was A Interesting Process

Aaron Varble
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WWE has seen several returns over the last couple of years. Triple H brought back several people that Vince McMahon either released or he let their contract expire. Now, all signs point to Andrade’s return.

Andrade’s Expected WWE Return

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that Andrade el Idolo has concluded his time with All Elite Wrestling, and has reached an agreement with WWE. This was said to be a “roller coaster” situation.

Initially Andrade signed to a two-year deal with AEW, the inclusion of injury time extended his contract. So, his contract was stretched to the end of the year.

AEW talent noted Andrade’s transparency regarding his contract status, as he did not hide anything backstage. El Idolo made it clear that his deal would conclude in or by the end of 2023. Despite there was a brief time when he reportedly expressed intentions to stay with AEW and consider another contract, towards the end of his run, he informed fellow wrestlers of his decision to return to WWE.

Some within AEW even anticipated his appearance on WWE programming shortly after his departure. They were surprised that he hasn’t debuted yet. With the Royal Rumble coming up on January 27th, that could very well be a landing pad for his return as well.

Reasons Behind Andrade’s AEW Exit

Although Tony Khan left the door open for Andrade’s return publicly, individuals working closely with Andrade found the process frustrating, with him revealing days before World’s End that he was concluding his time with AEW.

Additionally, it is reported that Charlotte Flair advocated for Andrade’s return to WWE, and Andrade himself had suggested that AEW link up with Ric Flair.

WWE has not confirmed Andrade’s return to the company just yet, but the general belief is that he is coming back to television. The former NXT Champion may be back on RAW or SmackDown very soon.

‘Double Surgeries’ – AEW star Keith Lee dealt another setback

Tyriece Simon
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All Elite Wrestling superstar Keith Lee’s year is off to a rocky start. He suffered a setback last month when he had to pull out of a match against Swerve Strickland at AEW World’s End due to an injury. While fans have been hopeful he would return to action soon, he won’t be able to compete for a while. 

In a statement written to Nick Hausman, Lee shared that he is set to undergo two double surgeries. AEW star seems to admit that he didn’t need surgery for 19 years of his career, but unfortunately, it was his time. 

Hausman transcribed the following quotes he received from Lee. 

“Took roughly 19 years…. but I guess it’s my turn,” wrote Lee. He continued, “Time to get fixed. Here’s to double surgeries. Certainly, one way to start 2024.”

It’s unclear what the specific injury Lee has to get fixed or how long he is expected to be out of action. The update from the AEW superstar is unfortunate, as it seemed like he was recently building momentum in the company.

 Lee started gaining traction by winning a mixed eight-person tag team match at AEW WrestleDream on October 1, 2023. He continued to be featured for both AEW and Ring Of Honor, including competing in a loss against Samoa Joe for the ROH World Television Championship. In his last three matches, he won three consecutive matches, and AEW was ready to feature his long-awaited rematch with Strickland. 

At this time, it’s unclear if the company plans to continue with the program when he eventually returns. 

Could AEW Continue the Feud Between Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland

Although the feud between Lee and Strickland is unresolved, Strickland has moved on to another big storyline. He is in the mix to compete for the AEW World Championship and is involved in a feud with “Hangman” Adam Page. 

On the January 10 episode of AEW Dynamite, Strickland shared his intentions to challenge for the world title before Page interrupted him. AEW may have another match planned between Page and Strickland as they look to end their rivalry. While it’s unclear if Strickland will get another win and move on to challenge for the championship, AEW seems to have plans for him.

 Lee’s primary focus for the foreseeable future will be to recover from injuries. If he can return fully healthy, he can build momentum again, and the company can restart his feud with Strickland.

Although the timing of the injuries is unlucky, AEW fans will support Lee and look forward to him returning to the ring at 100 percent. 

 

WWE 2K24 is coming: First details on the next wrestling video game

Michael Shalik
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WWE will release another installment of its long-running video game franchise with 2K Sports later this year. This was confirmed by 2K today, and fans are excited.

On Wednesday, WWE 2K sent out a social media update to reflect a logo for WWE 2K24, along with a date: 1.22.2024. No more information was given, but the date is enough to lock in plans for January 22nd for some big news.

WWE 2K

WWE has worked with video game publisher 2K since 2013. WWE has a long-running history in the video game world, dating back to early home consoles. They have also been a consistent yearly presence on game release lists. 

This year’s game, WWE 2K24, will be the 10th installment in the WWE 2K series, which launched in 2013 with WWE 2K14. There are a lot of possibilities for the new game, as they celebrate another edition for the long-running franchise. 

SEScoops will have extensive coverage of the next WWE video game in the months ahead. As we see each year, be on the lookout for details on the WWE 2K24 cover, roster and more.

When will WWE 2K24 be released?

The date WWE 2K24 will be released is unknown at this time, but we may find out this crucial detail in just a matter of days. The most recent installment, WWE 2K23, was released on March 14th, 2023.

WWE 2K23 is now available at Amazon for PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch. You can check out our review of the game here.

Samoa Joe: CM Punk-Jack Perry Fight Was “A Little Bit Of An Incident” And Nothing More

Thomas Lowson
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CM Punk & Jack Perry fought backstage at AEW All In 2023, but the pair did not have some epic showdown according to Samoa Joe. 

The infamous brawl would take place after Perry’s kick-off match with HOOK, in which the former Jungle Boy referred to using real glass. Punk, who has previously made clear his opposition to using real glass, would confront Perry about the comment, resulting in a fight.

Samoa Joe On All In Brawl

Much like the brawl at AEW All Out 2022, the fight at Wembley Stadium would dominate headlines and in the eyes of many, would overshadow AEW’s historic international event. Despite threatening to quit AEW on the spot, Punk would compete in the All In main-card opening contest against Samoa Joe. In a recent interview with ESPN, the reigning AEW World Champion played down the notion that the fight between Perry and Punk was some massive spectacle. 

“There was a little bit of an incident. We got it broken up. We went out there and wrestled, man. That’s the gist of it. Everybody wants it to be a lot more than what it is, but that’s what it was. And to speak any more on it would be pointless unless you’re trying to get a scorecard and stuff — but trust me, it wasn’t that type of a fight.”

What Happened Next? 

After a brief investigation, Tony Khan made the call for Punk’s AEW contract to be terminated. Ahead of a Collision taping in Punk’s native Chicago, Khan explained to the fans that he was fearing for his life backstage at All In. Punk would return to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 and has since been one of the promotion’s top Superstars. 

Jack Perry, like Punk, was suspended following AEW All In. While his suspension reportedly ended months ago, Perry has not returned to AEW programming. Instead, Perry recently debuted for NJPW where he tore up an AEW contract. 

Dustin Rhodes Says His Legacy Isn’t Goldust, AEW or Championships. It’s His Sobriety

Thomas Lowson
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Dustin Rhodes has accomplished plenty in the world of professional wrestling, but his consistent sobriety is the veteran’s greatest accomplishment.

Rhodes is perhaps best known for his WWE tenure as the bizarre Goldust but has also competed for WCW and other promotions. In 2019, Rhodes joined AEW as a wrestler and also works as a coach for the promotion.

Like many wrestlers, Rhodes has faced struggles and dealt with addiction to alcohol and substances. In an episode of The Sessions, Rhodes shared that medicating to recover from a 1996 injury would set him down a destructive path. Thankfully, Rhodes has been able to overcome addiction and has proudly been sober for over 15 years.

Dustin Rhodes on his legacy

Speaking to veteran sports journalist Justin Barrasso for Sports Illustrated, Rhodes noted his sobriety as the most long-lasting accolade he has.

“My sobriety, that’s my legacy. And I understand it’s OK to have bad days. There will be better ones. Life has been an incredible teacher. I’ve learned a lot, and I plan on being clean and sober for the rest of my life.”

Rhodes also reflected on his years of addiction and the toll it took on him and his career.

“I wasn’t seeing clearly back in the day, and I paid for it heavily. Sometimes, I’m still trying to prove myself, even when I don’t need to. I came out the other side. The devil is still sitting here, right on my shoulder. All’s I need to do is walk with him. But each new day, I tell him, ‘No, I’m going to be good today.’ So I’m not going to drink. I’m not going to do drugs. I have my sh– together, and I’m fixin’ to get on with my life.”

Rhodes will face Christian Cage for the TNT Championship on tonight’s AEW Dynamite. The match will be the first singles encounter between the two veterans since 2003.

R-Truth Reveals Which Judgment Day Member Pushed To Keep Him Around

Aaron Varble
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WWE has a few sure-fire angles going, one that are guaranteed to be money-makers. R-Truth’s story with the Judgment Day shocked everyone to see how rapidly the WWE Universe responded.

R-Truth In Judgment Day

Judgement Day is comprised of Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh. It is hard to get into their family, but R-Truth apparently found a way through their bank accounts.

WWE ran an angle on RAW this week where R-Truth made direct reference to how well his new Judgment Day t-shirt is selling. He gave Priest his cut of the profits, and that calmed him down a bit.

While speaking to Busted Open Radio, R-Truth revealed that it was Damian Priest who pushed for him to remain in the Judgment Day stable. Señor Money in the Bank saw that the angle was working, and he was very correct in his observation.

“I was happy. I was ready to get out of the house and go back to the sport that I love. When they said I was working with Judgment Day, I was like, ‘Let’s do it. What are we doing?’ They could have said I was working with anybody and I was ready. I will say this, Judgment Day, they all want me.”

“I will say Damian Priest, he was like, ‘Bro, we should keep you around. This thing is working.’ He actually went to, I think it was Hunter [Triple H] and the writers. Damian Priest fought for it.”

R-Truth Is Raking In Cash For Judgment Day

R-Truth became the top merchandise seller in WWE after his Judgment Day angle took off. He dethroned CM Punk from his #1 position, a place the Second City Savior has been since his November 25th WWE Survivor Series return.

Judgment Day has not officially accepted R-Truth into the stable yet. If he can keep bringing in this kind of revenue, then that may grease the wheels.

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