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John Cena Comes Clean About His Life-Long Lie: “I’m Visible, People Can See Me”

Thomas Lowson
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WWE’s own John Cena has revealed the truth that he’s buried for decades behind a lie; that he is visible and that fans can indeed see him. 

Despite being one of WWE’s most prominently featured Superstars for years, Cena’s catchphrase ‘You Can’t See Me’ would become synonymous with Big Match John. The line has since branched off into a meme among fans who pretend not to be able to see Cena when he makes appearances both in and out of the ring. 

John Cena Comes Clean

During a recent interview with MTV’s Josh Horowitz, Cena and Ricky Stanicky co-star Zac Efron were asked whether they’ve ever lied in an interview. Cena (admittedly tongue-in-cheek) used the question to make his stark confession. 

“[I lie in interviews] All the time. I don’t think there’s an ounce of truth in anything I’ve said. Ever. I’m living in a lie. I’m living a whole lie. I think I’m visible. I think people can see me.”

The topic of dishonesty is a pivotal part of Ricky Stanicky. The film tells the story of friends who in their youth made up a fake friend (the titular Stanicky) to get our of trouble and obligations. Now grown up, the friends are confronted about Stanicky and hire an actor [Cena] to bring their fake friend to life. 

What’s Next for John Cena? 

Should the fans forgive Cena for his years of lying, the WWE Universe may indeed see John at WrestleMania 40. Cena is eager to do something at WWE’s annual two-night Showcase, though there are no confirmed plans for Big Match John publicly known at this time. 

RVD Says It’s Cool That Paul Heyman Is Getting His Flowers Ahead Of WWE HOF Induction

Thomas Lowson
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Former WWE and ECW World Champion Rob Van Dam is pleased that Paul Heyman is getting his proverbial ‘flowers’ with his upcoming Hall of Fame induction. 

Earlier this month, it was announced that Heyman will be inducted as part of this year’s class on April 5. The honor is richly deserved for Heyman, who has excelled in various roles in wrestling. In addition to being Roman Reigns‘ special counsel, Heyman has managed others, worked as a commentator, a writer, and ran ECW during the company’s peak.

Rob Van Dam on Paul Heyman’s Induction

Few names did better under the watchful eye than RVD, who became a success in both the original ECW and WWE. In a recent interview with Wrestle Binge, the former World Champion was pleased that Heyman is getting his due. 

“It’s pretty cool they’re giving him his flowers because he was the man. He was the one that made ECW happen… he’s the guy that made everything possible.”

RVD also heralded Heyman’s work in WWE and recalled many in the company being opposed to Paul at first due to his ECW history. 

“When I was there back then… he didn’t get a lot of respect in the way of the other agents didn’t like ECW, were trying to fight it, didn’t want it to come in. They were giving him a hard time.”

Van Dam concluded by stating that ECW became a success of Heyman’s leadership, braveness, and passion, and is pleased to see the sacrifices Heyman has made pay off. 

WWE Hall of Fame 2024

Heyman will be part of what is shaping up to be a star-studded class of inductees. Bull Nakano will be inducted this year. The former WWF Women’s Champion had a successful run in and out of WWE and is currently the commissioner of Bushiroad. The US Express will also be inducted as part of this year’s class. 

H/T – Fightful

WWE Megastars Collide: The Rock & John Cena Reunite Backstage At 2024 Oscars

Thomas Lowson
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WWE’s own John Cena was able to reunite with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson following the 16-time World Champion’s viral appearance at the 2024 Oscars. 

Cena was on hand to present the award for ‘Best Costume’ but was hardly dressed for the occasion. In a throwback to the 1974 ceremony that saw a streaker interrupt a speech by David Niven, Cena appeared in the ‘nude’ and covered his unmentionables with a large envelope. During a video package for the nominees, Cena and co-host Jimmy Kimmel were able to fashion a makeshift outfit for the WWE megastar turned Hollywood powerhouse. 

John Cena & The Rock Reunite

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was also present for this year’s Oscars as he presented an award with fellow WWE alum Bad Bunny. In a photo shared online, Cena can be seen greeting his friend and former WrestleMania rival. 

What’s Next? 

The Rock will make his return to the ring at WrestleMania 40: Saturday. He will team with Roman Reigns to face Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins. Should The Bloodline win, the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match the next night will be under ‘Bloodline Rules.’ Should Rhodes and Rollins win, then the Bloodline will not be involved in the next night’s main event. 

As for John Cena, his future in WWE remains unclear. Cena is hoping to do something at WrestleMania, but no plans have been confirmed for the 16-time WWE World Champion. Cena was part of last year’s WrestleMania event where he lost to then-U.S. Champion Austin Theory in the Saturday opener. 

Paul Wight Comments On Transition To AEW: “Greatest Thing That Has Ever Happened To Me”

Anutosh Bajpai
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From Sting to Jim Ross if there is one thing AEW can take pride in, it’s their fair treatment of industry veterans and making them feel appreciated in the late stages of their career. Paul Wight is another such talent to whom AEW has given a second chance, and the former World Champion thinks it’s the best thing that could happen to him.

The wrestling veteran recently spoke to Jack Curry of The Yes Network while visiting the George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa to support the New York Yankees.

During the talk, the former WWE star was asked about his transition to AEW. Paul Wight mentioned how he was fortunate to have a lengthy run with the TKO-owned promotion. He also explained how he is grateful for the opportunity that has been given to him by Tony Khan:

“It’s been fantastic. I was blessed to work for a big company for a lot of years all over the world. Now at my stage of the game, to find myself useful in a company that allows me to spread a lot of my knowledge to the younger talent, get a chance to get on the microphone every now and then and enhance them, help their characters along and then get in the ring and mix it up.

It’s probably the single greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m blessed, grateful and thankful for the fans that still like to see me do my thing.”

Following a WCW stint, Paul Wight had a lengthy WWE career. After joining the company in 1999, he spent more than 2 decades in the promotion and won over a dozen titles. He finally left the company in January 2021 and debuted in AEW as a commentator a month later.

You can check out Wight’s full interview below:

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

WWE’s Naomi & Zelina Vega Pay Tribute to Late Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama At Live Event

Thomas Lowson
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The Superstars of WWE paid a touching tribute to Akira Toriyama at a recent live event, following the manga titan’s death at the age of 68. 

Toriyama’s death was announced last week. He had suffered an acute subdural hematoma, which is a type of bleeding near the brain, his studio reported. Toriyama is best known for creating the manga hit Dragon Ball, which has spawned shows, movies, video games, and more. The main series follows Goku and his efforts to collect the titular Dragon Balls to protect the Earth. 

WWE Tributes to Akira Toriyama

At a recent WWE live event, WWE’s Zelina Vega and Naomi paid a special tribute to Toriyama while in the ring. The pair performed a ‘Fusion’ move from Dragon Ball. In the hit series, this allows two characters to ‘fuse’ and become even more powerful than as two individuals. On Twitter, Vega shared the spot in question. 

In a tweet of her own, Naomi said she was “fused for life” with her “sis” Vega. When a fan pointed out that the fusion in the show only lasts for 30 minutes, Naomi admitted that she’s still learning about Dragon Ball. 

Zelina Vega and Dragon Ball

While Naomi is a newbie to the world of Dragon Ball, Vega’s love for the series can’t be denied. At WWE Money in the Bank 2023, Vega wore an attire referencing series villain Frieza, but was unsuccessful in the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match that was won by reigning WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY. 

The Rock & Bad Bunny Link Up For 96th Academy Awards

Aaron Varble
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The Rock is back in WWE as a big-time heel, but he was all smiles at the Oscar Awards on Sunday night. The People’s Champion also had a chance to rub elbows with another WWE Superstar that he hadn’t had a chance to meet yet.

Bad Bunny is a bona fide WWE Superstar at this point, but he is just very busy with his career as a global celebrity and rapper. He was on hand at the Academy Awards, and he also shared the stage with The Rock.

The Rock and Bad Bunny

The presence of wrestling extends far beyond the confines of the ring, permeating various aspects of entertainment and pop culture. This fact was more than proven at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, where Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Bad Bunny appeared together. They presented the Best International Film at the awards.

Despite their distinct career paths in acting and music, both individuals have left their mark on the world of professional wrestling. The Rock is obviously known as one of the most iconic Superstars in WWE history. Similarly, Bad Bunny, known for his chart-topping hits and persona in the music industry, has made waves in the wrestling world, including appearances at WrestleMania and a San Juan Street Fight at WWE Backlash 2023.

John Cena Bears All At Oscars

John Cena also had quite a time at the 96th Academy Awards. He showed up without any clothes on and had a nude streaker bit on stage.

During the ceremony, The Rock encountered John Cena backstage, coinciding with Cena’s appearance as he prepared to present the award for Best Costume Design.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling world and beyond. Keep checking back for more stories and updates.

John Cena Bares All: Goes Totally In Birthday Suit For Oscars Streaking Stunt

Aaron Varble
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John Cena is rarely seen in WWE nowadays, but his charm has taken over Hollywood. The Oscar Awards is a huge night for the entertainment industry, and Cena didn’t miss it. Unfortunately for him, he forgot his clothes.

Cena was on hand for the 96th Academy Awards to present the award for Best Costume. He also didn’t have to worry about what he what was going to wear, because he was streaking.

John Cena Streaks At The Oscars

Jimmy Kimmel introduced the Best Costume category by referencing a streaker who bombarded the ceremony with unexpected nudity in 1974. Then he gave an obvious cue to John Cena, who was standing off-stage in his birthday suit.

Cena appeared sheepish and said he changed his mind about streaking. Jimmy wanted him to do it next, and a back-and-forth resulted that produced a few big laughs from the crowd.

When Jimmy told John that he wrestled naked, Cena said, “I wrestle in jorts.” Then Kimmel replied, “JORTS ARE WORSE THAN BEING NAKED!” The crowd ate that up.

Finally, John Cena took the stage, totally nude, while covering his bathing suit area with the Best Costume category envelope. It was a moment of hilarious irony with nudity taking over the Best Costume category, as everyone saw Cena.

Cena did a quick change afterward, so nobody on television actually saw him nude. It was still a hilarious moment, and also proved that the 16x World Champion is now a beloved Hollywood star at this point.

What’s Next For John Cena

John Cena is going to try to make it back to do something for WrestleMania 40. He also strongly hinted that he will wear jorts as well.

Cena’s last match took place in Saudi Arabia at Crown Jewel. He needed surgery on both of his arms after his loss to Solo Sikoa. Then, he was back to Hollywood after the SAG-AFTRA Strike concluded.

Ricky Stanicky, Cena’s new movie available on Amazon Prime, just dropped. We have a full review of the hilarious movie here, and we also highly recommend it if you want to see him do more R-rated antics like that streaking stunt. Cena also opened up an OnlyFans for the new Ricky Stanicky character, and he’s been very active on it as well.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more, as we approach the road to WrestleMania. You never know when John Cena will pop up next, or how much of him we will see.

Social Media Shut Down: Sheamus Shocks Fans with Abrupt Twitter Exit

Aaron Varble
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WWE Superstars use social media all the time to connect with fans, hype their matches, and comment on society. Now, fans have one less Superstar to follow on Twitter/X.

Sheamus has been out of action since last year with a shoulder injury. Word is that his contract is up this year, but he still hasn’t returned. Now, the Celtic Warrior has taken himself off Elon Musk’s social media platform.

Sheamus Leaves Twitter/X

Although it is unclear why Sheamus would have nixed his Twitter/X account, that is the case. He hasn’t had any controversial posts, but he still exited the site.

His hiatus from WWE television aligns with a significant shoulder injury he’s been dealing with. Coincidentally, this absence also corresponds with the nearing expiration of his WWE contract, prompting speculation among fans regarding his potential re-signing with the company.

Sheamus is known for his active presence on Twitter, often providing updates on his status during his WWE break. That being said, he hasn’t upset anyone or had any reason to deactivate his account. Even though that is the case, his sudden deactivation of his Twitter account has come as a surprise to many.

What’s Next For Sheamus

It is very possible that WWE is freezing Sheamus’ contract, so he can’t leave so soon. We will have to see when he returns, but the Brawling Brutes faction was also disbanded in the meantime.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, in case there are new updates. Hopefully, Sheamus will be back soon, because you know if would rather not miss WrestleMania 40.

Chad Gable Gets Intense In Compelling New Video Ahead Of WWE Raw

Dominic DeAngelo
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Chad Gable really wanted to show wrestling fans that his potential Intercontinental Championship opportunity does indeed mean more for him.

On WWE Raw, Gable will be one of the six participants competing in a gauntlet match to earn a shot at Gunther and his Intercontinental gold at WrestleMania 40. Gable had his first chance on a September 2023 episode of Raw, but came up short. 

However, a fire was lit under him when Gunther made his daughter cry and ever since, Gable has been adamant at facing the unprecedented champion once again. That point was further hammered home on social media over the weekend as Gable posted a new vignette of himself expressing how important Monday’s match is to him.

“I’ve been running the gauntlet in my own head since that match with Gunther last September. Trust me, the only tears you wanna wipe off your child’s face are tears of joy, but if I want that chance, a new gauntlet stands in front of me. “

Gable says the match is full of “demons” of his past but that him going battling those is a chance at redemption for him.

“It’s a rare chance to rewrite history, we don’t get those every day so I intend to claim it and become a beacon of perseverance that my fans and my family can be proud of so I will endure, because for Chad Gable, this match just means more.”

Coming from a storyline perspective, Gable and Sami Zayn are the two stars in the match who have made the greatest case to compete against Gunther at WrestleMania. The other participants in the fight are Ricochet, JD McDonagh, Bronson Reed and Shinsuke Nakamura.

AJPW Star Yutaka Yoshie Suddenly Passes Away Following Match In Japan

Dominic DeAngelo
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Some extremely tragic news coming out of Japan on Sunday as All Japan Pro-Wrestling Star Yutaka Yoshie has passed away. Backstage following his tag match on Sunday, Yoshie’s health “suddenly deteriorated” and was quickly taken to a hospital in Tasaki City.  Yoshie was only 50 years old.

Yahoo Sports reports that Yoshie teamed with Ryo Inoue to face Hokuto Omori and Ryoji Choi, but nothing notable stood out that may have seem to affect Yukata’s well-being. No cause of death has been discovered at this time. AJPW issued a statement following the passing of the notable talent.

“Yutaka Yoshie, who was participating in the Takasaki tournament held today, passed away on March 10, 2024. After Yutaka Yoshie returned to the waiting room after the game, his condition suddenly deteriorated and he was rushed to a hospital in Takasaki City, but he never returned home. We would like to remember Yutaka Yoshie’s achievements during his lifetime and pray for his soul to rest in peace. All Japan Pro Wrestling.”

The promotion also announced that the airing of those particular tapings will be postponed in light of Yoshie’s passing.

Hiroshi Tanahashi, who won the IWGP Tag Team Championships with Yoshie, took to social media to mourn the loss of his partner.

https://twitter.com/tanahashi1_100/status/1766829534484308462

Yoshie was set to celebrate his thirty years in the wrestling business as he was brought up training in the same class as Satoshi Kojima. He made his debut under NJPW in 1994.

We at SEScoops would like to extend our prayers and condolences to Yutaka Yoshie, his family and friends at this time.

Shelton Benjamin In Talks with AEW Months After WWE Release

Aaron Varble
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0

WWE released a list of talent in September 2024, and Shelton Benjamin was on that list. That being said, he has been conspicuously absent from any big announcement about going elsewhere. It turns out there is interest in him.

Shelton Benjamin has not ended up in TNA, AEW, NJPW, or anywhere. According to a new report, there are some suitors out there for the veteran former WWE Superstar.

Shelton Benjamin & AEW

According to reports from Fightful Select, Shelton Benjamin, who is currently unaffiliated with any company, has garnered interest from various potential promotions. 

While initially there was no contact between Shelton Benjamin and All Elite Wrestling upon his free agency, recent conversations between the two parties have taken place. These discussions revolved around the possibility of Benjamin making appearances for the company. 

It remains uncertain whether Benjamin would enter into a contract or a full-time deal with AEW, or if any formal agreements have been reached.

Talks regarding potential appearances for Benjamin reportedly started approximately a month ago, although the specifics of any arrangement were not disclosed. Obviously, he could provide a boost for any roster he joins.

Shelton Benjamin’s WWE Release & Beyond

Despite rumors last year about Shelton Benjamin’s WWE contract expiring, he was eventually released by the company in the fall of 2023. Benjamin’s release from WWE opened up the possibility for him to explore opportunities with other wrestling promotions. 

Having been with WWE since before the inception of AEW, Benjamin had not previously had the chance to work with Tony Khan’s company. Things may change in that regard soon enough.

Shelton Benjamin has a notable history in Ring of Honor. Benjamin’s extensive experience in the wrestling industry makes him an attractive prospect for potential employers. 

We will have to see where Shelton Benjamin shows up next, but he’s not out of the conversation entirely. SEScoops will have more on this story as additional updates are made available. 

Matt Hardy Speaks Out on Sammy Guevara’s AEW Suspension After Jeff Hardy Incident

Aaron Varble
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Sammy Guevara is currently serving a suspension due to his involvement in a match against Jeff Hardy on February 14th. This was apparently news to Matt Hardy.

Matt Hardy has now reacted to Sammy Guevara’s suspension. He didn’t have a ton to say, but this was apparently breaking new to him when he heard that it happened. Matt was somewhat involved, because he got in the ring and gave Guevara the middle finger after the ordeal went down during that Rampage taping.

Matt Hardy Reacts

Sammy Guevara has maintained a consistent presence on AEW television since joining the roster in 2019. However, he has been involved with several incidents resulting in injuries to his opponents, including the most recent altercation involving Jeff Hardy. That doesn’t even count his backstage controversies, like his fight with Andrade. 

As a consequence of these actions against Jeff Hardy, Guevara has been suspended from AEW. Following Guevara’s suspension, Hardy has now responded to the situation. 

During the Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, Matt Hardy spoke briefly about Sammy Guevara’s suspension. He hadn’t heard anything about this suspension, but he did believe the report when he heard it.

“The whole thing about Sammy being suspended was all new to me until broken by Sean Ross Sapp, that was all new to me, but it is what it is, I guess.”

What’s Next For Sammy Guevara and Jeff Hardy

During this encounter in the ring with Guevara, Jeff Hardy sustained an injury, and it appears that proper concussion protocol was not followed. Additionally, Guevara executed his finishing move on Hardy, a maneuver that should have been avoided, but things transpired as they did.

Jeff Hardy did sustain a broken nose, but no concussion was reported. Now, he is in the middle of a slow process to receive his medical clearance once again.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more, as things break in the pro wrestling world. You never know what can happen next, but we will be here witih the headlines you need.

Paul Heyman Tells All On Previously Turning Down the WWE Hall of Fame

Thomas Lowson
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Paul Heyman has shared why he turned down the WWE Hall of Fame ahead of his induction the night before WrestleMania 40. 

Earlier this month, it was announced that Heyman will be inducted as part of this year’s class on April 5. The honor is richly-deserved for Heyman, who has excelled in various roles in wrestling. In addition to being Roman Reigns’ special counsel, Heyman has managed others, worked as a commentator, a writer, and ran ECW during the company’s peak.

Turning Down the WWE HOF

While Heyman will be inducted this year, the Bloodline’s spokesman has turned the honor down in the past. Sitting down with TMZ Sports, Heyman explained his reasoning for why he didn’t want to be inducted years earlier during his run with Brock Lesnar. 

“If I had accepted the award while I was The Advocate for Brock Lesnar and none of my work with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline was part of my Hall of Fame induction, then by now, we’d be sitting there saying, ‘Oh, how did we induct him five years ago and missed this whole chapter of his career.’”

The only flaw of Heyman’s plan, as he pointed out in the interview, is that he has no plans on wrapping up his career despite his impending induction. 

“Roman Reigns and I are not going anywhere. We plan on sticking around. He will continue to be the reigning defending Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion in the greatest title run of all time.”

WWE Hall of Fame 2024

Heyman will be part of what is shaping up to be a star-studded class of inductees. Bull Nakano will be inducted this year. The former WWF Women’s Champion had a successful run in and out of WWE and is currently the commissioner of Bushiroad. The US Express will also be inducted as part of this year’s class. 

WWE Hall of Fame 2024: Bray Wyatt Likely Lock For Induction This Year

Aaron Varble
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WWE’s Hall of Fame is getting a big focus, because they dropped several names this week. One name that is expected, is still missing, but Bray Wyatt’s flowers may still be on the way.

Paul Heyman was revealed as part of the WWE Hall of Fame’s class of 2024. The US Express (Mike Rotunda & Barry Windham) and Bull Nakano were also been confirmed, with Haku and Lia Maivia rumored as well. There is a very likely chance that Bray Wyatt will be announced for this year’s class, joining his father, Rotunda, and uncle, Windham.

2024 WWE Hall of Fame & Bray Wyatt

WWE has announced a few names for their 2024 WWE Hall of Fame so far. This will be the first year without Vince McMahon’s input, and Paul Heyman was the first name announced. More names are expected, and one of them could be the Eater of Worlds.

The pro wrestling world is still in mourning over the tragic loss of Bray Wyatt. He left JoJo Offerman and his children behind, along with so many incredible stories left to tell. As WWE announces their Hall of Fame inductees this year, fans are waiting for Wyatt’s name to be called.

“I’m surprised they haven’t announced Bray Wyatt,” Dave Meltzer remarked on Wrestling Observer Radio. It was then noted that the US Express are Wyatt’s father and uncle, so it would be clear synergy with the whole thing.

“It’s his family, you know, Barry’s his uncle, and Mike’s his dad, um so, maybe that’s part of the synergy. They should [induct Bray Wyatt] absolutely they should. He was the first guy I thought of when they were doing this year.”

We will have to see who has their name announced for the WWE Hall of Fame next. Honoring Bray Wyatt with a Hall of Fame induction only makes sense. If his name is added to this year’s lineup, then Triple H would have booked an incredible first class of the WWE Hall of Fame.

The Rock has a Say in 2024 WWE Hall of Fame

The Rock also has a say in the WWE Hall of Fame this year. It is reported that he is going to place is grandmother into this year’s class. They will apparently work Lia Maivia’s induction into his WrestleMania storyline.

Bray Wyatt’s Legacy in WWE

Bray Wyatt certainly deserves a WWE Hall of Fame induction, if not three. One for himself, another with the Wyatt Family faction, and a third as the Fiend, because that character stretched beyond the pro wrestling bubble. Hopefully, Wyatt gets his flowers during WrestleMania 40 weekend.

WWE signed Bray Wyatt to a Legends contract. They are also giving 100% of the proceeds of all of his merchandise to JoJo Offerman. There is also a new project about Wyatt in the works. The company continues to take care of Windham Rotunda’s family, so it’s very likely they will honor his legacy in the best way they can.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, as things progress down the road to WrestleMania. Keep checking back, because we will have Hall of Fame announcements posted as soon as they are officially revealed. 

Watch: Seth Rollins Triumphant in First Match Back From Torn MCL Injury

Thomas Lowson
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Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins’ return to the ring proved to be a triumphant night for the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion. 

In January, Rollins suffered an injury during a title defense on Monday Night Raw against Jinder Mahal. Despite this setback, Rollins has continued to appear on WWE programming. The Architect has become an ally of Cody Rhodes in the American Nightmare’s war with The Bloodline. 

Seth Rollins Returns to the Ring

At WWE Elimination Chamber 2024, Rollins shared the news that he was very close to being cleared to wrestle. At last night’s WWE live event in Alexandria, LA, Rollins competed for the first time in close to two months. The World Heavyweight Champion teamed with Cody Rhodes to defeat Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa. Rollins would pick up the win for his team with a stomp on Jimmy Uso.

What’s Next? 

Rollins will make up for lost time at WrestleMania 40 by competing twice at the Showcase of the Immortals. Rollins and Rhodes will team again to face Roman Reigns and The Rock on WrestleMania 40: Saturday. If Rhodes & Rollins win, there will be no Bloodline presence during the Sunday main event between Reigns and Rhodes. Should the Bloodline win, the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match will be under ‘Bloodline Rules.’

The next night, Rollins will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre. The Scottish Warrior and self-professed ‘savior’ of WrestleMania earned a title match by winning the 2024 Men’s Elimination Chamber match.

Watch: Michael ‘Venom’ Page Makes Epic Undertaker Entrance At UFC 299

Thomas Lowson
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UFC fighter Michael ‘Venom’ Page made quite the impression at UFC 299 with an epic tribute to WWE’s ‘Phenom’ The Undertaker.

UFC 299 took place on March 9, 2024, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. To the backdrop of speculation about the much-anticipated UFC 300 show, UFC 299 was headlined by Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera. Though Vera won their first encounter at UFC 252 in August 2020, this week’s event saw O’Malley get the win a unanimous decision victory after five rounds. 

Page’s Undertaker Entrance

Michael ‘Venom’ Page, also known as MVP, arrived to his fight with Ken Holland to the iconic theme song of The Undertaker. While he didn’t don the Deadman’s trademark coat and hat, Page wore a black cloak for this portion of his entrance. You can see Page’s entrance down below. 

Not only did Page make an Undertaker-themed entrance, but he also matched the Deadman’s dominance in the cage as he’d win the fight via decision in the third round. 

Wrestling Themes and UFC

At UFC 276, Israel Adesanya went one further, using an entrance based on The Undertaker. In addition to using the Phenom’s theme song, Adesanya wore an Undertaker-themed hat and solemnly walked to the cage with an urn. At that same event, Jessica Rose-Clark would walk to the cage for her fight to the theme of one of The Undertaker’s greatest rivals: Shawn Michaels.

More recently, Chris Curtis used Adam Copeland’s theme at UFC 297.  When the UFC returned to Calgary, Alberta in July 2018, it was fitting that Ion Cutelaba walked out to Bret Hart’s WWE theme

Surprise Performance: Britt Baker Takes Stage at Zach Bryan Pittsburgh Concert During AEW Hiatus

Aaron Varble
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Britt Baker’s time on AEW television was greatly limited last year. In fact, Tony Khan didn’t let her cut a single promo on Dynamite. That being said, she was welcomed to take the microphone at a recent Zach Bryan concert.

The former AEW Women’s Champion showed up at a Zach Bryan concert over the weekend. She got on stage, and was able to perform a duet in the process.

Britt Baker’s Big Musical Moment

AEW wrestlers can get some pretty cool opportunities thanks to their public status. Britt Baker took full advantage of her public figure status recently, and fans at the Zach Bryan were incredibly happy to see her.

During her hiatus from AEW, Britt Baker shared a video on Twitter of herself performing alongside country singer Zach Bryan at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

It was evident from the video that she thoroughly enjoyed herself at the concert. She also included a little caption to sum everything up

“Baptize me in a bottle of Beam”

Britt Baker in AEW

Since her appearance on the September 16 episode of AEW Collision, where she faced Kris Statlander in a TBS Championship match and suffered a loss, Britt Baker has been dealing with a persistent injury that has kept her sidelined. Consequently, she has been unable to participate in any matches since that time, as she focuses on recovering from her injury and ensuring her long-term health and well-being.

She has been battling injuries for a while, even during his time as AEW Women’s World Champion. Hopefully, she will get back to good health, so she can compete at a  competitive level once again. In the meantime, fans in Brittsburgh were surprised to see their home city champion at the Zach Bryan concert.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional details are made available. Keep checking back for more of the headlines you need.

Frustration Within WWE Over Women’s Tag Title Booking

Aaron Varble
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0

The road to WrestleMania 40 has been quite a ride so far. The Kabuki Warriors are still holding the company’s Women’s Tag Team Titles, as Kari Sane and Asuka are fighting champions. This may have caused a bit of an issue.

A new report has dropped saying that there is some frustration over having The Kabuki Warriors defending their titles on RAW next week after a brutal defense at NXT Roadblock.

Some Upset Over Title Picture

Asuka and Kairi Sane had a successful title defense at NXT Roadblock against Tatum Paxley and Lyra Valkyria. There is no rest for the champions, as they are already set to defend their titles on RAW.

Zoey Stark & Shayna Baszler have a title shot on the March 11th episode of the longest running weekly episode show in history. That is not being received too well by some backstage.

Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that officials expressed their happiness with Asuka and Kairi Sane’s presence on the Roadblock show. That being said, some aren’t too happy that Sane and Asuka have to turn around to defend those titles again.

”Officials were very happy to have Asuka and Kairi Sane on the show. However, there was some frustration with the champions having a title defense booked for next week’s Raw during Monday’s show.”

What’s Next for the Kabuki Warriors

The Kabuki Warriors do not have a match booked for WrestleMania 40 yet. IYO Sky will defend her title against Bayley during the show of shows, and it’s anyone’s guess whether they will be around for that match.

Damage CTRL is covered in gold. It’s anyone’s guess how the faction will look after they leave the grandest stage of them all, but the road to WrestleMania has been a wild one for the stable so far.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional details are made available. 

The Heir Apparent! Michael Cole Sees Corey Graves As The Future of WWE Broadcasting

Thomas Lowson
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Fans should get used to hearing Michael Cole on commentary for years to come, at least if Michael Cole is to be believed. 

Cole has been with WWE for close to three decades after joining the promotion in 1997 on the recommendation of Todd Pettengill. A former war correspondent, Cole’s career in WWE has seen him call the action at countless events, enjoy a brief heel run, and even get a win at WrestleMania 27. 

The Heir Apparent

With decades in the industry, Cole has developed a keen eye for what works and what doesn’t at the commentary table. In a recent interview with Awful Announcing, the veteran spoke about Corey Graves’ journey in WWE thus far and teaching him the proverbial ropes. 

“[It was] a matter of giving him the opportunity to sit side by side for many years, to watch, learn, study, and see how I do things.”

Cole added that he is pleased that Graves was given the opportunity and sees a very bright future for the SmackDown commentator.

“And at the end of the day, when we gave him the shot? He’s been killing it. I believe he’s the heir apparent.”

Corey Graves

While Cole sees Graves as his heir, the 40-year-old is hardly a newbie to the commentary desk. After his in-ring retirement in 2014, Graves joined the NXT commentary team before being moved to the Raw desk in 2016. Graves current calls the action on SmackDown alongside Wade Barrett.

Maryse Opens Up With Update On Battle with Pre-Cancerous Condition

Aaron Varble
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WWE fans have been wanting an update on Maryse since she revealed that she is battling cancer. Now, we have good news from her.

Maryse is a former WWE Women’s Champion and the wife of The Miz, so she will always have ties in pro wrestling, no matter how long it’s been since she’s seen on television. She recently took to her Instagram to share a significant update about a recent cancer procedure.

Maryse’s Update

1/2 of the It Couple revealed that she had been diagnosed with a pre-cancerous condition and has since provided her followers with an awaited update on her current health status.

The 41-year-old disclosed that she had received a diagnosis of a rare pre-cancerous condition affecting the ovaries. Maryse shared on her social media platform that she underwent laparoscopy surgery, during which the medical professionals identified and removed 11 implants located around her uterus, ovaries, and connective tissues in her abdominal cavity.

Via her Instagram stories, Maryse revealed that she had undergone surgery for her condition, and fortunately, the procedure was successful.

‘‘My surgery went well and I’m recovering! I am so beyond appreciated and touched by all your messages.”

Doctors were able to identify Serous Borderline Tumors, an extremely uncommon pre-cancerous condition that specifically impacts the ovaries. This was a candid move on Maryse’s part as she took to Instagram stories to share a health update with her followers.

What are Serous Borderline Tumors

Serous Borderline Tumors are a type of ovarian tumor that exhibit features resembling cancer but are classified as “borderline” due to not fully meeting malignant criteria. These tumors involve abnormal cell growth in the ovarian epithelium and may manifest as cysts or growths on the ovary’s surface, potentially spreading within the abdominal cavity.

While less aggressive than malignant ovarian cancer, they still necessitate medical attention and treatment, typically involving surgery or chemotherapy. Despite being relatively rare, ongoing research aims to enhance understanding of their etiology and treatment modalities.

We’re sending our best to Maryse as she gets back on the road to 100%.

SEScoops will have continued updates on this story, and everything else in the pro wrestling world. You never know what news will break next, but we will be here with all the headlines you need.

Eddie Kingston Doesn’t Regret His “Whatever” Attitude to WWE Tryout

Thomas Lowson
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AEW Continental Champion Eddie Kingston may not have made it big in WWE, but the Mad King isn’t going to lose sleep over it. 

Before AEW was launched in 2019, Kingston had an ultimately unsuccessful try out with WWE. Speaking to Inside the Ropes recently, Kingston recalled his ‘attitude’ when stepping foot in the Performance Center. 

“A friend of mine hooked me up with it… but I went there with this attitude of ‘whatever f**k it, I don’t really care.’ I didn’t really care, I was like ‘they’re not looking at me anyway.”

Kingston added that at the time, WWE were more interested in hiring female talent for the Mae Young Classic. The all-female tournament meant Kingston walked in believing he had slim chances of being signed. 

Another WWE Offer

Kingston didn’t receive a WWE talent contract, but the company saw something in him, as he was approached about being a coach. During the interview, Kingston explained that he turned the offer down as the role didn’t suit him. Kingston also recalled being approached by his old friend Kevin Owens and how that made a lot of people take notice. 

“As soon as they saw me say hello to Kevin Owens and he gave me a hug, and a couple of other people that were there, next thing you know the next day everybody was my friend.”

No Regrets

Looking back on his try out, Kingston had no issue with how things went. He explained that he already had a number of independent bookings on the horizon that would have paid him good money. Things would work out for Kingston, who in addition to his AEW gold in the NJPW Strong Champion and the reigning ROH World Champion. 

H/T – Wrestling Inc

Daily Drop (3/10): Brock Lesnar Returns To Roster, Interesting Note On The Rock’s Official WWE Photos

Aaron Varble
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Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Sunday, March 10. There are also a ton of great stories to take a look at.

Days until WrestleMania 40: 27

Before we get going, let’s talk about Vince McMahon. He just sold a ton of TKO stock, but how much does he really still own? We put out a nice article that breaks everything down and puts it into perspective. You can check that out here.

WWE:

– Brock Lesnar is back on the WWE roster page. We have no idea what this means, but it certainly isn’t a terrible sign for his status with the company.

– I ran an exclusive last night about WWE’s new direction for Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits’ stable, and you can check that out here.

– On another interesting note, WWE.com’s official gallery didn’t include any photo of The Rock last week. When I checked yesterday morning, there were still no Rock photos, as if the company skipped them on purpose. As of 3/9/24 in the afternoon, photos of The Rock from the 3/8 SmackDown are now up in the gallery, but they are out of order and tacked onto the end. I was told that this likely had something to do with photos of Dwayne Johnson needing special approval before they can be posted. It is certainly an interesting situation.

– Former WWE Superstars Emma and Madcap Moss got married.

– CM Punk was spotted at an indie show in Chicago.

– Bayley re-shared that video of Paramore giving her permission to use one of their songs at WrestleMania. This was an old clip where Bayley slid into one of their live streams during the pandemic to request this song usage. Hayley Williams was more than thrilled to give Bayley permission years ago, and that hasn’t changed. We’ll see if Triple H gives Bayley that amazing entrance she wants at Mania this year.

– The Rock may put his grandmother into the WWE Hall of Fame this year.

AEW:

– Bryan Danielson vs Will Ospreay was added to the AEW Dynasty card for April 21st. That match should be a banger.

– There was a bit of a stir during Collision this week as PAC returned, and he stood right up to Okada.

– MJF pulled out of a big fan convention in Lexington, Kentucky. He was replaced by Swerve Strickland during the event.

– Amanda Huber had something to say about The Rock calling Cody Rhodes a mistake, and then Ava, The Rock’s daughter, chimed in to clap back to her. It’s worth a look, and you can check it out here.

– AEW had a different original plan for Sting’s retirement match at Revolution.

– The company also announced the start of their new World Tag Team Tournament.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events:

  • AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
  • 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 Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

WWE Files Trademark For Shawn Spears As Ex-AEW Star Continues to Make Waves in NXT

Thomas Lowson
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WWE’s latest trademark filings have shown that the promotion is serious about keeping Shawn Spears around following his recent return to the promotion. 

Spears returned to WWE last month as part of the NXT brand, five years almost to the day that he left the promotion in February 2019. Spears returned by attacking Ridge Holland. On this week’s episode of WWE NXT, Spears defeated Uriah Connors in the on-screen debut of the recently renamed Brogan Finlay. 

Shawn Spears is Locked In

WWE has now filed to trademark the Shawn Spears name, confirming that he will use this name going forward and ditch the Tye Dillinger moniker. The trademark filing covers the use of the Shawn Spears moniker for use at wrestling events and through broadcast media. It also covers the use of the name online in the field of ‘Sports Entertainment.’

More Trademark Filings

Shawn Spears isn’t the only WWE Superstar to get his name trademarked. WWE has also filed for the name of fellow WWE NXT Superstar Dijak. The former Retribution member has been making waves as part of the gold brand and is one of the more prominently featured Superstars appearing on Tuesday nights. 

WWE has also filed a trademark for the name of WWE SmackDown Superstar Berto. The young wrestler has undergone several name alterations throughout his career. He debuted as Humberto Carrillo, which was later shortened to Humberto. He would later get his last name back before it was shortened again and has since be shortened further to just Berto. 

AEW Had A Different Original Plan For Sting’s Final Entrance At Revolution 2024

Thomas Lowson
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AEW rolled out the red carpet for Sting at Revolution 2024, but there was a different plan for the Icon’s final entrance as a professional wrestler. 

In the main event of AEW’s pay-per-view, Sting and Darby Allin retained the AEW World Tag Team Championships against Matthew and Nicholas Jackson. This win means that Sting has ended his AEW career undefeated. 

After the show, Sting spoke passionately to the fans in attendance and was grateful for all the support he has been shown during his retirement tour and throughout his professional wrestling career. 

A Different Entrance for Sting

For Sting’s entrance, the legend’s sons Steven and Garrett Borden accompanied their father to the ring. Steven was dressed in the red and black of nWo Wolfpac era Sting while Garrett wore the Surfer Sting attire worn at Great American Bash 1990. 

The presence of the brothers made the match extra special but this entrance was nearly different. In an interview with ComicBook.com, Steven explained that he was originally going to portray the black and white ‘Crow Sting’ fans are most accustomed to. 

“The plan actually until the very end… was for me to just do Crow Sting. So Garrett was going to be Surfer, I was going to be Crow…. There was never contention over who was going to do what.”

Steven added that it was Darby Allin who pointed out that Sting was already in his black-and-white attire and believed the Revolution show proved the perfect time to mix things up. 

“Darby actually made a point to my dad maybe a week or so before the match going, ‘well, you know, don’t you think if Garrett’s going to be Surfer, Steven’s going to be Crow, and then you’re also going to be Crow this is an opportunity to mix it up a little bit?'”

Stephanie Vaquer Wins NJPW Strong Women’s Title from Giulia Amid WWE Interest in Ex-Champion

Thomas Lowson
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The NJPW Strong Women’s Championship reign of Giulia has come to an end amid speculation that the former champion could soon be heading to WWE. 

At the second day of the STARDOM Cinderella Tournament event, Stephanie Vaquer defeated Gulia to win the gold. The finish of the match saw Vaquer catch Giulia with a DDT and snag the win, and the title, with a clutch pin. 

This win was a long time coming for Vaquer, who competed in the tournament to crown the first NJPW Strong Women’s Champion in 2023. In that tournament, Vaquer, representing CMLL, would lose to Mercedes Mone in the semi-finals. 

What’s Next for Giulia? 

The end of Giulia’s record-breaking 249-day reign comes at an interesting time for the young wrestler. Giulia has made clear to NJPW that she will be leaving the promotion this month when her contract expires. It is believed that she will join WWE when the time is right. WWE is said to have a massive interest in adding Giulia to its women’s division. She was expected to attend a training session at WWE’s Performance Center in late 2023 but that didn’t ultimately happen. 

Stephanie Vaquer: The Belt Collector

This isn’t the only title that Vaquer currently holds. In CMLL, she is the promotion’s reigning World Women’s Champion and has held the title since September of last year. She is also one-half of the CMLL World Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Zeuxis. The pair are the inaugural champions and have also held the gold since September of last year.  

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