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Bret Hart Praises Rhea Ripley: “She makes it feel pretty real all the time.”

Ella Jay
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Later this month, WWE will head to the land down under as they host the 2024 Elimination Chamber premium live event from Perth, Australia. While no matches have been announced, this officiail poster indicates that this event will serve as a major homecoming for WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, a native of Adelaide, Australia. 

Ripley has seen a significant rise in her stock over the last two years. As she continues to wreak havoc with her fellow Judgment Day members, Ripley has also kept a firm grip on the WWE Raw women’s division and the WWE Women’s World Championship — a title she has successfully defended against the likes of Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya, Ivy Nile, and Zoey Stark. 

High Praise From ‘The Hitman’

Outside of her in-ring accomplishments, Ripley’s menacing character has also attracted the attention of many viewers, one of whom is WWE Hall of Famer Bret “The Hitman” Hart.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, Hart issued praise for Ripley’s character, specifically pointing toward the realism that she conveys through her on-screen portrayal. 

“I really like her a lot. I really like her poise, her staying in character and sort of living her.. she seems like she’s adapted a character that’s fun to play, and she’s playing into that, full tilt,” Hart said.

“She’s putting that realism into it; that’s what I miss in a lot of wrestling today, just making it feel more real, and she makes it feel pretty real all the time.”

With Elimination Chamber on the horizon, Rhea Ripley is not only thrilled about returning to her home country, but also about the possibility of defending her title in front of them. 

During a recent interview with Sam Roberts, Ripley noted that she would embrace the opportunity to defend her WWE Women’s World Championship inside the grueling Elimination Chamber structure. 

Mick Foley: Vince McMahon Scandal is “Ugly”, I Hope Fans Don’t Forget His Accomplishments

Thomas Lowson
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Mick Foley hopes that the scandal around Vince McMahon doesn’t make fans forget the highly entertaining character and accomplishments of the ex-WWE Chairman.

McMahon re-signed from TKO and WWE last month, following a lawsuit filed by ex-employee Janel Grant. Miss Grant claims that McMahon was sexually abusive to her and that he trafficked her to others in the company, including John Lauriniaits and a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. McMahon has denied the allegations against him and, via a spokesperson, has claimed the lawsuit is rife with “obscene made-up instances that never occurred.” . 

Mick Foley on Vince McMahon

A WWE Hall of Famer, Mick Foley worked with McMahon for years and in the past has described the ex-Chairman as like a father figure to him. Speaking on an episode of his Foley is Pod show, the three-time World Champion addressed the allegations.

“I don’t know all the facts but man, it’s really ugly. I feel very similar, just like that ‘dead inside feeling’ the way I had in 2007 after the Benoit murders and man, I hope it doesn’t take away from people’s amazing memories of all the things that Mr. McMahon created or helped create including my character and the programs that I was in and was such a big part of it. 

“I wish he really just stepped aside, you know, the first time and we just heard a little hint of these allegations.”

During the show, Foley also reflected on how much McMahon’s approval meant to him during his career. 

“His belief in me made all the difference in the world from just being another guy to being, you know, one of his main guys during that Attitude Era.”

H/T – POST Wrestling

WWE’s Current Consideration For Jade Cargill’s Final Main Roster Brand Assignment

Aaron Varble
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Jade Cargill had the entire pro wrestling world watching her as she decided to leave AEW for WWE. Tony Khan admitted that he offered her more than she asked for to stay with his company, but she decided to seek employment under Triple H’s booking instead. Now, fans are waiting to see what’s next.

Jade Cargill’s WWE Main Roster Status

Jade Cargill’s long-awaited in-ring debut went down at the 2024 Royal Rumble event in the #28 spot. This was a big surprise, and she is currently a top free agent on the main roster.

PW Insider noted that, as of this writing, WWE has not landed on a brand assignment for Jade Cargill. Months ago, she was supposed to be on RAW, but that could have changed at this point.

WWE Already Impressed By Jade Cargill

I asked around before Cargill’s Royal Rumble debut, and I was told that there are lots of plans going around for her. She is someone who a lot of people want to work with, and her ultimate brand assignment and hype should reflect how desired she is.

WWE signed Jade Cargill, and made a statement as she showed up during the Fastlane kickoff show a short time later. Then she wasn’t seen at all, except for short cameos during RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. She was backstage for most of those brief interactions, never revealing her entrance music or seeing her actually take to the ring.

After Cargill’s debut for the company, I was told that there was “a ton of buzz about how professional Jade Cargill was backstage, how impressive she is up close, how well she fit in, and how quickly she did that.”

On that note, a report got out after the Rumble that Cargill blew some spots. I was told that was not the case at all, and she was praised for her performance. That amazing pop for her entrance was also noticed by everyone.

After her appearance in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match, fans are eager to see what’s next for her. Now, we will have to see how she carries on that momentum from this point on.

When WWE Landed On Tiffany Stratton’s Main Roster Call-Up

Aaron Varble
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WWE’s NXT brand has a few people who are ready for the main roster. Tiffany Stratton did practically everything there was to do in NXT, and now she is officially part of the SmackDown brand.

Tiffany Stratton’s NXT Exit

PW Insider has been able to confirm that Tiffany Stratton has officially concluded her tenure with NXT and will now be exclusively featured as a full-time talent on Friday Night SmackDown.

Stratton is on the blue brand now, where she will mix it up on the main roster from now on.

Rumors were circulating backstage at Monday’s Raw about Tiffany Stratton’s standout performance in the Royal Rumble match, It is interesting that Stratton is on SmackDown now, because putting her on RAW would align with WWE’s tendency to keep real-life couples on the same brand, as Stratton is in a relationship with Ludwig Kaiser. Now, this move has split the couple between brand lines. 

In January, Stratton concluded her rivalry with Fallon Henley in a distinctive “ranch hand or servant for a day” match at New Year’s Evil. The aftermath featured notable vignettes highlighting Stratton’s comical challenges while contributing to ranch duties.

When WWE Decided On Tiffany Stratton’s Main Roster Call-Up (Exclusive)

I reported yesterday that Tiffany Stratton received her main roster call-up. This was quite obvious due to the fact that she walked out of that office with a SmackDown contract last week. 

I was additionally able to confirm that Tiffany’s women’s Royal Rumble appearance in the #29 entry marked her main roster call-up. It was the plan to call her up with that match, and now she is a full time main roster talent.

Bron Breakker’s WWE Main Roster Call-Up

I also reported that Bron Breakker is expected to be on the RAW brand. His call-up was spur-of-the moment, and happened quickly, thanks to Brock Lesnar getting pulled from the men’s Royal Rumble match.

Although Breakker replaced Lesnar in the Royal Rumble match, I was told as of last week that he will not be getting the matches that were planned for The Beast Incarnate, which was Dominik Mysterio at Elimination Chamber and then GUNTHER at WrestleMania 40.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of Tiffany Stratton on SmackDown, and everything else going on in the pro wrestling world. Stay tuned for more updates!

Bret Hart Goes On New Rant Saying Wrestling Like Goldberg Is ‘Not How It’s Done’

Aaron Varble
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Bret Hart still has a bone to pick with Goldberg, and he hasn’t forgotten about that concussion that he alleges ended his career in the squared circle.

Bret Hart Shoots Hard on Goldberg

At WCW Starrcade 1999, Bret Hart and Goldberg faced off in a match that was one of The Hitman’s final outings in the ring. 

While speaking to Fox Sports Australia, Bret Hart stated that Goldberg’s style of pro wrestling is not how it’s done. He actually hurt people in the ring, blacked eyes, broke bones, knocked out teeth, and Hart isn’t okay with it being that real in the ring.

While reflecting on his wrestling style, Hart emphasized his commitment to technical proficiency, ensuring that holds like the headlock looked genuine. He contrasted this with contemporary wrestlers, citing instances where they find themselves in the wrong position after a move and have to readjust, which he views as a failure in his wrestling academy. 

Additionally, he criticized the trend of wrestlers diving over the top rope onto multiple opponents, deeming it unrealistic. Hart expressed disdain for the prevalence of chops in matches, considering it a deviation from the true artistry of wrestling. That led him into burying Goldberg a bit.

“There’s a lot of great wrestlers out there that can deliver great matches. But there’s so many wrestlers out there that are subpar in my opinion, that don’t know what they’re doing out there. And they allow themselves to rely on things like chops, which I think is sort of like cheap heat – you get a reaction, but what’s your reaction? You’re whipping a guy across the chest with your hand? Okay, so you’re hurting some guy for real, for some stupid reason. And the crowd sort of reacts to it.

“In my understanding of pro wrestling, anytime anyone does anything to you that hurts, for real – chopping, putting blisters on your chest when you go to your room or bed, anytime anyone does things to you for real, they’re in the wrong business. They’re doing it wrong. Because you’re not supposed to get hurt. You’re not supposed to come back to your dressing room that night, or to your hotel room and have a big lump on your head and a black eye and your teeth are knocked out. That’s Bill Goldberg wrestling. That’s not how it’s done.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJowm1YvrWs

The End of Bret Hart’s In-Ring Career

The kick to the head resulted in a severe concussion, but Bret Hart believes he experienced an additional concussion during the match, particularly when he applied the ringpost figure four. Furthermore, Hart believes he suffered two more concussions in matches over the subsequent week. In the end, he holds a ton of resentment toward Goldberg to this day.

Hart wrestled 9 matches in WCW after that Starrcade match with Goldberg. On June 24, 2002, Hart suffered a stroke. Then, he participated in a handful of matches for WWE in 2010 and 2011. Sadly, he hasn’t wrestled since, but he definitely has a lot to say about the business.

Rossy Ogawa Maintains His Innocence After Getting Fired From Stardom

Ella Jay
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Rossy Ogawa is pushing back on the allegations levied against him by Bushiroad, the company that owns the Stardom women’s wrestling promotion he helped launch over a decade ago. 

In a statement that’s rocked the wrestling world, Bushiroad announced it has terminated its agreement with Ogawa. The company claims he’s been caught poaching Stardom athletes and staff members and he’s gone effective immediately.

Stardom noted on Twitter that talent was informed of the shakeup Saturday evening.

Rossy Ogawa is not taking this matter lightly. He maintains his innocence, says the public still does not know ‘the truth of the matter’ and is most concerned with the talent.

“Suddenly, after yesterday’s show, I was notified that my contract would be terminated,” Ogawa wrote on X (formerly Twitter.

“The truth of the matter may be told someday. I’m worried about the players right now. Thank you for supporting Stardom for the past 13 years. From now on, it will be Stardom created by Bushiroad.”

Stardom’s Future

Ogawa, alongside wrestling veterans Fuka Kakimoto and Nanae Takahashi, founded Stardom in 2010. Prior to the launch of STARDOM, Ogawa served as a co-producer for All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling (AJW).

On the heels of Rossy Ogawa’s exit, the Wrestling Observer reported that Taro Okada and Oyawa, the Bushiroad Fight merchandise manager, will be taking over the booking responsibilities for STARDOM. Neither has previous experience in booking wrestling shows.

Stardom’s roster is loyal Ogawa, because he helped many of them break into the business. There is concern within Bushiroad that we could see a mass exodus leave Stardom and follow Ogawa wherever he goes next. A lot of Stardom contracts are set to expire next month, so we won’t have to wait long to see ‘the other shoe drop’ in this developing situation.

The Rock’s WrestleMania 40 Match Was Part Of TKO Board of Directors Deal

Aaron Varble
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The agreement for The Rock to battle Roman Reigns at WrestleMania was finalized weeks prior to Cody Rhodes winning the Royal Rumble. This was not a deal they made public, but it was part of his appointment to TKO’s Board of Directors.

The Rock’s Big WrestleMania 40 Deal

Last month, The Rock was appointed to the TKO Board of Directors. As a component of the arrangement, he acquired complete ownership of the “The Rock” name and received $30 million in company stock.

Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio, that The Rock wrestling Reigns at WrestleMania was also part of the agreement. This deal was made on January 3rd, and that begs the question as to why WWE still booked Cody Rhodes to win the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble match.

When (Rock) made the deal on January 3 to come in (facing Roman at WrestleMania) was part of the deal. Why Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble is a question that I cannot answer because nobody will answer it for me.

Apart from Nick Khan and Ari Emanuel, very few individuals, if any, were informed about the arrangement for Rock to challenge Reigns at WrestleMania. The prevailing sentiment backstage during the Royal Rumble was that it would be Rhodes vs. Reigns.

I reported on January 28th that, “The only people who really know what is happening with Rock are the people at the very top of the company, and they are all playing it very close to the vest.” This was after Cody Rhodes won his second consecutive Royal Rumble match and punched his ticket to WrestleMania 40.

WWE Will Use The Rock Controversy

WWE now intends to incorporate the negative response to Rhodes being excluded from the WrestleMania main event into the storyline. Dave Meltzer continued to explain that everything played out in this way, but there is no way to tell how the storyline will advance from this point on.

(It) played out the way they wanted it to play out. The plan as of Friday night was Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes and we’ll see how it plays out because now they’re trying to turn it into a story and we’ll see how the story goes.

The Only Way WWE Would Change WrestleMania Main Event Plan

I previously reported that The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ spot at WrestleMania was seen as a “power play.” When inquiring if this situation resembles his attempt to enter the DC Cinematic Universe with Black Adam, where he wanted to take control of the operation, I was informed that it’s a “great analogy.”

WWE is also well aware about fan backlash. It has become impossible to overlook at this point, with USA Today, TMZ, and other outlets running stories about fans being upset over The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ spot against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40.

When inquiring whether the fan backlash could alter the prospective WrestleMania plans, the response was, “there’s no chance in hell.” The only thing that could change the direction for WrestleMania’s main event at this point is Dwayne Johnson changing his mind. 

Killer Mike Finishes His Story Before Cody Rhodes at Grammys, Gets Arrested Afterward

Bishal Roy
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WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes might not have finished his story yet but popular rapper Killer Mike did. However, the good times didn’t last long as he got arrested.

Last month, Killer Mike was spotted standing next to Cody Rhodes at the end of WWE SmackDown in Georgia on January 19. He was seen holding a sign that read “We Finish Our Story on February 4.” Mike was referencing the Grammys as he was nominated for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for “Scientists & Engineers,” and Best Rap Album for Michael.

‘The American Nightmare’ recently won the Men’s Royal Rumble for the second time and fans believed that he will challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. However, it seems that he is not ‘finishing his story’ yet. Rhodes has made the way for The Rock to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. 

This booking decision has led to WWE receiving backlash from fans. Even The Rock’s return is now WWE’s most-disliked YouTube video. At a WWE live event as well, fans booed a video showing The Rock’s return on SmackDown.

While Cody Rhodes is waiting to ‘finish his story’, Killer Mike has finished his story at the Grammys. He won all three awards. However, the celebrations didn’t last long as he was arrested. 

Killer Mike arrested

Killer Mike was detained by Los Angeles police after an altercation at the Crypto.com Arena, the venue where the Grammy Awards were held, as per BBC. He was booked on a misdemeanor charge but later released. It has come to light that he is scheduled to appear in court later this month.

This incident occurred shortly after he won three Grammy awards.

Joshi Star Passes Away in Tragic Car Crash

Bishal Roy
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The pro wrestling world is deeply saddened after the premature death of Actwres girl’Z star Asahi, who was 21.

Asahi made her debut at the age of 14 for Ice Ribbon at the iconic Korakuen Hall when she faced the former All Japan Women’s Champion Manami Toyota. 

Asahi began wrestling in 2017 and competed for Ice Ribbon, Actwres girl’Z, Kani KING Produce and several other promotions. 

In 2020, she decided to temporarily step away from the ring to balance her duties to the sport and school. She went on to make a comeback the following year.

In 2023, Asahi concluded her contract with Ice Ribbon and joined Actwres girl’Z. She had initially planned a three-to-six-month loan, but she decided to become part of the new promotion officially. Her final match took place on January 31st.

Actwres girl’Z announced that their February 9th show in Shinkiba had been canceled for now, with an announcement set to be made later.

Asahi passes away

The Japanese women’s wrestling promotion recently made the tragic announcement that Asahi passed away due to an “unexpected accident.” Dark Puroresu Flowsion reported that the accident was a car crash but that has not been officially confirmed. 

The company’s statement reads:

“We would like to inform you that Asahi, a member of our company, has passed away due to an unexpected accident. We would also like to inform you that the Shinkiba performance on February 9th has been canceled for the time being. We will inform you about the future within the next day or two.

We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has supported Asahi so far.”

https://twitter.com/PuroresuFlow/status/1754356180053266813

Cody Rhodes vs Shinsuke Nakamura Announced For Raw After Backstage Attack

Bishal Roy
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There is no love lost between Cody Rhodes and his arch-rival Shinsuke Nakamura.

‘The American Nightmare’ was recently at the end of a brutal attack from the Japanese superstar. Rhodes was involved at Saturday’s live event at Knoxville Civic Coliseum in Knoxville, TN where he faced Nakamura in a Street Fight. It was at the same event that Cody Rhodes shared a heartwarming moment with a fan. Though he came out on top in the match, things didn’t go in his favor when he got backstage.

Rhodes and Nakamura had been involved in a storied-rivalry last year. The two have locked horns multiple times over the last two months, with Rhodes defeating Nakamura on Raw last month. they will face each other yet again.

Shinsuke Nakamura attacks Cody Rhodes

In a video clip captured by WWE, Rhodes can be seen making his way to the backstage area but Nakamura launched a blindsided attacj with his trademark red  mist. The 2024 Rumble winner could be seen shown writhing in pain on the ground as the clip ended. 

Following this incident, in a tweet, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce made the announcement that Cody Rhodes will square off against Shinsuke Nakamura in a Bull Rope match on Monday. In the past, they have also had a few bullrope matches at live events. However, this will mark the first time that they will collide in a bullrope match on live WWE programming. 

Cody Rhodes has been a fan favorite and recently won the Men’s Royal Rumble match and fans had been anticipating him to ‘finish his story.’ However, Rhodes stepped aside to allow The Rock to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. This booking decision met with a lot of flak from the fans. Read more below:

WWE Did Everything They Could To Keep NXT Vengeance Day Finish A Secret

Aaron Varble
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WWE’s NXT brand held their Vengeance Day event on Sunday night, and the pro wrestling world didn’t know what to expect. No titles changed hands, but they certainly gained a lot of momentum as the brand hits the road to Stand & Deliver on WrestleMania weekend.

WWE NXT Vengeance Day’s Big Finish

Ilja Dragunov faced Trick Williams in the main event of WWE NXT Vengeance Day at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, TN. The two left it all in the ring, bleeding hard way, about a minute into the match. Then Dragunov was able to pull down the win.

The talk among fans shifted to the final angle of the show. Following the match, Carmelo Hayes betrayed Williams, assaulting him with a chair multiple times, ending their long partnership. 

The post-main event actions were shrouded in secrecy, with rehearsals limited to those directly involved in organizing the sequence, according to Corey Brennan of Fightful Select.

“There was a lot of secrecy surrounding the main event aftermath, as rehearsals for the main event were kept to those who were directly involved in putting it together.”

The event kicked off with the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals, pitting Hayes and Williams against Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin. The heels secured victory, claiming the tournament trophy. Now, Breakker and Corbin are one of the top teams in NXT, as Melo and Trick are no longer together.

What’s Next For Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes

The NXT roster is now on the road to defend her NXT Women’s Title at March 5th’s Roadblock event. Then Stand & Deliver is coming on April 6.

Odds are, Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes’ feud is far from over, and fans will see the two collide soon enough. 

Maria Kanellis Clears Up Misconceptions About Her WWE Departure

Aaron Varble
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There are a lot of stories going around in the pro wrestling world, especially concerning WWE Superstar releases and the reasons behind it. Now, Maria Kanellis has stepped up to address some of those misconceptions.

Maria Kanellis Speaks Out About Her WWE Departure 

Maria Kanellis addressed the misinformation surrounding her WWE departure, clarifying several points. Contrary to some reports, her initial release in 2010 occurred when her contract expired, and she declined a renewal at one-third of her male counterparts’ salaries. 

Despite initial assurances of change upon her return, she said WWE’s treatment did not align with expectations, especially concerning family planning. She emphasized that Mike Bennett’s request for his release was separate from her situation. Contrary to rumors, WWE did not facilitate rehab for Mike, and they were misled multiple times about their storyline. 

“There are a lot of reports about things that happened when I was in WWE. Most of them are just wrong. Some are rumors circulated by WWE loyalists, bots, or ‘news’ organizations on the WWE payroll. Here are some facts: When I was “released” by WWE the first time in 2010 my contract was up and I refused to sign for one third what my male contemporaries were making. When I went back, I was told by many people I trusted that WWE had changed. WWE knew we were planning on adding to our family when we resigned. Mike asked for his release, I did not. Mike never went to WWE rehab. Nor did they pay for any rehab. We were lied to many times about our storyline and what direction it was going. I fought back against it to no avail. We were never paid millions of dollars in WWE. We had the average contract for WWE for 6 months. We are not millionaires and we don’t live in a mansion. I hope this helps people separate fact from fiction.”

https://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis/status/1754337867843744198

Maria refutes claims of earning millions, highlighting their average WWE contract duration of six months and dispelling notions of a lavish lifestyle. Her aim is to provide clarity amid the mix of facts and fiction. 

What’s Next For Maria Kanellis

When it comes to what she’s doing now, Maria replied to a fan to say how proud she is of her current work in ROH. 

“I love what I am doing. I have watched the tag team division in @ringofhonor get better and better since July of last year. These guys are working their asses off to represent the division that has given us some of the Best Tag Team Wrestling in the world. I can’t wait to see what it looks like in a year.”

https://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis/status/1754341660253675586

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of ROH, AEW, WWE, TNA and every other company making waves in the pro wrestling world. We will have to see what Maria Kanellis says next, but she certainly addressed some popular rumors in this situation. 

John Cena Acknowledges Roman Reigns vs The Rock WrestleMania 40 Match

Aaron Varble
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The Rock’s return to WWE brought a big reaction from fans. Interestingly enough, they weren’t leaping with happiness about the Black Adam star’s return to the company, because he was taking away Cody Rhodes’ spot against Roman Reigns on the grandest stage of them all.

John Cena Reacts

John Cena’s Instagram is famous for posting without any captions. The 16x World Champion’s latest post fell into that trend, and the photo he picked spoke 1,000 words for him.

Cena simply dropped a photo of The Rock and Roman Reigns’ stare-down from SmackDown. That one appearance for Dwayne Johnson sparked a huge controversy within the pro wrestling community, and Cena can see that by the comments he received.

Almost immediately, Cena’s post was pounced on by upset Cody Rhodes fans. Tons of fans commented to say that Cena should be posting a photo of the American Nightmare, while others simply replied to say, “We Want Cody.”

The Rock received a very similar reaction with his own WrestleMania hype post last night. Those fans are quite brutal online, and you can check out that story here.

WWE Not Changing Their Plan

WWE fans are expressing their disapproval of The Rock returning to replace Cody Rhodes in a WrestleMania match. While WWE may not have anticipated this reaction, they likely hoped for increased fan support for Cody Rhodes in this situation.

Despite the fan backlash, it appears that the WrestleMania match involving The Rock and Roman Reigns will proceed as planned. Sources indicate to me that unless The Rock withdraws, the match is set in stone, with The Rock having asserted his influence since January 1st, notably during his appearance on the Day 1 episode of RAW, when he called his match with that head of the table reference.

As the story unfolds, SE Scoops will provide ongoing coverage. Despite The Rock’s massive popularity, WWE fans initially anticipated seeing Cody Rhodes face Roman Reigns at this year’s Mania to finish his story.

WWE Expected Cody Rhodes Would Be Seen As ‘A Martyr’ With WrestleMania Switch-Up

Aaron Varble
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The Rock returned to WWE so he could take Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania match against Roman Reigns. Fans are not happy about this, and they’re rallying behind Cody. That was apparently WWE’s plan.

WWE’s Plan For Cody Rhodes’ Replacement

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stated that WWE expected to make a martyr out of Cody after The Rock took his spot. That intention to turn him into an even bigger babyface was there, but the end result of The Rock getting booed might not have been in the cards.

I don’t know what they were expecting, but they were expecting for Cody Rhodes to turn into Daniel Bryan, yes. That one, they were expecting, to make Cody Rhodes into a martyr and make him a bigger babyface out of that. Were they expecting people to boo Dwayne, I don’t know, because you know, I’ve asked that one, and I haven’t gotten a straight answer. 

WWE fans have been quite open about the fact that they do not 100% approve of The Rock coming back to take Cody Rhodes’ match. This might not have been something WWE really planned for, but they certainly expected for fans to love Cody Rhodes even more coming out of this situation.

WWE’s Response To The Backlash

Fans are speaking out in a big way about this WrestleMania match, but that doesn’t mean it will do any good. I was explicitly told that this match is still happening.

After asking around, I received an additional note that said, “No chance this changes unless The Rock backs out. This has been The Rock calling the shot since January 1st.” That is when Rock showed up on the Day 1 episode of RAW and made his first head of the table comment.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this story as more information breaks. The Rock is one of the biggest names in entertainment, but WWE fans were already set on seeing Cody Rhodes take on Roman Reigns on the grandest stage of them all again this year.

STARDOM Founder Rossy Ogawa’s Shock Departure Will Bring Talent Departures

Thomas Lowson
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Rossy Ogawa, the founder of and Executive Producer of STARDOM Wrestling, has been cut from the promotion with immediate effect. 

Bushiroad, the parent company of STARDOM and New Japan Pro Wrestling, issued a statement on Monday announcing the news. According to a statement issued by Bushiroad:

“We have recently become aware that Mr. Rossy Ogawa has been poaching a number of Stardom athletes and staff members, and we have decided to terminate this agreement.”

This is a major shakeup to the Japanese women’s wrestling scene that will bring far-reaching ramifications. A talent exodus could be coming, because many STARDOM wrestlers are loyal to Ogawa. According to the Wrestling Observer, Bushiroad was of the mindset that Ogawa was  as going to leave and start his own company with a lot of the Stardom talent.

Bushiroad ‘sincerely apologized’ for any concerns fans may now have regarding Stardom’s future and vow to ‘make concerted efforts to further develop Stardom and to deliver excitement to our fans.’

AEW President Tony Khan apparently shares this view, and tweeted out the following .GIF in response to the news of Ogawa’s exit.

Who will replace Ogawa?

Taro Okada and Oyama, the Bushiroad Fight merchandise manager, will immediately take over as the bookers for STARDOM. Neither has any previous experience as bookers, though Okada was part of a pro wrestling club that held matches during his college days.

Max Caster References “Freaky” Vince McMahon In Rap Promo at Indie Event

Thomas Lowson
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Vince McMahon’s days in WWE may be over, and that provided AEW’s Max Caster with some ammunition during a recent rap at an independent wrestling event. 

McMahon re-signed from TKO and WWE last month, following a lawsuit filed by ex-employee Janel Grant. Miss Grant claims that McMahon was sexually abusive to her and that he trafficked her to others in the company, including John Lauriniaits and a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. McMahon has denied the allegations against him and, via a spokesperson, has claimed the lawsuit is rife with “obscene made-up instances that never occurred.”

Max Caster on Vince McMahon

An AEW Trios Champion, Max Caster appeared at the Alpha-1 Wrestling event on February 4. During his pre-match rap promo, the Acclaimed wrestler made reference to the scandal surrounding the 78-year-old ex-Chairman of WWE. 

“You wanna try me on the mic? Get a different plan cause I’m freaky with the words like I’m Vince McMahon.”

This is not the first time that Max Caster has name-dropped McMahon’s name. During a May 2023 edition of AEW Rampage, Caster poked fun at Dutch, saying he had the “worst mustache since Vince McMahon.” This was a nod to McMahon’s infamous lop-sided facial hair that he had debuted mere weeks before Caster’s barb. 

In June 2022, Caster took another dig at McMahon, this time due to the initial allegations of sexual misconduct. Caster said that “Honestly I had something to say but somebody made me sign an NDA!” This rap also made reference to Donald Trump, a WWE Hall of Famer and friend of McMahon. 

How WWE Feels About Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns Mocking Each Other’s Titles

Thomas Lowson
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Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins may be taking shots at each other’s championships on TV, but that isn’t an issue for WWE management. 

Following Cody Rhodes’ win in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match, both Rollins and Reigns would take digs at the other’s championship. On Raw, Rollins stated that Rhodes should face him at WrestleMania 40, instead of the Tribal Chief. Rollins called Reigns’ Undisputed WWE Universal Championship a ‘Hollywood’ title who those who politick their way to the top, while his title is for the workhorses like Cody’s father Dusty. 

Not to be outdone, Reigns appeared on SmackDown to dismiss the World Heavyweight Championship held by Rollins since May of last year. Reigns made it clear that the title held by Seth is a runner-up prize for those unable to dethrone him. 

WWE’s Response

Two of WWE’s top Superstars have been belittling the company’s top two championships, but that isn’t an issue according to higher-ups who spoke to Fightful Select. One higher-up said “Look who we’re in business with now” when asked about these digs, a nod to WWE being partners in TKO with UFC, where this kind of trash-talk is more commonplace. 

The source added that they want to create a discussion among fans and that both champions have a reason to say their championship is more valid than the other. Ultimately, it’s up to fans to decide if they find the title defended more to be the more valid, or if they prefer the title with a richer history that has been held by Reigns for over three years. 

Carmelo Hayes Turns On Trick Williams To Close Out WWE NXT Vengeance Day

Aaron Varble
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WWE’s Vengeance Day main event match saw Ilja Dragunov defend the NXT Title against Trick Williams. The Tennessee crowd was more than ready for the match, as they chanted “WHOOP THAT TRICK” loudly. The end of the night included a shocking moment that fans will be talking about for weeks to come.

Trick Williams’ NXT Title Match

Trick and Ilja battled in a match where they were both bloodied. Trick was already busted open in the first match of the night, one where he and Carmelo Hayes lost the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic final to Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker. Then Trick busted Dragunov’s nose open early on in their match.

This match got the crowd to a boiling point, and then Dragunov was able to pull off the big win. This came after several dramatic moments where it appeared that Trick Williams would pull down the title.

The Mad Dragon retained his title at Vengeance Day. In the end, Carmelo Hayes told Trick Williams that he’s his boy, and “you were so close.” Suddenly, the moment Trick’s back was turned, Melo’s face changed.

Carmelo Hayes Turns On Trick Williams

Hayes nailed Williams with a chopblock, which sent the big man down holding his knee. Then Carmelo got a chair from underneath the ring to lay down a few chair shots on Trick’s knee for good measure.

This turn has been coming for a while. Now, Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes are officially broken up. As “F*ck you Melo” and “Melo Sucks” chants rang out from the crowd, he left with a satisfied look on his face.

As Carmelo Hayes left, he blamed the crowd, saying “you made me like this, it’s your fault.” We will have to see what’s next for Melo and Trick.

Lyra Valkyria already retained her NXT Women’s Title during Vengeance Day. That match was changed into a triple threat match by a big surprise as Lola Vice cashed in her Women’s Breakout Tournament contract.

What’s Next

The NXT roster is now on the road to defend her NXT Women’s Title at March 5th’s Roadblock event. Then Stand & Deliver is coming on April 6.

WWE NXT Vengeance Day took place on February 4, 2024, at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee, marking the first NXT livestreaming event to be held in Tennessee. 

NXT Star Says Pro-Cody Rhodes Spamming Is Sending the Wrong Message

Thomas Lowson
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Are fans of Cody Rhodes sending the wrong message by spamming various WWE accounts in support of the American Nightmare? One NXT Superstar thinks so. 

On last week’s SmackDown, Rhodes graciously stepped aside to allow The Rock to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. This booking decision has been reviled by fans. Despite being one of the most popular Superstars of all time, The Rock’s return is now WWE’s most-disliked YouTube video. It’s not just online that this disdain has been shown. At a WWE live event, fans booed a video showing The Rock’s return on SmackDown. 

DIJAK Comments

WWE Superstars, for the most part, have been silent about the backlash to the booking decision. With that said Logan Paul recently threw his support behind Rhodes, while Ricochet has stated that fans are showing a toxic side. 

Now, NXT Superstar DIJAK has shared his two cents on the response from fans to this controversial booking. Taking to Twitter, DIJAK spoke about fans spamming the comments section of NXT: Vengeance Day in support of the American Nightmare. DIJAK argued that fans are sending the wrong message and if they insist on spamming accounts, they should stick to the relevant ones. 

What’s Next? 

The Rock and Roman Reigns will be at a WrestleMania 40 press conference later this week. Cody Rhodes will be on this week’s Raw where he’ll face Shinsuke Nakamura in a Bull Rope match. The American Nightmare will also be at Elimination Chamber: Perth later this month, an event neither The Rock nor Reigns are expected to be at. 

Mysterious ‘Three Faces’ Promo Airs During WWE NXT Vengeance Day

Aaron Varble
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You never know what can happen in WWE, and they proved that during Vengeance Day. A mysterious promo for what could be a new Superstar aired, and fans have a ton of questions.

Mysterious NXT Promo

At NXT Vengeance Day, a vignette conveyed a concise message. Displaying on-screen text, it stated, “A man has three faces. One that the world sees… one that his family sees… and the real one that no one sees, reflecting the evil he truly possesses.”

Nobody was actually seen in this promo, but the words got a lot of fans wondering what is going to happen next.

This three faces tale is similar to an old Japanese proverb. This leads many fans to assume that WWE is bringing in someone from Japan. We do not know who this new Superstar might be, but rumors of Okada or Giulia are certainly floating around the fan base right now.

What’s Next

The NXT roster is now on the road to defend her NXT Women’s Title at March 5th’s Roadblock event. Then Stand & Deliver is coming on April 6. We will have to see when WWE NXT reveals this mystery.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this mystery, and so much more in the pro wrestling world as more information is made known.

Lyra Valkyria Retains WWE NXT Women’s Title at Vengeance Day Despite Lola Vice Creating Impromptu Triple Threat

Aaron Varble
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WWE NXT Vengeance Day took place on February 4, 2024, at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee, marking the first NXT livestreaming event to be held in Tennessee. The event brought some notable moments, including a massive one for Roxanne Perez.

NXT Women’s Title Match at Vengeance Day

Lyra Valkyria defended the NXT Women’s Title against Roxanne Perez at Vengeance Day. This match had the Tennessee crowd on fire, but they didn’t know what to expect.

Lola Vice won the Women’s Breakout Tournament. With that win, she had a guaranteed contract for a title shot. Midway through Roxanne and Lyra’s match, right after Perez nailed Pop Rocks, Vice ran down to make this a triple threat match.

After the match carried on a bit more, Roxanne Perez nailed Pop Rocks again, but Tatum Paxley ran in and took her out of the ring. The pandemonium ended as Lyra nailed Night Witch on Lola Vice instead, and she secured the win to retain the NXT Women’s Title.

 What’s Next?

Lyra Valkyria is now on the road to defend her NXT Women’s Title at March 5th’s Roadblock event. Then Stand & Deliver is coming on April 6. 

Her future opponents have not been determined yet, but odds are, they will address that in the coming weeks on NXT’s weekly USA Network television show.

Efforts To Remove Brock Lesnar From WWE 2K24 Are Underway

Aaron Varble
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Brock Lesnar didn’t make his planned WWE return after Janel Grant’s lawsuit dropped. There is a belief that he may not be back, and gamers anticipating laying out their friends with Lesnar’s F5 in WWE 2k24 might be a bit bummed right now.

Allegations Against Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar was not named in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE and John Laurinaitis. A former UFC Heavyweight Champion who was working on a new contract with WWE was mentioned, and that was not a good look for Lesnar.

It is alleged that the Beast Incarnate wanted a video of Grant urinating, and then he wanted a “play date” as part of his new contract. The date couldn’t be arranged, but it happened, according to the damning allegations in the lawsuit.

Brock Lesnar Getting Erased By 2K

2K Already nixed Lesnar from their SuperCard mobile game. Now, the former Universal Champion is seemingly out of WWE 2K24. Mike Johnson reported on PW Insider that 2k is making strides to remove Lesnar from the game

It would appear that 2K, as a licensee for WWE, is following the company’s lead after WWE backed off on using Lesnar last weekend at the Royal Rumble event.

“Going forward, PWInsider.com has been told by sources familiar to the matter that we should expect to see Lesnar downplayed (if not outright removed as he was in the Supercard game) as much as possible going forward by 2K and potentially other licensees.”

Lesnar was scheduled to make his return and kick off his WrestleMania season storyline. However, in light of the lawsuit filed by Janel Grant against WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis a few days prior, the company decided to ‘withdraw’ Lesnar’s participation.

WWE’s Plan For Brock Lesnar

WWE planned for Brock Lesnar to face Dominik Mysterio at Elimination Chamber and then GUNTHER at WrestleMania. The company was forced to figure out other things after Lesnar was pulled from creative.

Although Bron Breakker replaced Lesnar in the Royal Rumble match, and solidified his main roster call-up, I was told that he is not getting Lesnar’s planned matches at Chamber and Mania. I also exclusively reported that he will be on the RAW brand when he gets things going.

The Rock’s WWE WrestleMania 40 Hype Post Flooded By Angry Cody Rhodes Fans

Aaron Varble
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WWE fans have reacted in a big way after The Rock made his return to television, skipping over Cody Rhodes in the process to claim a match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. It seems that Dwayne Johnson can’t post anything at this point without getting flooded by upset fans.

The Rock’s Latest WrestleMania Post

Although it hasn’t been 100% confirmed yet, the current WrestleMania match is The Rock vs Roman Reigns. This match was booked for WrestleMania 37, but they couldn’t get things lined up. Now they will finally hold the match at WrestleMania 40, but fans’ aren’t happy.

The Rock posted on Instagram to include a few reactions to his WWE SmackDown return. There were a couple live reaction videos, and it was overall positive. The caption he picked let everyone know that he is playing the long game as the People’s Champion.

This is gonna be so much fun.Long game.~ people’s champ

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C27CCdhu-c5

That post wasn’t up for very long before Cody Rhodes’ fans flooded it. The top reaction was “We Want Cody,” and many others commented to show their disapproval. This is not the kind of response that The Rock is used to getting.

The Rock’s Recent Activity

The Rock had a few big losses in a row. The XFL failed to make money, and Black Adam was panned in the box office. Young Rock was also cancelled by NBC after only three seasons.

Then his WWE return was met with a huge backlash. As of this writing, it appears that Dwayne Johnson is playing the “long game,” but fans don’t seem to be 100% down with how he’s playing.

WWE Sticking To WrestleMania 40 Plan (Exclusive)

As I previously reported, this match is locked in. The Rock wanted the contest against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, and it is happening, no matter what fans think. CM Punk’s injury caused WWE to pivot and put Seth Rollins vs Cody Rhodes instead. A triple threat match with Cody vs Rock vs Roman was never on the table, either.

After asking around, I received an additional note that said, “No chance this changes unless The Rock backs out. This has been The Rock calling the shot since January 1st.” That is when Rock showed up on the Day 1 episode of RAW and made his first head of the table comment.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this story as more information breaks. The Rock is one of the biggest names in entertainment, but that doesn’t seem to sway WWE fans who were set on seeing Cody Rhodes finish his story.

The Thrill Of The Chase Continues: Cody Rhodes Will Come Out On Top, No Matter What Happens At WrestleMania (Editorial)

Dominic DeAngelo
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Cody Rhodes not facing Roman Reigns at WrestleMania is at bare-minimum, bittersweet, but to a great deal of the WWE fanbase, it’s much more than that.

The Rock stepping the line to face his nephew had to feel like an “American Nightmare” scenario for Cody Rhodes fans on Friday. The full video clip of the segment on SmackDown has already become WWE’s most disliked YouTube clip of all time and so from a creative standpoint, that should give WWE a cause for pause if it hasn’t already. WWE clearly has a “Yes Movement Pt. Deux” on its hands. But as Cody mentor DDP once quipped, “that’s not a bad thing, but a good thing.”

Bryan Danielson was the fan-appointed favorite and for good reason. Just like Cody, the 2014 Daniel Bryan had synergy with wrestling fans and there was no denying riding with him was the move that should have been done. Poor Batista found himself in The Rock spot and he, along with Orton, became the unfortunate conduits for fan ire. Could that segment on SmackDown do the same for The People’s Champion?

The moment has gotten a lot of heat from fans, but how it was executed from all parties involved was beautifully done. Reigns immediately re-established the ability to hang with anyone behind the stick, but Cody became the main man to lay the groundwork for everyone involved. Sure, Roman went scorched earth on Rollins and his ‘Big Gold,’ but that can simply be chalked up to his manipulative ways. Plus, Seth did the same to Roman’s hardware on Monday, calling it a “Hollywood” championship.

It was Cody who helped bring Roman’s Title back to relevance, conjuring up the lineage from the Bruno Sammartino days. If WWE wants to make both titles feel equally desirable, a confrontation between Roman and Seth would do wonders.

Fans are hung up on Rhodes willingly calling an audible with The Rock usurping him in Philly, but Cody’s story ties perfectly into that match up that fans feel scornful of: the aspect of family.

Why does The Rock want Roman? His nephew has corrupted the Maivia and A’noai legacy and turned it into something self-serving. Cody knows all about legacy. The loving ties he has to his late father have been something fans have cherished throughout Cody’s story, so Cody would be the perfect man to understand The Rock’s intentions of wanting to end Roman’s reign. This is all the reason you need to have those respective matches at WrestleMania 40. Which leads me back to “Yes Movement Part Deux”

Can The Rock really be the recipient of boos in Philadelphia? The City of Brotherly Love have shown they aren’t above throwing batteries at Santa Claus, so yes, absolutely. However, it’s a match that has to happen and no matter what, despite what’s being said, it is the proper stage for it to go down on. The fans are who can ultimately change the course of what truly transpires at WrestleMania. Perhaps this feedback will force WWE’s hand in Cody really finishing his story, not just against Seth, but Roman too or maybe even The Rock.

At the very least, it will continue to add an unexpected chapter to Cody’s story: “‘The Thrill Of The Chase’ Continues” – a chapter Dusty originally penned. These hard times will pay off for The American Nightmare, because he has the fans on his side.

Mark Henry’s Son Jacob Henry Commits To Wrestle For University of Oklahoma

Aaron Varble
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0

Mark Henry is a WWE Hall of Famer, and he’s very proud of his body of work in the ring. Now, it is his son’s turn to get the spotlight, but he’s doing so under the bright lights in Boomer Sooner Country.

Jacob Henry Is A Boomer Sooner

Jacob Henry, son of Mark Henry, has announced his commitment to wrestle for the University of Oklahoma. He boasts an impressive high school athletic background. Prior to his senior season.

Jacob Henry’s High School Career

Jacob Henry attended Austin (Texas) Lake Travis, participating in wrestling, football as well as track and field. During his junior year, he achieved notable shot put throws of 50-7 and 50-6, securing a top-four finish in the Texas 6A 285-pound weight class. In his sophomore and freshman years, he consistently demonstrated strength with shot put throws ranging from 48-10.5 to 49-8.

On the gridiron, Jacob Henry showcased his domination in the 2022 football season at Lake Travis. He concluded the junior season with impressive stats, tallying 46 tackles, 4 tackles for loss (TFL), 2 sacks, and 6 quarterback hurries. In his sophomore year, he recorded 28 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 QB hurries. This solid performance reflects his skill and impact on the wrestling mat.

Jacob Henry has a wrestling record of 50 wins and 6 losses, with 36 pins, 3 tech falls, and 1 major decision. His rank value is 1.04 as of January 31, 2024, and these stats cover the period since February 4, 2023.

Jacob Henry’s connections extend to his father, Mark Henry, a former professional weightlifter and one-time World’s Strongest Man. Mark Henry is still employed with AEW, and he has a gig on Busted Open Radio.

Naturally, this gives Jacob Henry an edge over many. Obviously, Jacob Henry is destined for great things, and he’s doing it in Oklahoma. Jim Ross must be very happy about this announcement.

Response Over the Jacob Henry News

Mark Henry reacted on Twitter/X to say: “I am beyond proud of you Jacob. I know that nobody will work harder than you. Now you can add the University of Oklahoma fanbase as family. First honor God, then the Henry name, now the school that you represent. Hookem! and Go Boomer Sooner!”

He then proceeded to flood his timeline with an Instagram link to his son’s big announcement, replying to a variety of random tweets for the next hour or so. Obviously, the World’s Strongest Man is incredibly proud.

Big E replied to this announcement to say, “Maaaaaan. Thrilled for you, Jacob! Been so beautiful to watch your ascent.” Jacob has a cheering section that is certain to grow by leaps and bounds very soon.

Swerve Strickland also commented to remark, “Let’s go,” as Matt Cardona also sent his congratulations to Mark Henry’s son over this big announcement.

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