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Triple H Shares Generous Offer to NFL Legend & Wrestling Superfan Shannon Sharpe

Thomas Lowson
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Shannon Sharpe and the crew of the Nightcap Show are more than welcome to visit a WWE event anytime after the NFL legend shared his love for the wrestling business. 

During a recent episode of the Nightcap Show, the topic of wrestling came up. Sharpe spoke about growing up watching Georgia Championship Wrestling and named some of the stars of the era he loved to watch. Sharpe recalled traveling across Georgia with his family to see the likes of Dusty Rhodes, Bobo Brazil, Ox Baker, Andre the Giant, Harley Race, and Nick Bockwinkel. 

Taking to Twitter, Triple H was impressed by Sharpe’s love of the business. In a tweet, the Game appreciated Sharpe’s passion and said that he and the Nightcap Show crew are welcome to attend a WWE event any place any time. 

Shannon Sharpe

Regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, Sharpe is best known for his time with the Denver Broncos, who he played for from 1990 to 1999 and later from 2002 to 2003. Sharpe holds the record for the most receiving yards in a game by a tight end (214) and is a three-time Super Bowl Champion (twice with the Broncos and once with the Baltimore Ravens). 

WWE & The NFL

Despite Vince McMahon being the founder of the XFL, WWE and the NFL have close ties. Not only are several Superstars former football players, but WWE entered a multi-year licensing deal with the NFL last year to create team-themed titles. Last month, Liv Morgan gifted one of these titles to the Green Bay Packers ahead of their win over Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs. 

ESPN Responds After Pat McAfee Claims Executive “Rat” is Sabotaging Show

Thomas Lowson
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ESPN has responded to recent accusations by Pat McAfee stemming from alleged sabotage of his popular talk show. 

In May 2023, McAfee signed a multi-million dollar deal with ESPN to bring his show to the sports channel. This deal saw McAfee leave a lucrative contract with FanDuel in which he was set to earn $120 million over four years.

ESPN Responds to Pat McAfee

During a recent episode of his show, McAfee claimed that some in ESPN were trying to sabotage his efforts. The WWE correspondent called out ESPN executive Norby Williamson, claiming he is a “rat” leaking false information. 

In a statement, ESPN said the following: 

“No one is more committed to and invested in ESPN’s success than Norby Williamson. At the same time, we are thrilled with the multi-platform success that we have seen from The Pat McAfee Show across ESPN. We will handle this matter internally and have no further comment.”

Pat McAfee Show Controversy

McAfee’s show recently saw criticism after Aaron Rodgers made baseless claims that Jimmy Kimmel would be named on the list of those who traveled to the island of Jeffrey Epstein. So far, no hard evidence has proven Rodgers’ claim, and several fake lists shared online have been debunked. McAfee made no effort to challenge Rodgers on his claim. 

Corey Graves took it personally when Pat McAfee replaced him on SmackDown. Click here to find out more. 

Chris Masters Hopeful for Opportunity in WWE, AEW, or TNA Wrestling

Thomas Lowson
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Chris Masters is ready to take his skills to a larger stage than the NWA and has set his sights on AEW, IMPACT, and WWE. 

The Masterpiece is best known for his time with WWE from 2005 to 2007 and his subsequent run from 2009 to 2011. He has also competed in IMPACT Wrestling and the NWA and is a two-time NWA National Champion. 

Chris Masters Wants To See What’s Out There

In a video shared on his Instagram, Masters spoke about wanting to see what’s out there beyond the realities of the NWA. 

“[I’m looking to] see what’s out there for me. The last couple years I’ve been at NWA, [I’ve been] trying to develop myself and kind of evolve my character in every way I possibly could. And now I’d like to bring that to AEW, Impact Wrestling, and of course, WWE.”

Masters recently shared a video of himself making his entrance at an event. With the caption “and now the participant who drew number 2”, Masters was referring to a surprise return in the Men’s Royal Rumble match. 

Chris Masters and Returning to WWE

This isn’t the first time Masters has made his intentions to return to WWE very clear. In late 2022, Masters spoke about a potential feud with Bobby Lashley, which would see a battle of the Full Nelson submission hold. In January, Lashley said he’d love to face Masters, though a match has yet to happen. 

Chris Masters was seriously worried about his reputation after his WWE debut match went horribly wrong. Click here to find out more. 

Video Of New TNA Wrestling X-Division Title Belt Design Revealed

Aaron Varble
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TNA Wrestling is currently undergoing significant transformations with its rebranding from Impact Wrestling. Fans are excited for nostalgia, as Scott D’Amore and other Impact officials hope that this re-branding does the trick to re-spark interest.

New X-Division Title Revealed

As part of this overhaul, new title belts are being introduced, and the first glimpse of the redesigned X-Division Title has been revealed.

It was disclosed that TNA Wrestling had laid out plans to unveil a fresh set of title belts, indicating that every champion on the roster would receive updated hardware. They will have those new title belts rolled out soon enough.

The debut of the revamped X-Division Championship belt coincided with the buildup to Chris Sabin’s defense against KUSHIDA and El Hijo del Vikingo at TNA Hard To Kill 2024.

In an official presentation, Scott D’Amore handed over the new X-Division Title to Chris Sabin. He was obviously honored to receive this new title, especially since Sabin has made no secret about how much he loves the old TNA Wrestling titles.

Details About New X-Division Title

The updated design prominently features the recognizable red X at its core and incorporates the revamped TNA Wrestling logo. Chris Sabin, recognized as the X-Division’s most accomplished champion, is currently in the midst of his 10th reign with the title.

As TNA Wrestling enters this new chapter in its history, Sabin proudly holds the X-Division Title. Now, he will defend it proudly.

Zelina Vega & Dakota Kai Get Pokémon Tattoos To Celebrate Personal Milestone

Aaron Varble
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WWE Superstars are prone to get tattoos, and then they get extra love by sharing their new ink on social media. Now, two WWE Superstars have new art in their skin, and they got those pieces for a good reason.

Zelina Vega has been making waves in WWE since her return in 2022. Apart from WWE, she extends her influence beyond wrestling as she embraces the role of a budding YouTube personality along with Twitch streamer. 

Zelina Vega & Dakota Kai’s New Tattoos

Recently, Zelina Vega, in collaboration with Dakota Kai, set a bold target for their YouTube channel. They put their eyes on a goal to reach 15,000 subscribers. Upon successfully attaining this significant milestone, the duo opted for a unique celebration by getting matching tattoos.

In a video shared on Zelina Vega’s Instagram, the two chronicle their tattoo experience. Their new tattoos matched their passions and personalities to a tee, as they got some Pokémon ink.

Choosing Pokemon-themed tattoos to mark the 15k subscriber achievement, Dakota Kai selects a Vulpix tattoo, while Zelina Vega opts for a Seel tattoo. 

Happy 15k!! Thank you all for getting @zelvxandcharliegirl to our new milestone! What should our 20k be?? thank you @ownyoursummer for the dope #Pokemon tattoos!

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C1zkXd4OiE4

Zelina Vega & Dakota Kai in WWE

Beyond her YouTube accomplishments, Zelina Vega solidified her commitment to WWE by recently signing a long-term deal. That ensured her continued presence with the company for years to come.

Fans can anticipate with excitement the future ventures from the LWO member. She has also been receiving rave reviews for her character work on WWE television. 

Dakota Kai is still going strong as a member of Damage CTRL. Although she may still be waiting out her knee injury, she was still featured on WWE television practically every week, which kept her face out there and her brand relevant. Obviously, both Vega and Kai are connecting with fans in a big way, as evidence by their latest subscriber accomplishment. 

Update on WWE’s plan to partner with a top Japanese wrestling promotion

Aaron Varble
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WWE has a lot of fans talking about possibilities of outside partnerships. Where Vince McMahon closed his Forbidden Door a long time ago, Triple H doesn’t seem as eager to keep it bolted shut. That has led to some interesting prospects for the future.

WWE has always wanted to branch into Japan, and secure more of that market. Although attempts to form some sort of alliance failed over the years, things are very different within WWE now, as Vince McMahon’s mentality is no longer an issue. 

WWE & STARDOM’s Possible Deal

Sean Ross Sapp posted on Fightful Select to note that he could not confirm that talks between WWE and STARDOM have resulted in a deal, but conversations are present between the two companies. 

It was noted that, “Numerous WWE sources noted that the company was in a new era and things could be done a lot differently.”

WWE & AJPW’s Current Arrangement 

Regarding the AJPW deal with WWE, one that saw Charlie Dempsey make his way to the Japanese company, there is more of a “wait and see how it goes” approach, “but that things are looking good.” 

It was also noted that, “WWE has been much more relaxed on these possibilities since Nick Khan gained power, though it wasn’t directly attributed to his arrival, the timeline added up.” 

WWE & NJPW Possibly Working Together

Whenever deals with Japanese companies arise, fans will naturally ask about the possibility of WWE linking up with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. It was reported that, at this time, it doesn’t seem likely that a partnership will happen considering NJPW’s alliance with AEW.

Regarding rumors of WWE interest with NJPW, we’ve heard that WWE has long maintained interest in at least some connection with NJPW. Those we spoke to in both companies don’t think it’s particularly likely considering the strong partnership between AEW and NJPW, but said that with new faces at the helm of both WWE and NJPW, it’s at least more likely than it has been in a long time. Sources within WWE we spoke to said that Vince McMahon usually quickly nixed any discussion of such. Rocky Romero had spoken with Nick Khan at one point years ago, but the conversation never went anywhere.

AJPW insiders reportedly expressed happiness with Charlie Dempsey’s performances, considering him an effective representative sent by WWE. NXT sources also reported positive treatment of Dempsey during his trip. We will have to see if that trip will be the only one an NXT talent makes to Japan to represent the company over the course of 2024.

Matt Striker Regrets ‘Wrong’ & ‘Tone Deaf’ Defense of Matt Riddle

Thomas Lowson
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MLW commentator Matt Striker has responded to the backlash from comments he made during Matt Riddle’s first match back with the promotion. 

At MLW’s Kings of Colosseum show, Riddle defeated Jacob Fatu. This was the former WWE United States Champion’s first match since being released from WWE in September 2023. After the match, the two men shared a sign of respect. 

Matt Striker’s Comments

Striker was commentating on the match and was impressed with what he was seeing from Riddle. During part of the match, Stiker said the following: 

“How do you let this guy go? This guy is a star, a mega-million dollar star. I don’t care what he does. How do you let him go?”

Many have taken issue with Striker’s comment about not caring what Riddle’s done. Riddle has faced multiple accusations of sexual misconduct including from his ex-girlfriend Daniella Petrow. Riddle was also accused of sexual misconduct in 2020 by wrestler Candy Cartwright. While Riddle admitted to having an affair with Cartwright, he claimed it was entirely consensual. This affair led to Riddle’s marriage to his ex-wife Lisa ending. A legal case by Cartwright against Riddle and others was dropped in 2021.

Later in the match, Striker doubled down on his comment about Riddle being able to do whatever he wanted. 

“He can do whatever he wants, he can kick your ass. Anyone out there (has) got a problem with him, step to him out on the street, watch what happens. End of conversation.” 

Matt Striker Responds

Striker’s comments during the show have faced a backlash, with many taking issue with the notion that somebody accused of sexual misconduct can do “whatever he wants.” On Twitter, Striker reflected on what he had said. 

https://twitter.com/MLBMattStriker/status/1744006398776627545

At this time, MLW has not commented publicly on Striker’s comments or his subsequent tweet. MLW’s next major event will be Intimidation Games on February 29. 

Matt Riddle recently showed up in New Japan and already has laid out a challenge to a huge star. Click here to find out more. 

The Rock Inspires Rhea Ripley With Powerful Motivational Message

Aaron Varble
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WWE RAW’s Day 1 episode at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California was a packed card. Not only did The Rock return for a shocking segment, but Rhea Ripley also battled to defend the WWE Women’s World Title against Ivy Nile. The Rock paid attention to Ripley that night, and he had a special message to share.

The Rock’s WWE RAW Day 1 Surprise

The Rock showed up for a segment with Jinder Mahal, where he shut down the Modern Day Maharaja’s anti-American promo. That resulted in “Day One Douchebag” chants, and after The Rock beat Mahal down, he dropped a blatant tease about a future match with Roman Reigns. 

Following the show, photos circulated on social media showing The Rock spending time with Ripley, prompting a public comment from The Rock on Instagram. His caption provided a very important message that The People’s Champion had for The Nightmare.

“She wears black. I love black. She’s a bad ass. And I got famous for wearing a fanny pack. We had fun f*cking around backstage —-Love, appreciate and respect you champ @rhearipley_wwe – thanks for trusting me with your title, keep kickin’ ass and raising the bar ——Big shout to @cathykelley for being a total pro and having fun — —-#peopleschamp.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C1yNPVRrmXV

Rhea Ripley’s Rise in WWE

Rhea Ripley began her WWE career in 2017, participating in the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament. She was off to the races after that. 

Rhea Ripley joined NXT and evolved into a top star for the brand. Ripley’s accomplishments include winning the NXT Women’s Championship and playing a significant role in various storylines. Over time, she transitioned to the main roster.

To this day, Rhea Ripley is a member of Judgment Day, and many fans consider her the leader of that faction. The Rock definitely can’t wait to see what she does next.

Jinder Mahal Challenges The Rock to a Match in India After Showdown on Raw

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Superstar Jinder Mahal is eager to step into the ring with The Rock once again, after their collision on this week’s episode of Raw. 

The Brahma Bull returned to WWE programming during this week’s Day 1 edition of Raw to an eclectic response from the crowd. WWE had been teasing the return of a former WWE Champion in the days before the show, which at first appeared to be Mahal. The Modern-Day Maharaja ran down the United States before the return of The Rock, who had some choice words for his fellow former WWE Champion. The Rock then laid out Mahal with a spinebuster and his People’s Elbow. 

Jinder Mahal Challenges The Rock

The Rock may have handily dispatched of Mahal on Raw, but now the 3MB alum is ready for another shot at the Great One. Speaking to WWE Super Dhamaal, Mahal has praise for his own efforts on Day 1 Raw. 

“I had many good points before Rock even came out. I was feeling confident until I was on the receiving end of, you know, Rock gave me a spinebuster. Up until then, I really believed that I had The Rock. You know, I had his confidence choked. I could see the look in his eyes. You know, I am the Modern Day Maharaja, he may be The People’s Champion, they were cheering him on. For someone who had no respect from the crowd, I think I did really well.”

Mahal then made his intentions clear and challenged the Brahma Bull to a match. 

“I want to issue a challenge to The Rock. Anytime in India, you can step into the ring with The Modern Day Maharaja.”

After dealing with Mahal, The Rock teased going after Roman Reigns’ role as Head of the Table. Click here to check out the reaction from the Tribal Chief. 

Bron Breakker And Cora Jade Remove Signs Of Relationship From Social Media

Aaron Varble
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The pro wrestling world has many happy couples, because it really takes someone in the business to understand the sacrifices required. Sadly, not all relationships last, and it appears that Bron Breakker and Cora Jade may no longer be together. 

Bron Breakker & Cora Jade’s Relationship

Cora Jade and Bron Breakker were romantically linked with each other. Their relationship was made official last year.

In 2022, there were speculations about their relationship, which Bron Breakker later confirmed. They openly shared photos and videos with each other on social media, posting numerous times as they let fans know that they were an official couple on their respective Instagram accounts.

Bron Breakker & Cora Jade’s Possible Breakup

Upon checking both Cora Jade and Bron Breakker’s Instagram profiles, they have unfollowed each other and deleted all their shared photos. This was quickly noticed by eagle-eyes fans, causing some concern that the pro wrestling power couple from NXT are no longer dating.

Though there has been no official word from Cora Jade or Bron Breakker on the subject so any rumors about them are just speculation at this point. 

Relationships can face challenges due to busy schedules, especially in pro wrestling. Although we cannot be certain about the reason for this development until the NXT stars are ready to address their relationship status publically.

No matter what, Bron Breakker and Cora Jade both have huge upsides to them, as they are top NXT Superstars with main roster potential. At this time, we can only wait for some kind of official word from Breakker or Jade. 

break 1

PAC Expected Back Soon In AEW After Missing Months Of Action

Thomas Lowson
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AEW star PAC is set to make his return soon after close to half a year out of action with an injury. 

During a virtual signing for Highspots, Penta El Zero Miedo recently stated that PAC will be back in AEW soon. During a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer confirmed that the British wrestler is indeed expected to return in the not-too-distant future. 

“He’s back soon, I know that.”

PAC’s most recent match took place on the July 26, episode of AEW Dynamite, where he faced Gravity. In August, it was announced that PAC had suffered an injury, though it was unclear what sort of injury he was facing. This has been the latest setback for PAC, who was out of action from March to July of last year. That hiatus was because he needed to get a nose injury fixed. 

PAC in AEW

After his tenure with WWE as Neville ended in 2018, PAC joined AEW on January 8, 2019, one week after the promotion was announced. At AEW’s inaugural rally, PAC confronted ‘Hangman’ Adam Page, setting up a match for Double or Nothing. That match wouldn’t take place however as it was scrapped due to “creative differences.” 

In June 2022, PAC became the first AEW All-Atlantic Champion, which is today known as the AEW International Championship. He is also part of Death Triangle with Rey Fenix and Penta. He is a former AEW World Trios Champion and the first AEW star to be a double champion. 

NJPW Talent’s Contract Set to Expire Later This Month

Thomas Lowson
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A prominent name will be leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling at some time this month, until a new deal can be reached very soon. 

The contract of Alex Coughlin is set to expire this month, Fightful Select has reported. Coughlin is a current member of the Bullet Club and joined the faction in June of last year. 

Alex Coughlin in New Japan

At NJPW Independence Day 2021: Night One, Coughlin teamed with Gabe Kidd to capture the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships. The pair defeated Bishamon to win the titles, the first taste of New Japan gold for either man. The pair would hold the gold until October’s Destruction in Ry?goku where they lost the titles to Guerrillas of Destiny.

Coughlin Outside of New Japan

In addition to his work with NJPW, Coughlin is known for his work with Ring of Honor. After appearing a few times in 2019, Coughlin returned to ROH in April 2023 and would team with Katsuyori Shibata, to defeat The Workhorsemen. After the match, Coughlin pointed at Shibata’s ROH Pure Championship, teasing a future match. That match would happen in June and saw Shibata retain the Pure Championship. 

Coughlin has also appeared for AEW. He made his debut on the May 10, 2022, edition of Dark . He and other members of the LA Dojo would save LA Dojo’s The DKC and Kevin Knight from a post-match attack by The Factory. At the AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door Buy-In show, Coughlin teamed with Yuya Uemura, The DKC, and Kevin Knight in a losing effort to Max Caster, Billy Gunn, Austin Gunn, and Colten Gunn.

Mariah May Affected by Fire, Interesting Name at Collision, Kurt Angle Cameo & More

Thomas Lowson
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New AEW Trademark Filing

The fans of AEW will have a chance to ‘Get the Feeling’ thanks to a new trademark filing by the promotion. This week, AEW filed a trademark for the phrase for its use on merchandise, as well as at professional wrestling events. At this time, there’s no word on what ‘Get the Feeling’ will mean for the on-screen product. 

Interesting Name at AEW Collision

The January 6, 2024, edition of AEW Collision featured some top names, including Adam Copeland, Ric Flair, and Sting, but a different WWE Hall of Famer remained backstage. PW Insider reports that former NWA United States Heavyweight Champion Magnum TA was backstage at the Collision taping in Charlotte, NC. 

Kurt Angle’s AEW Cameo

Kurt Angle has made it clear he’s a WWE guy, but that didn’t stop the Olympian from making a cameo for AEW this week. On Twitter, Stokely Hathaway shared a Cameo featuring Angle, in which he claims that Hathaway is a changed man to Willow Nightingale and Kris Statlander. It seems Kurt didn’t stop recording when he should have, as the video ends with Angle asking Stokely where’s his money. 

Mariah May Home Affected By Fire

Mariah May looked to set the wrestling world on fire during her AEW in-ring debut this week before the debuting Deonna Purrazzo interrupted. On Twitter, May shared that the place she lives suffered a fire. Fortunately, everyone is okay and the hunky firefighters proved to be a silver lining for the British wrestler. 

Unique Reason Why Most Serious Charge Against Liv Morgan Was Dropped

Thomas Lowson
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A unique technicality was crucial for the most serious drug-related charge against WWE Superstar being dropped this week. 

Morgan was arrested on December 14th in Sumter County, Florida, following a traffic stop and was charged with possession of drugs, possibly synthetic cannabinoids. She was also charged with marijuana possession, not exceeding 20 grams, and possession of drug equipment.

Why the Charge Was Dropped

This week, the possession of drugs, possibly synthetic cannabinoids charge was dropped against Morgan, which will come as a huge relief to the Superstar. This was the most serious charge against the former SmackDown Women’s Champion. 

The decision to drop the charge came as a surprise to many, but there is a reason for this. An Assistant State Attorney in Sumter County told KOMO News that to prove the charge, the State is required to prove that the THC came from synthetic sources and was not derived from plant sources. No labs in the State of Florida perform such tests, so it was remanded to county court as possession of cannabis. 

With no labs to perform the test, this charge was dropped. In a statement to The Messenger, Morgan’s attorney Jack Goldberg said: 

“We are extremely pleased that the State Attorney’s office made the correct decision to not purse felony charges against Gionna [Morgan].”

What’s Next? 

The charge of possession of marijuana, less than 20 grams, is a first-degree misdemeanor in Florida. It can be punishable by up to one year in jail or on probation, along with a $1,000 fine. Conviction of possession also results in a six-month driving license suspension, random drug testing, and the reimbursement of all fees related to the sentence. There is no heat on Morgan for this arrest within WWE. 

“F*** Them! Show Them!” Mustafa Ali Says He Was Told No-One Would Chant His Name in Emotional Promo

Thomas Lowson
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Mustafa Ali is ready to prove all his doubters wrong as he made clear during his first promo at a wrestling event following his WWE exit. 

Ali was among those cut from WWE in September 2023, as part of the first wave of talent cuts following the launch of TKO Group Holdings. Ali’s release came as a surprise given that he was in the middle of a storyline in WWE NXT. There had been plans for Ali to win the NXT North American Championship before being cut. 

Mustafa Ali Post-WWE Promo

After waiting out his 90-day non-compete clause, Ali made his return to action this weekend as part of an event at the APC 20th Anniversary event in Nanterre, France. Speaking to the fans after the match, Ali addressed what he’s been told in the past and made clear he’s ready to prove his doubters wrong. 

“For more than the past 90 days [I’ve thought], what’s the first thing I want to say? And it’s as simple as this and if I tear up I apologize from the bottom of my heart. Every upper management that I have ever worked for in this industry has told me to my face that no one will ever cheer for someone named Mustafa Ali. [Fans boo, one says “f**k them!”] No, even better than f**k them, show them!

“And if those people are watching, right now I’m in a sold-out house in APC. And every single person in this building is chanting Mustafa Ali! I’m going to leave the ring with one more point. This is what I want in the industry. I want change in the industry. I want guys that are a certain level to reach down and pull people up.

“The young man, the young man that I just shared the ring with, let me tell you something. I have shared the ring with Rey Mysterio! I have been in the ring with AJ Styles! Name them, I’ve been in the ring with them and you my good man are just as good as them. It was an absolute honor to perform here. I landed this morning and I have not slept and I don’t give a s**t because this gives me life! Thank you all, good night, I love you.”

Where will Mustafa Ali compete next? Click here to find out more about the former Superstar’s massive schedule. 

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

Update On Kota Ibushi’s Injury Diagnosis Following Noah Match

Anutosh Bajpai
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New details have come to light regarding Kota Ibushi’s health issues.

The Japanese star aggravated what’s believed to be a previous injury while working a match against Naomichi Marufuji at NOAH’s New Year special on January 2.

The high-flying star was said to be in a lot of pain after this match and was taken to hospital immediately afterward. The wrestling promotion shared an update on his diagnosis with us, revealing additional injuries to his right ankle:

“Kota Ibushi, who sustained an injury at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Ariake Arena event on January 2nd, has been diagnosed with a right tibiofibular ligament tear and a right ankle lateral ligament complex injury as a result of a more thorough examination than his initial diagnosis.”

Ibushi is expected to undergo another detailed examination to determine further course of treatment. We will keep you updated on the matter.

Kota Ibushi’s Future In Wrestling

The 41-year-old has been dealing with persisting health issues going back to his time with NJPW. He has only wrestled a total of 8 matches since parting ways with the promotion in November 2021, and most of them have been tag team bouts.

After the latest injury setback, Kota Ibushi shared a number of heartfelt messages with his fans on Twitter. In one such tweet yesterday, he hinted at potentially retiring from the sport after fulfilling his current obligations:

“I came here with the goal of being able to do it for 20 years, and I think it’s about time. There are still a lot of things left on my contract, but I want to complete them!

“I try not to talk too darkly or think about the future, but I have to take care of my mother and other things, so I’ll talk about it when the time comes! Don’t miss a match.”

We should expect a firm update on Ibushi’s future in wrestling once a more detailed timetable for his recovery is revealed.

SEScoops wishes Kota Ibushi a speedy recovery.

Cody Rhodes Just Agreed to be the Best Man at a WWE Fan’s Wedding

Thomas Lowson
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Cody Rhodes is focused on ‘finishing the story’ and becoming Undisputed WWE Universal Champion but will make time out of his schedule to be a fan’s Best Man. 

At a WWE live event in Spokane, Washington, Rhodes picked up a victory over Shinsuke Nakamura. After the match, Rhodes spotted a fan’s sign, asking the American Nightmare to be the Best Man at their upcoming wedding. Cody agreed, much to the delight of the Washington crowd. 

Cody’s Connection with the Fans

This is hardly the first time that Cody Rhodes has made a unique connection with a member of the WWE Universe. For the final live Raw of 2023, Rhodes gifted a fan an entire Christmas tree which had been part of the stage. This generosity came mere weeks after Rhodes purchased WWE tickets for a family of fans to ensure they saw him in action live. More recently, Rhodes has shared his generosity with the kids of the popular ‘The Wrestling Club.’ Rhodes recently purchased tickets and a hotel for the club of KIPP AMP Middle School students to attend WrestleMania 40. 

WWE Live Event – Spokane, WA

Here are the results for the WWE live event in Spokane, Washington:

  • LA Knight defeated Jimmy Uso (w/Solo Sikoa)
  • Brutus Creed defeated JD McDonagh
  • Bianca Belair, Shotzi, and Becky Lynch defeated Damage Ctrl (Asuka, Kairi Sane, and WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky)
  • Cody Rhodes defeated Shinsuke Nakamura (Street Fight)

Watch: Hook is Coming for Samoa Joe & the AEW World Championship

Thomas Lowson
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Hook may already be the reigning FTW Champion, but the second-generation wrestler feels it is now time to add the AEW World Title to his collection. 

This week’s AEW Collision was the first of the new year and the first episode following last weekend’s AEW Worlds End pay-per-view. At that event, Samoa Joe won the AEW World Championship from MJF, ending the latter’s record-breaking reign. After the match, Adam Cole would be revealed as the Devil with Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, Roderick Strong, and Wardlow as his minions. 

Hook is Coming for Samoa Joe

During this week’s AEW Collision, FTW Champion Hook appeared and pointed out that his win/loss record in the promotion is second to none. Hook added that it’s time for him to go after another championship. Hook went on to say that thanks to ‘personal connections’ he’s had a close eye on the person he has his crosshairs on. Hook ended his promo by making it clear he’s coming for Samoa Joe and his AEW World Championship. 

Hook in AEW

Hook debuted for AEW in 2020 and wasted no time in aligning himself with his father Taz as part of Team Taz. It wouldn’t be until December of 2021 that Hook made his in-ring debut, besting Fuego Del Sol on an episode of Rampage. 

Hook is a two-time FTW Champion, a title introduced by his father in the original ECW. Hook’s current reign began with his victory over Jack Perry during the AEW All In Zero Hour pre-show. 

Tony Khan Speaks On MJF’s AEW Roster Removal & WWE’s Reported Talks With WBD

Aaron Varble
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Tony Khan is proud of what AEW has been able to do since the company opened their doors. He also knows that there are some big subjects that need to be addressed.

MJF’s Removal From The AEW Roster Page

MJF lost the AEW World Title at Worlds End, and Adam Cole later stated during AEW Dynamite that MJF is never coming back. So far, the Salt of the Earth has not been seen again, but recent developments are quite interesting for his AEW status.

MJF disappeared from the AEW roster as 2024 started. Many fans took notice, and Tony Khan has now addressed a question about what is going on.

While speaking on the Going Ringside podcast, Tony Khan was asked about MJF’s absence from the AEW roster page. TK didn’t provide a definite explanation, but he did suggest that MJF was great for the company.

“I can say that MJF certainly has been a great part of AEW for the first five years. And through those five years, certainly, he’s been one of our great homegrown stars…and he’s somebody we really value and I would love to have MJF in AEW in the future, should the contractual situation allow.”

“Certainly MJF is somebody we would love to have an AEW going forward. And he’s been a great wrestler and a great champion for us.”

Tony Khan Addresses WWE’s Talks With WBD

WWE and Warner Bros Discovery could shake up the pro wrestling world in a huge way if they lock in a deal for RAW. Although NXT is going to The CW and The USA Network is getting SmackDown in October 2024, RAW’s new destination has yet to be revealed.

WBD and WWE are said to be talking about the red brand. Tony Khan addressed the talk of WBD acquiring WWE’s flagship show, as he reiterated how strong AEW’s relationship is with Warner Brothers Discovery.

“It’s part of sports. I think everybody discusses contracts and free agency and things of that nature. I think everybody is aware that everybody is going to be talking to everybody in media this coming year. There will be certainly a lot of opportunities. We’ve had a great history with Warner Brothers Discovery and continue to produce great ratings. We’ll be in a very good position next year.”

CM Punk’s WWE return reportedly brought Warner Brothers Discovery’s interest to a new level. 2024 will definitely see WWE RAW declare a new home, but the big question remains regarding where the longest running weekly episodic television show in history will call their next home.

CM Punk Provides Health Update For His Dog Larry

Aaron Varble
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CM Punk returned to WWE, and fans soon cried for AJ Lee’s return as well. Other fans are now wondering when Larry, Punk and AJ Mendez’s dog, will make an appearance.

CM Punk Gives Update On Larry

During a recent interview on 640 The Score, CM Punk provided an update on Larry’s condition, mentioning that the dog experienced additional health issues, including a blown-out ACL. 

A short time later, CM Punk appeared for the WWE 2024 Preview Special, and he was asked about Larry’s current state. Punk was very happy to receive a question about Larry, as he revealed that his little friend is doing much better.

“Oh, gosh, he’s doing so much better. He’s doing much better. He’s had a string of really, really good days. He had a rough couple of months. I don’t know if it was harder on me and April (His wife, aka WWE’s AJ Lee) or was harder on him, but he’s trying to jump back on the couch now. That’s how we got hurt in the first place. So we just gotta keep an eye on him still. But he’s doing a lot better. I appreciate you asking.”CM Punk acknowledged that Larry wasn’t present during the interview to be shown on camera, as AJ Lee likely had him in another room to prevent interruptions. This scenario is not uncommon for owners of small dogs who may hold sway in the household.

CM Punk & Larry’s Future

Currently, in a feud with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, CM Punk’s exchanges with Rollins started before Punk’s return and continued in on-screen promos. WrestleMania seems like a likely location for a confrontation between those two.

It remains to be seen whether Larry might make an appearance on WWE television. He was around backstage at AEW on a semi-frequent basis, as Larry was reportedly caught in the middle of Brawl Out, where he ended up losing two teeth after they were loosened during the chaos. 

TNA Wrestling Reveals Schedule For Debuting New Title Belts

Aaron Varble
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TNA Wrestling is coming back, and that will call for an overall change for the company. They will also introduce new title belts along the way. Those new title belts won’t come all at once, but TNA Wrestling now has a schedule to unveil them.

New TNA Wrestling Titles Are On The Way

TNA Wrestling is currently undergoing a significant overhaul, as they are no longer operating under the name Impact Wrestling. That branding was widely accepted by fans, and many can’t wait to see what aspects of TNA Wrestling they bring back, since we know the six-sided ring is not returning. 

As part of this transformation, a new set of titles is being introduced to align with the rebranding. The company has now released the complete schedule for unveiling these new title belts.

TNA Wrestling sent out a social media blast to let fans know when they can expect to see those re-designed title belts.

– TNA X-Division Title on January 7 at 1pm ET

– TNA World Tag Team Titles on January 8 at 1pm ET

– TNA Digital Media Title on January 9 at 1pm ET

– TNA World Title on January 10 at 1pm ET

– TNA Knockouts World Title on January 11 at 1pm ET

– TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Titles on January 13

What’s Next For TNA Wrestling

TNA Wrestling is set for the Hard to Kill event on January 13th, 2024. Fans are anticipating the TNA comeback and are looking forward to even more changes and developments in the upcoming weeks.

TNA Wrestling also hinted at a major signing during their Hard to Kill pay-per-view. The company has also allocated a budget for signing notable free agents this year. It will be interesting to see how they are able to ramp up their roster, as notable names like Deonna Purrazzo and Trinity Fatu have departed.

Tyler Bate Is Officially On WWE SmackDown Roster After New Year’s Revolution Debut

Aaron Varble
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Tyler Bate made his debut on WWE’s January 5th episode of SmackDown, as he helped Butch pick up an important win against Pretty Deadly. Triple H calls the shots in WWE, and he’s always been a fan of Bate. Now he gets to book him on a much larger stage.

Tyler Bate’s WWE Main Roster Debut

Pretty Deadly was slated to take on Butch on SmackDown, yet Butch lacked a partner. Despite the absence of a designated teammate, the match was scheduled for SmackDown’s New Year’s Revolution episode, offering fans an unexpected twist.

Butch chose Tyler Bate as his partner, marking the NXT Superstar’s first appearance on SmackDown, but it will not be his last. Tyler Bate is now officially a SmackDown Superstar.

After Butch and Tyler Bate picked up a win over Pretty Deadly on SmackDown, the Big Stong Boi made it very clear that he’s on SmackDown for the long haul.

“Finally, it’s been a long time coming, but the Big Strong Boi has finally arrived on SmackDown — and I am here to stay.”

Following his debut on the show, Bate is now featured on the SmackDown roster page on WWE’s website. A video posted on Instagram by WWE features Bate stating that he has made his presence known on SmackDown and intends to remain.

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C1vkGjsMo00

Who is Tyler Bate

Tyler Bate is a wrestler from England who worked in WWE. He became the first WWE United Kingdom Champion in January 2017 at 19 years old. Bate was a proud part of NXT UK, until the brand closed down, which opened the door for his NXT debut.

Tyler Bate’s wrestling style is known for strength and agility, and he’s been part of important matches in WWE. He’s also raked up a ton of accomplishments in WWE so far in his career.

Tyler Bate is a two-time WWE/NXT United Kingdom Champion, he not only claimed the inaugural title but also secured the final one. Bate further solidified his standing by winning the NXT UK Heritage Cup.

While teaming up with Trent Seven, Bate won both the NXT Tag Team Championship and the NXT UK Tag Team Championship. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first NXT UK Triple Crown Champion as well. He also won the NXT Tag Team Championship Invitational in 2018 with Seven.

Tyler Bate picked up the NXT Year-End Award for Match of the Year in 2017, recognized for his outstanding bout against Pete Dunne for the WWE United Kingdom Championship at NXT TakeOver: Chicago. Now, he is teaming with Dunne, as Butch, on WWE SmackDown. 

Tyler Bate is “Here to Stay” After Making WWE SmackDown Debut

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Tyler Bate is looking forward to a lengthy future on SmackDown after arriving on the scene during this week’s episode. 

The January 5, 2024, episode of SmackDown was the show’s New Year’s Revolution special and was the final show of WWE’s stacked first week of 2024 programming. In the show’s main event, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight competed for a shot at Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Thanks to interference from The Bloodline, no winner would be determined, and Nick Aldis’ announcement of a fatal four-way match would infuriate the Tribal Chief. 

Tyler Bate is Here to Stay

On this week’s SmackDown, Bate made his debut as the mystery tag-team partner of Butch. The pair of former WWE United Kingdom Champions proved to team together seamlessly and got the victory over Pretty Deadly. 

In a post-match interview, Bate shared his thoughts on finally making it to the blue brand. The Big Strong Boi also stated that he was here to stay after making his debut. 

”Finally, it’s been a long time coming but the big strong boi has finally arrived on SmackDown, and I am here to stay!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C1vkGjsMo00

Tyler Bate on The Main Roster

Bate’s arrival this week shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to fans. Last month, it was reported that WWE was considering bringing Bate to the main roster. While Bate is smaller than many on the main roster, his size isn’t considered as big a deal now with Vince McMahon no longer running WWE’s creative department. It is stated that WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque is far more open-minded as to who can be a top star.

Dutch Mantell Lucky To Be Alive After “50/50 Chance” of Surviving Medical Emergency

Thomas Lowson
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‘Dirty’ Dutch Mantell is fortunate to be alive after being given bad odds of surviving a recent medical emergency. 

Mantell began his career in wrestling in the 1970s and would achieve success in various promotions, including the NWA. For more modern-day fans, Mantell is best known for his role as a manager. During WWE’s New Generation, he managed the Blu Brothers as Uncle Zebekiah and would manage Jack Swagger in the 2010s as Zeb Colter. 

Dutch Mantell is Lucky to be Alive

On the most recent episode of his Storytime podcast, Mantell spoke about being unable to stay awake during his recent birthday and said his daughter Amanda noticed other signs something was wrong. 

“She said I kept giving her gibberish answers that made no sense. She was looking at me funny and this continued for like an hour or two. Finally, she said there’s something wrong and she called 911 and they came and picked me up and I don’t even remember that.”

Mantell explained that he was battling E. Coli and sepsis and made it clear that if he hadn’t gone to the hospital, he would not be alive today. Mantell’s condition, which also included a fever, meant he struggled to remember much of what happened, but knew his odds of survival weren’t great. 

“I was given medicine every three hours. This is what I don’t remember. I was given a blood transfusion. I don’t remember that, so it had to be serious. They did give me, I think I remember they said a 50/50 chance. I think. Don’t mark me down on that being the truth. I could have just imagined that.”

Mantell concluded by saying he was given a large selection of medicines and instructions on what to take and when. Mantell added that he believes part of the illness may have been self-induced as he has not been taking care of himself. Mantell said he’s hoping to avoid making the same mistake and is currently feeling good. 

Pat McAfee Says Some in ESPN Are Sabotaging His Show, Calls Executive a “Rat”

Thomas Lowson
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Pat McAfee has taken aim at Norby Williams, dubbing the ESPN executive a “rat” who leaks false information to sabotage Pat’s show. 

In May 2023, McAfee signed a multi-million dollar deal with ESPN to bring his show to the sports channel. This deal saw McAfee leave a lucrative contract with FanDuel in which he was set to earn $120 million over four years. 

Pat McAfee Accuses Norby Williamson

On his show, McAfee spoke about having a positive relationship with ESPN for the most part. The WWE correspondent then aimed at those attempting to make the show worse and called out Williamson. 

“I believe, Norby Williamson is the guy who is attempting to sabotage our program. Now, I’m not 100 percent sure. That is just seemingly the only human that has information, and then that information gets leaked, and it’s wrong, and it sets a narrative of what our show is.

“Are we just gonna combat that from a rat every single time? Somebody tried to get ahead of our actual ratings release with wrong numbers 12 hours beforehand. That’s a sabotage attempt. It’s been happening this entire season from some people who didn’t necessarily love the old addition of ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ to the ESPN family. There’s a lot of those.”

It’s certainly a bold move for McAfee to call out Williamson like this. Calling out executives rarely works out well, as we’ve seen in the past in the world of wrestling. McAfee’s show recently saw criticism after Aaron Rodgers made baseless claims that Jimmy Kimmel would be named on the list of those who traveled to the island of Jeffrey Epstein. So far, no hard evidence has proven Rodgers’ claim and several fake lists shared online have been debunked. 

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