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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

Thomas Lowson
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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. 

The Rock Thanks “Sacred Connection” With Fans After WWE Raw Return Shatters Record

Thomas Lowson
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WWE may be happy to credit the recent record-breaking views on social media to The Rock, but the man himself believes that the ‘people’ deserve the credit. 

The Brahma Bull returned to WWE programming during this week’s Day 1 edition of Monday Night 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. During his promo, The Rock asked the fans if they’d like to see him as Head of the Table, alluding to taking the spot held by Roman Reigns. Reigns had quite the reaction to his cousin’s threat on social media.

The Rock Reacts to Raw Record

The return of the Brahma Bull has proven to be a hit with fans, as the figures on social media prove. WWE recently disclosed that in its first few days, The Rock’s return has racked up over 171 million views across multiple platforms, a record for any WWE moment during such a timeframe. Taking to Twitter, The Rock was grateful to the fans who he argued were the ones breaking the record. 

In a separate tweet, the Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment spoke about his “sacred connection with the people.” The Rock added that while he’s had some loud crowd pops in his time, the one he received on this week’s Raw simply hit differently from the rest. 

What’s Next? 

With what transpired on Raw, many feel that the long-awaited dream match between The Rock and Roman Reigns will finally happen this year. Many predict the match will happen at WrestleMania 40, though this hasn’t been confirmed This will come as bad news to fans of Cody Rhodes, who hoped he’d ‘finish the story’ and dethrone Reigns after his loss at WrestleMania 39. While WrestleMania 40 is seen as the ideal location by many, there are other events that WWE could choose for the Rock-Roman match if not WrestleMania 40. 

How Did AEW Subtly Reference Adam Copeland’s Pre-WWE Days on Rampage?

Thomas Lowson
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Adam Copeland wasn’t at this week’s episode of AEW Rampage, but the company did give a nod to the Rated R Superstar’s days before joining WWE. 

Copeland joined AEW at WrestleDream in October 2023 and has been feuding with Christian Cage ever since. The two competed over the TNT Championship during a December episode of Dynamite which saw Cage retain the title. At AEW Worlds End, Copeland won the title, marking his first championship win in nearly 13 years. Unfortunately, his reign would be short-lived as thanks to Killswitch, Cage was able to reclaim the title moments later. 

AEW’s Tribute to Sexton Hardcastle

Before he was known as Edge in WWE, Adam Copeland worked under the infamous name of Sexton Hardcastle on the independent scene in his native Canada. While fans didn’t see Sexton Hardcastle on Rampage, they did see Kennedi Hardcastle compete in a tag-team match. 

While some may have seen this as a mere coincidence, further investigation shows that this was a deliberate reference by AEW. Kennedi Hardcastle’s real name is Kennedi Copeland, and though she shares the same last name as the former World Champion, the two aren’t related. On Twitter, Kennedi confirmed this wasn’t a coincidence and admitted to being a huge fangirl of the WWE Hall of Famer. 

AEW Rampage Results: January 5, 2024

Here are the results for the January 5, 2024, edition of AEW Rampage: 

  • The Hardys and Mark Briscoe defeated The Butcher, Blade, and Kip Sabian.
  • Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale defeated Kennedi Hardcastle and Notorious Mimi
  • Hikaru Shida defeated Anna Jay
  • Wheeler Yuta (c) defeated Komander (Ring of Honor PURE Championship)

Look At This Photograph! Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger At This Week’s WWE SmackDown

Thomas Lowson
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The first SmackDown of 2024 saw some of WWE’s top names on the broadcast and also saw quite a notable name behind the scenes. 

The January 5, 2024, SmackDown saw a fatal four-way be confirmed for the Royal Rumble event, as Roman Reigns will defend against AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and LA Knight. In the finals of the U.S. Championship Contenders Tournament, Kevin Owens defeated Santos Escobar. The Prizefighter will challenge U.S. Champion Logan Paul at the Royal Rumble PLE. 

Nickelback at SmackDown

For all the Superstars at SmackDown, one of the biggest names in entertainment at the show remained backstage. On Twitter, Triple H shared a photo with Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger and made reference to their popular track ‘Photograph’. 

Nickelback and Professional Wrestling

While Kroeger and his bandmates haven’t competed in the ring, Nickelback has close ties to the world of professional wrestling. In 2009, their song ‘Burn it to the Ground’ became the official theme of Monday Night Raw. The theme would be used until Raw 1,000 in July 2012. 

Music from Nickelback has been used for several WWE Premium Live Events. Their track ‘This Means War’ was used for the Elimination Chamber 2012 event, while ‘Edge of a Revolution’ was used for Survivor Series 2014. The group also performed live for the Tribute to the Troops event in 2011 with a rendition of ‘Burn it to the Ground’. 

One of WWE’s most promising young Superstars competed before SmackDown went on the air. Click here to find out more. 

“I Think It’s About Time” – Kota Ibushi Teases Retirement After Latest Injury Setback

Thomas Lowson
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The career of Kota Ibushi may be coming to an end sooner than later judging by a tweet from the Japanese wrestler. 

At the Pro Wrestling NOAH event on January 1, Ibushi was transported to a hospital after injuring his ankles. The Japanese star, who signed with AEW last year, reportedly walked into the match with a broken ankle but still wrestled the 30-minute main event against Naomichi Marufuji. This match understandably made his injury situation worse and itsbeen confirmed that Ibushi will undergo surgery. 

Kota Ibushi Teases Retirement

In a tweet translated from Japanese, Ibushi teased that his days in the ring may be numbered. 

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. 

Is Kota Ibushi’s Career Ending? 

This isn’t the first time that Ibushi has addressed leaving the wrestling ring behind. Last month, Ibushi said that he’d considered retirement after suffering a shoulder injury during the NJPW G1 Climax in 2021. In the interview, Ibushi said that he doesn’t know when he’ll be finished, saying it could be tomorrow, next year, or ten years from now. 

As of this writing, there is no word on when Ibushi will return to the ring. We at SE Scoops are continuing to wish him the best in his recovery. 

Watch: Roman Reigns’ Furious Reaction After Royal Rumble 2024 Scheme Backfires

Thomas Lowson
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Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is far from thrilled after his efforts to prevent a challenger for his title backfired immensely on SmackDown. 

The January 5, edition of the blue brand was the ‘New Year’s Revolution’ episode of SmackDown and concluded WWE’s stacked first week of programming in 2024. In the main event, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight competed with the winner earning an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship opportunity. 

Roman Reigns Reacts

Before the match could reach a decisive finish, Roman Reigns and The Bloodline interfered and attacked all three potential challengers. Unhappy with this, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis informed Paul Heyman that Reigns would defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Champion at the Royal Rumble in a fatal four-way match. 

Backstage, Heyman was given the daunting task of informing Reigns about the upcoming title match. The Special Counsel was clearly terrified when telling Reigns of what Aldis had told them. Reigns was infuriated but refrained from shouting and simply demanded that Heyman “fix this.”

This match will be the first time in over two years that Reigns has not defended his title in a singles contest. Reigns’ most recent match which saw multiple challengers was at WrestleMania 37 where the Tribal Chief bested Edge and Daniel Bryan. This will be Reigns’ first time defending his title in a fatal four-way match. 

WWE Royal Rumble 2024

Reigns’ fatal four-way match will be part of a stacked event on January 27. The show will also feature the two titular Rumble matches. So far, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Bobby Lashley have been announced for the Men’s Match. Bayley, Nia Jax, Becky Lynch, and Bianca Belair have been announced for the Women’s Match. U.S. Champion Logan Paul will defend against Kevin Owens at the event. 

What happened after the New Year’s Revolution edition of SmackDown went off the air? Click here to find out. 

Asia-Pacific Federation of Wrestling Announced, 5 Nations to Share Resources

Thomas Lowson
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The Asia Pacific Federation of Wrestling, a collective effort of promotions and countries, seeks to ensure the future of Asian wrestling worldwide. 

At a press conference held this week, the APFW was formally announced, with the following names representing the group: 

  • Japan: NJPW (Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi, Yuji Nagata), STARDOM (CEO Taro Okada, Mina Shirakawa)
  • China: DFW (Wang Bin)
  • Taiwan: PUZZLE (Touyu)
  • Thailand: Setup (Pumi)
  • Singapore: GrappleMax (Gregory Ho)

The Goals of APFW

The Asia Pacific Federation of Wrestling has three main goals that it hopes to achieve. With Japanese promotions leading the way in terms of talent, the first goal will see Japanese promotions loan talent to various Asian countries. The next goal will be for all promotions to have more showcase matches, thanks in part to the sharing of talent. The third goal is for an improvement in wrestling training, with the Federation aiming to send wrestlers to Japan for further training.

The APFW Comments

Representatives from all six promotions would speak at the press conference. You can check out their comments (courtesy of NJPW1972.com) below: 

“Over the last ten years, we’ve been able to hold events in Singapore and Taiwan, twice in each country. In all the venues, the reactions from the fans were huge and our wrestlers absolutely want to be back there very soon. We’ll be giving all we have to make this project successful.” – Naoki Sugabayashi

“There are a lot of people in Asia, a lot of them English-speaking, but in recent years NJPW has been focused on America when it comes to international expansion. I think we’ve been looking past a great opportunity in Asia, and I’m happy for us to take that opportunity.” – Yuji Nagata

 “We [STARDOM] recently passed one million YouTube subscribers with a lot of those views coming from Asian countries. Just as NJPW has built familiarity through TV, we’ve built a presence through videos and shorts. I hope we can continue to broaden the appeal of pro-wrestling and STARDOM in particular.” – Taro Okada.

“We at STARDOM aren’t really able to fly out rings to these countries, so to have the help of SETUP in Thailand and GrappleMax in Singapore was so important and made everything possible. I hope this alliance can help us bring women’s pro-wrestling onto a bigger global stage.” – Mina Shirakawa

“Thank you for the invitation to this alliance. PUZZLE has a history of wrestler exchange with other countries and companies, but I think in particular to have NJPW’s guidance to lean on is a massive step up for us. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity, and to work with NJPW on this first step of an event in April.” – Touyu

“Antonio Inoki taught the Chinese people about Japanese wrestling culture. That inspired me to bring that culture to Japan. I feel we’ve been able to grow the population of wrestling fans in China from 200,000 to 10 million. I think there are 2 million NJPW fans in China, but that’s out of a population of 1.4 billion. This alliance will, I feel bring the pro-wrestling audience in China to the tens of millions, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Thank you.” – Wang Bin

“This partnership is not just about talent exchange, but the chance to share and learn from the best wrestling promotions in this world. Thai pro-wrestling has more than 15 years of history, so I think this is important for us. As you know with Muay Thai, Thai wrestling has a long history in combat sports, so I want to grow the culture of pro-wrestling in Thailand.”  – Pumi. 

Thank you to Bushiroad, NJPW and STARDOM for this invitation. I’m very happy to represent Singapore. We’ve always been very close to Japanese wrestling… As part of this Federation, I look forward to working with the members, learning from NJPW and STARDOM and working with the amazing partners here to really grow the wrestling culture.”  -Gregory Ho.

This news comes after the announcement of the United Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. Click here to find out more. 

Gable Steveson Competes Before 1/5 Episode of WWE SmackDown

Thomas Lowson
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WWE’s second-ever Olympic Gold Medalist was in action before this week’s episode of SmackDown went on the air. 

The January 5, edition of the blue brand was the ‘New Year’s Revolution’ episode of SmackDown and concluded WWE’s stacked first week of programming in 2024. In the main event, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight competed with the winner earning an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship opportunity. After Roman Reigns and The Bloodline interfered, Nick Aldis announced a fatal four-way at the Royal Rumble on January 27. 

Gable Steveson at SmackDown

Before the show went on the air, the fans in Vancouver were able to see Gable Steveson in action. The Tokyo 2021 Summer Olympics Gold Medalist faced Cedric Alexander and got the win over the Hurt Business alum. You can check out Steveson’s entrance in the video below. 

This was Steveson’s 13th match since signing with WWE in 2021. Steveson currently boasts a 12-0-1 record, with the only blemish on his record being a count-out draw against Baron Corbin in July 2023. 

Another WWE NXT Appearance

Gable Steveson wasn’t the only name associated with WWE NT to be at this week’s SmackDown in Vancouver. For his tag-team match with Pretty Deadly, Butch had to find a tag-team partner, which turned out to be Tyler Bate. The Big Strong Boi and his fellow NXT UK Champion would get the win over Elton Prince and Kit Wilson. 

Why is it unfair to compare Gable Steveson to Kurt Angle? Click here to check out what the WWE Hall of Famer has to say. 

What Happened With Drew McIntyre After SmackDown Went Off Air

Anutosh Bajpai
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WWE Raw star Drew McIntyre made a surprise appearance on this week’s episode of SmackDown and picked up an impressive victory after the show went off the air.

The first SmackDown of 2024 was an eventful show with a number of big developments. This included Kevin Owens defeating Santos Escobar to become the #1 contender for Logan Paul’s US title.

The main event of the show was a triple threat match among AJ Styles, Randy Orton and LA Knight to determine the #1 contender for Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble.

All three of these men were committed to earning a shot at the glory of defeating The Tribal Chief. The very physical match between them even led to Knight getting busted open the hard way during a spot.

What Happened After SmackDown

The match however ended without a winner when The Bloodline attacked all three participants. Nick Aldis then revealed that Reigns will now have to face all three of these competitors in a fatal four way at the upcoming PLE.

The broadcast ended with The Bloodline standing tall in the ring but the night was far from over. Fans got to see not one but three dark matches after this bout.

The first two dark matches after the show ended saw Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley picking respective victories over Chelsea Green and Ivy Nile.

The third and final dark match was between Drew McIntyre and Ricochet. The One and Only showed some impressive moves but McIntyre ended up picking the victory after delivering Claymore.

WWE Offers NXT Deal To Former Top NWA Star

Dominic DeAngelo
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WWE appears to be also busy in free agency.

AEW President Tony Khan made clear on a couple of occassions that he planned to be very active in pro wrestling free agency, but WWE has confirmed to be contact with a top independent talent.

PWInsider is reporting that WWE has reached out to former NWA Worlds Women Champion Kamille and offered her a NXT contract.

Kamille first entered into the NWA as Nick Aldis’ “insurance policy” enforcer before she ended up becoming an unprecedented women’s champion, holding the title for over 800 days before she dropped the belt to Kenzie Paige

Kamille is one of the rare women wrestling stars that rivals the look and presentation of Jade Cargill, who WWE notoriously signed a deal with the company last year. 

Cargill has made several appearances on WWE programming since signing, but she also has focused her attention on improving her skills at the WWE Performance Center and hasn’t been since in months.

Other Women Free Agents WWE Has Interest In

Kamille isn’t the only name that WWE apparently wants to scoop up. The former champ joins the likes of Giulia, a top women’s star in NJPW who WWE reportedly has massive interest in.

However, WWE also has interest in two major names with previous ties to the company. It’s being reported that Trinity Fatu, the current TNA Knockouts Champion, is expected to re-sign with WWE once her contract expires, which appears imminent.

As for her former tag partner, Mercedes Mone, WWE does want to re-sign her, but there is no word as of yet if they’re close to a deal or where the former Sasha Banks may land.

AOP Returns to WWE, Forms new faction with Karrion Kross

Aaron Varble
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WWE brought New Year’s Revolution for fans on SmackDown on January 5th. The show also marked the return of a pair of former Tag Team Champions.

AOP Returns To WWE

During WWE SmackDown this week, Akam and Rezar made their long-awaited return to WWE television. This went down in Vancouver, and fans were very excited to witness WWE history first-hand.

The Authors of Pain were paired up with Karrion Kross and Scarlett. They will battle Bobby Lashley and the Street Profit’s new trio to start things out for themselves in the WWE landscape once again.

AOP made their return during SmackDown, as they interrupted a promo from Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits. After revealing Paul Ellering on the entrance ramp, Akam and Rezar laid waste to Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits. Karrion Kross then joined them in the ring to finish Lashley off.

The segment concluded with Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits laid out in the middle of the ring. Karrion Kross and the newly returned AOP stood tall.

Who are AOP?

Authors of Pain achieved the WWE NXT Tag Team Championship once, and also secured the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship on one occasion. Additionally, they clinched the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in 2016.

Hints About AOP’s WWE Return

Hints about the Authors of Pain’s return to WWE have been impossible to avoid at this point. Akam and Rezar were teased to join Karrion Kross.

AOP’s return is a long time coming, as rumors of their comeback have been going around for a while. Now they are back on WWE television, so Triple H can book them in his vision. 

AEW Star Mariah May Escapes Safely After Her Building Catches Fire

Aaron Varble
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Mariah May just made her way to America thanks to AEW inking her to a contract. She had an eventful past couple of months, and today was no different, as she had to escape from a fire.

Mariah May’s Fiery Incident

Mariah May used her X account on January 5th to update her fans and followers following a fire incident in her building. Luckily, she is safe from harm, and nobody else was hurt in the fire.

Mariah said that despite the fire, everyone emerged safely. Adding a touch of humor, May also noted that the responding firefighters were noteworthy nice to look at, so that was a perk.

sad news… the building I live in had a fire good news…

everyone is ok and the firefighters are sexy

Mariah May replied to her own post, where she added a bit more information. She is safe and sound, and it seems she also has more four-legged friends after helping some animals escape the blaze. So, she considers that a win.

and I made friends with some animals I carried out

a win is a win

Mariah May in AEW

Mariah May made her way to AEW by way of STARDOM. She was placed alongside Toni Storm as her biggest fan, vying for the Timeless One’s attention in any way. As Mariah May continues her road in All Elite Wrestling, odds are she will gain Toni Storm’s attention eventually.

Matt Riddle Has No Hard Feelings Over His WWE Release

Aaron Varble
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WWE released Matt Riddle from his contract in September 2023, and that 90-day non-compete clause is already over. He experienced a lot during his time in the company, and it doesn’t seem that there are any sour grapes at this time.

Matt Riddle Speaks On His WWE Release

Matt Riddle is already getting his name out there, one that WWE was gracious enough not to change during his run with the company. In addition to his marijuana endeavors, Riddle is also taking bookings. 

Although some former WWE Superstars aren’t fans of the company, and they’re not shy about saying so, Matt Riddle is not burning that bridge. The Original Bro is not bitter at all about his WWE release, and he made that crystal clear.

Matt Riddle opened up to FOX News about his WWE release. He harbors no hard feelings after he was cut from WWE, and he seems that things happen for a reason. 

“No, I have no hard feelings. And I would just say, with WWE, they run a ship, they run it a certain way, and when you work for WWE, everything you do is under a magnifying glass. It doesn’t matter if you did anything wrong, if you did something right, if it was in between, it’s perception.” “And the WWE, unfortunately, if a situation happens, and they don’t like the perception, they make their decision.”

“But I’m not going to argue with them. That’s their company. I don’t run it. I just worked there. I’m thankful that they gave me the time that they did and that’s all I can say.  I have zero hard feelings. I don’t know if I can say that for them. They might have some hard feelings, but I feel like they’re pretty professional. They’re more about that paper, that money. So, I don’t think there’s any hard feelings. I mean, they did have to pay me for three months when I didn’t work. That was on them. They fired me.”

Matt Riddle’s Future After WWE Release

WWE’s decision to terminate Matt Riddle’s contract surprised many fans, but it was prompted by a series of incidents that strained his relationship with the company. He exhausted multiple opportunities with upper management, and even those who had previously defended him could no longer do so.

Matt Riddle raked up over two dozen different infractions during this time with WWE, especially during the latter half of his main roster run. It got to the point where nobody could save him, and he was fired from the company weeks after he had an inebriated incident at JFK Airport while going home from WWE’s live event in India.

Matt Riddle is staying busy, and he has a few dates on his schedule. Apart from his MLW bookings, he is also slated for a first-ever encounter with RVD, in Chillicothe, Ohio, which may be a historic meeting of the minds.

The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns Could Happen Outside WrestleMania (Report)

Thomas Lowson
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Will The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns, the most anticipated dream match of a generation, take place on a show other than WrestleMania 40? 

The Brahma Bull returned to WWE programming during this week’s Day 1 edition of Monday Night 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, and after a fakeout with Jinder Mahal, The Rock returned. During his promo, The Rock asked the fans if they’d like to see him as Head of the Table, alluding to taking the spot held by Roman Reigns. Reigns had quite the reaction to his cousin’s threat on social media.

Not Happening at WrestleMania? 

With the tease on this week’s Raw, many have predicted that The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns will at long last take place at this year’s WrestleMania. This has come as bad news to fans of Cody Rhodes who hope that his story will be finished this April with a victory over Reigns, something Rhodes failed to do at WrestleMania 39. 

In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is made clear that everyone in WWE is “tight-lipped” about the possible Rock-Roman showdown. Dave Meltzer noted that the match could happen as soon as WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth. The local government has reportedly requested the Brahma Bull for the February 24 event. 

There’s also the possibility that the match could happen at one of WWE’s high-profile events in Saudi Arabia. While no dates have been announced, two Saudi events are expected this year. Meltzer noted that the Saudi government pays “ridiculous money” to have high-profile shows. It was added that bringing The Rock in “could possibly negotiate a bonus that would make it the biggest money event in company history.”

Liv Morgan’s Felony Possession Charge Dropped, Legal Update

Aaron Varble
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Liv Morgan was arrested on December 14th, at 6:30 PM for charges including possession of marijuana (under 20 grams), possession of drug equipment, and possession of potentially synthetic cannabinoids. Now, she has one less charge to worry about after hiring an established attorney. 

Liv Morgan Resolving Legal Issues

As outlined in Liv Morgan’s arrest report, on December 14th, a Sumter County Deputy approached Morgan’s vehicle, and “the odor of marijuana was detected.” Upon searching Morgan’s vehicle, law enforcement discovered a “small plastic bag containing marijuana” and a vape pen containing “an oil-like substance.” Subsequently, the substance was subjected to testing, confirming it to be marijuana, as detailed in the arrest report.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Liv Morgan has enlisted the services of Jack Goldberger, a prominent criminal defense attorney in Florida. He will help her get out of this legal predicament. 

Goldberger has already succeeded in having her felony synthetic marijuana charge dismissed, which is a big win for her.

Regarding Liv Morgan and her arrest a few weeks back, she hired Jack Goldberger, one of the best criminal attorneys in Florida. The state dropped the synthetic marijuana charge which was the felony and transferred the marijuana case to a different division which hasn’t been listed yet. The belief at this point is most likely it will be a misdemeanor charge and most first-time offenders with marijuana in Florida pay a fee of $100, and they’ll drop the charges without anything appearing on her record

Liv Morgan’s WWE Return

Liv Morgan’s recent arrest is not anticipated to impact her scheduled WWE return. The company had already finalized plans for her comeback in 2024, and there seems to be no alteration in those arrangements.

With the Royal Rumble coming up on January 27th, Liv Morgan’s name is a favorite to return. She might have to deal with some strange fan chants in Tropicana Field about marijuana, but that would only make her WWE return more memorable. 

Long-Awaited Returns Expected For 1/5 WWE New Year’s Revolution SmackDown

Aaron Varble
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WWE started off 2024 for RAW in a huge way with Day 1. That included The Rock’s return. It is SmackDown’s turn now, as they have New Years Revolution ready to go. That may include a long-awaited return.

Possible Spoiler for 1/5 WWE SmackDown

PW Insider reports that Paul Ellering has been spotted in Vancouver, the site of WWE’s New Years Revolution SmackDown. Naturally, an AOP return is expected for tonight’s show.

WWE Hall of Famer Paul Ellering was spotted in Vancouver this morning. 

The expectation, as PWInsider.com reported previously several weeks ago, is that he and The Authors of Pain will return to WWE on tonight’s Smackdown as part of an alliance with Karrion Kross and Scarlett.

Authors of Pain Future in WWE

Many WWE Fans expect that Karrion Kross will be aligned with the Authors of Pain upon their return. That could be a powerful faction with Kross, Scarlett, Paul Ellering and AOP.

I was told that Authors of Pain were quietly signed to new deals well over a year ago. It’s been the plan to pair them back up with Paul Ellering as well. That trio was a favorite of Triple H’s, one that Vince McMahon disbanded upon AOP’s entry onto the WWE main roster.

Vince McMahon wanted someone younger, and an active wrestler, to lead AOP to the ring. That is why Paul Ellering was replaced by Drake Maverick. Now, Ellering is getting back with AOP.

This week’s SmackDown will be their New Years Revolution show. They have a loaded card planned, which you may find below.

Second Possible Spoiler For 1/5 WWE SmackDown

Pretty Deadly has a match against Butch this week on SmackDown. Butch needs to find a partner for that match. It was also noted on PW Insider that Sheamus is expected to fill that slot.

Sheamus, whose WWE contract expires this year, has been out of action with a shoulder injury. He sat on the sidelines while other members of the Brawling Brutes carries on without him. This week may see the Celtic Warrior’s return.

WWE SmackDown January 5th New Years Revolution Card:

  • Roman Reigns returns LIVE to SmackDown 
  • AJ Styles, Randy Orton and LA Knight to collide in Triple Threat Match 
  • Kevin Owens battles Santos Escobar in the United States Championship Tournament Final 
  • Logan Paul comes to SmackDown
  • Butch must find a partner to take on Pretty Deadly

Released WWE Superstar Has No Plan To Wrestle Again

Aaron Varble
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WWE’s September releases affected numerous Superstars, and Rick Boogs’ name was on that list. While some released Superstars are already working elsewhere, Boogs doesn’t seem eager to get back in the squared circle.

Rick Boogs Doesn’t Plan On Wrestling Again

Recently, Rick Boogs opened up on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, as he shed light on his WWE tenure, the release, and his future endeavors.

Shinsuke Nakamura’s former guitarist stated that he has no plan to wrestle again. The option is out there for him, and he realizes that, but he seems to have interests elsewhere.

“No. When I first decided I was going to do wrestling, pursue it, I had to be all in on something. So like, I was doing strength and conditioning stuff, personal training. I was like, if I’m gonna commit to this other endeavor, I just quit my job. I have a wife and a daughter. I just got unemployed for the sake of you know, getting hungry that I really wanted to make it happen, which my wife was not happy about. She was like, ‘Why did you have to quit?’”

Rick Boogs’ Future After WWE

In terms of his post-release well-being, Rick Boogs expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming chapter in his life. He mentioned starting a YouTube channel, hinting at the varied directions he’s exploring in this new phase.

Rick Boogs has previously shared his perspective on Vince McMahon’s departure from his position, viewing it as a significant setback for his own career. Vince McMahon was booking him, but then Boogs didn’t get that same love when the Chairman of the Board left his creative position.

Despite this, Rick Boogs has multiple skill sets, including his guitar playing ability. He can also hype up just about any crowd you put him in front of.

Rick Boogs’ future in the ring remains uncertain, leaving room for speculation. You can never say never regarding a return to the ring, especially since so many pro wrestlers have retired only to come back time and time again.

Rush Vows To ‘Return Ready and Hungrier Than Ever’ After Suffering Hamstring Injury

Bishal Roy
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AEW star Rush recently revealed that he competed through the majority of the AEW Continental Classic tournament while dealing with an injury.

‘El Toro Blanco’ competed in the Gold League of the AEW Continental Classic where he acquired six points by defeating Mark Briscoe and Jay Lethal while losing to Jay White, Jon Moxley, and Swerve Strickland.

The tournament certainly took a toll on the wrestlers and it turns out Rush pushed himself to the limits by battling through the injury.

Rush will be on the sidelines 

In a social media post on Thursday, Rush revealed that he suffered a torn hamstring during his second Continental Classic match. He didn’t reveal the degree of his hamstring tear but he vowed to recuperate and make a comeback when he’s ready . He added the he will return hungrier than ever.

“In the #AEWContinentalClassic I tore my hamstring in the second match I had,” Rush wrote. “I will recover and return ready and hungrier than ever for a fight.”

The bout Rush is talking about was his victory over Mark Briscoe on AEW Dynamite on November 29. Since then, Rush has competed in four matches (three more on Dynamite as a Continental Classic match, and an eight-man showcase tag match at the Worlds End PPV on December 30). It is currently unclear how long Rush will be out of action.

Rush inked a new deal with AEW in July and he’s leading  Los Faccion Ingobernables, having Preston Vance, the former member of the Dark Order, and Rush’s brother Dralistico in the faction.

Meanwhile, at AEW Worlds End pay-per-view in December 2023, Rush teamed with Lethal, White & Brody King to face Briscoe, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli & Daniel Garcia in a losing effort.

We at SEScoops wish Rush a swift recovery.

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