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AEW Gives Lengthy Response To $250 Million Plagiarism Lawsuit Against Itself And WWE

Thomas Lowson
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AEW has fired back at the plagiarism lawsuit against itself and WWE by a man seeking $250 million in damages as well as ownership of AEW. 

In a hand-written suit rife with spelling errors, Duane Wilson claimed that both companies engaged in “plagiarism, market damages, product damages, personal damages, and financial damages.”

When it comes to AEW, Wilson alleges that he had talked with Bullet Club members to join him and that the plan of starting a wrestling company was his plan. Wilson again did not provide clarification but stated that the Bullet Club members stole his plans to create AEW.

What Wilson Wants

Duane Wilson is seeking $250,000,000 in damages, as well as a public apology from AEW. He is also seeking full control of Tony Khan’s wrestling promotion. 

AEW’s Rebuttal

In a rebuttal this week, AEW denied all allegations against them and requested a jury trial. They noted:

Wilson’s Complaint, in whole or in part, fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.

Wilson’s Complaint, in whole or in part, fails to comply with Fed. R. Civ. P. 8 because it fails to provide a “short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.”

Wilson’s Complaint, in whole or in part, is barred by the applicable statute(s) of limitations.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for copyright infringement, such a claim is barred because Wilson does not allege the existence of a registered copyright.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for copyright infringement, such a claim is barred because any alleged work is not an original work of authorship.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for copyright infringement, such a claim is barred because of All Elite’s independent development of any allegedly infringing work.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for copyright infringement, such a claim is barred by fair use.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for trademark infringement and/or unfair competition, such a claim is barred because Wilson does not allege the existence of a valid trademark.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for trademark infringement and/or unfair competition, such a claim is barred by fair use.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for trademark infringement and/or unfair competition, such a claim is barred by the First Amendment.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for trademark infringement and/or unfair competition, such a claim is barred by abandonment.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for violation of his right of publicity and/or invasion of privacy, such a claim is barred because Wilson’s name, likeness, and/or persona have no commercial value and/or were not used by AEW for a commercial purpose or for commercial profit.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for violation of his right of publicity and/or invasion of privacy, such a claim is barred by the First Amendment.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for fraud, it is barred because he failed to plead it with specificity as required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 9.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for tortious interference, it is barred because no enforceable contract existed at the time of AEW’s alleged improper conduct.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for tortious interference, it is barred because there was no breach of an underlying contract or disruption of an underlying relationship.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for tortious interference, it is barred because AEW’s actions were legally justified and/or privileged, including but not limited to the privilege of fair competition.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for tortious interference, it is barred because the underlying contract was unconscionable.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for tortious interference, it is barred because AEW has no duty to contract with Wilson.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for conversion, such a claim is barred by abandonment.

To the extent Wilson alleges a claim for conversion, such a claim is barred by the non-existence of, failure to identify, or lack of value of the allegedly converted property.

To the extent Wilson alleges an entitlement to special damages, such a claim is barred by the failure to plead with particularity as required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 9.

Wilson’s claims are barred, in whole or in part, due to Wilson’s failure to mitigate its damages.

Wilson’s claims are barred, in whole or in part, because to the extent Wilson has suffered any damages, those damages were caused by his own actions or inactions, or the actions or inactions of third parties.

Wilson’s claims are barred, in whole or in part, by the doctrines of waiver, laches, estoppel, and unclean hands.

Wilson’s claims are barred, in whole or in part, by lack of consideration.

AEW reserves the right to amend this Answer and to raise any additional affirmative defenses not pleaded herein should it discover that such defenses are appropriate and/or available. WHEREFORE, having fully answered and stated affirmative defenses, AEW prays for judgment in its favor, for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs, and for such other further relief as this Court deems just and proper.”

WWE has received an extension on responding and must file a response by March 7. 

Chicago White Sox To Host WWE Night, Limited Edition Figures For First 1,500 Tickets Sold

Thomas Lowson
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Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox will have a themed WWE night this May when the team faces the Cleveland Guardians.

The themed WWE Night will take place on Thursday, May 9, at 6:40 pm CT. Fans who purchase a discounted ticket package will also receive a limited edition WWE Southpaw Figurine with their purchase (limited to the first 1,500 purchases). The Patio Package includes a ticket to the game, the WWE Figurine, and two hours of an all-you-can-eat and drink Patio Pass.

Tickets for the upcoming event can be purchased here. 

WWE & Chicago

One of the great wrestling cities of the United States, WWE unsurprisingly has a deep history with the Windy City. In addition to being the home of CM Punk, Chicago is also the hometown of Punk’s wife AJ Lee, Cora Jade, David Otunga, and The Final Temptation’s Scarlett. 

WWE has held plenty of Premium Live Events from Chicago including one-third of WrestleMania 2 in 1986. WWE’s most recent PLE in the Windy City was Survivor Series 2019. The tri-branded show saw matches pitting Raw, SmackDown, and WWE NXT Superstars against each other with the gold brand coming out on top. 

Let’s Play Ball!

John Cena recently made his Minor League Baseball debut as part of the popular Savannah Bananas comedy team. At the team’s venue, ‘Bananaland’ Cena showed up in uniform and delighted the fans at the event who are used to seeing wacky, random moments from the Bananas. Unfortunately for Big Match John, Baseball won’t be his next big break as he struck out at Bananaland. 

Batista: I Was Physically Sick With Anxiety Before Making My Entrance At WWE Events

Thomas Lowson
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Dave Batista would be wracked with nerves and ill before walking out in front of the WWE Universe, the retired wrestler-turned-acting megastar has revealed. 

Batista signed with WWE in 2000 and debuted on the main roster two years later. One of the company’s top stars of the 2000s, Batista would become a six-time World Champion and headlined WrestleMania multiple times. He is also a multiple-time Tag Team Champion. In 2020 he was announced for the WWE Hall of Fame but withdrew his induction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has yet to be inducted. 

Batista On His Anxiety And Acting

Since leaving wrestling, Batista has become a major star in Hollywood and will be part of Dune: Part Two when the film hits cinemas later this week. Sitting down with Arizona News, Batista spoke about the angry Glossu Rabban he plays in the film, and how he gets motivated for such a performance.

“It’s funny, because that came so natural to me. If there’s anything that I took away from professional wrestling, it’s being angry. I’m really good at being angry.”

Speaking more about how wrestling has influenced his acting career, Batista recalled being wracked with nerves before appearing and how he overcame this anxiety. 

“It’s anxiety, when I started wrestling, I was literally physically sick before I walked out [from] the curtain. I used to walk out the curtain and [screams.] And all my anxiety was gone. And that’s what it is. I get nervous, I get self-conscious, then I get anxious, but as soon as I go [screams] it goes away. It’s easy for me to do that. And I can relax from there.”

What’s Next for Dave Batista?

After establishing himself in wrestling and acting, Batista hopes to make his debut as a director next year. The Animal is yet to receive his long-overdue WWE Hall of Fame induction, and said recently he’d prefer the induction over a spot in James Gunn’s DC Universe. 

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

Rikishi Says Armageddon 2000 Throw By The Undertaker Almost Led To Him Getting Divorced

Thomas Lowson
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The infamous spot involving Rikishi at the WWE Armageddon 2000 pay-per-view almost led to the legend becoming a divorced man, he has revealed. 

The spot in question took place during the six-man Armageddon Hell in a Cell match for the WWF Championship held by Kurt Angle at the time. In unquestionably the most memorable spot of the match, The Undertaker threw Rikishi off the top of the cell and onto a truck that Vince McMahon had driven to ringside. Angle would retain his title in the match which also featured The Rock, ‘Stone Cold’ Stever Austin, and Triple H. 

Rikishi’s Near Divorce

Even over 23 years later, the fall from the Cell is what many think of when they think of Rikishi. When speaking to the Metro newspaper, the WWE Hall of Famer recalled his family being furious that he allowed himself to take the bump. 

“I almost got divorced from my family. It was like, you know, they were p***ed off that I did that move, the sacrifice. But, at the time, they didn’t understand that’s just what we do, as performers, as wrestlers.”

Rikishi’s family were right to be concerned about his safety, as the former Intercontinental Champion explained how badly things could have gone. 

“This flatbed [truck] had no railings on the side during the walkthrough. But during the show, when this flatbed came out, there was railings. So now, my whole nervous system just went berserk.

“Because if I didn’t hit that target my whole body go right through that aluminum rail. I mean, I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you.”

Mid-match, the Undertaker told Rikishi he didn’t have to go through with the spot, but the superheavyweight was determined to do it for the fans. When the spot happened, Rikishi’s body was left in panic mode. 

“I didn’t know if I was still alive. Trying to move my move, I was just still – all I could hear was “Holy s**t”. I said, “Okay. My ears work”. But I was just waiting for my body.”

Rikishi added that he received a standing ovation backstage after the match, which meant a lot to him.

Giulia Has Told STARDOM Higher-Ups She’s Leaving When Contract Expires Next Month

Thomas Lowson
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STARDOM’s Giulia is set to leave the promotion very soon, but there could be a pit stop on her road to WWE. 

In November 2023, it was reported that WWE had “massive” interest in signing Giulia, who is the reigning NJPW Strong Women’s Champion. One source said that Giulia was expected to be at the WWE Performance Center that month, though that ultimately fell through. 

Giulia is Leaving

Giulia may not have attended the WWE PC in Florida last November, but all signs are pointing toward an exit from New Japan. reports that Giulia informed STARDOM at the end of 2023 that she planned on leaving the company. Her deal with the promotions expires next month. 

Not Joining WWE Just Yet

While Giulia is expected to join WWE, she won’t be making the move immediately after her STARDOM deal expires. Instead, she is expected to work for the new promotion of former STARDOM head Rossy Ogawa. Ogawa was fired earlier this year in a move that earned backlash against Bushiroad, STARDOM’s parent company. Giulia is one of several wrestlers loyal to Ogawa, and it is believed she will join to help the promotion get off the ground. 

Giulia’s Title Reign

Giulia’s impending exit from STARDOM has raised questions regarding her ongoing reign as NJPW Strong Women’s Champion. Giulia’s reign began after dethroning Willow Nightingale in July of last year. While it had been hoped she’d lose the title at New Japan’s Windy City Riot event this April, her exit from STARDOM in March has indicated that she’ll need to lose the gold before Windy City Riot. 

WWE & AEW Stars Shine At Dune: Part Two’s New York Premiere

Thomas Lowson
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The wrestling world was out in force for the premiere of Dune: Part Two which stars none other than WWE’s animal Dave Batista. 

Dune: Part Two is the sequel to 2021’s Dune. Both films are based on the 1965 novel of the same name from Frank Herbert’s Dune franchise. The films tell the story of Paul Atreides, whose noble family is thrust into war for ‘Spice’ the key to interstellar travel that can be found only on the dangerous sand planet Arrakis. 

WWE & AEW at Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part Two sees Batista return as the villainous Glossue Rabban, a psychotic warrior and nephew of primary antagonist Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. On Twitter, Titus O’Neil, a close friend of the Animal, shared a photo from the premiere in New York alongside Batista and MVP. 

AEW’s CJ Perr was also at the premiere of Dune: Part Two and had some fun on the red carpet with Ashley Yi and others. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C3y7Rf-OFMZ

The Animal on the Big Screen

The two Dune films are just some of the massive blockbuster projects that Dave Batista has been attached to. After a series of roles, the former WWE World Champion had his breakout moment in 2014 as part of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. The following year, he would go one-on-one with Daniel Craig’s James Bond as the villainous Mr. Hinx in Spectre. He once again shared the screen with Craig in 2022’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and also starred in the 2023 psychological thriller Knock at the Cabin

Watch: Cody Rhodes Does Gender Reveal For Fan After Raw Went Off Air

Anutosh Bajpai
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Cody Rhodes has made it a tradition to do something unique at the end of every show he main events. However, even the American Nightmare wouldn’t have expected what a fan would request to him after this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw from SAP Center in San Jose, California.

The former IC Champion main evented the show in a match against Grayson Waller following their segment at Elimination Chamber.

Despite interference from Austin Theory who was at the ringside, Rhodes managed to win this bout. He first sent Theory crashing over the announce desk and then used the Cross Rhodes to pin the Australian superstar.

After this bout, Paul Heyman came out with three ‘NYPD Officers’ and tried to talk to Cody. The Royal Rumble winner, however, wasn’t having any of it and he stopped Heyman from entering the ring.

Cody Rhodes then declared that The Bloodline wasn’t hunting him anymore and it’d be him that would hunt the Bloodline now. The show ended with Cody taking out the police officers as Heyman called both The Rock and Roman Reigns.

What Happened After Raw

The former AEW star stayed in the ring for the fans after Raw went off air. During his promo a fan asked the wrestling star to do a gender reveal for his baby.

Even Rhodes was a little surprised at this request and mentioned how the internet was mad at him when the last time he did a gender reveal for his own baby. Cody then told the fans in the arena that they will also become the parents to the child after this before finally doing the gender reveal.

The Rock will be returning to WWE programming this Friday at SmackDown. We’ll have to see how The Great One responds to the challenge from Rhodes after tonight’s show.

Cody Rhodes does gender reveal after Raw

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Drew McIntyre: Doctors Told Me I May Miss WrestleMania! Who Do I Look Like, CM Punk?

Thomas Lowson
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Drew McIntyre held nothing back on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw when it came to mocking CM Punk in the latest escalation of the feud between the two. 

Punk is currently out injured after suffering a torn triceps in the Men’s Royal Rumble match, an injury that McIntyre has been more than happy to take credit for. The Best in the World was originally planned to challenge World Heavyweight Champion Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins at WrestleMania 40 but those plans have since been scrapped. In his place, McIntyre will challenge Rollins in April after winning last weekend’s Men’s Elimination Chamber Match.

Drew McIntyre on CM Punk

Appearing on this week’s Raw, McIntyre was in an unsurprisingly jovial mood in San Jose, CA. McIntyre’s latest barrage against Punk began before a word was said, with Drew sitting down in mimicry of the former WWE and AEW World Champion. 

From there, McIntyre would mock Punk’s injury which has cost the latter his dream of headlining WrestleMania. McIntyre recalled a backstage conversation after being banged up in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match. 

“The doctor looked at me and said ‘Drew, you’re hurt, there’s a chance you don’t make WrestleMania.’ I said ‘Who do you think I am, CM Punk? Nothing’s going to stop me from making WrestleMania!'”

With another dig at the Best in the World, McIntyre said he knows Punk is straight edge, so he decided to drink enough for the both of them to celebrate his win at WWE Elimination Chamber 2024. 

What Came Next? 

Seth Rollins would then confront McIntyre and the pair would share words about their upcoming World Heavyweight Championship match. McIntyre seemed open to the concept of The Bloodline interfering in the match to help him in a shocking move considering that Bloodline interference cost him the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Clash at the Castle. 

Paul Heyman Delivers Message To Cody Rhodes From Bloodline During 2/26 WWE RAW

Aaron Varble
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Cody Rhodes shocked fans during Elimination Chamber when he called out The Rock to a match “any time, anywhere.” This week’s episode of RAW continued that story, as Paul Heyman showed up on RAW to deliver his own message.

Heyman advised that Cody Rhodes needs to take The Rock’s name out of his mouth.

Cody Rhodes Gets Message From Paul Heyman

After Cody Rhodes beat Grayson Waller in the main event of RAW this week, he had company. Paul Heyman made his way to the ring with security guards around him, who he claimed were off-duty police officers.

Heyman said that he knows how embarrassing it must have been for Cody to get “Will Smith’ed” by The Rock like he did during the WrestleMania kickoff conference in the T-Mobile Arena, but he said Cody “needs to take The Rock’s name out of your freaking mouth.“

After a back-and-forth, Cody delivered a message to The Rock through Heyman. He told The Rock to come get him, and that caused Heyman to get into the ring, but Cody wouldn’t let him.

Heyman’s security guards got in the ring instead, and they surrounded him. Then Cody made it clear that he will drop everyone in the ring if anyone takes a step closer to him. Paul said that doesn’t count if he’s the one person stepping toward him, and Rhodes said that was wrong before he took out all the security guards.

Cody made it clear that he is hunting The Bloodline, and it’s not the other way around.

After Paul Heyman got out of the ring, he pulled out two cell phones. He told one phone to call The Rock, as the other he ordered to phone up Roman Reigns. 

RAW ended this week after Cody Rhodes laid out another dish of punishment to Heyman’s security guards. The Rock will be on SmackDown this week, so we will have to see if he answers Rhodes’ challenge for a match. 

The Road to WrestleMania

WrestleMania 40 will be a huge two-night event, so we will have many more matches confirmed for the show as we make our way to the extravaganza. Keep checking back with SEScoops for more information, and you can check out the updated card, including these two reported matches, below.

WrestleMania 40 Card:

  • Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes: Singles match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
  • Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley: Singles match for the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch: Singles match for the Women’s World Championship
  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre: Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
  • Jimmy Uso vs Jey Uso (reported)
  • LA Knight vs AJ Styles (reported)
  • Logan Paul vs Randy Orton for the United States Title (reported)

Kevin Patrick Says WWE Exit Was Amicable, Loved His Time Working There

Thomas Lowson
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WWE and Kevin Patrick parted ways amicably earlier this year, according to the former interviewer and commentator. 

Patrick was released from WWE last month, mere days after he was pulled from SmackDown’s commentary team. The belief backstage that his tenure on the blue brand just wasn’t working. He has since been replaced by Wade Barrett on commentary. Barrett’s role on Raw has been filled by Pat McAfee, who has reunited with Michael Cole. 

Kevin Patrick’s Amicable Release

Patrick’s departure was something of a surprise to fans, but the Irish broadcaster isn’t too hurt about how things went down. Speaking to 700WLW, Patrick shared his positive feelings toward WWE despite his release. 

“Absolutely loved my time with WWE. Nothing but love for everybody there. I’ll look back on my time there brilliantly, and I know I’ll go visit friends when WWE is in town, I’ll go say hi to everybody. I left very amicably with everybody there.”

What Happened Next? 

Patrick has bounced back nicely from his WWE exit by securing a role with Apple TV as the host of MLS 360. Patrick previously hosted Major League Soccer events and in the interview, described the role as his “dream job.” 

More on Kevin Patrick

Patrick studied journalism at Ireland’s Griffith College Dublin, and worked as part of the RTÉ Sport team covering the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. He left Ireland for the United States in 2009.

Kevin Patrick isn’t the only notable member of his family. His father Liam was an All-Ireland-winning Gaelic footballer. While Kevin played for Raheny GAA, an injury would cut his athletics career short. 

Matt Riddle NJPW Title Defense Set For This Weekend’s MLW NYC Return

Tyriece Simon
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Major League Wrestling fans will be in for a special treat this Thursday. The company will have their pay-per-view MLW Intimidation Games at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City, New York. 

One of the featured matchups announced had Matt Riddle taking on Big Bad Tito. However, MLW has raised the stakes with Riddle putting his New Japan Pro Wrestling World Television Championship on the line. 

A press release from MLW shared that ‘The King Of Bros’ will have his first title defense against Tito. MLW CEO Court Bauer also acknowledged that the new championship match was possible thanks to the business relationship between MLW and NJPW. 

“The alliance between New Japan Pro Wrestling and MLW has resulted in this blockbuster title fight,” said Bauer. He continued, “I wish to thank Mr. Naoki Sugabayashi, Mr. Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Mr. Rocky Romero for brokering this title fight and allowing MLW and New York City the honor of hosting this world championship match. This cross-promotional championship clash signifies an era of exciting collaboration and competition in the world of professional wrestling.”

Riddle won the title by defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi at NJPW The New Beginning In Sapporo on February 23. The short-notice defense gives Tito an excellent opportunity to compete for his first NJPW championship in his MLW debut. However, the match style has also changed. 

Preview Of Matt Riddle vs. Big Bad Tito At MLW Intimidation Games

Longtime NJPW fans may recall that NJPW World TV Championship matches have a time limit of 15 minutes. This rule adds a new dynamic to Riddle’s match against Tito. 

MLW commented on the new match format and its uniqueness to the MLW Intimidation Games card. 

 “Adding a layer of intrigue to this highly anticipated bout is the unique stipulation attached to the NJPW World Television Championship,” said MLW. They continue, “With a time limit of 15 minutes imposed on all NJPW World Television title matches, both Riddle and Big Bad Tito will be under immense pressure to seize victory within the allotted time frame.”

Tickets for MLW Intimidation Games are still on sale for as low as 19.81 on Eventbrite. However, the new match stipulation could help lead to a sold-out show soon. 

John Cena gets extra risqué teasing his latest OnlyFans drop

Aaron Varble
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John Cena really let it loose with his latest OnlyFans post. Of course, the 16x World Champion doesn’t have a personal account, but it is in promotion for the upcoming Ricky Stanicky movie on Amazon Prime.

Cena recently posted a new video on his Ricky Stanicky OnlyFans. He promised double fisting, and that’s what he gave us. Although we can’t post the video here, Cena raised up both of his dukes like he was ready for a fight, which fulfilled the clickbait post’s promise to provide double fisting.

Cena on OnlyFans

John Cena shocked fans as he recently announced his entry onto the OnlyFans platform, using the alias Ricky Stanicky to promote his upcoming film. The account is free, and we can only imagine that there are a ton of subscribers on that account already.

After much anticipation, Cena has unveiled his first video on the platform, teasing content related to fisting.

New OF Video Drop More fisting than you may be ready for. R U BRAVE ENOUGH?

If you’re interested in John Cena’s OnlyFans account for Ricky Stanicky, you can find that link here.

Randy Orton also commented on John Cena’s leap onto OnlyFans. He proposed that they do a collab. This idea was warmly welcomed by Cena as well.

What is Ricky Stanicky

The upcoming movie Ricky Stanicky features John Cena, Zac Efron, Andrew Santino, and Anja Savcic. The plot centers on an imaginary friend named Ricky Stanicky who becomes real. Cena portrays Ricky Stanicky in the film.

Three childhood friends invented Ricky Stanicky twenty years ago and continue to blame him for their immature actions. When their partners want to meet Ricky, the friends hire washed-up actor Rod to impersonate him. However, Rod’s portrayal becomes problematic, leading the friends to regret creating Ricky.

Ricky Stanicky will be available for streaming on April 7th on Amazon Prime. They are making a point to advertise the film as an R-Rated comedy, so odds are they will not pull any punches. Parents may want to keep their children away from this one.

AEW Hires New Backstage Interviewer

Ella Jay
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A new on-screen personality has officially come aboard to All Elite Wrestling.

Over the weekend, Arkady Unterleidner, also known as Arkady Aura, gave a major update on her future in professional wrestling. After serving as a backstage interviewer, ring announcer, and manager on the independent wrestling circuit, Arkady confirmed (via Instagram) that she has now signed on to AEW. Arkady was previously affiliated with promotions such as SoCal Pro Wrestling and The Crash Lucha Libre, where she recently acted as the manager for AEW’s Brian Cage.

“Feeling beyond blessed to be apart of such an incredible company,” Arkady wrote on X (formerly Twitter) earlier today. “Thank you for all the love and support on this journey. This is only the beginning!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C3srogWxxeY

Arkady’s arrival to AEW comes just days after the company welcomed in a new member to the creative department as well. Following her recent exit from WWE, three-time Emmy winner Jennifer Pepperman was announced as AEW’s new Vice President of Content Development. Pepperman previously worked as a senior writer for WWE.

More Details On Arkady’s AEW Arrival

Fightul Select has since provided more details on Arkady’s signing, reporting that she is expected to join the company as a backstage interviewer in an effort to further balance the responsibilities currently shared by Renee Paquette and Lexy Nair. The report added that AEW has considered other candidates for the role in recent months. More additions could also be coming to the broadcast team soon.

It is currently unknown when Arkady will officially start with AEW.

CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Pat McAfee & More Included In WWE 2K24 Season Pass DLC

Aaron Varble
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WWE 2K24 is available for pre-order now, and fans have a new reason to buy the season pass, because that is how they can get a hold of CM Punk. The Second City Savior has been absent from WWE video games for nearly a decade, but that will change this year.

The DLC content for WWE 2K24 will include CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Pat McAfee, Post Malone, the Dudley Boyz, DDP, Carlito, Mr. Perfect and Lex Luger.

Pre-Order WWE 2K24 Now (Amazon)

CM Punk Is In WWE 2K24

CM Punk already addressed his absence from the WWE 2k24, and he said that fans really want him in the game. He didn’t have to look into the matter for very long, because the Second City Savior was confirmed for the upcoming game.

WWE 2K24 announced during RAW this week that CM Punk, Pat McAfee, Jade Cargill, Post Malone, and more will be a part of the downloadable content for the new game. This will be a part of the season pass feature.

CM Punk appeared in a little video in one of 2K’s hype posts about this big announcement. He said that fans were heard, and he will be a part of the game after all.

WWE 2K24 Special Features

WWE 2K24 will be full of special features, and aspects of the game that fans will love. They also included a playable version of a Cody Rhodes action figure in the game.

The Showcase of the Immortals mode will also give fans an immersive look at WrestleMania history. The 2K Showcase of the Immortals experience allows players to relive 21 matches across five decades of WrestleMania history.

WWE 2K24 Release Details

WWE 2K24 will offer three editions: Deluxe, Forty Years of WrestleMania, and Standard. These editions will roll out globally on March 8, 2024. Keep an eye out for updates on the game’s soundtrack, roster, Superstar ratings, and other details.

Stay tuned to SE Scoops for ongoing coverage of WWE 2K24 and all the latest in the world of professional wrestling.

Top Free Agent & Former World Champ Potentially Headed to TNA

Tyriece Simon
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TNA Wrestling has started their year off to an interesting start. The company began 2024 by re-signing some top stars and a well-received pay-per-view event. Although the departure of former TNA President Scott D’Amore may have lowered some fan and talent morale, the company’s potential next signee could restore excitement to the brand. 

Mike Johnson at PWInsider reports that TNA is looking to sign Alex Hammerstone.

Hammerstone would be a big addition to TNA Wrestling

Hammerstone competed for the company this year at TNA Hard To Kill on January 13 against Josh Alexander. The two had a back-and-forth matchup, which saw the former Impact World Champion be victorious. 

 Hammerstone is currently a free agent, but the report shares that fans should expect him to head to TNA. It also added that the company is interested in getting a deal done but can’t confirm it’s finalized yet. 

The free agent decided to leave Major League Wrestling on January 1. Since then, he has competed for various independent wrestling promotions, including Game Changer Wrestling and New Tradition Lucha Libre. Hammerstone is currently the NTLL Heavyweight Championship and is set to defend his title against Sam Adonis on March 16. It’s unclear if Hammerstone’s signing with TNA could affect the results of the match or future independent wrestling dates. 

While the company is dealings with a vital office shake-up, they are seemingly still looking to impact the wrestling business in 2024. 

Recent Business Moves By TNA

TNA locking down Hammerstone with a deal would be another great addition to the roster. The company has featured new free agents like Nic Nemeth, AJ Francis, and Ash By Elegance. They have also drawn attention recently with independent star Mustafa Ali defeating Chris Sabin at TNA No Surrender to win the X-Division Championship. 

The current roster is also trying to move forward after the firing of D’Amore and make the best of the situation. Fightful Select reported that TNA’s parent company, Anthem Sports & Entertainment, and roster members met to discuss TNA’s future. 

Although morale is not what it was at the start of the year, it is seemingly doing better after the meeting. The new signees and fresh matchups could build back the excitement of what the company envisioned for 2024. 

The Miz Stuck In Dressing Room Before WWE RAW As People Struggled To Free Him

Aaron Varble
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WWE Superstars put themselves at risk whenever they are in the ring. It turns out that there are certainly unexpected dangers outside the ring as well. The Miz knows this all too well after this week’s episode of RAW.

The Miz uploaded a social media video to reveal that he was stuck in his locker room. It’s unknown what caused this issue, but the door was jammed shut and would not open. This was despite several people trying hard to break him free.

The A-Lister Was Stuck

The Miz didn’t seem worried about being stuck in his locker room. That being said, he was still in that situation, although he took the scene in with a smile.

The former WWE Champion traveled all the way to San Jose, California for RAW this week, but he never expected for this to happen. He simply shut his locker room door behind him, and the room decided he wasn’t leaving.

The Miz explained that he was only in the room for about ten minutes prior to recording his video. Still, it was a bit of a concerning scenario if he couldn’t make it out.

As he heard people try to break him out of that room, The Miz remarked that he may or may not be on RAW this week. That all depends on whether he can get out of that room. He had a television and water, so at least he could watch the show if they were unsuccessful in their escape mission.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is known. We’re sending out our best to The Miz, and we’re very glad that he didn’t suffer from a sudden case of claustrophobia. 

Ric Flair, Dave Meltzer & More React to the Passing of Wrestling Great Ole Anderson

Aaron Varble
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Ric Flair, Dave Meltzer and more have reacted to the passing of pro wrestling legend Ole Anderson. 

Ole Anderson, a significant figure in professional wrestling, has passed away at the age of 81. The news of Ole Anderson’s death was initially shared by Ricky Morton, who posted the announcement on Instagram. Our sympathies go out to his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time. As a member of the Four Horsemen, Ole will always be remembered for his impact on the sport.

The pro wrestling world is reacting after Ole Anderson’s passing broke. WWE sent out a tribute post for Ole during RAW this week.

AEW also sent out a tribute post for Ole Anderson on Twitter/X. Although he was never with the company, Ole still meant a ton to a lot of people within the company, and he helped shape pro wrestling history.

Kris Zellner posted a tribute to Twitter/X, as he gave Ole credit for his booking genius. 

Dave Meltzer from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter also tweeted out after Ole’s passing broke. He gave him credit for being such a great heel, and a fantastic talker on the microphone, as he drove heat for his programs for years. 

Ric Flair also sent out a tribute for his Four Horseman brother. The Nature Boy thanked Ole Anderson for everything he did for his career, including bringing him to Crockett Promotions in the first place. 

Tommy Dreamer sent out a tribute as well, as he had some words to remember Ole’s legend. The Innovator of Violence said he watched Ole wrestle thousands of times as well. 

One of the original members of the Four Horsemen, alongside Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, and JJ Dillon, Ole played a crucial role in shaping the industry. Throughout his career, spanning from 1967 to 1990, he held NWA titles in various promotions and territories.

This was a great loss for the pro wrestling world, and Ole Anderson’s legend certainly received a ton of respect today. You can check out a few more tributes in the space below. RIP Ole.

Four Horseman Member Ole Anderson Passes Away At 81-Years-Old

Aaron Varble
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Ole Anderson, a pivotal figure in professional wrestling, has died at the age of 81. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans during this sad time. The Four Horsemen member will be forever remembered for his contributions to the business.

As one of the founding members of the Four Horsemen, alongside Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, and JJ Dillon, Ole left an indelible mark on the industry. Throughout his career, which spanned from 1967 to 1990, he held NWA titles in various promotions and territories.

In 2003, he authored “Inside Out: How Corporate America Destroyed Professional Wrestling,” shedding light on the inner workings of the industry. Ole was also never one to hold back on his opinions, and he also held positions outside the ring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pGDQ1EyVug

Beyond his achievements in the ring, Ole served as a booker for Georgia Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions, contributing significantly to the development of wrestling storylines and talent.

The news of Ole Anderson’s passing was first shared by Ricky Morton. He sent out an Instagram post to let everyone know this sad news.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C31FoQvJptD

Ole Anderson’s Career

Ole Anderson, who was born Alan Robert Rogowski on September 22, 1942, was best known for his time in the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling. Anderson started his wrestling career in the early 1960s and quickly rose to prominence as a tag team specialist. 

Alongside his brother Gene, he formed the tag team “The Minnesota Wrecking Crew,” which achieved considerable success in various territories. Anderson was known for his tough and no-nonsense in-ring style, often portraying a villainous persona. Throughout his career, he held numerous tag team championships and competed against some of the top stars in the industry. 

Arn Anderson was initially introduced as the brother of Gene, Lars, and Ole, though at times, he was also presented as a cousin or nephew. Later that year, Arn formed a tag team with Ole, following the release of his previous partner Osborne from GCW. The duo of Ole and Arn continued to team up until Ole’s retirement in 1987.

After retiring from in-ring competition, Anderson remained involved in the wrestling business as a promoter and behind-the-scenes figure. He played a significant role in shaping the wrestling landscape during the territorial era and beyond. Anderson’s contributions to the industry have left a lasting legacy, influencing future generations of wrestlers and promoters.

Seth Rollins Is Open To Pulling Double Duty At WrestleMania 40

Ella Jay
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With Roman Reigns firmly shielded by The Bloodline, which now also includes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Cody Rhodes seems to have found a shield of his own in the form of WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. 

Recognizing that Rhodes would once again be outnumbered in his pursuit of Reigns’ Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, and in his recent challenge to The Rock, Rollins has graciously offered to act as back-up for Rhodes in both scenarios.

As Rollins continues to boast support for Rhodes, fans have begun speculating that WWE may be building toward a potential WrestleMania tag team match that would pit Rollins and Rhodes against The Rock and Roman Reigns.

WrestleMania 40

While Rollins is already set to defending his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 40, he is open to pulling double duty at the two-night premium live event for a potential crack at Reigns, The Rock, or whoever else may step in his path.

Here’s what Rollins said on Submission Radio:

“I don’t know how the cards are going to fall. I don’t know which way the chips are going to go. I’m open to doing whatever is going to be the best right, whatever’s going to be the biggest thing we can possibly do.”

Building the legacy of the World Heavyweight Championship

As of this writing, Seth Rollins is 275 days into his reign as WWE World Heavyweight champion. As the first man to hold this ‘new’ championship in its current lineage, it’s important for him to set the tone of what the belt stands for. 

“I really want to give this championship the showcase that it deserves, and if that means pulling double duty, if that means putting it on the line against The Rock or Roman or whoever, I don’t care. I don’t care what it is. I want to give this thing what it deserves. I want to give it prop it up as much as possible.” 

However, Rollins has another priority. He wants to make the biggest moments possible at WrestleMania. That could be in a World Heavyweight title defense, or it could involve Cody Rhodes, The Rock and Roman Reigns. 5 weeks out from WrestleMania, even he’s unsure how things will play out.

“There’s tons of different ways it could go and I’m stoked to see what the ride’s going to look like.”

Though unconfirmed by WWE at this point, a recent report has suggested that a tag team match between Rock/Reigns and Rollins/Rhodes has been discussed as a possible headliner for night one of WrestleMania 40. 

Becky Lynch: “I Think It’s Very Likely” Conor McGregor Shows Up In WWE

Aaron Varble
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Conor McGregor is a showman who made millions in the UFC while using a WWE formula to hype himself and bring controversy. With UFC and WWE under the same TKO umbrella, this makes Notorious’ inclusion in an upcoming WWE angle even more likely.

Becky Lynch was recently asked about the chances of Notorious coming into WWE. She is a fellow Irish entertainer, and she won’t say “no” to a possible appearance by McGregor, since anything is possible in WWE.

During a recent interview with Submission Radio, The Man was asked about the chances of Conor McGregor showing up on WWE television. After all, TKO arranged for Michael Chandler to appear on RAW to call out his longtime rival.

The 2024 Elimination Chamber match winner watched Chandler’s promo on Raw and could see Conor McGregor following suit.

“I believe he’s influenced by the WWE. I think it’s very likely, I think it’s very likely,” Lynch said of Conor McGregor appearing in WWE, via Submission Radio.

Before Lynch could finish her thought on McGregor’s possible WWE involvement, Kevin Owens interrupted and diverted the conversation, taking over the interview. 

We will have to see if Conor ever finds his way to WWE. Countless Superstars have spoken about this hypothetical scenario. Jey Uso  recently named Conor McGregor as the celeb he wants to see enter the WWE Universe.

The road to WrestleMania 40 is sure to include more surprises ahead. With WWE’s affiliation with UFC and the never-ending need to generate as much publicity as possible for the next big show, stay tuned for our continued coverage of this interesting situation.

Austin Theory: Injury Scare On 1/12 WWE SmackDown Could Have Ended My Career (Or Worse)

Ella Jay
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Austin Theory and Carmelo Hayes endured a scary sequence of events on the January 12 episode of WWE SmackDown. 

The moment in question occurred when Theory looked to hit Hayes with an Avalanche Spanish Fly from the top rope. Unfortunately, both competitors seemed to awkwardly land on their heads, which prompted the referee to signal for an immediate match stop. 

While there was initial concern about possible concussions, both Hayes and Theory turned out to be okay, later facing off in a rematch two weeks later. 

Injury Scare

In a recent interview with The West Australian, Theory provided more details on his injury scare, revealing that it was Hayes’ foot accidentally hitting the top rope that caused their awkward descent. Luckily, both men were ultimately able to walk away with minimal damage. 

“In this scenario with Carmelo Hayes, [I was] going for a move I’ve done plenty of times. Just so happens as we’re going through the rotation, if you go back and look, the back of his foot as he’s rotating off, hits the top rope. So all the momentum of us rotating, when his foot hits, it takes us straight down,” Theory said.

“Just based off of the video, it looks insane. And to be honest, after that, I seriously could have been paralyzed or my career could have been done. I could have been seriously hurt, broke my neck. There’s so many factors, but luckily as we came down, for some reason, I let go to catch myself and I turned my head all the way to the left.”

“When we landed, the back of his head hit my face pretty hard, but when we were laying there, I was fine. I didn’t feel like rocked or lost or that feeling of ‘Oh, what’s going on you?’ I felt fine, but at the same time, that’s such a a scary moment, especially when you’re out there and something goes wrong and doesn’t feel right. Then seeing the video footage back of myself upside down literally on the top of my head — Wow. Very grateful for that.”

Coming off of this close call, Theory added that the Avalanche Spanish Fly is now officially retired from his moveset. While Theory was fortunate to avoid a concussion, he did note that his face was “pretty sore” from the impact of Hayes’ head colliding with his face.

CM Punk Addresses His Absence From WWE 2K24 Roster

Aaron Varble
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WWE 2K24 is not going to include CM Punk from the look of it. Of course, CM Punk appeared in AEW: Fight Forever, even after his firing. This is a very interesting issue, and Punk is going to look into things.

CM Punk certainly noticed that his name is not included in 2K’s plan to roll out this new game. His name is absent from the roster, and DLC plans have not featured him, either. The Second City Savior is never short on words, and an investigation is apparently underway.

Pre-Order WWE 2K24 Now (Amazon)

CM Punk Addresses WWE 2K24

WWE 2K24 is preparing for its upcoming release, introducing several new features to fans. Notable enhancements include the incorporation of real WWE referees and highly lifelike character models. However, to the surprise of many, CM Punk’s absence from the game, including any future DLC plans, has prompted him to launch an inquiry.

Acknowledging his absence from the game, CM Punk took to social media to address the situation. He admitted to being aware of his late return to WWE, which consequently led to his exclusion from the game’s initial roster.

CM Punk brought up that 2K had revealed the full roster for the upcoming WWE video game. He expressed his disappointment at not being included, recognizing that his return to WWE occurred after the game’s development. Despite this, he had hoped to see himself featured in the recently released DLC teaser. In response to fan demand for his inclusion, CM Punk stated that he would be conducting an investigation into the matter.

Punk also realizes that fans will go crazy because he’s not in the game, but that is the situation we’re in right now.

”And I know this because the fans are going crazy, they’re asking where I’m at and asking how come I’m not in the video game. So, I decided to make it my thing to try to get to the bottom of this, because the fans are demanding that I be put in this video game. Now I’m not a video game guy, so I don’t know how fast they can do this, but like I said, we’re gonna try to get to the bottom of this, and I’m gonna tag them here just to put some pressure on. Let’s put some feet to fire today, ladies and gentlemen.”

CM Punk’s Situation 

CM Punk didn’t return to WWE until Survivor Series 2024, and that was a massive surprise. 2K had no time to get his character design all ready, let alone the entrance on Punk’s level deserves in the game.

Hopefully, 2k will announce Punk as a DLC addition later on. Right now, it appears that fans will have to keep waiting, or they will have to make a CAW of Punk for one more year.

WWE 2K24 Release Details

WWE 2K24 will offer three editions: Deluxe, Forty Years of WrestleMania, and Standard. These editions will roll out globally on March 8, 2024. Keep an eye out for updates on the game’s soundtrack, roster, Superstar ratings, and other details.

Stay tuned to SE Scoops for ongoing coverage of WWE 2K24 and all the latest in the world of professional wrestling.

Update: CM Punk will be Included

It was announced during WWE RAW that CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Pat McAfee, and more will be included as DLC in the season pass of this year’s game. 

Seth Rollins Critiques UFC Fighter Michael Chandler’s Promo on WWE RAW

Ella Jay
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In September 2023, the merger between WWE and UFC was officially finalized, meaning that both entities now exist under the same umbrella — TKO Group Holdings. Given this development, fans of both organizations have raised questions about a potential crossover. Last Monday, fans got a taste of just that.

On last week’s episode of WWE RAW in Anaheim, California, ring announcer Samathan Irvin introduced UFC fighter Michael Chandler, who promptly received a microphone in his hand to speak. 

The appearance was brief, but Chandler cut a spirited promo in which he demanded that fellow UFC fighter Conor McGregor get his “candy a** back to the Octagon” so they could settle their unfinished business. 

McGregor last fought at UFC 264 in July 2021, where he sustained a broken leg in his bout against Dustin Poirier.

Seth Rollins’ Critique

Seth Rollins, a 20-year veteran in the wrestling and promo game, provided his assessment of Chandler’s promo during a recent interview with Submission Radio.

Though Chandler’s speaking segment had its imperfections, Rollins praises him for injecting vibrancy and authenticity into it.

“You could tell he had the adrenaline coursing through his veins a little bit,” Rollins said. “He could have slowed down a bit, have a little fun. He needs some work, but pretty good. I think for a first ride, it was real, it was from the heart.

He’s cool man, he’s a big fan of what we do. Ge understands the entertainment aspect of kind of the fight gam. So I dug it, man, and I hope he gets what he wants.”

Nick Kiniski, Son of Gene, Claims He Was Sexually Propositioned By Terry Garvin in the WWF

Thomas Lowson
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Nick Kiniski, the son of wrestling World Champion Gene Kiniski, has claimed he was propositioned by Terry Garvin during his days competing for the WWF. 

The younger Kiniski competed for the World Wrestling Federation from 1986 to 1987. Outside of the promotion, he also wrestled for WCCW and the AWA. His sole championship accomplishment came in Texas All-Star Wrestling where he held the Tag Team Titles with Paul Diamond. 

Nick Kiniski Speaks

During an episode of Pollock and Thurston, Kiniski claimed he was forced to deal with unwanted advances from Terry Garvin, who was a WWF employee at the time. 

He would come up to me and hit on me … I won’t say what he said, but you’ll understand the meaning behind it. He says ‘Hey Nick, let me perform oral sex on you, you can read a Playboy and you’ll have it made for life.’ And, you know, he is my boss, he controls my boss. This is my livelihood, what I want to do,

“I kind of joked with him, I said ‘Hey Terry, you know, I’m not that way. But if I ever change, you’ll be the first. I’ll let you be the first.’ We just kinda laughed it off. But he was always kind of coming up and joking, and one time he came to my hotel room late at night and I told him to leave. Knocked at the door. So, it put me in a very awkward position, you know?

Kiniski stated that he informed Vince McMahon of the situation while the WWF was hosting events in Oregon. 

“I said ‘Hey, Vince, I don’t think this is right. Terry’s hitting on me. I don’t appreciate that and I would like it to stop.’ And Vince said ‘Oh, ok. I’ll deal with it.’ And that was it.”

Kiniski stated that nothing changed and that Garvin would continue to pester him about his “proposition.” Shortly after, Kiniski would be pulled from matches, meaning he wasn’t earning. Believing this was in response to not giving into Garvin, Kiniski challenged McMahon on the matter. 

“I said ‘This isn’t right, Vince. I complain, and now you guys are punishing me. I’ll finish my bookings, but I’m not putting any guys over. Put me in the ring we’ll see what happens… I’m done.’ I said, ‘I’ll finish my matches,’ ‘Nope, you’re done now.’ ‘Thank you very much.’”

Allegations Against Terry Garvin

Nick Kiniski is not the first man to allege that Garvin was inappropriate. Barry Orton, the brother of Bob Orton Jr. and uncle to Randy Orton, accused Garvin of sexually assaulting him in 1978. Orton would later say he was blackballed by the industry for speaking out about it.

Gargin resigned from the WWF in 1992 alongside ring announcer Mel Phillips and Pat Patterson in the wake of the Ring Boy Scandal. The scandal revolved around the alleged sexual harassment of an underage ring boy, who was fired after refusing Garvin’s advances. Garvin died of stomach cancer on August 18, 1998, at the age of 61. 

H/T – F4W Online

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