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‘Double Surgeries’ – AEW star Keith Lee dealt another setback

Tyriece Simon
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All Elite Wrestling superstar Keith Lee’s year is off to a rocky start. He suffered a setback last month when he had to pull out of a match against Swerve Strickland at AEW World’s End due to an injury. While fans have been hopeful he would return to action soon, he won’t be able to compete for a while. 

In a statement written to Nick Hausman, Lee shared that he is set to undergo two double surgeries. AEW star seems to admit that he didn’t need surgery for 19 years of his career, but unfortunately, it was his time. 

Hausman transcribed the following quotes he received from Lee. 

“Took roughly 19 years…. but I guess it’s my turn,” wrote Lee. He continued, “Time to get fixed. Here’s to double surgeries. Certainly, one way to start 2024.”

It’s unclear what the specific injury Lee has to get fixed or how long he is expected to be out of action. The update from the AEW superstar is unfortunate, as it seemed like he was recently building momentum in the company.

 Lee started gaining traction by winning a mixed eight-person tag team match at AEW WrestleDream on October 1, 2023. He continued to be featured for both AEW and Ring Of Honor, including competing in a loss against Samoa Joe for the ROH World Television Championship. In his last three matches, he won three consecutive matches, and AEW was ready to feature his long-awaited rematch with Strickland. 

At this time, it’s unclear if the company plans to continue with the program when he eventually returns. 

Could AEW Continue the Feud Between Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland

Although the feud between Lee and Strickland is unresolved, Strickland has moved on to another big storyline. He is in the mix to compete for the AEW World Championship and is involved in a feud with “Hangman” Adam Page. 

On the January 10 episode of AEW Dynamite, Strickland shared his intentions to challenge for the world title before Page interrupted him. AEW may have another match planned between Page and Strickland as they look to end their rivalry. While it’s unclear if Strickland will get another win and move on to challenge for the championship, AEW seems to have plans for him.

 Lee’s primary focus for the foreseeable future will be to recover from injuries. If he can return fully healthy, he can build momentum again, and the company can restart his feud with Strickland.

Although the timing of the injuries is unlucky, AEW fans will support Lee and look forward to him returning to the ring at 100 percent. 

 

WWE 2K24 is coming: First details on the next wrestling video game

Michael Shalik
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WWE will release another installment of its long-running video game franchise with 2K Sports later this year. This was confirmed by 2K today, and fans are excited.

On Wednesday, WWE 2K sent out a social media update to reflect a logo for WWE 2K24, along with a date: 1.22.2024. No more information was given, but the date is enough to lock in plans for January 22nd for some big news.

WWE 2K

WWE has worked with video game publisher 2K since 2013. WWE has a long-running history in the video game world, dating back to early home consoles. They have also been a consistent yearly presence on game release lists. 

This year’s game, WWE 2K24, will be the 10th installment in the WWE 2K series, which launched in 2013 with WWE 2K14. There are a lot of possibilities for the new game, as they celebrate another edition for the long-running franchise. 

SEScoops will have extensive coverage of the next WWE video game in the months ahead. As we see each year, be on the lookout for details on the WWE 2K24 cover, roster and more.

When will WWE 2K24 be released?

The date WWE 2K24 will be released is unknown at this time, but we may find out this crucial detail in just a matter of days. The most recent installment, WWE 2K23, was released on March 14th, 2023.

WWE 2K23 is now available at Amazon for PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch. You can check out our review of the game here.

Samoa Joe: CM Punk-Jack Perry Fight Was “A Little Bit Of An Incident” And Nothing More

Thomas Lowson
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CM Punk & Jack Perry fought backstage at AEW All In 2023, but the pair did not have some epic showdown according to Samoa Joe. 

The infamous brawl would take place after Perry’s kick-off match with HOOK, in which the former Jungle Boy referred to using real glass. Punk, who has previously made clear his opposition to using real glass, would confront Perry about the comment, resulting in a fight.

Samoa Joe On All In Brawl

Much like the brawl at AEW All Out 2022, the fight at Wembley Stadium would dominate headlines and in the eyes of many, would overshadow AEW’s historic international event. Despite threatening to quit AEW on the spot, Punk would compete in the All In main-card opening contest against Samoa Joe. In a recent interview with ESPN, the reigning AEW World Champion played down the notion that the fight between Perry and Punk was some massive spectacle. 

“There was a little bit of an incident. We got it broken up. We went out there and wrestled, man. That’s the gist of it. Everybody wants it to be a lot more than what it is, but that’s what it was. And to speak any more on it would be pointless unless you’re trying to get a scorecard and stuff — but trust me, it wasn’t that type of a fight.”

What Happened Next? 

After a brief investigation, Tony Khan made the call for Punk’s AEW contract to be terminated. Ahead of a Collision taping in Punk’s native Chicago, Khan explained to the fans that he was fearing for his life backstage at All In. Punk would return to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 and has since been one of the promotion’s top Superstars. 

Jack Perry, like Punk, was suspended following AEW All In. While his suspension reportedly ended months ago, Perry has not returned to AEW programming. Instead, Perry recently debuted for NJPW where he tore up an AEW contract. 

Dustin Rhodes Says His Legacy Isn’t Goldust, AEW or Championships. It’s His Sobriety

Thomas Lowson
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Dustin Rhodes has accomplished plenty in the world of professional wrestling, but his consistent sobriety is the veteran’s greatest accomplishment.

Rhodes is perhaps best known for his WWE tenure as the bizarre Goldust but has also competed for WCW and other promotions. In 2019, Rhodes joined AEW as a wrestler and also works as a coach for the promotion.

Like many wrestlers, Rhodes has faced struggles and dealt with addiction to alcohol and substances. In an episode of The Sessions, Rhodes shared that medicating to recover from a 1996 injury would set him down a destructive path. Thankfully, Rhodes has been able to overcome addiction and has proudly been sober for over 15 years.

Dustin Rhodes on his legacy

Speaking to veteran sports journalist Justin Barrasso for Sports Illustrated, Rhodes noted his sobriety as the most long-lasting accolade he has.

“My sobriety, that’s my legacy. And I understand it’s OK to have bad days. There will be better ones. Life has been an incredible teacher. I’ve learned a lot, and I plan on being clean and sober for the rest of my life.”

Rhodes also reflected on his years of addiction and the toll it took on him and his career.

“I wasn’t seeing clearly back in the day, and I paid for it heavily. Sometimes, I’m still trying to prove myself, even when I don’t need to. I came out the other side. The devil is still sitting here, right on my shoulder. All’s I need to do is walk with him. But each new day, I tell him, ‘No, I’m going to be good today.’ So I’m not going to drink. I’m not going to do drugs. I have my sh– together, and I’m fixin’ to get on with my life.”

Rhodes will face Christian Cage for the TNT Championship on tonight’s AEW Dynamite. The match will be the first singles encounter between the two veterans since 2003.

R-Truth Reveals Which Judgment Day Member Pushed To Keep Him Around

Aaron Varble
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WWE has a few sure-fire angles going, one that are guaranteed to be money-makers. R-Truth’s story with the Judgment Day shocked everyone to see how rapidly the WWE Universe responded.

R-Truth In Judgment Day

Judgement Day is comprised of Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh. It is hard to get into their family, but R-Truth apparently found a way through their bank accounts.

WWE ran an angle on RAW this week where R-Truth made direct reference to how well his new Judgment Day t-shirt is selling. He gave Priest his cut of the profits, and that calmed him down a bit.

While speaking to Busted Open Radio, R-Truth revealed that it was Damian Priest who pushed for him to remain in the Judgment Day stable. Señor Money in the Bank saw that the angle was working, and he was very correct in his observation.

“I was happy. I was ready to get out of the house and go back to the sport that I love. When they said I was working with Judgment Day, I was like, ‘Let’s do it. What are we doing?’ They could have said I was working with anybody and I was ready. I will say this, Judgment Day, they all want me.”

“I will say Damian Priest, he was like, ‘Bro, we should keep you around. This thing is working.’ He actually went to, I think it was Hunter [Triple H] and the writers. Damian Priest fought for it.”

R-Truth Is Raking In Cash For Judgment Day

R-Truth became the top merchandise seller in WWE after his Judgment Day angle took off. He dethroned CM Punk from his #1 position, a place the Second City Savior has been since his November 25th WWE Survivor Series return.

Judgment Day has not officially accepted R-Truth into the stable yet. If he can keep bringing in this kind of revenue, then that may grease the wheels.

Hook Apparently Fires Back At Jinder Mahal Ahead of AEW World Title Match

Bishal Roy
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AEW superstar Hook recently took a shot back at WWE star Jinder Mahal ahead of the biggest match of his career.

Recently, AEW President Tony Khan attacked WWE for booking Jinder Mahal in a World Heavyweight Championship match on Raw. Khan argued that Mahal’s dismal win/loss record means he shouldn’t be competing for the title. Fans reacted negatively to this, citing Abadon’s abrupt push in the TBS title picture and Hook’s push in the AEW World Championship picture. 

Tony Khan was enraged after seeing a tweet from the USA Network that made no mention of either Khan or AEW. The aforementioned post was a reaction to Raj Giri’s Tweet about the NXT Championship bout between Mahal and Rollins in 2012. The USA Network questioned about the Cagematch rating for the match which Khan took as a dig at him. 

Tony Khan made an argument in that post that Hook, who has a 28-1 record, is also deserving of a World Title shot.

The Modern Day Maharaja took note of the Tweet by Tony Khan and acted like he didn’t know who Hook was. 

Hook responds

FTW Champion Hook, who is inactive on social media, has responded to Jinder Mahal in a new promo hyping his AEW World Championship match against Samoa Joe on Dynamite this week.

In the video clip, the 24-year-old addressed the pressure that comes with the title match against Joe. He also questioned his own identity which is apparently a dig at Jinder Mahal.

“So who’s the pressure on tomorrow? I mean, is there really anything that I have to lose?
And also (bites into a slice of pizza), I’m not big enough to compete with Samoa Joe. Eh, but I am getting some calories right now (holds up pizza), so who knows.
Then again, who the f**k am I anyway?
24 hours Joe, I’m coming for that world title.”Sa

This will mark Samoa Joe’s first AEW World title defense after winning the title at AEW Worlds End pay-per-view and we will have to see how this match pans out. 

ACL Injury Cost Cora Jade ‘Everything’ But She Feels Free

Michael Shalik
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NXT star Cora Jade is keeping a positive attitude despite encountering a significant setback in her wrestling career.

Jade, 23, is one of the top rising stars in WWE’s developmental brand. Already a former NXT Women’s tag team champion (with Roxanne Perez, 22), her hopes for a bright 2024 came crashing down when she sustained a knee injury this past weekend at a non-televised NXT event from Dade City, FL.

cora jade injury 1

Later in the evening, Jade posted a meme stating, “I laugh to keep from crying,” which many fans perceived as cause for concern regarding her medical outlook.

During Tuesday’s NXT broadcast on the USA Network, WWE provided an update on her condition. Upon a medical evaluation, it was determined that Cora Jade had sustained an ACL tear that will keep her out of action for up to one year.

Cora Jade reacts

Cora Jade is learning that major injuries can be an unfortunate part of a successful career in WWE.

The determination and work ethic that brought her to the ‘big time’ will serve her well in the months ahead. She faces a long road to recovery and sounds like she’s keeping a level-headed outlook about things.

Following the announcement that she’ll be lucky to step foot in the ring before the end of 2024, she posted an inspirational quote on social media, along with a photo of her left knee in a brace.

SEScoops wishes Cora Jade a full and speedy recovery.

WWE Star Grayson Waller Protects Pro Wrestling Kayfabe By Threatening To Beat Up Man During Interview

Aaron Varble
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WWE Superstars get asked a lot of questions, and some of them repeat themselves. Most pro wrestlers are tired of getting asked, “is it fake?” That question is actually probably less insulting than the one Grayson Waller and LA Knight had to deal with recently.

The Grayson Waller Incident

On the Sunrise talk show in Australia, Grayson Waller and LA Knight faced an unusual request from the host. The host asked Knight if he could perform one of his signature moves on someone in the studio. Knight said no and passed the task of handling the question to Grayson Waller.

The hosts then proposed doing a WWE move on their floor manager, because he is leaving them soon. That is when the floor manager walked onto the set and prepared to face off with Waller.

The floor manager acted like he was preparing for a fight, and not taking it seriously. Waller, however, became quite annoyed at this suggestion and chose to uphold the integrity of the wrestling business.

“I don’t think you understand, because if I go over there we’re gonna have the police here, because I’m not gonna give you some fake punch. I’m gonna punch you straight in the jaw. The disrespect that you give me when you act like this isn’t real. Don’t act tough. You guys disrespect us, are you kidding me?”

They were able to remove the floor manager from the set, and Waller composed himself. LA Knight remained seated for the entire thing, as you can see in the footage from the incident.

History of Protecting Kayfabe in Pro Wrestling

This is not the first time that a pro wrestler needed to protect kayfabe. John Stossel learned that the hard way nearly 40 years ago.

The Stossel controversy occurred in December 1984, during an interview with David Schultz, who was also known as “Dr. D.” Stossel questioned the legitimacy of professional wrestling, asking if it was fake.

In response, Schultz slapped Stossel across the ear, causing pain and hearing loss. Then he slapped him again for good measure when the journalist got to his feet.

The incident was recorded and later aired on the “20/20” program, leading to legal action. Stossel filed a lawsuit against Schultz and WWF, resulting in a settlement of $425,000.

There was also a legendary 1997 appearance of Vader and The Undertaker in Kuwait. That interview took quite a turn, and the Deadman stayed in character as the host of that program realized it was Vader Time.

Thankfully, Grayson Waller was able to escape this situation without a lawsuit, but he seemed ready to take things to a Schultz level if they needed to escalate that far.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C2NA5anuYlW

Grayson Waller Reacts

While Waller did not drop any clever words, or pontificate about respect for pro wrestling, he did let fans know he is aware that he is now the new David Schultz. He did so by simply tweeting out a photo of the former WWE Superstar who once busted John Stossel’s ear drum.

Roxanne Perez Reveals What It Means To Secure NXT Women’s Title Shot

Bishal Roy
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The rising NXT superstar Roxanne Perez has yet again secured a shot at the NXT Women’s Championship and has explained what it means to her. 

‘The Prodigy’ is aiming to become a two-time NXT Women’s Champion when she takes on Lyra Valkyria at Vengeance Day next month. Though she had odds stacked against her, Perez outlasted 19 other women to earn a title.

Last night on NXT, Roxanne Perez competed in the 20-woman battle royal to determine the number one contender for the NXT Women’s Championship. She made it to the final four which turned into a four-way match as previously announced. The bout also consisted Kelani Jordan, Fallon Henley and Kiana James. and Perez eventually won the match. 

Perez is quite confident on her quest to dethrone the NXT Women’s champion and reclaim the title.

Roxanne Perez: I’m The Prodigy, and you can’t break me 

In a WWE NXT Exclusive, Roxanne Perez shared her thoughts on her triumph last night and reiterated that she’s the best woman in the locker room.

“What does it mean to me? I just stood in the ring with 19 other women and prevailed. It was me against the world tonight. But did I doubt myself? No. But I’m pretty sure every single person out there did, just like they have been for the past year. When I said that I’m the best damn woman in this locker room, I wasn’t lying. I’ll say it once, I’ll say it twice. I’ll say it a third time. I’m The Prodigy, and you can’t break me,” Perez said.

Roxanne’s last reign as champion lasted for 109 days. At last year’s NXT Stand & Deliver Perez dropped the title to Indi Hartwell in a ladder match which also involved Gigi Dolin, Zoey Stark, Tiffany Stratton, and Lyra Valkyria.

On next week’s edition of NXT, Perez and Valkyria are set to have a contract-signing segment for the title match.

We will have to wait and see if Roxanne Perez manages to dethrone Lyra Valkyria at Vengeance Day which takes place on February 4 at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee.

How Often WWE Tests Talent For Steroids Under Current Wellness Policy

Aaron Varble
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WWE wants to make sure that their talent is safe at all times, and they have a system in place to make sure that they aren’t taking anything that could be dangerous to them. Steroids were a way of life in WWE for years, but the company doesn’t want them around anymore.

How Often WWE Tests Talent For Drugs

Grayson Waller and LA Knight visited Australia to hype the upcoming Elimination Chamber that is coming to Perth on February 24th. They went on The Kyle & Jackie O Show during that media tour, where Knight discussed how wrestlers keep healthy and deal with injuries.

Knight was asked about ways that Superstars heal from injuries. He was quick to shut down any ideas of steroid use, as he stated that WWE runs monthly tests to make sure talent is clean.

“You can’t (use steroids). Yeah, because that would actually make recovery easy but, no, every month we get tested. Every single month.”

History of WWE’s Wellness Policy

WWE’s Wellness Program started in 2006 to make sure wrestlers are healthy. This testing program was implemented following Eddie Guerrero’s passing, but the company has not 100% confirmed that Latino Heat was the reason for this testing.

They test for drugs randomly, and if someone fails the test, they get suspended. The first time is 30 days without pay, the second time is 60 days, and the third time means the wrestler loses their job if they refuse rehab. WWE tells the public when someone fails a test, but failures are few and far between at this point.

WWE no longer tests for marijuana. There used to be a $2,500 fine associated with popping dirty for THC on your drug test, but that is no longer their policy. We haven’t heard about any marijuana fines being given out for years.’

Ex-NWA Star Madi Wrenkowski Makes WWE In-Ring Debut With New Name On 1/16 NXT

Thomas Lowson
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Fans who tuned into this week’s WWE NXT caught their first glimpse of Madi Wrenkowski in a WWE ring, and she now has a new name. 

The January 16, 2024, edition of WWE NXT saw the gold brand start the journey toward NXT Vengeance Day. That event will take place on February 4, from the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee. During this week’s show, it was confirmed that NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov will defend at Vengeance Day against Trick Williams. The pair were set to face off at New Year’s Evil but the match was postponed. 

WWE NXT In-Ring Debut

This week’s NXT was headlined by a women’s battle royal with a unique stipulation. The final four in the match would advance to a four-way, with the winner earning a shot at the NXT Women’s Championship. For the match, Madi Wrenkowski, a former NWA star, made her in-ring debut for WWE NXT under her new name Wren Sinclair. While she appeared on last week’s NXT, this match marked her in-ring debut for the promotion. 

Unfortunately for Sinclair, she would not make it to the final four. Instead, the four-way was comprised of Roxanne Perez, Fallon Henley, Kiana James, and Kelani Jordan. Perez got the win and will challenge NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria at NXT Vengeance Day. 

Madi Wrenkowski In the Ring

Wrenkowski is a former MPW Tag Team Champion and won the titles with Rache Chanel in May of 2022. Their reign was the longest in the short history of the promotion. Wrenkowski vacated her title last month, which sparked more speculation that she had signed with WWE. 

Wrenkowski was also NWA Women’s Tag Team Champion from February to August of this year and held the titles with Missa Kate. The pair lost the titles at the NWA 75th Anniversary show on August 27, 2023, in St. Louis, MO. She has also appeared on episodes of AEW Dark. 

Ash By Elegance: I Honestly Think WWE Didn’t Believe In Dana Brooke

Thomas Lowson
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Ash By Elegance spent close to a decade as part of WWE, but the former Superstar believes that higher-ups simply didn’t believe in her. 

Elegance competed as Dana Brooke from 2015 to 2023 before her release from the promotion last September. At Hard to Kill 2024, the Elegant wrestler made her debut for TNA Wrestling. She would also debut her new ring name at the event. 

Ash By Elegance On Her WWE Run

Brooke spent close to a decade competing in a WWE ring but rarely received any pushes from the company. On a recent edition of Busted Open Radio, Elegance spoke about feeling overlooked by most people in WWE. 

“I honestly think they didn’t believe in me. You know, producers, T.J. [Wilson] was a very big advocate for me and he would always be like, ‘Dana can do it, Dana can do it, Dana can do it’ and it just — it wasn’t happening and I wasn’t that girl. I wasn’t the girl that they were trying to push to that next level. [I] was the one that I was always given to take the pin fall and I was okay with it, thinking in my mind, there’s gonna be a shot. There’s gonna be that next time and there just never was that next time.”

Elegance also recalled a spot she pitched that WWE turned down, deeming the move simply too unsafe despite her credentials.

“It was 2018 or ‘19 in the Money in the Bank match where I wanted to hang from the briefcase and swing from it and fall and a pile of girls catch me and they’re like, ‘No, no, no. That’s a little too dangerous.’ I’m like, ‘Do you not know I was in gymnastics for 18 years?… Just let me do it’ and it would be a wow factor and I just don’t think that they had the confidence in me.”

There is credence to the notion that WWE had no intentions to elevate Dana Brooke. In April 2023, it was reported that WWE confiscated a fan’s sign reading ‘Give Dana Brooke A Chance.’

H/T – POST Wrestling

Joel Embiid Keeps Up The DX Crotch Chop Celebration Despite Past NBA Fine

Aaron Varble
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NBA players may get paid to play a game for a living, but it’s serious business to the powers that be. Joel Embiid has already been slapped with a fine for celebrating like DX, and he’s not stopping.

Joel Embiid’s Crotch Chopping History

WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H previously extended an invitation to Joel Embiid for WrestleMania 40 following the NBA star’s fine for performing D-Generation X’s signature taunt. He laid down a crotch chop, just like a DX member; and while it captured headlines, the NBA didn’t dig it.

The Philadelphia 76ers player laid down D-Generation X’s signature crotch chop during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 29th. Subsequently, it was revealed that the Cameroonian player received a $35,000 fine for this action. This is what caused Triple H to extend his invitation.

Joel Embiid Is At It Again

Embiid, who is well-known for his expressive on-court celebrations, once again made headlines as he led the Philadelphia 76ers to victory against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. In a standout performance, Embiid contributed significantly to the win, scoring an impressive 41 points.

As the game reached its decisive moments in the fourth quarter, Embiid added to the excitement by making a midrange jumper and drawing a foul in the process.

That is when Embiid directed a playful taunt towards the opposing team, signaling them to “suck it.” The DX crotch chop came back, and we can only imagine that the NBA will take action with another fine. We have to assume that Triple H will hear about that if it happens.

DX owned up to putting countless kids in detention during their run as a stable in WWE’s Attitude Era. Emulating the “suck it’ taunt may appear fun on television, but it doesn’t fly with teachers. It’s also a good idea to keep the gesture off the NBA court, but Joel Embiid didn’t get that memo.

Cora Jade Injury Update: WWE confirms she’ll miss up to a year

Thomas Lowson
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WWE NXT Superstar Cora Jade will be out of action for close to a year after suffering a torn ACL during a recent live event. 

During the January 16, 2024, edition of WWE NXT, the gold brand confirmed reports that Jade had been injured at an untelevised show. It was confirmed that Jade suffered a torn ACL. She is slated to miss up to a year of in-ring action. The injury occurred during a match between Jade and NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria. During this week’s show, however, it was stated that Jade wrestled and lost to someone else.

This is a huge setback for Jade who only recently made her return to programming. At NXT Deadline last month Jade attacked NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria in her first appearance since July. Valkyria had been involved in a staredown with Blair Davenport, who had won the women’s Iron Survivor Challenge match to earn an NXT Women’s Championship shot against the Valkyrie. 

Is WWE’s Training Unsafe? 

Jade’s injury will once again raise questions regarding the safety of the training WWE provides at its Performance Center. Jade is the latest woman to be taken out with a torn ACL. Amari Miller, Arianna Grace, Nikkita Lyons, and Yulisa Leon have all suffered ACL tears as part of WWE NXT. It’ll be important for WWE to find the balance between conditioning talent for the future while also not pushing them beyond their current limits. 

Cora Jade recently reunited with an old hero of hers… 

TNA Wrestling Expanding Their Worldwide Reach With New Partnership

Aaron Varble
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Impact Wrestling’s rebranding to TNA Wrestling brought a new spotlight for the company. Now, they are embarking on a new deal as part of those re-branding efforts.

TNA Wrestling’s Big New Partnership 

TNA Wrestling has announced a partnership with the global entertainment platform StarTimes. In a press release the company sent out about this collaboration, it is stated that they will bring exclusive TNA content to over 30 countries across Africa in January 2024.

The agreement expands TNA’s outreach, making its flagship weekly series, TNA IMPACT!, widely accessible to over 45 million users in countries like Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, and the Ivory Coast, among others. As part of this deal, StarTimes viewers will have the opportunity to enjoy exclusive TNA+ specials and hard-hitting Pay-Per-View events, including significant spectacles such as Bound For Glory.

TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore made a statement about this new partnership. They are proud of this new agreement, as TNA Wrestling will be offered to even more fans.

“Africa has long-boasted a passionate wrestling audience, who have warmly embraced our programming and our athletes. We are proud to partner with StarTimes to bring exclusive TNA content to subscribers throughout the continent, and we hope they will enjoy the exciting plans we have in store for what promises to be one of our biggest years yet!”

TNA Wrestling’s Re-Branding

Impact Wrestling just re-branded themselves back to TNA Wrestling this month. Hard to Kill 2024 marked their official restart. 

This also came with new championship titles across the company. With this fresh boost of momentum, TNA Wrestling has a lot to be happy about right now.

Pro Wrestling Themed Horror Movie “Here For Blood” Coming Soon

Aaron Varble
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Pro wrestling has many stories throughout history that are begging to be told. Now, the world of pro wrestling is seemingly turned around in this new horror film.

Who’s Producing “Here For Blood”

SCREAMBOX is a platform dedicated exclusively to the horror genre. Slashers, jump scares, gore, psychological thrillers, and more are included in the library of this service, and there is also a pro wrestling connection as well. 

Beyond streaming existing horror content, the platform has ventured into creating its original films. The latest announcement reveals that a SCREAMBOX Original film titled “Here for Blood” is scheduled to hit theaters next month, marking a wrestling-based horror film.

What is “Here For Blood” all about? 

The storyline follows a struggling pro wrestler who reluctantly agrees to babysit a precocious 10-year-old girl. What starts as a laid-back night of junk food and video games quickly descends into bloody chaos when the secluded home is invaded by a cult of mask-wearing maniacs. 

The film, described as a gory throwback to video store staples of the ’80s and ’90s, will be available in select theaters, digitally, and on SCREAMBOX starting February 9th. 

The cast includes Shawn Roberts from the Resident Evil franchise, with Dee Snider contributing his legendary voice to a decapitated skull. Other co-stars include Maya Misaljevic, Joelle Farrow, Tara Spencer-Nairn, and Michael Therriault.

“Here for Blood” also includes professional wrestlers “Hardcore” Channing Decker and Marc Andre Boulanger to give the film a bit of an authentic feel. Shawn Roberts, who stars in the lead role, trained with wrestling veteran Tyson Dux to prepare for the film. 

Directed by Daniel Turres and written by James Roberts, “Here for Blood” gained attention on the festival circuit, winning six awards at its Toronto After Dark premiere and screening at events like FrightFest, IFI Horrorthon, and Ramaskrik.

Lexis King Was Excited About Dropping The Brian Pillman Jr Name For WWE NXT

Aaron Varble
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WWE has a few second and third generation Superstar on their roster. They even have a fourth generation in Ava, but there is only one Lexis King. He came to WWE NXT by way of AEW, but there are no hard feelings about anything that he experienced along the way to get him here.

Brian Pillman Harbors No Ill-Will Toward AEW

Lexis King mentioned experiencing self-doubt during his time in AEW, clarifying that he harbors no negative sentiments towards the company. King, formerly known as Brian Pillman Jr., operated under his real name while in AEW and has since transitioned to WWE, joining the NXT roster. During an interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, King discussed a significant turnaround in his career while in NXT. He emphasized that any uncertainty about his work stemmed from his own concerns rather than any shortcomings on AEW’s part.

When it comes to AEW, Lexis King is not holding onto any sour grapes, because he had a lot of experiences while being paid very well by AEW.

“There’s no ill will. But it’s sort of just that mindset. You know, I’ve put myself in that mindset. Nobody else put me in that; I put myself in that mindset of, ‘What’s going on here?’ Sort of that self-doubt. And then I kept grinding … I moved back home. I kept grinding, going to the local school, trying to find out what makes me tick as a performer. And just the experience [of] living there. The experience traveling with AEW made me the performer I am today.”

Brian Pillman Jr Opens Up About Becoming Lexis King

Some might have assumed that Lexis King may not be 100% thrilled about giving up the Brian Pillman Jr name. After all, that is his actual name. On the contrary, King is happy to have a chance to live out one of his pro wrestling fantasies, as he has his own name now.

“I don’t wanna get into it, but it is my name, so when I go there, I was like, ‘hi, I’m Brian Pillman Jr,’ yada yada yada. Then they gave me the whole ‘you can’t keep your name’ kinda talk, and I was like, ‘well, I don’t wanna make it seem like that’s a bad thing,’ which it’s not. “

“You know, coming into it, I always fantasized about having my own wrestler name. Because my whole career I’ve had his name. My whole life I’ve had someone else’s name. I’ve been walking around with someone else’s name. Brian Pillman is a name that my father made, he made that name on his own. There’s not much I can add to it.”

The Lexis King Name Holds Personal Significance To Brian Pillman Jr

Brian Pillman Jr.’s WWE ring name, Lexis King, holds significant personal meaning for him. The name Lexis is derived from Alexis, his half-sister who tragically passed away in a car accident. 

His last name King is connected to his mother, Melanie Pillman, who previously went by the last name King. Melanie Pillman faced challenges with drug addiction before her passing last year. Additionally, King is the last name of his sister, Skylar King.

Dakota Kai Clears The Air About Her In-Ring Return From Injury

Aaron Varble
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Dakota Kai has been recovering from a torn ACL since last May, but some fans may not realize she is injured by the amount of screen time she gets in WWE. She recently shared an update on her recovery progress. 

Dakota Kai Speaks on her Injury

Despite being part of the Damage CTRL stable and making appearances on television with her stablemates, Dakota Kai is only cleared to stand at ringside during matches. Some fans mistakenly believed she was already cleared for in-ring action.

During a recent Twitch stream, Kai clarified that although she can move normally, she hasn’t received the necessary medical clearance. Currently, she is still waiting on the green light for her return to the ring.

In the meantime, Dakota Kai is really enjoying all the time she’s having with Damage CTRL on WWE television. 

“I’m so sick of seeing people saying, ‘She can run and jump, but she’s not cleared still? No, that’s not how this works. Obviously, I can run and jump because I’ve been doing it for the last few months, but they have a set date for when you actually get cleared because I have to still do matches, and they have to check all the boxes of when I’m actually cleared. I’m not going to be in a wheelchair for nine months and then suddenly stand up and go, ‘I’m cured.’ That’s not how it works.”

How Dakota Kai Was Injured

On the May 12th episode of SmackDown, Dakota Kai and Bayley faced defeat in their Women’s Tag Team Championship match against Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Both Kai and Morgan sustained injuries during the match, with Kai tearing her ACL and Morgan injuring her shoulder. 

Kai reappeared physically for the first time at SummerSlam, celebrating Sky’s WWE Women’s Championship victory. Subsequently, Kai has consistently taken on a managerial role for Damage CTRL until she receives medical clearance for in-ring competition.

Chelsea Green’s 8-Year Saga To Attain Green Card Comes To An End

Aaron Varble
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WWE Superstars must travel the world for their job, but that is very hard to pull off without proper documentation. Now, Chelsea Green can rest easy, because she has a very important piece of paperwork locked down.

Chelsea Green’s Green Card.

Chelsea Green returned to WWE since last year’s Royal Rumble after Triple H re-signed her. She has achieved notable milestones in the past year, as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion with multiple partners in the same reign.

Green now has another reason to celebrate, because she has successfully obtained her green card. This was quite an adventure of patience, because she waited for 8 years.

The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion logged onto Twitter/X, where she revealed that her green card issues are now over.

”Only my fellow expats understand the stress of the immigration system… I am so relieved to say after 8 years, 5 pro wrestling companies & 4 visas, I finally have my green card!”

What is a Green Card?

Chelsea Green has been vocal about her visa issues, with reports indicating her prolonged wait for the green card dating back to September 2022. Thankfully, travel restrictions and green card issues will no longer be an issue for the former Hot Mess. A green card is a vital piece of documentation for many.

A green card is a document that allows someone who’s not a U.S. citizen to live and work in the United States permanently. It’s like a proof or authorization, given by the government, that you have the right to reside and be employed in the country.

People usually apply for a green card for various reasons, like family reunification, employment opportunities, or seeking refuge. Once someone has a green card, they’re considered a permanent resident, which means you can stay in the U.S. indefinitely. That being said, Chelsea Green isn’t leaving the United States. Her husband, Matt Cardona, is probably very happy about that fact. 

Wrestling Legend Bill Goldberg’s Son Gage Goldberg Joining Deion Sanders In Colorado

Dominic DeAngelo
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Gage Goldberg is looking to be “Da Man” for Deion Sanders. The son of Goldberg made the announcement on social media on Tuesday that he is committing to University of Colorado as he joins a collegiate football program that was white hot to start the 2023 season.

“After a great conversation, I am honored to announce that I am committing to the University of Colorado to continue my football and academic career!”

Bill Goldberg, a WWE Hall of Famer, happened to be NFL teammates with Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders as both played for the Atlanta Falcons over three decades ago. 

Gage Goldberg certainly had some moments on the main stage of a WWE ring as he accompanied his father on several occassions as Goldberg continued his unstoppable reign in pro wrestling.

Speaking with TMZ, Gage revealed that his father actually got in contact with Sanders about his son joining his team for 2024. Gage, a star linebacker in high school, said that he originally wanted to commit to the University of Alabama, but he had a change of plans when legendary coach Nick Saban announced his retirement from the game.

“We already looking at property in Tuscaloosa,” Bill Goldberg laughed, who praised Saban for not just his coaching legacy in football, but the character and integrity he brought to the game. He also went on to praise his former teammate Deion.

“Let’s be perfectly honest, Deion and I are great friends. I love the man like he’s my brother. I’d do anything for him. I say that when I was his teammate, I say that now.”

Lexis King Opens Up About His “Enlightening” Experience With John Cena

Dominic DeAngelo
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Lexis King goes by a new name, but John Cena made it clear you make your own name in pro wrestling.

King, real name Brian Pillman Jr., made his WWE debut at NXT Halloween Havoc and revealed in a new interview with Chris Van Vliet that John Cena came down to visit the roster down in Orlando, FL.

“He actually came and did a seminar with us at the PC. I thought, ‘Okay, I’ll see what’s going on.’ I’m so glad I went. It was the most enlightening…it wasn’t just little questions that people would ask. We were getting into it. We were talking about contract negotiations and all this different stuff. It was amazing, the amount of questions we were able to ask and get answered.”

King, however, noted about the one very intriguing piece of advice Cena gave to the the hopeful future WWE Superstars sitting under his learning tree.

“One of the coolest things he said was, ‘You can’t control the booking and who is wearing what belt, but you can be the best version of said character.'”

Cena told the NXT roster that he believes it not to be beneficial to pitch ideas to WWE as they have a staff for doing that. Just focusing on the character you’re given to portray is key. 

King noted that in AEW he made successful pitches to the company, but he won’t do it again while in WWE. He also opened up about how he really questioned his own value in wrestling while apart of the AEW roster.

Please credit Chris Van Vliet and h/t to Fightful for the transcription.

Samoa Joe: “HOOK Is Quite The Dynamic Little Athlete”

Dominic DeAngelo
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Samoa Joe is quite intrigued for his upcoming title fight against HOOK. The AEW World Champion will put his newly acquired hardware on the line against the FTW Champion in what will be Joe’s first defense of the belt.

Speaking with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Joe talked about how he thinks HOOK is an excellent match-up for him, but the heel also said it in a fashion that could certainly be taken as back-handed.

“This typifies what I want to see during my reign–I want these first-time matchups with something at stake. Hook is quite the dynamic little athlete, and he’s been doing his best to make his case. His record speaks for itself, and we’re going to find out if he’s the truth or not.

“It takes about 29 other athletes to equal something approximating me, so this will be a good little test,” said Joe. “We’ll find out where we’re at.”

The fight got a good deal of stir on social media as AEW President was heavy in defending the match-up against his critics and notoriously factored Jinder Mahal into the equation.

This match-up isn’t just intriguing to Samoa Joe, however. Rob Van Dam recently mentioned on his “1 Of A Kind” podcast that he’s thinks it’s going to be beneficial for both Joe and HOOK. He also stated that he believe HOOK has what it takes to be a top star in pro wrestling. RVD mentioned that the bout could end in the two exchanging handshakes and that could be a possibility, as Joe envisions his father Taz in some well-regard.

“That no-nonsense attitude, destroy-at-all-costs, that’s who he was. That’s who I am. Now it’s exemplified in an athlete like Hook, so let’s get in the ring and go.”

Triple H Sends Public ‘Thank You’ To WWE Talent & Crew After Pulling Off RAW Despite Terrible Winter Weather

Aaron Varble
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WWE runs their live RAW all year, and this week’s episode in Little Rock, Arkansas was challenging, because the weather was not on their side. Now, Triple H has spoken out about how well his team was able to pivot due to the weather.

Triple H Thanks His Crew

Numerous challenges arose for WWE talent over the past 24 hours concerning flights and weather for talents. Some individuals were unable to fly and had to resort to driving to Little Rock, Arkansas, for the show, while others found themselves stranded at airports.

Triple H jumped on Twitter/X to send out a public thank you. He commended his staff for the amazing job that they do, as they made RAW happen in the middle of such terrible weather.

“I can’t say enough about the amazing job our talent, crew and staff did these last few days. Through winter storms, blizzards and incredibly tough travel, they did what needed to be done to put on a show for the @WWEUniverse… which included completely redesigning #WWERaw on less than 24 hours’ notice. They really are the best in the business. To put it simply, I couldn’t be more proud or grateful.”

Triple H highlighted their noteworthy efforts in dealing with winter storms, blizzards, and challenging travel conditions. Despite facing these obstacles, the team worked tirelessly to ensure the continuation of the show for the WWE Universe. 

WWE Had To Re-Design RAW Set This Week

That quick-thinking required the rapid redesign of the WWE Raw setup with less than 24 hours’ notice. Triple H is obviously proud of his crew for pulling off such a feat. It’s also a good thing they had a backup stage available.

R-Truth winning over Finn Balor and the Judgment Day with bags full of cash

Tyriece Simon
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R-Truth is finding creative ways to prove to Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio that he can be an indispensable member of the Judgement Day.

Truth has been on a mission to become a full-fledged member of the faction despite most of the group’s dismissals. However, that could change in storyline after the former two-time WWE United States Champion has shown that he is a money-maker.

On the January 15 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, Priest had a backstage segment with Truth ahead of their tag team match. The man currently in possession of the Men’s Money In The Bank briefcase confronted Truth about selling one of his new collaborative t-shirts with Judgement Day. However, the former WWE United States Champion calmed his concerns when he gave Priest a stack of cash from the proceeds.

Truth also noted that everyone in the group would get a cut of the profits and that he made a new collaborative t-shirt for ‘Tom and Nick Mysterio.’

WWE has released new merchandise on the WWE Shop called “The Judgment Day & R-Truth Three Amigos T-Shirt,” featuring Truth and “Dirty Dom” for $32.99. This marks the third t-shirt since the storyline between Truth and Judgement Day began, which may show the success of their collaboration. 

Finn Balor Very Happy With R-Truth Selling T-Shirts

Later in the show, Truth teamed with The Miz to take on Priest and Balor. Before it could start, Truth gave Balor and Mysterio a handful of $100 to share the success of their t-shirt sales. It’s worth noting that McDonagh, who was at ringside, didn’t get anything because, in the storyline, he lost his spot in the group to Truth.

Judgment Day would defeat the “babyfaces” after Priest landed South Of Heaven on Truth. Despite giving them issues, both Balor and Mysterio were elated after the match and thankful for Truth.

In a Twitter post, Balor shared a backstage video of himself and Mysterio looking at the money that Truth gave them. While expressing their happiness, Mysterio mentioned that McDonagh didn’t get his money cut. 

Balor responded, “He don’t deserve a cut. His name is not on the shirt.” While that comment could be in jest, this could lead to more implications for the group.

Will Judgement Day accept R-Truth?

In the tag team match, WWE fans noticed Priest was unhappy after landing the South Of Heaven on Truth. In the backstage segment between them, he noted that the rest of the group was not thrilled with Truth’s antics. As the former WWE United States Champion becomes more involved with the faction, this could lead to internal issues between Judgement Day.

McDonagh is already having issues with Truth, but Mysterio and Balor may also get fed up with the ongoing antics. This could lead to Priest being put on the spot to handle Truth, and he may be conflicted. The group has had issues, but this longtime WWE veteran could be the catalyst for Judgement Day finally butting heads. 

Currently, it seems the group will continue trying to get along with Truth as he shows his worth. However, it seems only a matter of time before something will push them too far. 

R-Truth: I Like Being Funny, the 24/7 Championship Was My Playground

Thomas Lowson
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WWE’s 24/7 Championship may not have been to everyone’s taste, but R-Truth had a blast defending the unique piece of gold. 

The 24/7 Championship was introduced in 2019 and was immediately met with negative responses from fans who took issue with the design. Shortly after however, the title would become a highlight of WWE programming with various comedy segments leading to title changes. After a while though, the momentum would die down and the title would become less relevant on programming. 

R-Truth on the 24/7 Championship

R-Truth would become synonymous with the 24/7 Championship, as he’d have more reigns and hold the title for longer than anyone else on the roster. Speaking on the Busted Open Radio podcast, Truth recalled being approached about the title and the initial response from fans. 

“They gave me a call. They called me and said ‘Hey, they want you to go to SmackDown.’ No, I was on SmackDown as a matter of fact, they want you to go to Raw and do a backstage promo. Didn’t tell me what it was. When I got to Raw. I saw Mick [Foley] pull that thing out of the bag like that right. And everybody said that thing was ugly. Everybody thought it was ugly. Nobody even liked it. It had a different look, we’re gonna say that. It just looked different.”

Despite the backlash, Truth had no issue with the title as he’s always relished in flexing his comedic chops. 

“I like laughing I like being funny. And y’all give me an opportunity to make things funny. That was just my playground right that moment. All the things myself, the writers was coming up with was just like, we [were] just hitting home runs. There was no rules when it came to 24/7 title man. If it was rules, we broke them all and I think people were just loving that.”

The 24/7 Championship was retired in late 2022 in a decision by Triple H. The title’s end saw Nikki Cross (nearly) throw it in a trash can. 

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