CM Punk may lay claim to being the ‘Best in the World’ but his fighting skills were outmatched by some WWE Superstars during a 2006 flight.
That year was a formative one for Punk, who made his TV debut as part of the relaunched ECW brand. Punk was a personal project of ECW head Paul Heyman, and would quickly become one of the most featured stars on the show.
CM Punk’s On-Board Flights
On a recent edition of his Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker spoke about Punk and the relationship they have had in the ring. The Phenom recalled a time when Punk was traveling with the roster for the 2006 edition of Tribute to the Troops in Baghdad, Iraq.
“Somehow or another, the discussion comes up. I don’t know if Vince instigated this one or not… CM Punk, he fashioned himself as a jiu-jitsu practitioner. Someone broached the question, ‘You did jiu-jitsu. How long do you think you could last with one of these two wrestlers?’ It was Bobby Lashley, who wrestled for the Army, and Shelton Benjamin, who wrestled at Minnesota.”
The Undertaker added that Punk was confident, telling the roster “I’ll tap them out.” Despite this bravado, Punk was quickly humbled by Lashley and Benjamin.
“I want to say the first match lasted about 47 seconds. The other one was sub-40, where they had taken them down and pinned him. He didn’t back down, but my goodness, it was like blood in the water and two great white sharks circling.”
Years later, Punk would compete in the UFC and have similarly rotten luck. Punk lost two fights for the promotion, though one of his losses was overturned after his opponent tested positive for performance-enhancing substances.
CM Punk may have accidentally revealed the ring attire he’ll wear for his WWE run going forward. Click here to find out more.
Roxanne Perez has made her name as part of WWE NXT for some time now, but The Prodigy will soon make an appearance for Reality of Wrestling.
On Twitter, the official ROW account announced that Perez will be coming “home” for the upcoming ‘One Night Only’ event. The show will take place in Texas City, Texas, on January 13, 2024.
?? BREAKING NEWS ??
NXT Superstar @roxanne_wwe makes her return home to Reality Of Wrestling for One Night Only on Saturday, January 13th for the first event of 2024. #Slamuary
?9300 Emmett F Lowry Expressway Texas City, TX 77591
It’s fitting that Perez will be at the upcoming Reality of Wrestling show given her history with the promotion. After training under Booker T, Perez made her in-ring debut for the Texan legend’s Reality of Wrestling promotion in December 2018. As Rok-C, Perez is a former ROW Diamonds Division Champion. Booker has often referred to his personal connection to Perez on WWE NXT as the two-time Hall of Famer serves as a commentator for the gold brand.
The American Nightmare was in an especially generous mood after this week’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw went off the air.
This week’s episode of the Red brand was the final live show for the year, as next week’s Raw will be a compilation show celebrating the best of 2023. This week’s Raw saw the continuation of Seth Rollins’s feud with Drew McIntyre ahead of their pair’s World Heavyweight Championship match on the ‘Day 1’ episode of Raw. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships this week, ending the reign of Chelsea Green and Piper Niven.
Cody Rhodes at Monday Night Raw
The December 18, 2023, episode of Raw was not a good one for Cody Rhodes, who continues to be the victim of mind games by Shinsuke Nakamura. The Japanese Superstar was in a festive mood and read his poem ‘The American Nightmare Before Christmas, which featured several insults at Cody, including:
“You b*stard, you cancer, You prancer you nitwit. You’re vomit, you’re stupid. Your father was inbred.”
Rhodes would attack Nakamura for these comments, leading to a brawl that would be broken up by security.
Cody Rhodes After Monday Night Raw
Despite this interaction with Nakamura, Rhodes was in a much better mood after this week’s Raw went off the air. In an off-air segment, Rhodes gifted an entire Christmas tree to a fan at ringside.
This isn’t the first time Rhodes has given something away after a WWE show. In the past, the American Nightmare has given away parts of a table broken during a stipulation match.
Jey Uso made YEET pop with the WWE Universe. This is something that the Usos were saying for a while, as they brought the saying over from other places, but Jey Uso really gave it a life of its own.
The YEET trademark was a matter of dispute for a moment, and a big question mark hovered over Jey Uso’s famous word. That cause the company to list his YEET merchandise as “sold out,” but that was only for a limited time.
YEET is Blurred in New WWE Merchandise
WWE was able to work out the legal situation involving YEET, so they can use it again. Now, they have dropped a new piece of merchandise to commemorate that period of time when fans couldn’t get their hands on any YEET merchandise.
The company released a YEET shirt, but the word is blurred on the front. This is a nice touch, and it only proves that they are well aware that this story was a hot topic with fans.
What Does YEET Mean?
YEET did not originate from pro wrestling but gained popularity in Vine videos around 2014. People began using the word before executing significant moves or tossing objects. Over time, it transformed into a viral meme and found its way into various contexts, including video games and, more recently, pro wrestling.
The Problem With YEET in WWE
WWE’s trademark issue concerning Jey Uso’s YEET is clear-cut. The trademark was previously owned by Kasey Huffman, an independent professional wrestler from West Virginia, who has held the rights to the term “YEET” since 2021. This situation has led to evident complications.
WWE and Kasey Huffman were apparently able to work out a deal, because it is YEET once again for Jey Uso in WWE. Now, it is off to the races with new merchandise to make up for the short period of time that it was no YEET at WWE’s official shop.
Jey Uso recorded a short plug for his new merchandise backstage at RAW. He proudly proclaimed that it’s his YEET now.
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance are the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Chance and Carter defeated Chelsea Green & Piper Niven on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw to win the titles — their first as a team since being called up to the main roster from NXT earlier this year.
Carter & Chance fought as the underdogs for much of the match against Green and Niven despite the champions actively trying to convince Raw General Manager, Adam Pearce, to cancel the match in the spirit of the holiday season. Chance and Carter connected with their tandem neckbreaker and 450 splash finish to earn the victory.
Kayden and Katana "AfterParty" finisher is so darn good looking they are such a complete tag team in the ring and they deserve the titles #WWERaw???pic.twitter.com/uyCy7EkE9O
Carter & Chance were called up to the main roster and drafted to Raw from NXT in the 2023 WWE Draft. The duo won the Women’s NXT Tag Team Championship in August of 2022 and held those titles until being beat by Kiana James and Fallon Henley in February of 2023.
Chelsea Green originally became tag team champions with Sonya Deville. Deville was forced to take time away from WWE to heal from an injury and Piper Niven supplanted herself in place as Green’s partner. Chelsea Green’s title reign with Deville/Niven lasted 152 days.
Backstage after the win, Triple H congratulated the new champions and wrote on Instagram, “The party’s just getting started.”
AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman is a Hall of Famer at just 27 years old. On Monday, Dec. 18, the wrestling champion best known as MJF was inducted into The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, in Commack, New York at the Suffolk Y JCC.
MJF’s Induction Speech for the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
When accepting his induction, MJF spoke about his pride in his religion and the significance of being honored by the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He encouraged children to chase after their dreams no matter what and to never listen to people who doubt them.
“I’m so proud to be a Jew. Growing up, there was not a lot of people to look up to, as far as it went to the professional wrestling landscape,” said MJF.
He added that he did look up to the likes of Paul Heyman and Goldberg, who are also Jewish. However, he joked that Heyman wasn’t an athlete and the former WCW World Heavyweight Champion never discussed being Jewish on TV and just made “Growling noises.”
He added, “…So it’s really important to me that there’s going to be a crop of kids that are going to have somebody that they get to look up to.”
Friedman joins his family member in the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, NFL player Benny Friedman.
MJF Year In Wrestling
It has been a memorable year for MJF, as he has held the AEW World Championship throughout 2023. He won the title by defeating Jon Moxley at AEW Full Gear on November 19, 2022. While fans weren’t sure what to expect from him as a champion, MJF has had one of the best reigns in the company’s history.
He’s successfully defended the title in high-profile matches against Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole, and Kenny Omega. The AEW World Champion also had the honor of main eventing the company’s biggest event, AEW All In, on August 27 in a sold-out crowd in Wembley Stadium in London, England.
MJF defends the AEW World Championship against Samoa Joe at AEW World’s End on December 30 from Long Island’s Nassau Coliseum.
The latest achievement of getting inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall Of Fame is another great highlight for MJF this year.
CM Punk is full of ideas, but not all of those inspirations will see the light of day. It seems that the Second City Savior had a very interesting idea for Lio Rush while he was in AEW, one that would have seen a familiar face manage the former Cruiserweight Champion.
CM Punk’s Big Idea For Lio Rush In AEW
In an interview with MuscleManMalcolm, Lio Rush shared a CM Punk-related pitch that would have delighted many fans of Danielle Fishel and pro wrestling.
This idea would have seen the Boy Meets World star managing Lio Rush. Sadly, that idea never came to fruition.
“I’ve got a story with CM Punk; I definitely have a story with CM Punk. I remember me and CM Punk doing like the beginning of the show when we first all came in the building. And I remember seeing him sitting in the bleachers, and I just walked over and introduced myself to him. Told him how much I looked up to him as, you know, as a kid. I didn’t want to make him feel old, but I told him that I looked up to him. That I appreciate his work and his time in WWE.”
“A couple of months later, probably about a month or two later, he ended up coming to me with an idea. I don’t even know if I should say this, but I’m just gonna say it anyway. I remember he came up with an idea where he wanted Danielle Fishel to come into AEW to be my manager because we had that mutual friend in Danielle. So, yeah, that was an idea that came up that he wanted to talk to me about that never really came to fruition. But yeah, that’s my CM Punk story. I’ve got a couple of more, but maybe I’ll save it for a book one day.”
Topanga did not make her AEW managerial debut alongside Lio Rush, but it was a good idea at the time. CM Punk and Lio Rush are both no longer with AEW, as they departed for their own controversial reasons.
Danielle Fishel is known for her pro wrestling fandom. She’s been spotted at plenty of pro wrestling events, and has also recently hung out with Trish Stratus and Mick Foley at a public appearance. Even though Tony Khan didn’t give Fishel her manager license that time around, we have to wonder if she’d be up to take on the challenge down the line.
After an ongoing struggle with substance abuse issues Shannon Moore was close to ending his life, but he credits WWE and one particular Hall of Famer for saving his.
A new article by the Tampa Bay Times focuses on Moore’s inspiring life journey so far and how he’s been able to help so many others after being six years sober.
Moore said that his primary drug abuse came from using painkillers initially, but branched out even further to other drugs, something that he was introduced early in his career. He said that his real problems came back in 2012 once he took a leave from wrestling after a TNA run. He had a lot of time and a lot of money on his hands.
“That was the worst thing I ever did,” he said. “I was just sitting at home. I had time. I had money. And what do you do? You just party. I think that’s the point where physical addiction really set in.”
Speaking on the Road Dogg Brian James’ podcast earlier this year, Moore spoke about how he was on the verge of ending his life and potentially ending his ex-wife’s until he gave James a call.
“I said, ‘Hey, dude, you’re probably going to hear about me on the news. Something bad is going to happen,’” Moore said. “He reached back out, and the rest is history.”
James is also over a decade sober and he was someone that Moore kept having on his mind during the darkest time of his life. Now Moore works as a client relations manager at Riverside Recovery in Tampa. He still wrestles, but doesn’t plan on going back to it full-time.
“There have been plenty of offers,” Moore said. “But Riverside has an amazing team. I believe in what we are doing. I’ve got a taste of being in service. My whole thing now is just trying to do my part and hopefully use my platform and use my career to hopefully help somebody.”
Dirty Dom’s new deal is rumored to be a five-year contract. No note about the length of Rey Mysterio’s new deal was made.
Rey Mysterio has been part of WWE on and off since 2002. He made his most recent comeback in 2018 and, two years later, formed a team with his son, Dominik Mysterio. AEW was actually a thought on the table for Rey Mysterio, but he stayed with WWE for his son, a move that has paid off in time.
Their partnership continued until last summer, when Dominik betrayed Rey, leading to a match at this year’s WrestleMania, which Rey won.
What’s Next For Rey Mysterio In WWE?
Currently, sidelined due to a knee injury, Rey Mysterio’s absence from the storyline occurred after Santos Escobar turned on him following WWE Crown Jewel. The reason behind Escobar’s betrayal was Mysterio choosing Carlito over him.
The expectation is that Santos Escobar will introduce new allies to team with against the LWO. At this time, that storyline may be waiting for Rey Mysterio’s in-ring return, but it was reportedly in the pipeline.
Since parting ways with his father, Dominik Mysterio joined the Judgment Day stable, aligning closely with Rhea Ripley. He is also a two-time NXT North American Champion, with his most recent title loss to Dragon Lee at NXT Deadline earlier this month.
WWE has taken care of the Mysterio Family at this point. Now, both father and son are locked into the company with contracts for years to come.
We will have more updates on WWE’s contract landscape at SE Scoops as they are made available.
CJ Perry took her time getting to AEW after her WWE release. Some fans wondered if her debut for Tony Khan’s company would even happen at one point. Now that she is All Elite, it appears she is forced to take a break from action.
CJ Perry’s Infection Problem
Over the weekend, CJ Perry posted pictures on social media, revealing an unexpected health challenge. The photos documented a finger infection, leading to an unplanned visit to the emergency room.
#CMLL Please keep me in your prayers I’m at the ER @vphcares. The infection from my small finger has gone up my arm. I am so sorry I had to miss last night and @AEW tonight. I look forward to debuting in Mexico with @AndradeElIdolo. Good luck @ToBeMiro and my client… pic.twitter.com/UcFAg9WLU2
CJ Perry openly discussed how the health issue affected her professional commitments, causing her to miss the AEW Collision episode on December 16th and the CMLL show on Friday, where Andrade El Idolo was scheduled to perform. The included caption explained the situation, highlighting the severity of the finger infection.
Things Got Worse For CJ Perry
Now, it appears that CJ Perry’s situation got worse. The former Lana updated fans to let them know that she will require surgery to fix her problem.
I have been in the ER and hospital for over 50 hours. The infection has gotten worse, and I’m going into surgery tonight. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I love you all
I have been in the ER and hospital for over 50 hours. The infection has gotten worse and I’m going into surgery tonight. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I love you all ?? pic.twitter.com/P5JdwfQqu2
We’re sending our best to CJ Perry, from everyone here at SE Scoops. This is a trying situation, but hopefully, she is in good hands with medical professionals.
If you have a brother or a sister you’re close to, get ready to text them after you see “The Iron Claw.” I was fortunate enough to have mine sitting right beside me to catch an advance screening of the film, and both of us being ardent wrestling fans, it hit several different notes.
The looming tragedy of the Von Erich’s is immediately set in the first scene of the film with Holt McCallany as Fritz Von Erich, battling in “Raging Bull” black and white, showing the raw brutality that pro wrestling fanatics of yesteryear yearned for. The punishment wrestlers put on their bodies is a lingering backdrop to the sad story that’s on tap. Director Sean Durkin does a beautiful job at making it a visual necessity, giving the viewers the feeling that they’re the ones taking the elbows and backdrops. The cinematography is foreboding and immersive throughout the majority of the film.
Dominic DeAngelo of SEScoops is joined by his wrestling podcast brother, Marcus DeAngelo, to give their advanced (spoiler-free) review of “The Iron Claw” – including if it hits with wrestling fans, if it hits with the non-wrestling fans, the standout performances and what was missing.
The Acting ‘Does The Work’ In “Iron Claw”
From a performance standpoint, there isn’t a weak link in “The Iron Claw.” McCallany (from “Mindhunters” the amazing short-lived FX boxing series “Lights Out”) is prideful, blunt and frustratingly cold as patriarch Fritz. Zac Efron will surprise people with the range he shows playing the title role of Kevin Von Erich, bringing a caring naivety to a person who ultimately endures so much. Jeremy Allen White delivers as Kerry, so much that it feels like he doesn’t get enough screen time. However, the low-key stars of the Von Erich brothers are the portrayals of David and Mike.
Harris Dickinson gives the role of David his just due, the Von Erich brother who really defined the familial identity that so many World Class fans were drawn to. He’s positioned in a supporting role, but his efforts are imperative to displaying the loving kinship the brothers have with one another, making his passing all the more devastating.
Stanley Simons is spot-on at portraying the unnecessary loss that became Mike Von Erich. Due to his lack of desire to wrestle, Mike was a lighting rod for the cruelty of Fritz. Simons is excellent as the funny, sweet son who could have been an invaluable asset to the family’s success without ever having to step inside the ring. He, for many reasons, defines the tragedy as a whole.
Familiar Faces & Heels
When it comes to the wrestler cameos, they are there, but they don’t necessarily stand out to the un “mark”-ed eye. Ryan Nemeth has brief dialogue as Gino Hernandez and you see Chavo Guerrero Jr. working smoothly against Efron as The Original Sheik. “Iron Claw” executive producer MJF gets just a sip rather than a full “cup of coffee” as Lance Von Erich. The fake family cousin has literally a second of screen time (but the AEW Champ does makes the most of that).
Two legends do get their promo time in the film. We have a full monologue from Ric Flair, portrayed by Aaron Dean Eisenberg. His mannerisms, cadence and body type are pretty accurate to that of The Nature Boy’s and it’s likely the closest you can get without grabbing a time machine. It’s hard to nail Ric Flair without actually having Ric Flair.
The other talent to get a spotlight was Harley Race and it’s with good reason. Kevin Anton nails it as “The Greatest on God’s Green Earth.” Fans will also enjoy seeing the Fabulous Freebirds get their screen time, but may also come away not being fully satisfied considering how big that rivalry was for WCCW. The late Jerry Jarrett gets a hat-tip with a portrayal near the end of the film.
Music Puts You In A “Stranglehold”
Music in “The Iron Claw” is, quite simply, great. You want those 1979 vibes? The film delivers and Von Erich fans will absolutely eat up the “Tom Sawyer”-fueled montage mid-film (I know I did). It should be a sought-after playlist on Spotify. Coinciding with this vibe, is the film’s first showing of Allen White as Kerry. In true pro wrestling fashion, Durkin makes you wait in anticipation for your first sight of the late great Texas Tornado.
Significant Differences From The Full Story Down In Denton, TX
From a historically accurate standpoint, “The Iron Claw” takes its fair share liberties; primarily its biggest one is not including the youngest brother, Chris Von Erich, at all in the film. Like Kerry and Mike, the smaller Chris also committed suicide in 1991 after not being able to compete in the ring due to health issues.
In addition to that glaring omission, timelines are shifted and occurrences are substituted in an effort to streamline the story for the masses. Fans super in tune with the Von Erich history may come away frustrated, but local Pittsburgh wrestler, Shawn Blanchard, a WCCW diehard, didn’t let that deter his overall enjoyment of the film. In turn, fellow wrestling journalist Tom Letergy noted it may be difficult for the regular movie goer to keep track of all the “who, where, and when” (Note: We were watching it on a Dolby surround screen and the bottom part of the film was cut off, so there could have been significant notations us viewers didn’t see.)
While it’s touched upon, the wild lifestyle of all the Von Erich brothers was mostly burdened onto Kerry in an effort to show his own unraveling. Like Kerry, Kevin also had the tendency to get crazy and miss shows. More of an effort could have been made to embrace the fun (yet ultimately destructive) side of the business that the brothers were known for, simply to give viewers a break from all that heartache.
Family Comes First In “The Iron Claw”
As expected, the overall story of the film is drastically sobering. That’s all the more accentuated if you grew up in a family of siblings, have experienced loss, or are concerned with losing someone. There were several moments where I wanted to turn to my own brother and tell him how much I love him, but I followed the unhealthy method of the callous Fritz by expressing no feelings. It’s certainly moving for a wrestling fan looking through such a prism. Therefore, the ending of the film makes a very unique choice to lighten all the sadness the family endured and if you loved the Von Erichs, you’ll be grateful for the effort made.
If you’re an old school wrestling fan, you’ll have plenty to appreciate. If you have a brother you can talk to afterwards, you’ll have even more.
“The Iron Claw” releases everywhere on December 22. Follow Dominic DeAngelo on X @DominicDeAngelo.
Impact Wrestling is making an effort to get wrestling fans excited about the return of TNA and they’re loading up their first official PPV with some big matches and it sounds like a major name as well.
Impact took to social media to reveal that “Worlds will collide” on January 13 as the company emphasizes that fans “won’t believe who is showing up” to TNA Hard To Kill.
Additionally, Impact CEO Scott D’Amore joined “Busted Open Radio” to reveal that the company signed a big name and fans will find out about it during the PPV.
“We’re right there at the goal line of finalizing one of the biggest signings in TNA. I think it’s something that’s really gonna shake things up. I think some of what we have in store is gonna blow your socks off.”
BREAKING: As @ScottDAmore teased on @BustedOpenRadio, worlds will collide on January 13 at #HardToKill LIVE on PPV from the Palms in Las Vegas – you WON'T BELIEVE who is showing up!
D’Amore and Impact are getting fans hyped for the rebranding with some big names in wrestling, particularly two in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, will be working at TNA Snake Eyes. Both Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada are scheduled to appear at the tapings. The latter will team up with Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin to battle Eddie Edwards, Moose and Brian Myers. Ospreay’s opponent is still currently unknown.
CM Punk has worked with a variety of legends in his wrestling career, but perhaps, the biggest confidence booster came when Punk was paired to work with “The GOAT” — John Cena.
Recently, Punk joined Elite Comics11 for a live stream on Instagram, in which he was asked to recount a match that helped fit the pieces together for him as a wrestler. In response, Punk referenced a three-way bout he had with WWE Hall of Famers Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero in 2002 at IWA Mid-South.
In addition to learning some valuable performance elements from his two opponents, Punk also believes this match put his name on the map, setting the stage for him to eventually sign with WWE a few years later.
After joining WWE in 2005, Punk steadily raised his stock, later earning himself an opportunity to work with the arguable face of the company, John Cena. While their feud was rather intense on-screen, Punk’s work with Cena actually came with a refreshing sense of ease. It also further motivated him to step up his game.
CM Punk on working with John Cena
During the Instagram live stream, Punk spoke about working so closely with WWE’s top attraction and felt it was a sign the company trusted him to be in that coveted spot. Here’s what Punk said, transcribed by Post Wrestling:
“Now I’m here [in WWE] and then being trusted enough to work with John Cena pretty much every day, every night for quite some time,” said Punk. “We were married to each other and it was always a night off and it was always easy.
When you’re tasked with working with the guy who pretty much is the engine that makes the company go at that point, it’s kind of just like, ‘Okay, I figured it out then.’ I was like, “Alright, I know. They trust me enough and I’m not gonna do anything stupid, I’m not gonna hurt the guy.’
It’s always good and it’s quality and it was fun and it was different and they trusted me to keep it different and it wasn’t the same thing all the time.”
Watch: CM Punk vs. John Cena WWE Championship match:
Mustafa Ali has to be itching to get back into the wrestling ring. Ali (real name Adeel Alam) was one of the many WWE talents to be released back in September and an indication of his eagerness was displayed on Monday. Ali took to social media to make a post of a video with a countdown, likely teasing the day he becomes a free agent or he will reveal something regarding his pro wrestling future.
Ali is likely going to be a hot commodity in the world of wrestling considering his resume and tenure in WWE. Mustafa Ali dealt with his fair share of frustration while working with WWE as he constantly had acts that were started and stopped, most notably may be the failed Retribution faction during the global pandemic. Ali was revealed to be the leader of the short-lived group, but following its dispersement, he floated on and off television.
However, Ali saw a resurgence when he began working with Shawn Michaels and NXT, and Michaels expressed how big of a fan he was of Ali personality and work ethic.
A great landing spot for Ali could be the returning TNA. His athleticism fits the brand and the stars are aligning for the company to announce some significant names as the company looks forward to its Hard To Kill PPV on January 13.
Fellow former WWE Cruiserweight Champion KUSHIDA has been announced to sign with TNA, and Ali could likely become a major player within the promotion considering both his skillset and his promo ability.
WWE is gearing up for the road to WrestleMania, and the event is set to kick off on January 27th at the Royal Rumble in Tropicana Field. Although we still have over a month until they really put the wheels in motion, other wheels on the road have provided a glimpse at what is to come.
Brock Lesnar’s Current WWE Situation
Brock Lesnar’s last appearance on WWE television took place during the SummerSlam, where he faced Cody Rhodes. Ultimately, Lesnar was defeated by The American Nightmare, and he praised Rhodes in an impromptu post-match celebration. The Beast Incarnate’s absence has persisted since that event in Detroit’s Ford Field.
Despite Brock Lesnar’s current absence from WWE television, promotional materials featuring him for WrestleMania 40 were spotted on the back of a WWE production truck. This observation is noteworthy considering the proximity of the Royal Rumble next month, adding an intriguing layer to Lesnar’s potential involvement in upcoming events.
Exclusive Details About Brock Lesnar’s WWE Future
I was told by a tenured source within WWE after SummerSlam that Brock Lesnar won’t be back to wrestle for the rest of 2023. Now that we are closing out December, it seems that came to pass.
The Royal Rumble event is the next big event on WWE’s schedule. I could not get a definite confirmation that Brock Lesnar will be a part of the January 27th Royal Rumble event, but it was not denied to me, either.
I was told that Brock Lesnar is slated to be on the WrestleMania 40 card. That being said, WWE is obviously gearing up for a big night in Philadelphia for the Beast Incarnate. His opponent is another question, as a lot of things are shifting within WWE right now, especially after CM Punk’s return. So, nothing is locked into place yet.
I was able to confirm, as I previously reported, that Roman Reigns’ plan for WrestleMania 40 has not changed, but anything is possible until it is “locked in.”
UPDATE: Allegation Involving Brock Lesnar
In the blockbuster lawsuit from Janel Grant, it was noted that Vince McMahon allegedly used her as a bargaining chip to secure a contract renewal. The Superstar in question was not named, but they were referred to as a former UFC Heavyweight Champion.
In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).
The upcoming clash between CM Punk and Mysterio is slated to unfold at WWE’s Holiday Tour house show at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Tuesday, December 26th, followed by a live event at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA on Saturday, December 30th. Those two matches will give Punk and Dirty Dominik a real familiarity with each other.
How CM Punk & Dominik Mysterio’s Match Was Booked
Dominik Mysterio is known for drawing insane amounts of heat from WWE fans. Naturally, he is going to lay it on thick for CM Punk, even if the two aren’t slated to wrestle on television yet.
CM Punk’s return to WWE marks his first match since the 2014 Royal Rumble, with his latest taking place at AEW All In, where he beat Samoa Joe following a backstage altercation with Jack Perry in Wembley Stadium. Now, Punk is set to dust off his long bois with Dominik Mysterio.
During CM Punk’s recent commentary for the CFFC, he revealed a longstanding desire to punch Mysterio, tracing back to their past feud that involved a young Dominik and culminated in Punk getting his head shaved. In response, Dominik Mysterio took to Twitter, playfully mocking Punk by sharing a clip from an AEW match where Punk experienced a misstep in the ring.
Dominik Mysterio captioned the post with a little request for CM Punk to replicate the punch, adding a playful nod to Punk’s self-proclaimed title of Best in the World.
“Punch me like this please…@CMPunk #bestintheworld.”
CM Punk just got off of a stint with AEW, so it’s not like he would have a tremendous amount of ring rust on him. Still, it appears that he will knock off what WWE ring rust he may have with Dominik Mysterio at Madison Square Garden on December 26th.
CM Punk has his eyes set on Seth Rollins in the television storyline, which is why he entered the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. We will keep our eye on CM Punk and Dominik Mysterio’s set of matches here at SE Scoops, just in case anything eventful happens.
WWE Hall of Famer Afa undergoes medical evaluation for a concern related to his heart.
Afa Anoa’i, one-half of the original Wild Samoans tag team, recently completed two procedures aimed at checking out his heart valves. The 81-year-old is currently scheduled for a follow-up appointment later this week, where doctors will then determine the next course of action. Despite the uncertainty, Afa has since returned to the comfort of his home and seems to be in good spirits.
“Yesterday Afa had two exploratory heart procedures to check his valves. In his own words: “I kicked out before the 1!” He is home and doing very well. Nothing keeps a Wild Samoan down! His follow up appointment is on the 20th to go over next steps. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he may need a valve replacement. But he’s up and at it, working hard on the WXW Seminar on January 13th and the first show of the year, February 17th, with proceeds to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Afa was joking with and signing autographs for the hospital staff.”
As mentioned in the aforementioned Facebook statement, Afa is also in the midst of preparing for an upcoming seminar he will be hosting at WXW Wrestling in Minneola, Florida on Saturday, January 13. The following month, WXW Wrestling will be holding a live wrestling event, in which proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
SEScoops would like to extend our sincerest well wishes to Afa Anoa’i as he soon undergoes further evaluation.
WWE has seen many women travel through the company that changed history. Chyna turned heads in the late-90s for WWE, proving that women can be more than Divas. In today’s company, Rhea Ripley is taking the idea of what it means to be a female Superstar to another level.
Rhea Ripley’s Place In WWE Today
Rhea Ripley currently stands among the prominent female WWE Superstars, steadily gaining momentum each week. As the lone woman in Judgement Day, she has often been compared to another amazing female talent who once backed a stable, Chyna. The Eradicator doesn’t mind those comparisons at all.
While speaking to The West Australian, Rhea Ripley spoke about the comparisons she receives to Chyna. She considers those comparisons to the WWE Hall of Famer “amazing” and she is “very proud of” the fact that she is in that conversation.
“I don’t think getting compared to Chyna is a bad thing at all. I think it’s amazing. I’m actually very proud of that fact. The only problem that I’m having at the moment is that, I’ve done all these amazing things with men that have been so good to me, and let me do these things. While I was doing that, the women’s division was suffering a little bit, and not getting built the right way. It was at a weird time where things weren’t certain and things were changing constantly, so the women’s division suffered a little bit, and now we’re trying to build it back up.”
“Obviously we have like our Becky Lynches, we have Nia Jax, we have our Charlotte Flairs, our Asukas, all of that, but it’s time to make some new stars as well, and that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to make new names and get the women’s division rocking and rolling.”
“So there’s lots of great challenges, but for me, I love doing everything. I love beating the men up. I love beating the women up. It makes me different, it makes me stand out, and it’s a lot of fun.”
Rhea Ripley will keep doing her thing, while remaining true to herself. If that means she is compared to a trailblazing legend like Chyna, then so bet it.
Chyna’s Tragic Groundbreaking Story In WWE
Chyna rose to prominence in the late 1990s as a groundbreaking figure in professional wrestling. Debuting in WWE in 1997, Chyna quickly shattered gender norms by competing against male wrestlers. Billed as the “Ninth Wonder of the World.” Chyna achieved significant success, becoming the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble and winning the Intercontinental Championship.
Sadly, despite her accomplishments, personal struggles and conflicts led to her departure from WWE in 2001. Chyna faced challenges post-wrestling, including ventures into reality television and adult entertainment. Her life took a tragic turn, and she battled substance abuse and mental health issues, contributing to her untimely death in 2016.
Chyna’s legacy remains complex, marked by both her groundbreaking contributions to wrestling and the challenges she faced in her personal life. After her death, in a moment that was a long time coming for many pro wrestling fans, Chyna was finally inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of DX in 2019.
WWE fans are still waiting on a solo induction for Chyna, and Rhea Ripley would probably love to see that happen, too.
Fans in the United States will soon get to see Masato Tanaka back in the ring as part of WrestleMania weekend next April.
The 50-year-old continues to wrestle to this day and is looking for a role during the already-stacked weekend. On Twitter, Kikataru, the agent for Tanaka, shared that the Japanese wrestling legend is open to bookings for WrestleMania Weekend.
for US Promoters,
i doing booking agant for FMW&ECW Legend Masato Tanaka,
he is available international booking for Wrestle mania weekend,
Masato Tanaka began his wrestling career in July 1993 as part of FMW and would later find his way to ECW. In December 1999, Tanaka captured the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, becoming the first champion not to be an American citizen. Tanaka has competed twice for WWE, with these matches being at the ECW One Night Stand shows in 2005 and in 2005.
WrestleMania Weekend
The highlight of WrestleMania weekend in April 2024 will, of course, be WrestleMania 40. The two-night event will take place on April 6, and April 7 from Lincoln, Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. This will be WWE’s fifth annual two-night WrestleMania, a concept introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
PW Insider reports that Dominik Mysterio has signed a new WWE contract. The signing actually took place about a month ago, marking a significant development in Mysterio’s career within the wrestling powerhouse.
While it hasn’t been confirmed, the general reported belief is that Dominik Mysterio inked a five-year deal with WWE. That will keep Dominik Mysterio with WWE until 2028 when he is 31-years-old.
Dominik Mysterio’s History In WWE
Although Dominik Mysterio really established himself as a WWE Superstar over the past few years, He was a part of Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero’s classic “I’m Your Papi” storyline.
During that time, Dominik Mysterio played integral roles alongside his father, Rey Mysterio, in compelling storylines involving wrestling luminaries such as Eddie Guerrero and CM Punk.
Dominik Mysterio officially entered the WWE scene in 2020, making a noteworthy debut that set the stage for his ongoing journey in the world of professional wrestling.
This new contract signifies not only a continued commitment between Dominik Mysterio and WWE, but also a testament to the company’s recognition of his contributions and potential within the industry. As the wrestling landscape evolves, Dominik’s presence will continue, meaning that Triple H sees Dominik Myserio as a part of WWE’s future for years to come.
Pro wrestling fans love collectibles, and action figures are always hot items. Fans also love grabbing any historic line of figures, and TNA Wrestling is about to roll out a brand-new batch of action figures with a new partnership.
TNA Wrestling Upping Their Action Figure Game
TNA Wrestling is making a notable return to the action figure market with a new contract with PowerTown Wrestling. The two parties have joined forces to produce collectible TNA Action Figures & Accessories, marking an exciting collaboration for wrestling fans.
The announcement revealed that pre-sale orders for Series One are slated to commence in March 2024, with the figures set to be shipped in August 2024. Series Two of the TNA Wrestling Action Figures from PowerTown is scheduled for shipment in December 2024. Details about the specific talent included in each series will be disclosed in the coming weeks.
TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore conveyed the excitement shared by TNA fans, who have eagerly anticipated the release of the next TNA Action Figures. The collaboration with PowerTown Wrestling is expected to deliver figures that meet the high standards set by the fans.
“TNA fans have been asking when the next TNA Action Figures will be released. Finally, we have the answer: 2024 – and we’re very confident that fans worldwide will be thrilled with these new TNA Action Figures from PowerTown Wrestling. PowerTown delivers high-quality collectibles and we are very excited to work with the entire team there.”
The TNA Wrestling Action Figures from PowerTown will belong to the Ultra series, similar to the popular Ultras Series 1 figures, which are already sold out.
These Ultra figures feature a 7-inch scale, sculpted to represent the real-life height of the wrestlers in scale with other figures. With 30 modes of articulation, moveable elbows, rotating wrists, and various other features, the Ultra figures are designed to provide an authentic and engaging experience for collectors and fans alike. Rosenthal, a key figure in the wrestling action figure industry from the 1980s, has made a successful return to the business through strategic partnerships, introducing a series of impressive action figures featuring legends from the sport’s rich history.
The Return Of TNA Wrestling In 2024
Impact Wrestling is re-branding back to TNA Wrestling in 2024. This change was a long-time coming for some fans. The company has filmed a lot of vignettes, and they are gearing themselves up for this new phase in the company’s history.
Now, those new fans will be able to pick up action figures with the TNA Wrestling branding. We will have more updates at SE Scoops as more information is made available.
Bret Hart famously left WWE in 1997 after an incredibly controversial exit. That departure still lives on in pro wrestling fandom, but it seems that the incident is water under the bridge for everyone involved.
The Montreal Screw-Job
The Montreal Screwjob went down during the 1997 Survivor Series match between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. In the closing moments of the bout, there was a controversial and unexpected turn of events. Despite Bret Hart not intending to drop the WWE Championship in his home country of Canada, Vince McMahon, the owner, and operator of WWE at the time, instructed the referee, Earl Hebner, to ring the bell and declare Shawn Michaels the winner.
This decision, which was made without Bret Hart’s knowledge, stirred immense controversy and changed the landscape of professional wrestling. It became one of the most talked-about incidents in the industry’s history. Not only did it inspire the legendary “Bret Screwed Bret” promo before memes existed, but it also lives on in pro wrestling history.
The Aftermath of the Montreal Screw-Job
During an interview with Steve Fall, Earl Hebner opened up about his current relationship with Bret Hart. It seems that the two have mended their bridge after that controversial Survivor Series main event in 1997.
“I have a merch shirt that says ‘Damn right I did.’ And a lot of people want me to say, Can you write on it ‘I screwed Bret?’ I go, ‘No. I can’t do that.’ A while back, maybe three or four years ago, I would do it but Bret and I made up. And before my brother passed, we were at a house show, or indie show and he was there and he called us into the ring and he put us over like big time. So now Bret calls me now and then and I’ll call him and we got a good relationship back and I’m not gonna screw it up by writing something over a dumb ass shirt. It’s gonna destroy our friendship.
Earl Hebner was questioned about any concerns he had before reuniting with Bret and the possibility of Bret being upset with him.
“For a long time it honestly it bothered me. It was bad for me, you know, cuz I carried it with me for a lot of years. We met one time an airport, and I wanted to talk to him and he said, ‘I don’t want to talk to you.’ … I said, ‘can I talk to you for a minute?” He goes, ‘I don’t want to talk.’ I said okay, so I let it go and that was it. And as time went on, you know, it finally worked out well. We got to see each other [and] communicate.”
Working With Randy Savage
Earl Hebner went on to speak about some talent who weren’t so easy to work with. One of those people was “Macho Man” Randy Savage, because he was such a perfectionist, and Savage wrote everything out in his matches move-by-move.
“Well, from the old referees and today’s referees and today’s matches back then in there, it’s a world of difference. It’s not the same. It’s just it’s like old school and new school. You know and the old school you had to work and be smart because they never gave you everything. You know a lot of times back then I’d go in there and I go, ‘What’s the finish?’ They said, ‘just count.’ Okay. We did know the finish a lot of times. I mean 99 percent of the time. We knew the finish Some of the old guys just come through and tell you what it was. They said watch the match and count.”
“Macho Man. I mean when it comes to WrestleMania, he gives you a sack of papers that thick of the whole match way before it was ever gonna go on. I mean two weeks before WrestleMania and then he comes back and I’ll go, ‘damn, this is a joke here.’ But that’s how he was, he was a perfectionist.”
Steve Fall went on to note how Diamond Dallas Page wrote his matches out move by move before bell time. This caused Earl Hebner to reply, “Oh Randy was the same way about like TVs and house shows, you know same thing…If you screwed up he’d go, ‘What the hell’s going on here?'”
Earl Hebner is full of stories, and he was a part of pro wrestling history along the way. It’s also nice to see that he was able to mend some of those relationships that he tarnished along the way.
Earl Hebner’s book titled “Earl Hebner: The Official Story” can be purchased at this link.
Fans are buzzing after former WWE star Chris Masters recently dropped a video clip on social media. It seems that he is teasing a return to the company.
Masters debuted on WWE Raw in 2005 and was a standout superstar due to his impressive physique. He used a Full Nelson finisher known as the Masterlock which gave his opponents no choice but the tap out in many matches.
‘The Masterpiece’ had a couple of runs in WWE from 2005 to 2007 and then again from 2009 to 2011. Following his departure from the company, Masters went by his ring name Adonis, and has been competing on the independent circuit. He also became the NWA National Heavyweight Champion twice.
Chris Masters teasing the fans
Chris Masters took to Twitter and shared a video of himself inside a hallway which sparked speculation that he could be returning during the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event next year.
Chris Masters on the possibility of a return to WWE
Earlier this year, during an interview with Chris Van Vliet, the former WWE star spoke about his run at WWE and discussed the possibilities of a return to the company. He said:
“I’ve never even thought about going back to WWE, honestly, because, and it’s not out of anything bitter. It’s just, you know, I had a couple of runs there and it ended the way it did. And, you know, I just realized that my love is for professional wrestling even if it’s not with WWE. But you know, with everything that I’ve learned in the last couple of years and then also seen Shelton, Carlito, MVP all my buddies you know, I finally started you know, looking at it and it was more out of this what you just mentioned.”
“It was more not out of Chris Masters coming back, it was more out of because I remember getting in touch with that young wrestling fan. I remember what is it that we’re always looking for? We’re looking for that oh sh*t moment you know, I mean, like that Ultimate Warrior comeback at WrestleMania 8. It’s not to say anything I could do can measure to that but the Bobby Lashley scenario is fascinating because I haven’t been there for so long though.”
WWE is planning to make this year’s Royal Rumble more special. CM Punk recently announced that he will be in the namesake match. The event is certainly generating massive hype among the fans with big ticket sales already recorded more than a month before the show.
Kairi Sane made her return to WWE, and she joined Damage CTRL. That also meant that Sane reunited with her former tag team partner, Asuka, and now the two are the Kabuki Warriors once again. Of course, that name has some baggage attached, but Asuka isn’t afraid to take on her critics.
The Kabuki Warriors’ Return to WWE
Last month, Asuka turned heel on SmackDown, aligning herself with Damage CTRL, particularly due to her connection with Kairi Sane. Fans, naturally, expressed their desire to see The Kabuki Warriors return. They didn’t have to wait long for that to happen.
In the recent episode of Friday Night SmackDown, The Kabuki Warriors, consisting of Asuka and Kairi Sane, were in action for the first time in over three years, marking their reunion.
Asuka Shuts Down Critical WWE Fan
However, a fan on Twitter ridiculed the name of The Kabuki Warriors, suggesting that women don’t participate in traditional Kabuki plays. A private X account called, “SpineOnThePine” posted to say, “It’s funny because women don’t act in Kabuki plays.”
Asuka took to social to respond, shutting down the fan and emphasizing that the fan lacked Japanese knowledge.
It’s funny because Not that Kabuki.
We know more about Japanese culture than you do.
The Future of the Kabuki Warriors in WWE
The future booking of Asuka and Kairi Sane on Friday Night SmackDown remains uncertain, and fans are eagerly anticipating their continued presence on WWE television. The return of the duo has been well-received by the audience.
Asuka isn’t afraid of any opponent, she steps in the ring with. The same is true for haters online, or people who want to throw knowledge at her that she’s really not looking for.
Former WWE star Matt Riddle recently spoke about the possibility of facing YouTuber Jake Paul in a boxing bout.
YouTubers such as KSI, Logan Paul and his brother Jake Paul are trained boxers. There has been a buzz that ‘The Original Bro’ and Jake Paul could lock horns and it seems we can’t rule out that match.
Riddle has immense experience in combat sports including Muay Thai and kickboxing. Riddle recently revealed that he would love to face Paul in a boxing bout.
Matt Riddle comments on Jake Paul
Speaking with MuscleManMalcolm, Matt Riddle was asked if he would like to fight Jake Paul in a boxing match to which he replied that he would grab the opportunity. He made it clear that he would accept any fight for money. He said:
“I mean yeah, I’ll do anything for some money.”
He further added that he would prefer a mixed martial arts fight instead of a conventional boxing match. He said:
Before joining WWE, Riddle had a run with UFC when he debuted at UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter 7 in 2008. He remarkably combined Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and kickboxing techniques in his fights. In 12 matches inside the octagon, Riddle won eight times.
Jake Paul is supposed to make his MMA debut in 2024 as a part of the PFL’s newly created Super Fight division. He is set to face former UFC star Nate Diaz. Last weekend, Paul also emerged victorious via TKO over Andre August in a boxing bout.
Meanwhile, Riddle parted ways with WWE back in September after embroiling in controversial matters. He has since teased the fans about a return to MMA.
Recently, reports emerged that ‘The Problem Child’ rejected an offer to face Riddle after being contacted by the latter’s camp. With Jake Paul making his MMA debut in 2024, the possibility of facing Matt Riddle remains in place.
If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription
