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The Rock’s WWE WrestleMania 40 Drama: Who Made Final Call To Change Plans

Aaron Varble
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The Rock is back for another road to WrestleMania, but the match he’s getting isn’t the one he originally wanted. It was his call the whole time to make that change, as I reported several times before. It turns out that Dwayne Johnson was convinced to let Cody Rhodes have the main event match, but it took a lot of backlash.  

WrestleMania 40 Plans Changed

I exclusively reported on SEScoops that a source within WWE confirmed that The Rock initially intended to have a match with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. The current scenario regarding the show was not The Rock’s original preference, indicating that it was not part of a preconceived plan from the outset. He then conceded that Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns should be the main event match.

I was told that “The Rock conceded it should be Roman vs Cody.”

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter confirmed that report, saying that it was The Rock’s decision to book at tag team match for Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. The word “conceded” was even used in Dave Meltzer’s report.

There is said to be far more behind the scenes that hasn’t come out but given the timing can’t be talked about now. But Johnson over the weekend said it was best to be out of the Reigns match, put Cody in, which by this point everyone conceded by then. It was Johnson who then pitched the heel turn, and he did pitch the idea of the Reigns & Rock vs. Rhodes & Rollins match for night one. So that was his idea if that is how it turns out. 

From the very beginning, I reported that plans were locked in, and the only person who could change things is The Rock. That is exactly what happened, much to the delight of “Cody crybabies” all over, who want to see The American Nightmare finish his story.

Why The Match Was Changed

The Rock publicly expressed his desire for a match against Roman Reigns on January 1st, appearing during the Day 1 episode of RAW. Subsequently, the match was arranged shortly thereafter, despite Cody Rhodes winning the 2024 Royal Rumble match. Notably, Triple H was aware of the agreement for Rock vs Reigns.

Negative fan reaction, and mainstream attention on the matter, caused Rock to make a call to pivot. That being said, he will now apparently play up the heel gimmick on WWE television for the Cody crybabies.

Daily Drop (2/16): Drew McIntyre Contract Update, Notable WWE Departure & More

Aaron Varble
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Welcome to SEScoops’ Daily Drop – a rundown of the top stories in pro wrestling all in one place.

Our mission is to provide our readers with the most important and interesting news from WWE, AEW and more that’s timely, informative and engaging. The Daily Drop is a destination where you can get a snapshot of the top stories in wrestling.

  • WrestleMania 40 COUNTDOWN: 50 days away

Here’s the Daily Drop news report for Wednesday, February 16, 2024:

WWE News and Notes

– Tonight’s WWE SmackDown from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT is officially SOLD OUT with over 11,000 tickets distributed, per Wrestletix. 

SmackDown will feature appearances from The Rock and Roman Reigns, as well as Elimination Chamber qualifying matches with:

  • Logan Paul vs. The Miz
  • Kevin Owens vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • Naomi vs. Zelina Vega
  • Tiffany Stratton vs. Alba Fyre

– Drew McIntyre still has yet to sign a new WWE contract, but the Scottish Warrior’s will be on television through WrestleMania 40. Time was added to the back-end of his deal to make up for dates missed due to injuries.

– WWE saw a notable behind-the-scenes departure on February 15th. Jennifer Pepperman has left WWE. She a senior writer and producer who was heavily involved with the Women’s division on SmackDown. 

We’ve updated our WWE Releases tracker to reflect Pepperman’s departure.

– Speaking of WWE releases, former voice of Monday Night Raw Kevin Patrick has already landed his next gig. He’ll be part of the panel for the second season of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. 

– Former WWE executive Stephanie McMahon has been named as part of the alleged cover-up regarding Ashley Massaro being sexually assaulted while in Kuwait on WWE business. A friend of the late WWE superstar alleges that Stephanie McMahon worked with her to brush the incident under the rug.

AEW News and Notes

– Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT (taped Wednesday from Cedar Park, TX) will see:

  • No DQ match: Jeff Hardy vs. Sammy Guevara
  • Anna Jay vs. Queen Aminata
  • Bang Bang Scissor Gang in 12-man tag team action

– AEW may have to start watching their language a lot more. It was reported that WBD is nixing their profanities, so the bleeping will take over the regular S-Bombs on every show.

– We’re still waiting on new word regarding Jeff Hardy’s injury during the February 14th Rampage taping. As of this writing, the concern was for his head, and some thought he may have broken his nose. That show will air tonight.

Coming Up

– WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth takes place next Saturday, February 24.

– AEW Revolution takes place the following weekend on Sunday, March 3.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of these stories, and everything else that breaks in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for more updates!

Kevin Patrick Lands Impressive Role With Major League Soccer After Surprise WWE Release

Thomas Lowson
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Kevin Patrick’s days with WWE may be over, but the Irish broadcaster has landed on his feet in a much different sport. 

Patrick was released from WWE last month, mere days after he was pulled from SmackDown’s commentary team. The belief backstage that his tenure on the blue brand just wasn’t working. He has since been replaced by Michael Cole on SmackDown, who Patrick had replaced just a few weeks prior to his exit. 

Patrick was said to be well-liked by those in the company. In addition to his commentary duties, he was the co-host of the After the Bell podcast with Corey Graves. 

Kevin Patrick’s New Role

While Patrick is out of WWE, he will remain a part of sports broadcasting. Major League Soccer has announced that Patrick, under real name Kevin Egan, will be part of the panel for the second season of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. MLS Season Pass features expansive coverage including every match of the regular season, Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, the MLS All-Star Game, and Leagues Cup matches. 

Egan will be joined by returning accomplished studio talent and renowned professional soccer players Sacha Kljestan, Kaylyn Kyle, and Bradley Wright-Phillips. The Irish broadcaster previously did commentary for Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United home games on Apple TV+.

More on Kevin Patrick

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

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

Rush Planning To Add New Members To La Faccion Ingobernable

Bishal Roy
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AEW star Rush recently revealed that he aims to add more members to La Faccion Ingobernable.

‘El Toro Blanco,’ who has become one of the key figures in AEW, recently made it clear that he has bigger plans for his faction this year. He is expanding his already-dominating team, La Faccion Ingobernable which consists of Dralistico, Preston Vance, and Jose The Assistant.

Rush will add male and female superstars

Taking to social media, he stated that 2024 will see a bigger La Faccion Ingobernable, as a male superstar and a female superstar will be added to the group.

“2024 will see a bigger LA FACCION INGOBERNABLE I will add a new Man to the group And a WOMAN. NO PASA NADA #AEW #LFI“

In December last year, Rush competed through most of the AEW Continental Classic tournament while he dealt with an injury. He was part of the Gold League where he acquired six points by defeating Mark Briscoe and Jay Lethal while he endured defeats to Jay White, Jon Moxley, and Swerve Strickland.

The tournament took a toll on the athletes. Rush, however, battled through his injury to compete. He also recently took to Twitter and announced his return after being away from in-ring action for more than a month due to injury. 

“I WAS INJURED, AND NOW I AM CLEARED TO RETURN TO #AEW I HAVE BEEN HOME FOCUSED ON RETURNING LA FACCION INGOBERNABLE IS FULL OF ANGER AND READY TO START THE WAR #LFI #AEWDynamite,” Rush shared.

Rush inked a new deal with AEW in July and eyeing to achieve bigger things in the promotion. Last year at AEW Worlds End pay-per-view in December, Rush teamed with Lethal, White & Brody King to face Briscoe, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli & Daniel Garcia in a losing effort.

AJ Styles Referenced on TNA iMPACT! As Joe Hendry Shares Hilarious AJ Francis Music Video

Thomas Lowson
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AJ Styles’ days with TNA Wrestling may be a distant memory, but the Phenomenal One was referenced on this week’s episode of iMPACT!

Styles joined TNA when the company launched in 2002 and was one of the company’s most accomplished stars before his exit in 2014. After leaving, Styles would join New Japan Pro Wrestling before making his WWE debut as part of the 2016 Royal Rumble match. 

AJ Styles Referenced in TNA Wrestling

At TNA Hard to Kill, Joe Hendry and AJ Francis began their feud with both men showcasing their musical talent. Hendry’s parody songs of wrestlers have proven to be immensely popular and this week’s TNA iMPACT! proved to be no different. 

During Hendry’s entrance for his match, Francis appeared on the titantron and mocked the Scottish wrestler. Francis made it clear he doesn’t believe in Joe and mocked Hendry for getting jumped at Hard to Kill. 

Not to be outdone, Hendry revealed his song for Francis later in the show. Referring to another AJ, Hendry used the TNA theme song of Styles to poke fun at Francis. Referencing Francis’ infamous, though life-saving botched dive in WWE, Hendry said that the former Top Dolla nullifies TNA Wrestling’s insurance whenever he goes sailing over the top rope. 

Hendry didn’t stop there, as the song claimed that Francis was “banned from diving.” The Scottish wrestler shared footage of Francis partying with some attractive women who may be fine spending time on his boat “but they all laugh when you hit the top rope.”

Fans will have plenty to look forward to at the upcoming TNA No Surrender event… 

CW President Praises NXT Deal: “It Validates The Value of The Franchise”

Thomas Lowson
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The President of the CW Network is very excited to begin airing WWE NXT when the gold brand moves to the network next year. 

Last year, it was announced that NXT would be moving to the CW in the biggest deal yet for WWE’s developmental brand. The show will move from the USA Network to the CW in October 2024. NXT premiered on the USA Network in September 2019 and would go head-to-head for its first year with AEW Dynamite. Prior to this, WWE NXT had been exclusive to the WWE Network.  

CW Network President Praises WWE NXT

In a recent interview with Deadline, CW President Dennis Miller addressed the NXT deal and shared his excitement to welcome the gold brand. Miller added that signing such a deal shows the value of the NXT brand and touted the show’s impressive figures. 

“We feel really good about having grabbed that before the big folks stepped up and wrote monster checks. It was some validation of the value of the franchise there. The ratings on NXT have continued to grow as we watch them before they come to the network. So, I think on that level, great.”

More Moves

WWE NXT isn’t the only show that will be airing on a new home in the near future. This October, WWE SmackDown will move to the USA Network and part ways with FOX. Monday Night Raw will move to Netflix in January 2025 in a blockbuster ten-year deal worth $5 billion. This will see Raw move off broadcast television in favor of streaming. 

Friend Of Ashley Massaro Claims Stephanie Knew Of Her In Assault While In Kuwait For WWE

Thomas Lowson
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Stephanie McMahon was fully aware of the alleged assault of Ashley Massaro in Kuwait, according to the best friend of the deceased WWE diva. 

Before taking her own life in 2019, Massaro had alleged that she was the victim of sexual assault during a WWE tour of a U.S. military base in Kuwait. Massaro claimed that a man posing as a doctor assaulted her and while WWE apologized, they persuaded her to not report it to the appropriate authorities. Following her death, WWE claimed they had never been informed of the allegations. 

Addicted to Painkillers

Given Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, there has been a renewed spotlight on the ex-WWE Chairman’s handling of women during his time in command. Speaking to News Nation, Cara Pipia, a friend of Massaro, claimed that the rigors of wrestling and WWE’s willingness to share muscle relaxants led to a battle with addiction.

“When Ashley first started working for the WWE, she told me that in the locker room, they handed out Soma like it was candy. Soma, it’s a muscle relaxant. So it is what they’d give the wrestlers when they were injured because there was no not wrestling. You had a broken arm, you take a soma and you wrestle.

“And at that point [when the assault happened] she had become addicted to Somas. So she was already in this state, and whatever they administered to her rendered her helpless. Her body was useless to her but her mind was there and she saw what was happening.”

Left in Kuwait

During the interview, Pipia recalled Massaro telling her that WWE had left her in Kuwait after the alleged assault. Pipia said that while WWE did eventually get Ashley home, it was not the company’s priority. 

“They got her a flight, days after everyone was already home. She was left alone. Because they had to go back to work. Vince wanted them back in the USA because they had work to do.”

Stephanie McMahon Knew of Assault

“She spoke with Vince McMahon many times. Vince had his daughter [Stephanie] take his place because she was a female, a woman, and to make Ashley comfortable. And they just played with her. They played with her because everything that Stephanie said made her feel comfortable. Safe. As soon as they walked into this board room meeting, Ashley was on her own completely. And she was threatened, and there was no… there was no compassion. There was no sympathy. There was nothing.”

Cara also mentioned that Ashley had some support within WWE but those who were sympathetic to her had no notable power to stop WWE from pressuring her to keep quiet. 

“Right before she walked into that boardroom, she talked to the locker room doctor who was aware of everything and she was actually very sympathetic to her but he had no pull. He gave her the advice that he could, but that was it.”

Responding to John Lauriniatis

While WWE claimed at the time of her death that they were unaware of the alleged assault, John Lauriniatis recently claimed that most upper-level management were aware of the allegations. Pipia was asked about John Lauriniaitis’ statement, and how it feels to hear a former WWE exec say people knew of the allegations after years of WWE claiming that was not the case. 

“It’s about time somebody had a conscience. Because there was never a single moment of time that I didn’t believe a word that Ash had told me.”

A Message to Vince McMahon

When asked what she’d say to Vince McMahon, Pipia made her point perfectly clear. 

“‘Shame on you. How do you look at yourself?’ Obviously, he’s got problems. Obviously, he’s a sexual deviant. He needs help, he’s not well. The problem is that people with that kind of sickness and that mindset are power, why do they thrive for so long?

“Why doesn’t anybody stand up? Why are there so many people in that company aware of what’s going on to all these women? Women who keep committing suicide year after year after year. And nobody stands up and says anything. Nobody tries to protect these young women? Why? Because it’s not just Vince, it’s the whole frickin’ company!” 

In her final question, Pipia was asked if she believes the alleged assault on Massaro contributed to Ashley’s suicide and said “99%. Absolutely.”

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

Watch: Triple H Gives Sneak Peak Inside Riyadh’s WWE Experience Ahead of Opening

Thomas Lowson
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Fans have been granted another look inside the WWE Experience which will open in Riyadh’s Blvd City later today. 

The WWE Experience is part of the latest Riyadh Season, which is an annual state-funded entertainment and sports festival. Riyadh Season starts in October and ends towards March during winter and spring in the Saudi Arabia capital.

Inside the WWE Experience 

While the WWE Experience will only exist in Riyadh, fans around the world have been able to get an in-depth look at the center. On Twitter, WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque shared his excitement for the WWE Experience and a video from inside. This video comes from the area celebrating the championship history of WWE, which features several, titles as well as photographs of some of the great champions in the company’s history. 

What Else? 

The WWE Experience also includes a ‘Become a Superstar’ experience which allows attendees to make their own unique entrance. Fans are encouraged to test their wits in an escape room where they must depart The Undertaker’s graveyard before they join the countless souls the WWE Hall of Famer has claimed. There is also a Hall of Immortals which features some of WWE’s all-time greats.

WWE and Saudi Arabia

In 2018, WWE marked the start of its lengthy deal with the Middle Eastern kingdom with the Greatest Royal Rumble show. At the time, WWE faced heavy criticism for signing a deal with the nation, given the country’s stance against LGBTQ+ people and women’s rights. Many found the deal to be in opposition to WWE’s ‘Women’s Revolution.’

More recently though, WWE talent have had a much more positive view of these Saudi Arabia shows. Women are allowed to compete at the events and many Superstars were said to have had a great experience at last year’s Night of Champions PLE.

A certain WWE Hall of Famer recently made his presence felt in Riyadh for the Season Cup finals between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr… 

Steve McMichael Taken To Emergency Room With Suspected Pneumonia

Dominic DeAngelo
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Steve McMichael has been taken to the hosptial due to a suspected case of pneumonia as family and friends are asking for prayers for the future Pro Football Hall Of Famer.

Jarrett Payton, son of the legendary Walter Payton, took to X to let fans know of the unfortunate news.

“We are asking for prayers for Steve McMichael. He is going to the emergency room now with suspect pneumonia. We will inform you as we have more updates. Thank you . – The McMichael Family. Team Mongo.”

McMichael is currently battling ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) something he was diagnosed with in 2021.

It was just over a week ago when Steve “Mongo” Michael would finally get the news that he’d be inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame along with two other former Chicago Bears players. The news officially broke during last week’s NFL Honors ceremony.

Mongo notoriously played a primary role in the vaunted Super Bowl-winning 1985 Chicago Bears defense. McMichael is the second all-time sacks leader in Bears history and in addition to having a Super Bowl ring, he’s a four-time All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler.

McMichael clearly has made his friends in the NFL, but he also formed a very strong friendship with Ric Flair. Flair has been steadfast in visiting McMichael since his diagnosis and has been supportive of his fellow Four Horsemen.

Mongo was a memorable member of the famous faction, winning the United States Championship while he styled and profiled along the Nature Boy.

We at SEScoops would like to extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mongo and all the best to the McMichael family.

WWE & UFC Inks Deal With Honda Center Through 2028

Tyriece Simon
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The merger between WWE and UFC to launch TKO Group Holding is doing great for both as they continue to secure lucrative business deals. One example was bundling ticket sales for the February 19 WWE Monday Night Raw episode and UFC 298 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. This resulted in great ticket sales and seemingly a new deal for both with the venue.

Sport’s Business Journal’s Adam Stern reports that WWE and UFC have inked new deals with the Honda Center for at least three events annually through 2028. The report also notes that the new agreement allows both companies to use the developing OCVibe for potential watch parties. 

OCVibe Bill Foltz commented on the new deal, and SBJ’s Stern transcribed the following quotes. 

When speaking on the future of WWE and UFC hosting at the Honda Center, Foltz said that the events from both companies “…will only become more powerful as we reimagine the downtown experience for Orange County at OCVibe, creating a magnetic destination for entertainment, sports, and culture.”

The success of WWE and UFC collaborating in hosting events at the Honda Center shows the strength of the merger and raises questions about what deals would be made next.

WWE & UFC Current Deals 

WWE recently secured their TV rights deals, including a groundbreaking deal with Netflix for WWE Monday Night Raw. This was the company’s last move as they secured a new home for WWE Friday Night Smackdown and NXT in 2023.

It’s estimated the TV rights for WWE Monday Night Raw, NXT, and Friday Night Smackdown equals an amount of over $6 billion. WWE also made a deal with Twitter to produce a new show called WWE Speed, which will start in the Spring. 

UFC has yet to reach a new deal with ESPN, and the contract expires in 2025. However, UFC is expected to remain on the network and get a new lucrative agreement. 

After reaching a deal with Honda Center, TKO Group Holding will likely continue to find other venues looking to secure deals for both WWE and UFC. 

Drew McIntyre’s WWE Contract Extended Beyond WrestleMania

Aaron Varble
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WWE has several interesting contract situations going on right now. Becky Lynch, Seth Rollins and others have to deal with signing a new contract or seeking other opportunities. Drew McIntyre’s WWE contract is approaching its end as well, and we have more information.

Drew McIntyre’s WWE Contract Situation

It was previously reported that McIntyre’s WWE contract is running out, but there is a hope that he will be around. The Scottish Warrior is being promoted for events in May, and he’s also thrown several jabs at CM Punk, who won’t be back until later this year due to injury.

Leading up to last year’s WWE WrestleMania, it was indicated that Drew McIntyre’s contract would expire before WrestleMania 40. McIntyre himself was considering the possibility that 2023 might mark his final WrestleMania appearance. However, recent developments suggest otherwise. Sources within WWE have confirmed that McIntyre is indeed slated to participate in WrestleMania.

A brand-new report from Sean Ross Sapp at Fightful Select said that McIntyre’s contract has been extended beyond WrestleMania. It appears that additional time was negotiated due to injury and periods of inactivity.

Fightful Select has confirmed that McIntyre’s deal now extends past WrestleMania, and that some injury and inactivity time was added to the deal in order to get it there.

What’s Next For Drew McIntyre in WWE

Sources close to Drew McIntyre have reportedly said that discussions between him and WWE management regarding a new contract are ongoing. While there is a mutual interest in reaching an agreement, it’s important to note that a deal has not been finalized.

It was also emphasized that McIntyre is highly regarded within the company, both among fellow talent and staff. His dedication to his craft, as well as his involvement in media and community events, has earned him widespread respect.

Big E: Seth Rollins’ Speaks For The Locker Room With Comments About Roman Reigns & The Rock

Thomas Lowson
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Seth Rollins’ comments about The Rock & Roman Reigns echo what many on WWE’s roster are feeling, according to Big E. 

Rollins has been vocally opposed to both the Tribal Chief and his cousin. Rollins’ issue stems from Reigns being a part-time champion, an issue that he feels will only be exacerbated if The Rock enters the title picture. Rollins has held the World Heavyweight Championship since May of last year after besting AJ Styles in the finals of a 12-man tournament at WWE Night of Champions 2023. The World Heavyweight Champion was introduced in part due to Reigns’ stranglehold on the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.

Speaking for the Locker Room

In stark contrast to Roman Reigns, Rollins has proven to be a fighting champion and had 99 matches in 2023 to Roman Reigns’ eleven bouts. Speaking on a recent edition of WWE’s The Bump, Big E addressed the harsh comments Rollins has had for Roman Reigns and his title reign. 

“He speaks for, in many ways, the locker room of guys who are there week in and week out, who are there on a nightly basis. That grind, it really builds a certain camaraderie and a certain respect for each other.”

Despite this, Big E doesn’t fault Roman Reigns or The Rock for accepting the very lucrative roles both are in. 

“Who could ever blame a Roman or The Rock for being in a position like that… we all want to be in that Rock/Roman position, too, but you also have a certain love for the guys with you who are grinding.”

Big E has his own history with Roman Reigns. At Survivor Series 2021, the two faced off in Champion Vs. Champion action which saw Reigns defeat the then-WWE Champion. 

TNA Locker Room Unites with Protest Letter Over Scott D’Amore’s Firing

Aaron Varble
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Scott D’Amore was removed from his position with TNA Wrestling, and he wanted to make it very clear that it wasn’t his choice. Now, the talent who really care about him are expressing just how they feel to management.

Scott D’Amore’s TNA Wrestling Exit

The decision to move Scott D’Amore out of his job with TNA apparently came before the re-branding. Then, D’Amore offered to buy the company, but those efforts were rebuffed by Anthem. 

D’Amore emphasized that both parties refrained from labeling his departure as his own decision or a mutual agreement. Some talent asserted they were informed that D’Amore resigned, but this wasn’t accurate. Moreover, Ontario, where Anthem is headquartered, has stringent employment regulations, making it advantageous for D’Amore to ensure the departure wasn’t perceived as mutual for his future prospects.

TNA Talent Protest Over Scott D’Amore’s Firing

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that multiple TNA talents have endorsed a letter addressed to Anthem, expressing discontent over Scott D’Amore’s departure from TNA. They also released this letter, which you can read below.

Len and Scott, 

TNA/ Impact is not just our employer and the company for which we work. It is a family. A family that each of us has grown to love and cherish and trust with our bodies and our careers. A family for which we feel deeply and that desire, above all else, to protect. We are deeply saddened by the decision to remove Scott D’Amore from the TNA/Impact family. Scott is a brilliant wrestling mind that has guided this company and has it positioned to take the next step upward in our industry. Scott is also so much more than this. He is a trusted friend, confidant, teacher, advisor, brother, and mentor to so many within the TNA/Impact family. Scott has been the heart of the TNA/Impact family for over two decades. Len and Anthem have been instrumental in supporting and building this company back from the ground up.

The contributions of Len and Anthem have never gone unnoticed by anyone in the company, and we want to make sure Len knows this. TNA, simply put, would not have survived without Len and Anthem. Not just financially, but with the undying faith in Scott and us to revive the company that was on the brink of death. Len and Anthem are the foundation that TNA has been able to build upon. We would not have made it back to this point without BOTH of you. The fans know this, and the TNA family knows this. We come to you to voice our concern for TNA/Impact, our family, and its future and direction. We, like you, wish to safeguard what we have all worked and sweat and bled for to build.

We want TNA/ Impact to continue grow and to continue to be an enviable place for all professional wrestlers to work. We understand and appreciate that professional wrestling, at its core, is a business, and that the company must provide a fiscally responsible, financially viable product. At the same time, professional wrestling is uniquely situated. The business of professional wrestling is so much more than balance sheets, downloads, and ratings. The wrestling business is and must be its people, its characters, and its storylines.

That is to say, there is no wrestling business without the wrestling creative vision and the right people bringing the creative vision to life. To thrive, a wrestling company must have both an eye toward business decisions, and its fingers on the pulse of creative decisions and the ever-changing appetite of our fans. It is in light of this concern and our desire to uphold the high standards of TNA/Impact that we offer this letter. It is our desire to have a dialogue with you and with the company in an effort to protect the present and the future of TNA/Impact for you, for Anthem, for the fans, and for professional wrestlers.

We feel strongly that a “wrestling person” needs to be intimately involved at a high level to ensure that the amazing company we have all built and product we have provided to our fans continues to grow and flourish. It is our opinion that the best possible person for that role was, is, and will be Scott. We recognize that we do not necessarily know all the facts or details around the decision to remove Scott. In life there is always the rumors, the opinions, and, somewhere in between, the truth. We rarely get to know which is which. It remains our hope and desire that everyone can set aside the past few days and any hurt feelings or unkind words that may have been exchanged, and meet to discuss a path forward that preserves the TNA/Impact family we all hold so dearly.

We remain steadfast and hopeful that this letter can be a first step to opening, and keeping open, productive lines of communication to ensure the TNA/Impact family continues to be a wonderful, unique place to work for years to come. We ask and implore you both to come together and create a resolution that will reunite this family once again. We look forward to hearing from you and continuing this dialogue.

The report from Fightful Select also noted, “Those that we’ve spoken to have actually spoke well of Anthony Cicione as a person, but there are concerns about his lack of experience connected to wrestling. We’re told the closes he has to wrestling knowledge was helping WWE with The Score when he ran that channel.”

What’s Next

This is a very interesting situation. More information is coming for this still-developing story, because you never know what will happen in pro wrestling at this point. Scott D’Amore certainly seems to have some major pull to reinstate him in his previous role with TNA Wrestling. 

WWE Makes Grand Entrance on Panini Blockchain for Digital Trading Card Launch

Aaron Varble
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WWE recently settled a significant lawsuit with Panini after the latter sought to terminate their trading card company partnership prematurely. WWE struck up an agreement with Fanatics, but their deal with Panini prevented them from commencing it early. Now, Panini and WWE have a new venture in the NFT space.

WWE’s New NFT Project

WWE Superstars are now part of Panini Blockchain through the launch of Blockchain Donruss Elite WWE. The press release that they sent out to announce this partnership noted that Panini’s digital cards will feature WWE Superstars such as John Cena, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and Lyra Valkyria.

The platform provides a secure space to purchase and virtually open digital packs of Panini’s distinct brands. Collectors can also engage in collection challenges to acquire cards not found in packs and participate in digital crafting events, converting common cards into numbered exclusive cards.

The initial Donruss Elite release features over 100 WWE Superstars, including special inserts like Star Status, Spellbound, and Title Waves.

Jason Howarth, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations, stated, “For the past three years, our focus has been on delivering a premier Blockchain product to our collectors. Adding a renowned brand like WWE to our lineup, with its passionate audience and rich history, aligns with the expectations of our community.”

More Blockchain WWE releases are slated to follow, featuring other exciting brands such as Panini’s flagship brand, Prizm. If you want to check this out for yourself, you can click here. The NFTs aren’t extremely expensive, with one of the highest priced Roman Reigns cards going for $150. 

It is also interesting to note that the term “NFT” doesn’t appear one time in the entire press release. Yet, the Panini Blockchain is most certainly an NFT project. Their website is nft.paniniamerica.net.

Sidenote On That Fanatics Deal

Interestingly enough, when WWE and Fanatics announced plans to launch various offerings, it included encompassing e-commerce, licensed merchandise, physical and digital trading cards, and NFTs. Now, Panini America has unveiled a substantial digital collaboration with WWE. 

We will have to see how this project pans out, but even John Cena admitted that WWE’s first attempt in the NFT space was a disaster. 

WWE Exit: Senior Writer & Producer Jennifer Pepperman Departs From The Company

Aaron Varble
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WWE has seen some notable departures already this year, but it’s the action outside their roster that has really gained attention. Now, Jennifer Pepperman, a Senior Writer and Producer for WWE, has decided to leave the company.

Jennifer Pepperman’s WWE Departure

PW Insider verified the news of Pepperman’s exit. It was further clarified that she departed by her own choice, rather than being released by WWE. Pepperman’s departure marks the conclusion of her tenure with the organization.

Upon hearing about the news of Pepperman’s exit, WWE producer Adam Pearce posted on Twitter/X to express how much she meant to the company. Her contributions were immense throughout the organization.

Shout out to @JenPepperman . I have always appreciated your creativity, passion, and the countless time you’ve given to help me and others backstage over the years. I’ll miss your energy, but I know you’ll be great wherever you may roam. My gratitude forever!!!

Exclusive Note on Jennifer Pepperman’s WWE Departure

I was told that Pepperman’s departure from WWE was “totally unexpected” to those on the creative team and for everyone else backstage as well. That being said, there is a belief and rumor going around that she already has a job lined up elsewhere.

Jenn Pepperman Before WWE

Pepperman joined WWE in April 2017, bringing extensive experience from television production. Prior to her tenure with WWE, she worked as a Producer and Director for several acclaimed soap operas, including shows like One Life To Live and As the World Turns.

What’s Next

Jennifer Pepperman will no doubt find something else to do in the entertainment world. She was also the Director of Season 3 of After Forever on Amazon Prime, and that project is still ongoing.

Everyone at SE Scoops would like to wish Jennifer Pepperman the best success in her future endeavors.

New Era for AEW: Swearing Phased Out on WBD

Aaron Varble
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AEW opened their door several years ago, and they promised a new presentation for pro wrestling fans. That came with plenty of swear words, but it seems that is in the past.

AEW Nixing Cussing

Warner Bros Discovery put up with a lot of profanity in AEW, and a lot of fans were surprised to see it start. There was once a time when the S-Bomb was dropped in every other segment. Now, it appears that WBD had enough of it.

The word “horsesh*t” was spoken on AEW Dynamite this week by Hangman Page, but it was bleeped. This is a far cry from their previous stance of letting those profanities fly. Especially when he would get fans in a rousing chant of “Cowboy Sh*t” on a weekly basis.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed AEW’s swearing issue. He started that they are seemingly not permitted to drop those bombs anymore, as they were bleeped, and that seems to be the new rule of thumb.

“There was a lot of bleeping on this show. The days of saying horsesh*t and swearing on TBS and TNT look over.”

What’s Next For AEW

WBD might want AEW to tone down on the dirty words, but they are not opposed to blood. The main event of this week’s AEW Dynamite more than proved that, as Orange Cassidy and Matt Taven had a bloody main event Texas Death Match for the International Title.

This no swearing idea could be a great time to write Danhausen into a major angle. After all, “no swearing” has been his gimmick for years. 

Tony Khan didn’t want to restrict performers by telling them that they can’t swear. It appears that they may still be permitted to let the vulgarities fly, but only fans in the arena will hear those words that are not safe for television.

LA Knight Has A Special Idea For Usher’s Involvement At WrestleMania 40

Bishal Roy
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WWE superstar LA Knight has a unique idea for Usher to perform at WrestleMania 40. But he wants it to be a collaboration. 

‘The Megastar’ has become one of the most popular superstars in recent times. He is currently on a meteoric rise. He receives a warm ovation from the fans irrespective of the venue. LA Knight has everybody saying, “YEAH!” along with him, and now he is trying to bring more energy at WrestleMania 40 with Usher. 

The R&B singer recently grabbed the attention with his stunning performance at Super Bowl LVIII. It seems that LA Knight feels there could be a collaboration between him and Usher at ‘The Show of Shows.’

LA Knight wants to come out to Usher’s ‘Yeah’

LA Knight recently made an appearance on WWE: The Bump and Megan Morant told Knight that she was thinking about Knight when Usher was performing “Yeah” at the summit clash. Usher’s “Yeah!” single was released in 2004 with rappers Lil Jon and Ludacris. 

After this, LA Knight pitched an amusing idea about performing at WrestleMania with Usher. He said:

“Wait a minute. Can we get this set up? Is he coming to WrestleMania for my entrance or what?… I’m coming out and I’m [performing ‘Yeah’] with him. Let’s go.”

As the WrestleMania 40 lineup is still being finalized, LA Knight is yet to have an opponent. However, ahead of that, he will compete in the Elimination Chamber match to determine the #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40. He recently revealed his aim to capture gold at ‘Show of Shows.’ 

You can read more about his comments below:

Bron Breakker’s WWE Main Roster Status After NXT Tag Title Win

Aaron Varble
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Bron Breakker replaced Brock Lesnar in the 2024 Royal Rumble match. He got all of Lesnar’s spots, even destroying JD McDonagh after his elimination. That being said, his recent big win in NXT has cast doubt on his main roster placement. 

Bron Breakker’s WWE Main Roster Call-Up

I previously reported that the 2024 Royal Rumble marked Bron Breakker’s main roster call-up. He will finish up his time in NXT, but he is now a part of main roster angles. The first one is determining where he will call his new brand home,

After Breakker made his main roster debut at the Royal Rumble, it became evident that he still had unresolved matters in NXT. Despite winning the NXT Tag Team Championship this week, that has not derailed his main roster plans.

During this week’s episode of NXT, Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker picked up the NXT Tag Team Titles, marking a significant milestone for both Superstar. Corbin celebrated his first championship victory in years, coinciding with Breakker’s impending move to the main roster. 

While Breakker has hinted at deciding between RAW and SmackDown, no definitive choice has been made in the storyline. I was told after his call-up that creative was leaning toward placing him on the RAW brand.

PW Insider reported that Bron Breakker is still scheduled to participate in Friday’s double SmackDown tapings in Salt Lake City. He will be around for the blue brand’s show this week, as they are taping two shows due to the fact that the Elimination Chamber event will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

What’s Next

Bron Breakker is a second generation Superstar with a ton of potential. He did practically everything there is to do in NXT, even picking up a tag team titles. Breakker isn’t the only Superstar who was called up to the main roster with stories to wrap up in NXT. Only time will tell how long his reign with Corbin as champions lasts, but he will soon have a full-time home on the main roster.

WWE NXT Management Left “In A Panic” After Shotzi’s Injury During Latest Taping

Thomas Lowson
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WWE NXT management was left “in a panic” after Shotzi suffered an injury during next week’s taping of the gold brand. 

The February 20, 2024, episode was taped this week as WWE wants several notable people around for WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth next week. During the tapings, Shotzi challenged NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria.

 Unfortunately, Shotzi suffered a knee injury while attempting her apron DDT. This resulted in the match being stopped midway. It was later confirmed that, unlike Ridge Holland and Ilja Dragunov, this injury is not a work. 

Update on Shotzi’s WWE NXT Injury

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed Shotzi’s injury and said those at the taping were left in a panic when her situation arose. 

“They were in a panic. They were stalling to try to figure out what to do. And maybe nobody else was ready. And she had just wrestled. Maybe she was in her gear. Maybe nobody else was in their gear.”

Meltzer added that Shotzi has been pulled from the Women’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match on this week’s SmackDown she was supposed to be a part of. He added:

“I don’t know the severity of the Shotzi injury. But I do know that she left the building on crutches. And it was a knee injury.”

There’s no word on when fans can expect to see Shotzi back in the ring. We at SE Scoops would like to wish her a full and speedy recovery. 

Shotzi recently got married in Las Vegas and celebrated in a very WWE way… 

H/T – Wrestling News

Daily Drop (2/15): Elimination Chamber Shakeup, WWE Release, Scary Moment For Jeff Hardy After AEW Dynamite & More

Aaron Varble
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Welcome to a new feature for SEScoops, the Daily Drop – a rundown of the top stories in pro wrestling all in one place. 

Our mission is to provide our readers with the most important and interesting news from WWE, AEW and more that’s timely, informative and engaging. The Daily Drop is a destination where you can catch up and the wrestling news you need.

WrestleMania 40 COUNTDOWN: 51 days days away

Here’s the Daily Drop news report for Wednesday, February 15, 2024:

WWE News

– The Rock and Roman Reigns are advertised for tomorrow’s WWE SmackDown from Salt Lake City, Utah. (Tickets)

– WWE released Matt Camp from his contract sometime last week. This news broke on February 14th, and it was also a big shock for many. Camp never missed an episode of The Bump, and his departure was not mentioned on this week’s show, either.’  We’ve updated our WWE Releases tracker to reflect this departure.

– Jade Cargill was removed from her planned spot in the Elimination Chamber match. Cargill made her in-ring debut at the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble and was slated to be part of the upcoming Chamber match from Australia, based on a graphic that leaked on WWE.com showing the participants. This would have been another chance to feature Cargill in a multi-person match that would have protected her, but it seems those plans have been scrapped.

– Shotzi Blackheart was legit injured during the NXT television taping this week. She seriously hurt her knee, and reports later confirmed that she left the NXT Arena on crutches. We’re still awaiting word on her condition.

– The new WWE Experience exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia opens tomorrow. WWE-themed events center will be located at Boulevard City.  (Tickets)

“Dive into the world of WWE, where fans walk in the footsteps of legends, immersing in sights, sounds, and epic stories of global stars. Every guest will enjoy a front-row seat, unparalleled access to exciting opportunities, and moments exclusive to WWE.”

AEW News

– During AEW Dynamite this week, they finally announced Sting’s final match. The Icon will team with Darby Allin to take on The Young Bucks in an AEW World Tag Team Title match at AEW Revolution on March 9th.

– Jeff Hardy was possibly injured during the AEW Rampage taping this week. Sammy Guevara went for a shooting star press, and it appeared that his knee struck Hardy in the head. The match was then called off. We do not have any more updates at this time.

– QT Marshall is returning to AEW. He will not be wrestling, but he will work with the company in a backstage capacity. Marshall left the company at the end of 2023, but came to terms on a revised role. 

Marshall’s ‘new’ promotion Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling is expected to continue. TCW held its return event last week at the Nightmare Factory training facility, where they crowned inaugural champions.

– Rob Van Dam returns next week in an all-star 6-man tag match on AEW Dynamite. The ECW legend will team with Hook and Hangman Page against Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland and Brian Cage.

What’s Next

– WWE Elimination Chamber takes place next weekend, Saturday, February 24 from Perth, Australia. This will be the final stop on the road to WrestleMania 40.

– The following weekend, All Elite Wrestling presents AEW Revolution 2024 live on pay-per-view from the historic Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. The event will feature Sting’s retirement match and Samoa Joe defending the AEW World championship against Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland.

Check back tomorrow for the next installment of the Daily Drop wrestling news report and make sure to Follow SEScoops on Google News, Facebook and Twitter.

Latest On QT Marshall’s Backstage Role With AEW After Surprising Return

Thomas Lowson
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More has come to light over the role of QT Marshall now that he has made his return to All Elite Wrestling. 

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Marshall would be returning to AEW in a behind-the-scenes role. This is quite a surprise, given that Marshall left AEW relatively recently in late 2023. The former leader of QTV had reportedly not been at AEW for weeks prior to his official exit from the company.

QT Marshall’s New Role with AEW

Marshall has previous experience working behind the scenes for AEW, which will come in handy upon his return. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer shared what Marshall will be responsible for under his new role with the promotion. 

“QT, his key role is going to be talent development as well. Trainer and everything like that. He left (on) December 31 and Tony Khan said, if he wants to come back, the door’s open, and I guess he wanted to come back.”

Meltzer also acknowledged part of Marshall’s decision to leave AEW was because he felt he would not be pushed any further on TV. It was confirmed that he is free to still work independent shows following his AEW return.  

Rocky Romero in AEW

Rocky Romero also recently began a backstage role with All Elite Wrestling. On his show, Meltzer explained the kind of roles he will be working under. 

“Romero’s role is gonna be talent development, so essentially training wrestlers and working with the younger talent, and also international liaison obviously with New Japan and CMLL.”

QT Marshall has a huge project outside of All Elite Wrestling… 

H/T – Wrestling News

Nic Nemeth On WWE Departure: I got to a point where I was ready to go

Bishal Roy
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0

Former WWE star Nic Nemeth (previously known as Dolph Ziggler) recently revealed that he was ready to leave WWE to explore new avenues.

Nemeth had a storied career in WWE but that’s all in the past. He recently ended a 19-year run with the company as he was part of the first wave of releases after the launch of TKO Group Holdings.

Following his release, Nemeth arrived in New Japan Pro Wrestling where he introduced his ‘Wanted Man gimmick.’ He eventually showed up in TNA Wrestling. Nemeth had previously disclosed that several individuals contacted him after his release and wanted to sign him into their company.

Nemeth will be a part of Title Fight Friday on night one of New Beginning in Sapporo on February 23. 

Nic Nemeth revealed he had been planning to exit WWE

Ahead of his debut, Nic Nemeth spoke to NJPW on whether there had been a big culture shock in that adjustment after his exit from WWE, or if was it more of an exciting process. Here is what he said:

“It’s a little bit of both. The first six or seven years of my career, I would get to every Monday after Wrestlemania thinking ‘well, this is the day when I’m gone!’ (laughs). So I would think about, OK, I can go back to school, go to law school, be a manager at Chipotle… you start thinking about all these things and get ready to go so you’re not blindsided by being told you’re released.”

The former World Champion revealed that he was well aware that he was a mainstay in WWE but still got to a point where he was determined to leave. He said: 

“But after about ten, 15 years of that I started realising, OK I’m a mainstay here, I’m needed. But I got to a point where I was ready to go. I’d asked the company a few different times whether I was ready to go, and they told me I was signed, and they weren’t letting me go. So I started asking them, ‘hey, can I start doing this, can I start something else’. So I was prepared to be done and to start exploring other avenues.”

Nic Nemeth further outlined how he prepared himself to attain what he’s been planning to. He said:

“I spent the last six, eight months, a year, saying ‘I’m going to be in the best shape of my life when all this goes down,’ and when it finally got to the point where I asked (WWE) enough and they gave me my release, then it became ‘OK, well you asked for this for the last five years, you’d better deliver.’ So, OK, I’ve got this, I’m doing this, I have insurance ready, I’ve been training in the ring, watching different things, and I’m ready to go. So let’s go.”

At New Beginning, Nic Nemeth is all set to challenge the inaugural NJPW Global Champion David Finlay for the title. 

Drew McIntyre Hasn’t Re-Signed With WWE Despite Being Promoted for Event Past Expiration Date

Thomas Lowson
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Drew McIntyre’s future with WWE remains uncertain despite being advertised for an event past his current contract’s expiration date. 

The Scottish Warrior’s future with WWE has been under speculation for some time. Last year, it was reported that his contract was going to expire in early 2024. In September, McIntyre said that has no intentions to work elsewhere. It was also reported that time has been added to Drew’s WWE contract due to his post-WrestleMania 39 hiatus.

Drew McIntyre Has Yet to Re-Sign

Earlier this week, WWE announced an event on May 1 in Bologna, Italy that McIntyre is being advertised for. This led to speculation that Drew had signed a new contract given that his current deal expires in April. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer made clear this is not the case. 

“The answer to that is no he has not signed a new deal, but he seems very happy so far with his new character and he’s really excited about it, and they’re working with the idea that he’s not going anywhere.”

Addressing reports that McIntyre could let his WWE deal expire so he can have time to go back to Scotland, Meltzer said it was unlikely.

“I think the talk of him taking a lot of time off and everything like that – probably not. He’ll probably sign a new deal. But it’s still just a ‘probable’ until it happens.”

What’s Next for Drew McIntyre?

During a recent episode of SmackDown, McIntyre earned a spot in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match. The winner will earn a World Heavyweight Championship match against Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins at WrestleMania 40. 

WWE in Bologna, Italy

WWE will host its Italy live event on May 1, mere days before WWE Backlash: France on May 4. Other names being advertised include Cody Rhodes, Bianca Belair, Randy Orton, WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY, LA Knight, Bobby Lashley, Kevin Owens, and Jey Uso. 

Ticket and VIP packages are already being advertised for the event. As always, the talent is subject to change. At this time, no matches have been confirmed.

Zilla Fatu Returning to Reality of Wrestling After Fixing “Irreconcilable” Differences

Thomas Lowson
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Fans of Reality of Wrestling will soon see Zilla Fatu back in action despite his previous exit from the promotion being over “irreconcilable” differences. 

Fatu is part of the famed Anoa’I wrestling family, which includes industry staples such as The Rock, Rikishi, Roman Reigns, and the late Yokozuna. Zilla is the son of the late WWE Superstar Edward ‘Umaga’ Fatu, who would become a two-time Intercontinental Champion and challenged for the WWE Championship multiple times before his passing in 2009.

Returning to Reality of Wrestling

In late 2022, Zilla began training in professional wrestling to follow in the footsteps of his father. The following year, Zilla made his in-ring debut for the Reality of Wrestling promotion, which he was also training with. In September of last year it was announced that Fatu had left ROW due to irreconcilable differences. Fatu would later explain that his vision for his wrestling career differed from what ROW had planned. 

It now appears that these irreconcilable differences could be reconciled after all. Taking to Twitter, Zilla shared that after “heartfelt discussions” he and ROW head Booker T have agreed to work together again. Fatu tagged the two-time WWE Hall of Famer and the official ROW account. 

Fatu Outside Reality of Wrestling

ROW isn’t the only place fans have been able to see Zilla Fatu. Last month, Fatu made his debut for GCW. Zilla teamed with his relative Jacob Fatu to defeat Jay Lyon and Midas Black at the Look At Me event. 

Ex-WWE Diva Claims Higher-Up Encouraged Her to Oil Her Body to Get Vince McMahon’s Attention

Thomas Lowson
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0

Francine may have portrayed a sex-heavy character in ECW, but there was a line she wouldn’t cross when she arrived in ECW. 

The ECW original joined WWE in 2006 following the relaunch of the extreme promotion as a third brand. After appearing at that year’s One Night Stand event Francine made a handful of appearances, mostly in bikini contests or similar segments. Her in-ring debut would be in an ‘Extreme Catfight’ during the September 26, 2006, edition of ECW on Sci-Fi. She was released from WWE the following month. 

Absolutely Not!

Francine’s time with WWE was underwhelming, but the former ECW ‘vixen’ wasn’t going to degrade herself to get ahead in the company. During a recent edition of her Eyes Up Here podcast, Francine recalled a member of management encouraging her to use oil on her body to get the attention of Vince McMahon. 

“I mean when I worked there were stories floating around. And again, when I worked there I was told by somebody higher up that if you want to be seen, go get a bottle of oil… rubbing oil all over my b**** and knocking on Vince’s door and going in there and leaning on his desk and trying to get noticed. That’s what I was told to do. And, I said absolutely not. I’m not doing that.” 

There has been renewed interest in McMahon’s relationship with women in WWE due to the lawsuit filed against him by Janel Grant. McMahon resigned from TKO and WWE last month after it was alleged that he had been sexually abusive to Miss Grant and trafficked her to other men in WWE. 

McMahon has denied the allegations against him and, via a spokesperson, has claimed the lawsuit is rife with “obscene made-up instances that never occurred.”

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