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WWE NXT Stars Blair Davenport & Riley Osborne Are Engaged To Be Married

Aaron Varble
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The pro wrestling world has a lot of couples in it, because it often takes someone in the business to understand the trials and tribulations of a pro wrestler. Naturally, we’ve seen a few pro wrestling couples make things official, and now this is a very happy time for WWE NXT’s Blair Davenport and Riley Osborne. 

Another WWE Couple Makes It Official

A couple from NXT is poised to formalize their commitment to each other, as Blair Davenport and Riley Osborne are set to tie the knot.

NXT’s Blair Davenport and Riley Osborne recently announced their engagement, marking a huge step forward in their relationship. Naturally, this news was received with a ton of well-wishes from fans.

Blair Davenport shared the announcement on Instagram, accompanied by images capturing her and Osborne with what appeared to be promotional material for Broadway’s Sweeney Todd in the background. She also included a simple caption that let everyone know the answer to his big question.

I said yes!

Blair Davenport & Riley Osborne In WWE NXT

Blair Davenport is still making a name for herself in NXT, and she’s doing a very good job of it. Davenport is gearing up for a significant opportunity at NXT New Year’s Evil on January 2, where she will battle for the NXT Women’s Championship against Lyra Valkyria. As she continues her road to the top of WWE’s third brand, she now has a very exciting event ahead in her personal life.

Riley Osborne, on the other hand, is also getting quite a spotlight in NXT. Interestingly enough, he is currently involved in a romantic storyline with Thea Hale. The two Chase U members might have sparks flying on television, but Osborne has a different lady on his arm in real life.

As of this writing, Thea Hale has not commented on this engagement. We have to wonder if they will make any mention of it on WWE NXT’s week’s show. Either way, this is an exciting announcement and we are very happy for them both.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C1Dy6OvuqDt

CJ Perry Reveals What Led To Her Finger Infection That Required Surgery

Bishal Roy
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AEW star CJ Perry recently provided a new update following her surgery. She revealed how the finger infection occurred. 

The Hot and Flexible one was recently scheduled to make an appearance at CMLL representing Andrade El Idolo. However, he was forced to miss the show. She also missed the December 16 edition of AEW Collision.

 Fans were worried about her health and over the weekend, Perry took to her social media account and pictures which revealed a finger infection, leading to a visit to the emergency room. 

The former WWE star went on to reveal that it required surgery and that she would be admitted to hospital.She revealed that the infection worsened and she even had to stay at the hospital for more than 50 hours.

Fortunately, CJ Perry underwent a successful surgery, and her real-life husband and AEW star Miro took to his Instagram and uploaded a photo of Perry at the hospital and said she’s recovering.

CJ Perry breaks her silence

The former Lana recently shared a positive update on her recovery. In a video clip posted on Instagram, Perry revealed that she got injured by a small splinter while backstage during an AEW show and she also urged the fans to be cautious of them because it can lead to a fatal infection.

“I have been in the hospital since Saturday, fighting a fatal infection that came from getting a small splinter backstage at work this past Wednesday. Please keep me in your prayers. And everyone really take care of any cuts you get. As small as a splinter can turn into a deadly infection. Love all of you guys and thank you to everyone who has reached out,” Perry wrote.

WARNING: Graphic content below:

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Currently, Perry is serving as the on-screen manager of Andrade El Idolo and they have been involved in a storyline with Miro. We will have to wait and see how that progresses when she returns.

As she recuperates, we at SEScoops wish her a swift recovery.

D-Von Dudley & Wife Taylor Hughes Welcome Birth Of New Son DJ

Thomas Lowson
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The Dudley family has grown by one this week, as D-Von Dudley has welcomed a new baby boy into the fold. 

Taking to Facebook this week, D-Von, real name Devon Hughes, announced the birth of DJ, who was born on December 19th and weighed in at 6lbs and 11 oz. D-Von added that the mother and baby are doing great and thanked fans for their well-wishes. 

D-Von has quite a large family, and prior to the arrival of DJ, already has four sons and two daughters. Terrell and Terrence were both in February 1995 and have followed their father into the ring. The twins have made appearances for AEW in the past. Matthew was both in November 2001 and Preston was born in June 2008. After marrying his current wife Taylor, the couple welcomed Taliyah into the world in August 2019 and Amiyah in January 2020. 

D-Von Dudley Back in the Ring

At the start of this year, D-Von Dudley hadn’t competed since a December 2016 event for House of Glory Wrestling. That changed this past September though when D-Von teamed with Bully Ray for IMPACT Wrestling’s 1,000th episode to defeat Champagne Singh and Rohit Raju. Following their successful reunion, Team 3-D announced they would take select bookings, but haven’t competed since that show. At an autograph signing (also in September) D-Von said his return to the ring was not a one-time thing and he intends to come out of retirement. 

We here at SE Scoops would like to extend our warmest congratulations to D-Von and his family on this joyous occasion. 

TNA Wrestling re-signs another ‘major’ name

Dominic DeAngelo
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Impact Wrestling has been very busy at making announcments ahead of their return to TNA and that includes another signing.

The company announced on Tuesday that former Impact Digital Media Champion Brian Myers.

Myers, who had two memorable runs with WWE before making the leap over to Impact Wrestling, has been with the company since the summer of 2020 after being released from his WWE contract.

However, this return of TNA will not signify Myers’ first run with those letters. The Major Player initially worked for the promotion in 2015, actually becoming a TNA World Tag Team Champion with Cameron Grimes (then known as Trevor Lee) before being re-signed by WWE in 2016.

Myers joins a list of several names to be officially announced as talents to sign new deals with TNA. Longtime veteran Eddie Edwards was revealed to ink a new deal last week and the ever-popular KUSHIDA is also a recent signing. 

The news of Myers signing coincides with several big happenings in the company including a new deal that he’s all too familiar with. Just this Monday, TNA announced a new action figure deal with Power Town Wrestling, a company owned by Magnum TA and Greg Gagne that excells at making very detailed figure scults of wrestling legends from yesteryear. 

The move has to be exciting for Myers, who alongside his longtime friend and tag partner, Matt Cardona are notorious wrestling figure collectors. The two host their own show, The Major Wrestling Figure Podcast and one would have to imagine the company’s new relationship with Power Town will be talked about.

Booker T Tears Into Ahmed Johnson For Calling Him A Low Life

Aaron Varble
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Ahmed Johnson is no longer associated with WWE, as his career in the ring is in the rearview mirror. That won’t stop him from throwing bombs at his former coworkers. Now, Booker T is answering back.

In case you need a refresher, Ahmed Johnson straight-up challenged Booker T to a fight. The former WWE Superstar said that he has a time and location for the confrontation to go down as well.

“Brother, I got a dojo for us. If you wanna get to the streets with this, let’s do it. Because I didn’t appreciate what he said. And before you call somebody a scum, look at your past, and then really know who the scum is.”

Booker T’s Reaction to Ahmed Johnson

During a recent episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T addressed comments made by Ahmed Johnson on another podcast concerning Booker’s time in prison.

Booker also confronted Johnson’s claims that he possessed a story about an incident involving Booker during his prison days. The five-time WCW Champion issued a warning to Johnson in the event that he decides to make the story public.

“I actually heard the interview…he said what a low life I was, going to prison for robbing people. And I must say, I did go to prison for robbing people…I was a kid, and I think I’ve atoned for every piece of dirt I put down back in the day. I was a kid that made a mistake. He talks about being in a gang as a youth himself. What do gangs do? What do they normally do? They’re normally not the pillars of society, I’m just saying.”

“I hope he tells that story, I really do. He’ll see a different side of me if he does tell a false story that’s totally not true. Because I’ve got facts, I’ve got receipts as far as everything I’m saying. If he tells a lie about me, he’s probably going to end up in court, and he’s probably going to end up getting sued from defaming me.”

Booker T didn’t sound down to face Ahmed Johnson in any dojo, but he certainly had a lot to say in the process. Odds are, this beef is far from settled, because Ahmed Johnson is not the kind of person to let go of a grudge easily.

You may check out Booker T’s reaction to Ahmed Johnson below. It will be interesting if they are ever booked at the same event in the future, because fans might get more than their money’s worth if those two bump into each other in public. 

Jim Cornette Comments On CM Punk & Ace Steel’s Legal Representation During AEW Controversy

Aaron Varble
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CM Punk and Ace Steel were both involved in the Brawl Out situation after All Out 2022. That ordeal cost Steel his job with AEW, and less than one year later, CM Punk was fired over a different backstage fight. Since that event is in the past, we are getting even more information about the inner workings of the messy situation. 

Earlier this month, Ace Steel shared insights into his time working at AEW and the aftermath of his and CM Punk’s involvement in the “Brawl Out” incident. He is very proud of CM Punk’s WWE return, and was quite candid about that fact.

The former AEW producer disclosed that they had legal representation from Stephen P. New, known for advising Jim Cornette, ensuring their proper handling after the incident. Following Steel’s revelation, Cornette offered his thoughts on the matter during an episode of Jim Cornette’s Drive-Thru.

“We weren’t going to be the ones to jump in and broadcast everybody’s business. But since Ace has publicly gone on record there, yes, Ace Steel and CM Punk were represented at various points this year by Stephen P. New in various parts of their issues with their former employers.”

“So instead, he got some of Tony Khan’s money not to go to work — which seems to be a very habitual thing that a lot of people are doing with that company — but at least this was legally orchestrated in a manner befitting an accomplished attorney and barrister like Stephen P. New.” 

According to Jim Cornette, it was because of Stephen P. New’s representation that Ace Steel is able to live with “religious freedom“, having been, as Jim Cornette described, unable to do the job he was being paid for due to being interfered with and ostracized by officials in the company.

Ace Steel was initially terminated by AEW due to his role in “Brawl Out” following All Out 2022. He later returned to work, reportedly at CM Punk’s request upon his rejoining the company, only to be released shortly after Punk’s termination with cause following another backstage altercation. Steel humorously remarked that perhaps only his wife could reveal the truth about the events, teasing that the details might surface in a future “Dark Side of the Ring” documentary.

Jim Cornette certainly feels a certain way about how things went down with CM Punk and AEW. Cornette also didn’t forget to give plenty of love to his attorney friend, Stephen P. New in the process.

CM Punk is now in WWE once again, an event that many didn’t think would be possible. The stars aligned, and Punk returned. Now, we get to see what his fresh start looks like after returning home.

If you have a legal jam that Stephen P New might be able to help with, you can reach out by visiting this link.

Bianca Belair Says Charlotte Flair’s Injury Opens Up Spot On WWE Women’s Roster

Aaron Varble
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Charlotte Flair did not plan on wrapping up her 2023 with an injury, but that is the situation we find ourselves in. The Queen is injured, and she will be out of action for 9 months. However, the show must go on with WWE.

Charlotte Flair has not had surgery yet, but it is coming. She suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus during that doomed botched SmackDown spot against Asuka. 

While speaking with ROAD Around the Ring, Bianca Belair spoke about Charlotte Flair’s recent unfortunate injury. She might be out of action, which is a huge blow to the women’s division, but that just opened up another spot for others.

“It is a huge blow. Charlotte Flair has been such a vital part of our women’s roster. She’s created so much history. She’s a legend. I’m not even gonna say a legend in the making. With the accolades that she has, she’s a legend. It’s really hard knowing that we’ve lost someone like Charlotte Flair right now for nine months. Me selfishly, we all know I’ve always looked up to Charlotte Flair, I’ve always wanted to have a dream match against her, with her, it doesn’t matter as long as I can be in the ring with her. But it does open up an opportunity for someone else, and that’s just the way this business is.”

“I always say, you gotta stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. You never know when your opportunity’s gonna come, whether it’s your time, whether it’s another spot that opens up. So we’ll have to see who steps up. At the end of the day, we’re all fighting for a spot at WrestleMania. So I’m even looking for my path to WrestleMania, ‘Am I gonna be on WrestleMania this year?’ So it’s very unfortunate, but it’s a spot that’s opened up for someone to shine.”

Bianca Belair was later questioned about potential candidates to fill the mentioned void. She responded that it could be anyone, but specifically mentioned Michin, Raquel Rodriguez, and Zoey Stark as potential contenders. Belair stressed that several competitors have the capability to step into that position.

“Anyone and everyone. Our roster is so deep, especially right now. I love how talented and deep our roster is. Especially on the SmackDown side, I feel like we have Michin, I feel like she’s stepping her game up. She’s coming back with a vengeance after Damage CTRL just took her out. On the Raw side, you have Raquel. I feel like she’s been showing up and showing out lately. Zoey [Stark]. It’s just so many women that can fill that spot.”

Bianca Belair fought hard for her spot in WWE, but that position had to open up in the first place for her to get it. Now that Charlotte Flair is out of action, odds are, the women’s division will see even more motivation for someone to step up and fill that huge hole she left in her absence.

We will keep our eye on Charlotte Flair’s road to recovery, because it may be quite a while before she is back in the ring. For more updates, check back with us at SE Scoops. 

Earl Hebner Says Inducting Non-Wrestlers Into WWE Hall Of Fame Is ‘A Joke’

Aaron Varble
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WWE has inducted plenty of people into the celebrity wing of their Hall of Fame. Some inductions have caused concern with fans, but it seems Earl Hebner is very opinionated on this subject.

While speaking with Steve Fall, Earl Hebner was quite open about where he believes he belongs in pro wrestling history. He is not in the WWE Hall of Fame, but that is a place he feels as though he believes.

“I should [be in the WWE Hall of Fame], but I don’t know.” Earl Hebner stated. “[There were] a few problems when I left with me and Vince so I don’t know.”

Earl Hebner also stated that WWE should have put former WWE referee Tim White in the Hall of Fame. While was inducted as a Warrior Award recipient, years after his passing. As Hebner sees it, White should have received that honor years before he passed away, not afterward.

“They should have put Tim White in the Hall of Fame way way before he passed away. I think the Hall of Fame means nothing if you’re not alive. You don’t get any benefits out of it. It’s just you know, what good does it do you? What would it do me if I was dead and they put me in the Hall of Fame. What does it mean? Nothing. I don’t know it. Timmy didn’t know it. What the hell? He’s not the only one. Vader, Macho Man. What good does it do you know? Timmy deserved it way, way long before they gave it to him. Before he passed. He deserved it probably 10 years before that, the way he took care of Andre and kept Andre going and, and everything. But, you know, there were a lot of other referees that need to be in the Hall of Fame, but I don’t know if they’re gonna put any referees in. No big deal to me either way.”

Tim White sadly passed away on June 19th, 2022. He was given the Warrior Award in the WWE Hall of Fame the following year.

Earl Hebner was also very old-school with his mindset regarding any non-wrestlers in the WWE Hall of Fame. The way he sees it, they do not belong in the company’s hall of legends. To him, it’s “a joke” to give non-wrestlers that honor. 

“All the people in the Hall of Fame that’s not wrestlers, they don’t belong in the Hall of Fame. Would any of those people go into the baseball Hall of Fame or the NFL Hall of Fame? Hell no they wouldn’t. So you get all these jabroni’s to come in? Its a joke.”

WWE Hall of Fame Celebrity Wing

The WWE Hall of Fame celebrity wing boasts a diverse array of inductees over the years. Among them are Pete Rose, who received the honor in 2004, and William Perry, who was inducted in 2006. The class of 2010 saw the addition of Bob Uecker, followed by Drew Carey in 2011. The year 2012 welcomed Mike Tyson into the prestigious group, while 2013 featured Donald Trump as an inductee. In 2014, Mr. T joined the ranks of the WWE Hall of Fame celebrity wing. 

Other notable inductees include Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2015 and Ozzy Osbourne in 2021. Each of these individuals has left a unique mark on the wrestling world and contributed to the rich history of the WWE Hall of Fame.

Earl Hebner released a book providing intricate insights into his experiences throughout his wrestling career. The book is titled “Earl Hebner: The Official Story.” His book can be purchased at this link.

Becky Lynch wants WWE to be her ‘forever home’ in wrestling

Dominic DeAngelo
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Becky Lynch wants to retire with WWE and “The Man” makes that clear in a new interview.

Speaking with “Strutting From Gorilla,” Lynch was asked if she’d ultimately like to leave her wrestling boots in a WWE ring when it’s all said and done.

“I love that I get to continue to drive that and that my voice matters in WWE. I feel listened to, and I feel we’ve been able to change the landscape of women’s wrestling forever. That feels very special to me. It’s my home. It’s where I was born as a professional wrestler in many ways in terms of my influence, and it’s where I’ll retire.”

Lynch is a well-traveled main eventer in WWE as she clearly established herself as a top star for the company, but she recently had a fun run down in NXT as the Women’s Champion, a belt that eluded her during her first run with the black and gold brand.

Even though Lynch expressed a desire to retire with WWE, her current contract is set to expire in 2024. She currently have a full decade under her belt with WWE.

Lynch remains as three of the four remaining “Four Horsewomen” with the company.  While Sasha Banks notoriously walked out on the company in May of 2022, Bayley, Lynch and Charlotte Flair still are with WWE.

Funny enough, Charlotte Flair has reportedly signed a new deal with WWE giving her one of the highest-paid deals for a woman in company history.

WWE Queen Charlotte Flair reportedly signs historic new contract

Dominic DeAngelo
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It sounds like Charlotte Flair sealed a new deal with WWE. 

According to Fightful Select, the future WWE Hall Of Famer signed an extension with the company that will reportedly keep her around for several years. The exact length and details of the deal is currently unknown but from how it sounds, it’s one that may have some history attached to it.

Fightful has heard that Flair’s new extension has a huge increase and it’s quite significant, so much that it’s one of the highest-paid deals for a woman in WWE history. 

Not only that, but Charlotte has seemed to join the ranks of Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes as a top talent to receive a travel bus in the exchange.

Charlotte Flair Has A Major Injury To Deal With

While the extension is excellent news financially for Flair, the star unfortunately recently suffered some major injuries that will keep her on the shelf for months.

Over a week ago on the December 8 episode on WWE SmackDown, Flair performed her signature moonsault to the outside to Asuka. The match was abruptly ended and Flair was defeated after an interference by Bayley.

Flair was first reported to be out for at least nine months due to an injury to her knee and she will receive surgery over the holidays. However, there are several injuries to her knee after the spot which includes tears to her ACL, MCL and meniscus.

That clearly rules the star out for WrestleMania 40. She’ll be a notable omission considering she and Rhea Ripley stole the show with their match at WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles.

Konnan: Tony Khan needs to hear constructive criticism about AEW

Dominic DeAngelo
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Konnan has some sound advice for AEW President Tony Khan and it involves filtering through the haters.The luchador legend’s K100 colleague Disco Inferno was under the ire of Khan after Inferno told Khan that AEW needs a “reset” on X, to which Khan called the former WCW star an “irrelevant parasite.” 

“Just worry about the people that are supporting you and listen to the people that are giving you constructive criticism. You should be able to differentiate by now and listen to what they’re saying.”

Konnan in AEW

Konnan asked Disco if he made that post on X during the airing of AEW Collision to which Disco said he posted it after the show was over. With that factored in, Konnan empathized with Khan’s energy and response.

“So he’s probably right fresh off the show with adrenaline and he’s like, ‘I put out this thing and Disco shot right at me even though I haven’t talked to him directly so now I’m going to get him back,’ and he’s getting over with the red meat, his base, cause he hates you.’”

Does AEW Need need a reset?

Disco added that his main point at AEW needing a reset was constructive criticism.

“He works for a professional football team, he works for a professional soccer team, I watch football, I watch the soccer games, and bro you’re writing three shows and I’ve written shows and anybody in the business that has done this before will tell you, ‘Dude you need help.’

That’s the major criticism! That’s it. Your ratings have kind of stagnated, you need help writing these wrestling shows because that’s a very difficult job to do to write one and maintain good ratings.”

Konnan adds that Khan is also handling talent, signing contracts, sitting in Gorilla and trying to work TV deals on top of that.

He says he could be working so hard that it stress him out and believes that if Khan and Disco actually met one another, they’d hit it off as friends because of their similar interests in sports and other topics. 

WWE helping Bray Wyatt’s kids with posthumous legends deal

Aaron Varble
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Bray Wyatt passed away on August 24th, 2023 at the age of 36-years-old. His loss was a tremendous loss for the entire pro wrestling world. WWE also lost a legend that day, and now that Legend status is official.

Bray Wyatt’s name will be remembered for generations to come, and WWE has taken care of his family so far. Now, there is even more assurance that WWE will continue paying tribute to Wyatt’s legacy while making sure JoJo Offerman and Bray Wyatt’s children are financially stable.

Bray Wyatt Is A WWE Legend

During a conversation on Wrasslin Talk, Mike Rotunda, the father of Bray Wyatt, discussed his son’s unfortunate passing and the enduring sense of loss felt by everyone. Rotunda also disclosed that WWE has placed Wyatt on a Legends contract, ensuring that his children will continue to receive the financial support they require.

“It’s been really hard. We miss him every day. [Gets choked up]. Growing up in the business, you always book stuff during the week because you’re going to be wrestling on the weekends and TV.”

“Windham and Jojo were supposed to get married yesterday. We miss Windham horribly, every day. Windham was the first one, and we would bring him on the road at six months old. They would come with me and stay on the road, wherever I was wrestling, and it’s so hard to wake up out of this nightmare, and he’s still not there. I have to give WWE credit. They’ve done awesome, helping our family out with a lot of different stuff. They put Windham on a Legends contract and all the proceeds go to…Windham has four children. Luckily, we have them.

WWE Takes Care of Bray Wyatt’s Family

WWE made a public announcement after Bray Wyatt’s passing that 100% of all proceeds for his merchandise is going to JoJo Offerman. That deal is apparently still in place, and with a Legends contract, it is very likely that honors for Bray Wyatt will continue.

Many fans are calling for Bray Wyatt’s induction into the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame. That would be a fitting tribute to his legacy. It is also incredibly likely, even though no names have been announced for the 2024 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame yet.

Bray Wyatt is gone, but his memory will live on. WWE will also never let that memory fade, as they continue speaking his name. 

Our thoughts still go out to JoJo Offerman, and Bray Wyatt’s entire family. You can find WWE Shop’s Bray Wyatt Legacy Collision by visiting this link.

Kota Ibushi Confirms He’s Considered Retirement. What Brought Him Back?

Rayan Saayed
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AEW star Kota Ibushi will not linger in the ring if he feels he’s no longer required.

In an interview with Pro Wrestling NOAH, Ibushi discussed his retirement and various other topics.

Ibushi mentioned that he’s not sure about when he’ll retire. He’s not someone who sets specific years to retire. His only consideration is if he can’t do it anymore or if there’s no more demand from his fans for his matches, then he’ll stop wrestling on his own.

Ibushi sees himself as someone who doesn’t want to stay longer than necessary and will leave when he realizes he’s not needed anymore.

“I am not the type to set my own time frame, so I want to do as much as I can,” Ibushi said. “But… well… if I can’t do it anymore, if there is no more demand, I think it’s the end. If there is no more demand, I ask them to cut me off immediately. I’m the type of person who says that if I find out, I’ll quit immediately.”

Ibushi reflected on the shoulder injury he sustained during the NJPW G1 Climax in 2021, admitting it made him contemplate retirement. He felt restricted in his movements compared to his usual performance level, which concerned him regarding fans’ expectations. Ibushi mentioned that if fans no longer wish to see him perform in that capacity, then it could mark the “end of the road” for him.

“So in my case, it could end tomorrow. It could be a year from now, or it could be ten years from now. I don’t know. When there is no more demand, it’s the end.”

Ibushi has also been involved as a commentator in martial arts broadcasts. He mentioned being a martial arts enthusiast and mentioned receiving frequent offers to provide commentary from the martial arts community.

Ibushi openly discussed his affection for junk food, evident from his social media posts. Despite being 41, he sees himself as still exploring and experimenting with his body, believing there’s more yet to be discovered. 

“The body and mentality are connected. People can’t live in a harsh environment all the time. You have to loosen up somewhere. That’s the only thing that everyone picks up on. That’s why people tend to think that I eat only hamburgers, or that I love junk food, but I eat only junk food,” he added.

Ibushi was last seen in the AEW ring in a Street Fight at AEW Dynamite on November 15, where he teamed up with Paul Wight and The Golden Jets to defeat The Don Callis Family. 

WWE Star Acknowledges Billie Starkz Title Match, Starkz Responds

Dominic DeAngelo
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Billie Starkz has extra motivation heading into ROH Final Battle tonight.

Starkz is set for the biggest match in her career to date as she’ll be challenging the longstanding ROH Women’s Champion Athena for her title in the main event of the PLE. Now Starkz is getting support from all over, including WWE.

Billie left an impression on one major WWE star and that’s Bayley, who is clearly keeping tabs of her work in ROH. In light of Starkz’s main event fight this evening, On X, Bayley shared a photo of Billie as a kid giving her a hug at a WWE event and sharing the emoji caption of a magic wand and a crystal ball.

(WWE)

Obviously, this was not lost Starkz who acknowledged the support from one of the wrestlers who clearly influenced her and her career.

“Now I have to win!  Thank you.”

Bayley wasn’t the only name Billie received support from. She actually got some love from another Starks.

AEW World Tag Team Champion Ricky Starks also took to X to wish Billie well tonight in her fight.

“Good luck to Billie Starkz tonight!

Rhea Ripley reveals the key to her ‘Mami’ character

Rayan Saayed
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Rhea Ripley’s character evolution is a journey of self-discovery and authenticity.

Female wrestlers were traditionally depicted as conventionally attractive, blonde, and resembling models. Their ring time was limited to barely one minute for wrestling. Ripley initially started with a similar image but later moved in a completely different direction, embracing a goth aesthetic with tattoos, embodying the “Mami” character. In an interview with the Australian newspaper The West Australian, Ripley discussed why she opted for this unique direction instead of following a previously successful path. Ripley recently had an interview with the Australian newspaper The West Australian.

“I think it’s all about being yourself. For me, when I first came in for the first Mae Young Classic, I had the long blonde hair, I smiled way too much, way too bubbly. It wasn’t me. The person that you see today was the person I was back then, but I was trying so hard to be someone else because of obviously, the people that I watched growing up. I thought that’s what they wanted, so that’s what I gave them.”

Ripley said that she didn’t feel comfortable being someone who she isn’t, and this clearly showed with the fact that she wasn’t getting shows and opportunities.

“I didn’t feel comfortable, and after a while, I wasn’t getting put on shows. I wasn’t getting opportunities. I was getting beat down and picked on. They didn’t think that I worked hard enough, but I was just trying to give them what I thought they wanted. But at the end of the day, the best thing you could do is just be confident with the person that you are. So once I decided not to care what people thought about me, I was like I am gonna be myself.”

Rhea Ripley’s evolution to ‘Mami’

This is when Rhea decided to let her personality shine through, and the character that we see today is actually her just growing up and finding herself as a person.

“[I] cut my hair short, and once I did that and I started wearing the long pants with the chains and the studs, changed my persona and came out and was just mean mugging everyone, beating everyone up. ‘This is my brutality,’ it’s not even a joke, it’s what I did. That’s when my career really started rockin’ and rollin’. And the Rhea Ripley evolution that you’ve seen into the Rhea Ripley that you see today it’s just me growing as a person outside of the WWE and I’m just letting it shine through within the WWE sort of thing. So it’s me, and I think that’s what the fans see, and that’s what gravitates them towards Rhea Ripley.”

NHL Partnering With WWE for Commemorative Championship Belts

Thomas Lowson
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The WWE and the National Hockey League are teaming up to release a new wave of commemorative championship titles, it has been claimed. 

Wrestle Votes reports that the new championships will likely be available through Fanatics sometime in 2024. This new deal comes hot off the heels of WWE’s massively successful partnership with the NFL to release high-quality championships for teams. All teams in the league have had titles created, with the championship for the Jacksonville Jaguars (as owned by AEW President Tony Khan) proving to be especially popular.

These sports-themed championships are a new concept, but WWE has awarded their own titles to athletes in the past. Champion athletes have been receiving a replica WWE Championship for years. In February of this year, the Kansas City Chiefs were gifted a championship following their Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. 

WWE’s Legacy Championships

It’s not just the NFL and the NHL that have custom championships created by WWE. Over the years, several Superstars and legends of the past have had Legacy Championships to celebrate their respective accolades. These titles typically feature the plates of a championship significant to the wrestler in question, with a custom strap featuring a distinct color scheme and design. Earlier this month, WWE released new Legacy Championships celebrating the longest reigning tag-team champions in WWE history The Usos. 

Liv Morgan was recently on hand to gift a Green Bay Packers Championship to Packers Running Back Aaron Jones at a recent game. Click here to learn more. 

WWE Has Internal Doubt About MJF’s AEW Contract Claims

Aaron Varble
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MJF is one of the most charismatic people in the pro wrestling business, and he’s been on WWE’s radar for a while. That doesn’t mean he’s jumping ship from AEW any time soon. Despite MJF’s recent claims, there is a belief within WWE that he is working the pro wrestling community regarding his contract status. 

Earlier today, AEW World Champion MJF participated in The SI Media Podcast and responded to a report about his contract status. He claimed that no new deal has been signed at this time.

Report Contradicting MJF’s Claim

A new report has confirmed our previous reporting that MJF has not engaged in discussions with WWE. Additionally, WWE internally holds the belief that Maxwell Jacob Friedman quietly renewed his contract with AEW some time ago.

Haus of Wrestling is now reporting that “One higher-up WWE source responded simply with ‘storyline.'” The report elaborated to say that word within the company is that MJF inked a new deal with AEW before he even returned to the company after his 2022 hiatus. 

Another higher-up source at WWE reiterated that they heard Friedman had re-signed last year and believe it happened before his return at AEW All Out 2022 as The Devil. They went on to say that Friedman is “locked in” and got a huge deal when he re-negotiated his contract with Tony Khan last year.

There are many reasons why MJF might not deluge his actual contract status with Tony Khan’s company. With his contract supposedly running up in 2024, along with AEW’s television rights, one has to assume that AEW wouldn’t want to hide the fact that they locked down their World Champion for years to come. 

SE Scoops’ Previous Reporting

This falls in line to what I have been told, and previously reported. There is no talk about the Great Bidding War of 2024 anymore for a reason. The internal belief within WWE is that a new deal between Tony Khan and MJF was signed a long time ago.

It’s uncertain why MJF would work his contract situation, but that is his story right now. We will have to see if his contract status creeps its way back into AEW’s storyline sometime next year.

Slim Jim Car ‘Fast Meat’ That Appeared During WWE Survivor Series Missing — LAPD Involved

Aaron Varble
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This is not the kind of story you expect to write as a pro wrestling journalist, but it happened. WWE’s partnership with Slim Jim has resulted in grand theft auto.

Slim Jim recently reported the theft of its custom Nissan Z, known as “Fast Meat.” This is the same car with WWE’s branding that appeared at Survivor Series.

The Stolen Slim Jim Car

The huge asset in the ongoing partnership with WWE is now gone. The car, while making stops in Chicago for the Survivor Series event and en route to L.A. for a video shoot, is nowhere to be seen. It was last seen in California.

Slim Jim has launched the #FindFastMeat campaign, calling on its fan base, the Long Boi Gang, to help spread awareness and encouraging anyone with information to submit tips to the Los Angeles Police Department at this link.

While some may think this is a clever PR move, the press release that the company sent out seemed very serious.

Whole expressing surprise at the unforeseen demand for their custom car, Ashley Spade, VP & General Manager, Snacks at Conagra Brands, emphasized the brand’s cooperation with authorities to address the situation. She urged the community to report any sightings of “Fast Meat” to the LAPD.

The tricked-out ride, boasting features like a fiery exterior, custom yellow leather interior, LED lighting, and exclusive Slim Jim amenities, was crafted by one of Hollywood’s iconic custom auto shops. So, this is a car that would absolutely attract attention, leaving us to wonder who stole it.

WWE’s History With Slim Jim

Slim Jim and WWE’s partnership has nostalgia written on it at this point. It’s hard to see one of those meaty snacks in any supermarket without imagining Randy Savage jumping through the ceiling for a 30-second promo on protein snacks.

Now, Bianca Belair and LA Knight have taken the helm of those Slim Jim commercials. They still open up those ads with Macho Man’s iconic voiceover. Sadly, the Slim Jim Nissan X “Fast Meat” car is now likely a part of some car collector’s very rare collection.

We’re hoping for “Fast Meat’s” speedy return, and encourage anyone with any information to contact the LAPD with information. It is going to be very hard to hide a car like that in one piece. Let’s hope it doesn’t snap into a chop shop.

MJF maintains that he still hasn’t re-signed with AEW

Bishal Roy
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AEW World Champion MJF recently confirmed that he hasn’t inked a new deal with AEW.

‘The Salt of The Earth’ has been quite candid about his contract status and heavily spoke about the “bidding war of 2024.” He is set to become a free agent on January 1st, 2024. He hasn’t mentioned the Bidding War of 2024 in a while, and fans have wondered about his future.

There have been rumors that MJF signed a new AEW deal that will keep him around for years. However, while speaking with SI Media, MJF said that fans leak things that they want to be true and gave examples of rumors about Cody Rhodes re-signing with AEW and CM Punk having a cordial relationship with Tony Khan, which weren’t true. He said that after AEW Worlds End pay-per-view later this month, he’ll assess his contract situation. He said:

“When stuff like that gets leaked out it makes me laugh because I remember something like Cody having secretly re-signed, then he showed up (in WWE). Something got leaked out about CM Punk or Tony Khan…I think fans leak out things that they want to be true. I love AEW, I wanna stay in AEW. for professional setting.”

When asked if he re-signed with AEW, MJF said:

 “Not yet”

MJF could join WWE

Cody Rhodes transitioned from AEW to WWE last year and many believed that several other stars would follow the suit. Soon, Jade Cargill also made a similar move this year and fans are still waiting for her official in-ring debut. It seems we can’t rule out MJF joining WWE. Even ‘The American Nightmare’ believes the same.

The AEW World Champion has teased signing with WWE from time to time. However, these teases have stopped since he turned babyface. 

In the past, MJF had a tryout for WWE as part of 2011’s Tough Enough. He also appeared as a security guard during a segment with Samoa Joe, which has been referenced several times.

We will now have to wait and see what the future holds for MJF. 

MJF on WWE Possibly Toning Him Down: “How the F*** Do You Put a Leash On Me?”

Thomas Lowson
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AEW World Champion MJF doesn’t believe that his persona could be watered-down in WWE, despite the PG nature of the Stamford promotion. 

MJF has often teased leaving AEW for WWE, though these references on TV have dried up with Friedman’s face turn. Speaking on the SI Media podcast, MJF was asked about whether he feels his character would be toned down in the event of a WWE move. 

“I just don’t know how the f*** you put a leash on me. And I swear to God that’s my honest opinion… I don’t know, I don’t think anybody can hold me back from being the monster that I am. I think my career trajectory in any company is going to be exactly the same.

“Do I think in some aspects AEW fits me more like a glove than anywhere else? Yeah, I do. Could an argument be made the other way around? Yeah, sure. These are all things that I have to think about. But I do know whatever company I pick, it will be because it feels right and it means the most to me. 

WWE has reportedly had its eye on MJF for some time, in addition to other AEW talent. Cody Rhodes recently said that he predicts MJF will join WWE one day, but stopped short of saying what day he believes that will be. In the interview, MJF wasn’t surprised that those in WWE are showing great interest in him. 

“It’s normal. Of course, you want MJF in your company. Who the f*** wouldn’t want me in their company? I’m the best thing going today. I’m the AEW World Champion. Nobody dresses like me. Nobody talks like me. Nobody looks like me. Nobody walks like me and nobody wrestles like me. 

“I take it as a compliment and I think the AEW fans should take it as a compliment too. Because that means that their World Champion, the face of their company, is a hot commodity.”

Whatever the future holds, MJF’s next title defense will come at AEW Worlds End next week against Samoa Joe. The show will take place on December 30, from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. 

MJF was recently inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Click here to find out more. 

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

Bryan Keith Reveals Dream Match Opponents After Stellar Showing On AEW Collision

Ella Jay
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One night after competing for the ROH World Television Championship at ROH Final Battle, Bryan Keith received the opportunity to challenge for another title — Orange Cassidy’s AEW International Championship, to be exact.

While Keith’s title pursuits didn’t produce his desired outcome, he still has his eye on facing some more performers in both companies. During an interview with the To Be Someone Podcast, Keith revealed some of the names on his list of dream opponents, which includes representatives from NJPW, WWE, ROH, and AEW. 

“One of them is a guy named [Tomohiro] Ishii that wrestles with New Japan. The Stone Pitbull. I feel like his aura is everything that I try to emulate,” Keith said. “When he comes out, he may not be the biggest guy, and he’s not the fastest, not the strongest, but when he comes out, the song hits, you hear the dogs barking, you know you’re in for like a hell of a match. It don’t matter who he’s in there with. He could be in there with anyone, and there’s going to be a five-star classic. I draw heavy influence from him and guys like him …

He just has that aura about himself that I always try to portray because I’m not the biggest guy, I’m not the fastest, I’m not the strongest. I don’t do a bunch of flips or anything like that. I just got that Texas ‘I’m coming there and I’m gonna kick your ass’ feel, I want people to feel that, and I feel like he’s got that aura. Japanese strong style versus Texas strong style, that’d be a hell of a match.”

WWE, ROH, & AEW Dream Opponents

Within the landscape of WWE, Keith identified Finn Balor and AJ Styles as two other names he’d like to face one day. In assessing their work, Keith noted that both performers display a crisp arsenal of offense and defense in the ring. 

Within AEW and ROH, Keith is keen on squaring off with current ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston and former ROH Television Champion Samoa Joe. If he had to choose between them though, Keith would favor a match with Samoa Joe, whom he describes as one of his early wrestling influences.

“Samoa Joe’s the man. I’d love to wrestle Eddie Kingston, and Eddie Kingston is definitely a dream match for me, but Samoa Joe is legendary. Not the Eddie Kingston is not, but just Samoa Joe and what he’s done, what he means to me and the influence on me. I learned about Eddie Kingston later on in my career, whenever I was an older wrestler. So foundationally, I wasn’t really watching Eddie Kingston to grow up and be a better wrestler,” Keith said. 

“I was foundationally watching Samoa Joe, seeing him wrestle on TNA, seeing him wrestle on the Indies, Ring of Honor and stuff. He’s a guy that definitely influenced my style in the way I wrestle.”

A native of Houston, Texas, Keith has steadily built a name for himself in the southern independent wrestling scene, notably becoming the longest-reigning New Texas Pro Champion. 

Xavier Woods ‘Banged Up’ And Taken Off The Road By WWE

Aaron Varble
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WWE RAW featured Kofi Kingston, as he was dressed up as Santa Claus, this week for their Holiday edition. Fans saw Kofi Claus during the December 18th episode of WWE RAW in Des Moines, but Xavier Woods was nowhere in sight. 

Xavier Woods Is Off The Road

According to PW Insider, Xavier Woods was present in Birmingham, Alabama, a few weeks ago. At this point, he is off the road, and it’s unclear what the issue is. 

While we have not confirmed the nature of the issue, we are told Woods is banged up and has been taken off the road to heal up.

The specific details of Xavier Woods’ issue have not been confirmed, but the outlet indicated that Xavier Woods is dealing with injuries, leading to his removal from the road for a period of recovery. 

Initial advertisements for the Raw brand Holiday Tour dates post-Christmas featured the New Day, but recent updates indicate a modification to the lineup, with only Kofi Kingston now scheduled for these events.

We have not heard anything specific regarding Xavier Woods’ medical issues or injury. At this time, it appears that he is getting some time off to rest.

Why WWE Superstars Seek Medical Help In Birmingham, Alabama

WWE superstars often seek medical attention at Dr. James Andrews’ clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. The clinic is renowned for its expertise in orthopedic and sports medicine, and it serves as a destination for wrestlers dealing with various injuries and musculoskeletal issues. 

Wrestlers from WWE, known for the physical demands of their profession, turn to Dr. Andrews and his team for specialized care, diagnostics, and potential treatments to address injuries sustained during their rigorous performances. The clinic’s reputation for handling sports-related injuries makes it a go-to destination for WWE superstars looking to receive comprehensive and professional medical care to aid in their recovery and rehabilitation processes.

It appears that Xavier Woods is just one of the latest WWE Superstars to seek help at that famous clinic, but he won’t be the last. Charlotte Flair, who just suffered a notable knee injury, may also make her way to Birmingham in due time when her surgery comes around.

Don’t Count Out Zac Efron Competing in AEW One Day

Thomas Lowson
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Could Zac Efron one day compete in an AEW ring following the release of The Iron Claw? Don’t count it out according to the Greatest Showman actor.

The Iron Claw delves into the lives and numerous tragedies of the Von Erich wrestling family. The wrestling lineage began with Fritz Von Erich (real name Jack Adkisson,) and his sons would also find success in the squared circle. The Von Erichs are still a force in wrestling today with Marshall & Ross Von Erich competing to this day.

Zac Efron in AEW? 

Efron’s performance has been heralded by critics and we could soon see more of the star in the Squared Circle. In a recent interview with The Masked Man Show, Efron was asked about the possibility of stepping into the ring and named AEW as a possible destination.

“It’d be fun if we could get in there with some of the guys we worked with, with Chavo [Guerrero ]or even the Von Erichs coming back with AEW. I’d love to do something with them. If we had some time and prep and, especially if we were all out there together, that would be fun as hell. Who knows. Don’t count it out, that’s for sure.”

Chavo Guerrero worked as the wrestling choreographer for The Iron Claw, and was very impressed with Efron. The Von Erichs, represented by Kevin, Russ, and Marshall, appeared on last week’s episode of AEW Rampage which was fittingly filmed in Texas. The segment saw Kevin deliver the Iron Claw to Jake Hager. 

Check out SE Scoops’ official (spoiler-free) review of The Iron Claw by clicking here.

Rey Mysterio’s New Deal Should Keep Him in WWE For a Long Time to Come

Thomas Lowson
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The new contract of WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio will keep the masked legend around for years to come, it has been claimed. 

This week, news broke that the three-time former World Champion had signed a new deal with WWE, though it was not stated how long he’ll be sticking around. In an update from Wrestling Observer Radio, it is believed that Rey’s new deal is a five-year contract with the promotion. 

If this report is accurate, Rey’s new contract will keep him locked into a deal with WWE until the end of 2028. At this point, Rey will be 54 years old and likely retired. Mysterio said last year that he does not intend to wrestle past 50, though it’s entirely possible plans have changed. 

WWE’s Upcoming Contracts

Rey Mysterio will be staying with WWE for years to come, but the promotion has several notable contracts due to expire relatively soon. Drew McIntyre’s contract is due to expire in 2024 and there has been no public confirmation that he has re-signed with the promotion. McIntyre will challenge for the WWE World Heavyweight Champion on the Day 1 episode of Monday Night Raw.

Current champion Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch both have contracts that are due to expire next year. In October, it was reported that WWE had yet to negotiate new deals with certain Superstars. 

Rey Mysterio isn’t the only member of his family who’ll be sticking with WWE. Click here to learn more about ‘Dirty’ Dominik’s new deal. 

WWE Preparing To Fork Over Huge Money For Expiring Talent Contracts

Aaron Varble
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WWE is closing out 2023 with some big headlines, and a ton of momentum as they race toward the Royal Rumble on January 27th. This next calendar year will also include some notable moments with WWE’s business, and they want to make sure a big roster shake-up isn’t a part of that.

2024 Will Be A Big Year For WWE

WWE faces significant changes as they navigate new television deals in 2024. There are indications that WWE RAW might depart from the USA Network, and it’s confirmed that NXT will transition from the USA to the CW Network, while SmackDown is set to leave FOX for a return to the USA. Superstar contracts are also a big matter of concern for the company in 2024.

Expiring WWE Talent Contracts in 2024

The upcoming year brings the expiration of contracts for notable stars like Becky Lynch, World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, Sheamus, and Drew McIntyre.

Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio have secured new deals with WWE, with Dominik’s contract reportedly spanning five years. While the length of Rey’s deal remains unconfirmed, there’s a belief that it’s a substantial, long-term commitment.

While going over all of these subjects during Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer highlighted WWE’s strategy to prevent talent from entering the free-agent market by securing them with substantial, extended contracts, a practice they’ve adhered to for decades.

“They’re [WWE] obviously very happy because they signed both of them. Both of them could have waited until free agency, and at that point, they could have gotten probably a giant offer from AEW and a giant offer from WWE. But obviously, WWE really made it worth their while, which was what I was told is that they are going to they were looking at longtime deals with, greatly increased compensation for the guys because they don’t want free agents right now,”

It was also noted that WWE is planning to pick up those contract talks once again in 2024. They may wait until the Holidays are behind them, but there is no doubt that they don’t want to lose those top Superstars.

AEW could be in the market to offer big money to any of those top Superstar with expiring deals. WWE realizes that, and they also do not want to lose people who they used to promote those new blockbuster television deals before they start in October, either.

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