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Jim Ross Set For His Big Return On AEW Dynamite

Tyriece Simon
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On tonight’s All Elite Wrestling Dynamite episode, WWE Hall of Famer and AEW Commentator Jim Ross will return. The news of his comeback was announced by AEW Commentator Tony Schiavone on the AEW Control Center, previewing tonight’s episode. Ross has been away dealing with health issues, notably healing a wound following radiation treatment for skin cancer. 

The December 20 episode of AEW Dynamite will occur at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is notable as fans will know that Ross is a proud Oklahoma native and could be part of why he is returning to the show. It’s unclear if he will be a part of the commentary team for the entire show, but it seems likely to be possible.

Regarding health issues, Ross shared on the December 7 episode of his podcast Grilling JR that he made positive changes during his break. He noted that he has stopped drinking, and he has seen weight loss due to the adjustment. 

When speaking about the decision to quit drinking, he admitted that it was a needed change to get healthier. 

SEScoops’ Dominic DeAngelo transcribed the following quotes.

“My goal is to get healthy, and drinking was not working well with my meds, my diabetes medication … it was a conflict of interest, so to speak, because I want to get healthier and these meds gotta work and I was diluting their strength by drinking so I hung it up.”

The news of Ross’s life changes and return on tonight’s AEW Dynamite is excellent news for fans who have wanted to see his presence on TV. The hope is that the positive lifestyle changes will help him stay healthy and more involved with AEW. 

Although it is unclear where his future lies with the company. 

Is Jim Ross Staying with AEW?

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross

Ross shared in November that his contract with AEW is set to expire. As of now, it is unclear exactly when his deal will be done. However, he wants to re-sign with the company and AEW President Tony Khan wants to keep him. 

Ross is represented by wrestling agent Barry Bloom, who has helped current AEW superstars reach lucrative deals with the company. While Khan and Ross are both interested in “JR” staying in AEW, it’s unknown what the negotiation process and terms of the deal could look like. 

For now, Ross and the AEW fanbase will welcome his comeback and hope to see more of him heading into 2024. 

Swerve Strickland Has Only One Goal For 2024

Tyriece Simon
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This year, All Elite Wrestling superstar Swerve Strickland has become one of the breakout talents on the roster. He’s been featured on AEW TV and involved in big matches, notably against his rival “Hangman” Adam Page. That said, Strickland is looking to have a better year in 2024. 

Strickland spoke with Jacksonville, Florida’s News Reporter Scott Johnson on Going Ringside about his plans for the new year. He shared that he’s looking to become an AEW World Champion and believes he could have been the champion if given the opportunity. 

“…I said middle of this year, if I would’ve gotten the opportunities that Hangman Page would’ve gotten my first year, I would have been the first African American AEW world champion. And I do believe that. I can still do that. That is the only thing on my mind right now,” said Strickland.

While some fans may take Strickland’s confidence lightly, he has quickly become a superstar that AEW could decide to put the world title on. He’s coming off of the biggest rivalry of his career and won a highly praised Texas Deathmatch over Page at AEW Full Gear on November 18. 

Strickland’s recent success and presence could give the company a reason to make him a title challenger in 2024. Currently, he is participating in the round-robin Continental Classic tournament. The winner of the tourney will become the inaugural AEW Triple Crown Champion. He has nine points in the Gold League division of the tournament and is in an excellent position to make it to the semi-finals. However, he needs to win his next match. 

Preview Of Swerve Strickland vs. RUSH On AEW Dynamite 

In tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Strickland will take on RUSH in a Gold League matchup. RUSH has been eliminated from the tournament but likely wants to end the round with a big win. 

For Strickland, a win over RUSH advances him to the Continental Classic Semi-Finals on the December 27 episode of AEW Dynamite. If he was to lose, he would have to hope that White, who is tied with him, is defeated by Jon Moxley. The former AEW World Champion is the current leader in the Gold League with 12 points and already has a spot in the next round. 

Both matchups will occur on tonight, so fans will want to tune in to see who will advance. 

MJF details his meeting with childhood hero John Cena (Exclusive)

Aaron Varble
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Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) received a huge honor on Monday as he was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. SEScoops correspondent Jason ‘The Solomonster’ Solomon was on hand for the ceremony and conducted an exclusive interview with the AEW World Champion.

MJF’s 2023 was full of big wins and captivating storylines. Ahead of his big title defense against Samoa Joe at AEW Worlds End later this month (12/30), we wanted to know about his recent meeting with childhood hero John Cena at the “The Iron Claw” premiere.

MJF spoke about what it was like to meet Cena, what sets the 16-time world champion apart from everybody else and Cena’s advice for him.

“He is a tremendous role model. Not just for me as a professional wrestler, but for everybody around the world, because he teaches you how important hard work is.”
– MJF on John Cena

“You’re an Inspiration”

The ‘Salt of the Earth’ said it meant the world to him that John Cena approached him at the event and paid him a compliment he’ll never forget.

“I don’t think it’s unprofessional for me to discuss what we talked about. He didn’t have to do this, and it meant the world to me. [John Cena] walked over to me, and he said he’s a fan of my work, and he respected my professionalism.

MJF had another chance to talk with John Cena when they were spotted together on the red carpet. MJF reveals he told John Cena that he’s an inspiration and says Cena’s work ethic puts him lightyears ahead so many people in wrestling who ‘phone it in’ and don’t go the extra 10 miles that Cena goes. 

“Once we were on the red carpet, we talked some more and I told him straight up, I said, ‘You’re an inspiration’ because he is, you know?

There are a lot of people in my industry who phone it in. I cannot recall one time in the over a decade of John Cena’s career where he phoned it in even once. He’s incapable, just like I’m incapable.

He is a tremendous role model. Not just for me as a professional wrestler, but for everybody around the world, because he teaches you how important hard work is.”

Cena was one of MJF’s wrestling heroes growing up, along with CM Punk. “… and for crying out loud, my two guys, I make no bones about it, everybody knows that one of my guys was CM Punk, but my other guy was John Cena. As I got older, it became Punk, you know, because I was trying to rebel a little bit, you know, I had a John Cena Fathead on my bedroom wall. You know, it’s John Cena! 

We also discussed transitioning from pro wrestling to acting. He’s just an incredible person and I don’t have one negative thing to say about him.”

What’s Next For MJF?

MJF recently confirmed that he has not signed a new deal with AEW. He also believes that WWE wouldn’t put him in a corner, or prohibit his creativity. The Bidding War of 2024 could still be on, and someone like John Cena may be able to help grease the wheels in a big way.

Although original plans for MJF in “The Iron Claw” were initially cut, that film still gave him a great platform. He is also listed as an Executive Producer on the film, thanks to the contributions he made.

Without “The Iron Claw” film, fans wouldn’t have seen that meeting between MJF and John Cena. It’s anyone’s guess if that meeting will just be the first of many down the line. 

Weekly Primer: AJ Styles, WWE & AEW TV Deals, Continental Classic

Ryan Droste
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Welcome to Weekly Primer, our early-in-the-week feature that lays out what’s on tap for the week ahead in the world of professional wrestling. Get caught-up on what’s trending and what to expect from the world’s top wrestling promotions.

Here are some of the top stories in wrestling we’re tracking as we start the week:

WWE/AEW Television Contract Maneuvering 

The biggest story right now in wrestling behind the scenes continues to be the future for WWE Monday Night Raw and AEW’s portfolio of shows. 

Last week, word came out that WWE has reportedly had some talks with Warner Bros. Discovery about moving Raw to TNT or TBS, the current home of AEW. Nobody is to be sure how much interest WBD has in paying out for WWE content, or the kind of ramifications this would have on AEW. From all indications, WBD has been very happy with AEW’s performance on the networks (typically finishing in the top five on cable television). 

Nobody outside of a handful of executives likely knows just how serious the WWE/WBD discussions really are. That being said, the latest episode of Top Rope Nation covered what is known right now, and you can view that show at this link over on the SEScoops YouTube channel. 

AEW Continental Classic Continues To Dominate

AEW’s Continental Classic continues to be the highlight of television for Tony Khan’s promotion. Last week’s Dynamite and Collision episodes were must-see television for anyone who likes good pro wrestling, and that should continue with this week’s shows with another great slate of tournament matches (full list on the weekly schedule below).

We are getting down to the closing rounds of the tournament, with the semi-finals scheduled to take place next week before the finals occur at the Worlds End PPV event on December 30. 

AJ Styles Is Back

AJ Styles made his anticipated return to WWE on last Friday’s edition of SmackDown, and he has Roman Reigns in his sights. Styles saved Randy Orton and LA Knight from The Bloodline, then took out Knight himself and walked off, seemingly turning heel in the process.

This week on SmackDown, Styles will take on Solo Sikoa, but both Orton and Knight seem to be in the mix for a title shot at Reigns. Will we have a multi-man match against Reigns at the Royal Rumble in January, or will one of these match rise above the rest? We should find out soon. 

CM Punk’s First WWE Match Looms

CM Punk will finally step between the ropes in a match for WWE again very soon. Punk has been announced for two matches now, both against Dominik Mysterio. 

Punk will wrestle Mysterio at the WWE live event at Madison Square Garden next week, on December 26. He’ll follow that up with another match against Mysterio on December 30 in Los Angeles at another non-televised live event. 

SEScoops Live Shows This Week

The SEScoops Podcast, hosted by SEScoops Managing Editor Zack Heydorn and Tyler Sage, airs live Tuesday night on YouTube. Join the show live or catch it via your favorite podcasting platform afterward.

Top Rope Nation, hosted by SEScoops Site Manager Ryan Droste, Justin Joynt, and Jesse Velasquez airs most weeks on Thursday night at 9:30 pm Eastern on YouTube. This week’s show will be a Patreon special bonus show on Tuesday night. 

Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google News to stay up to date.

Monday Primer for December 11 – December 16

Monday (December 18)

WWE Raw: WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship Match: The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damian Priest) defend against The Creed Brothers. WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Chelsea Green and Piper Niven defend against Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. WWE International Championship Match: Gunther defends against The Miz (if Miz loses, he will not be able to challenge for the title as long as Gunther is champion). Seth Rollins will address Drew McIntyre

Tuesday (December 19)

NXT: Fallon Henley vs. Tiffany Stratton. Men’s Breakout Tournament: Lexis King vs. Dion Lennox. Izzi Dame & Kiana James vs. Jacy Jayne & Thea Hail. NXT North American Championship: Dragon Lee vs. Charlie Dempsey and Joe Coffey. Men’s Breakout Tournament: Tavion Heights vs. Luca Crusifino. Nikkita Lyons vs. Tatum Paxley. Gallus (Wolfgang & Mark Coffey) vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger. Ridge Holland vs. Ilja Dragunov.

The SEScoops Podcast airs live on the SEScoops YouTube channel at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

Top Rope Nation airs at a special time this week as it is their monthly Patreon ‘Classics’ bonus show. This month’s, they will review World Class Championship Wrestling Christmas Star Wars 1982 on their Patreon channel. They’ll return to the SEScoops YouTube channel next week. 

Wednesday (December 20)

AEW Dynamite (Holiday Bash): Jon Moxley vs. Jay White (Continental Classic, Gold League). Swerve Strickland vs. Rush (Continental Classic, Gold League). Jay Lethal vs. Mark Briscoe (Continental Classic, Gold League). Roderick Strong vs. Komander. Saraya vs. Riho. Samoa Joe and MJF will speak.

Thursday (December 21)

Impact Wrestling: The Best of Impact Wrestling 2023, Part 1. 

MLW Fusion: Airs on the MLW YouTube Channel.

Friday (December 22)

WWE SmackDown: Santos Escobar vs. Bobby Lashley (US Title Shot Tournament). Dragon Lee vs. Butch. AJ Styles promo. Bianca Belair, Zelina Vegas, Michin vs. Damage CTRL. Kevin Owens vs. Carmelo Hays (US Title Shot Tournament). AJ Styles vs. Solo Sikoa. 

AEW Rampage: Nothing announced as of press time.

Saturday (December 23)

AEW Collision: Andrade El Idolo vs. Eddie Kingston (Continental Classic, Blue League). Brody King vs. Daniel Garcia (Continental Classic, Blue League). Claudio Castagnoli vs. Bryan Danielson (Continental Classic, Blue League). AEW World Trios Championship: The Acclaimed defend against Top Flight and Action Andretti. Julia Hart and Skye Blue vs. Abadon and Thunder Rosa. 

Samoa Joe On What Inspires His Work, Predicts Worlds End Outcome

Bishal Roy
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Samoa Joe is gearing up for AEW Worlds End pay-per-view where he will challenge MJF for the AEW World Championship. Ahead of AEW’s final pay-per-view, he has shed light on his inspiration which has helped him polish his mic skills for almost two decades.

‘The Samoan Submission Machine’ remains to be one of the most feared opponents in the pro wrestling industry. For a man of his size, the in-ring athleticism is remarkable and it has kept him the standout wrestler for years. 18 years have passed since Joe made a breakthrough as a pro wrestler and he has top promotions in his resume including TNA/Impact, NXT, WWE, ROH, and AEW. 

Not only his in-ring ability, but his promo skills are unparalleled. He has revealed that the inspiration for scathing promos comes from movies. 

Samoe Joe talks about his inspiration

In an interview with Orlando Sentinel, the two-time AEW TNT Champion revealed that he’s been enjoying the matches from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) from Mexico: 

“It’s great action, and they obviously have a lot of guys who are tremendously skilled,” he said. 

However, he has drawn inspiration for big talk from action movies.

“Most of my inspiration comes from outside the (wrestling) industry,” Joe said. “I watch a lot of drama, a lot of big action films, with great speakers plying their trade. I’ll see something that inspires me, recycle it, change it and make it my own.”

Samoa Joe believes he can defeat MJF at AEW Worlds End

Joe is gearing up for his shot at MJF’s World title and wants the champ to be at his best. Thereby, the veteran star is trying to protect him and even teamed up with him in the past. During the same interview, Joe said that MJF presents challenges for him and he’ll be merciless at Worlds End. He said:

“MJF presents some unique challenges for me. He’s got an abrasive tongue and wit. He’s duplicitous when he needs to be. But I plan to take a healthy MJF and beat him in due course. I’ll pummel him unmercifully when the time comes at Worlds End.”

We will have to wait and see if Samoe Joe manages to live up to his words at AEW Worlds End which takes place on Saturday, December 30 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New York.

WWE Fan Plans To Appeal WrestleMania Pyrotechnics Lawsuit

Aaron Varble
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WWE’s grand spectacles are known for high-dollar pyrotechnic displays. It appears that WrestleMania 38’s fireworks were a bit too much for one fan, and that resulted in a lawsuit that is still dragging out to this day, despite being initially thrown out by a judge.

Marvin Jackson filed a lawsuit against WWE after attending WrestleMania 38 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In his lawsuit, Jackson claimed that he lost hearing in his left ear during WrestleMania 38 due to a pyrotechnics blast.

The court initially dismissed the case with prejudice, preventing it from being revived in the same court. PW Insider has now reported that Marvin Jackson appealed the decision, and the court will hear the argument in early 2024.

Marvin Jackson’s original lawsuit alleged that WWE did not place any warnings about how loud the pyro would be around the entrance area, or anywhere else in the building. It was claimed that WWE’s failure to issue this warning resulted in Jackson’s injuries.

“On or about April 3, 2022, Plaintiff attended WrestleMania 38 which was hosted by Defendant and located at AT&T Stadium, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, Texas 76011.

Plaintiff was an invitee on the premises. Defendant was the occupier of the premises.Plaintiff was seated next to the stage at the venue. When performance began, pyrotechnics went off. The blast from the pyrotechnics was so loud that it caused Plaintiff to lose almost all hearing in his left ear.

No facts suggest that anything Plaintiff did or failed to do in any way caused or contributed to the incident or resulting damages.

Defendant failed to notify anyone or place any warnings to warn of the existence of the dangers associated with pyrotechnics.As a result of the incident, Plaintiff suffered serious injuries.”

WWE argued that fans agreed to enter arbitration over legal issues when purchasing WrestleMania tickets online. The court ordered both sides to submit supplemental material on arbitration.

WWE also cited a cruise line case as a legal precedent, where a woman sued, claiming she hadn’t entered an agreement, but the court sided with the cruise line. Marvin Jackson’s representation then argued he provided evidence disputing his notice of the arbitration agreement and being considered a third-party beneficiary.

Despite Marvin Jackson’s attorneys requesting an oral hearing, it was not allowed. In the ruling, the court stated Jackson was under the legal agreement for the ticket purchase, requiring arbitration between Jackson and WWE.

The lawsuit accuses WWE of negligence, gross negligence, and strict liability, claiming WWE knew the risks of using pyrotechnics. The court will decide if Jackson can resurrect his lawsuit.

WWE just wrapped up a long antitrust lawsuit with MLW. The terms of that settlement were not publicly divulged, but the numbers may come out in TKO Group Holdings’ next financial report. As for this lawsuit about the WrestleMania 38 pyro, it will keep going at this point.

In his initial lawsuit, Marvin Jackson sought a jury trial and was seeking financial compensation exceeding $1,000,000. This included damages of any nature, penalties, costs, expenses, prejudgment interest, and attorney’s fees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVvra2p-VVg

Rey Fenix Pulled From Indie Event Due to Injury

Bishal Roy
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Rey Fenix was scheduled to have a match at Prestige Wrestling next month. However, he will be missing the event due to injury.

Prestige Wrestling recently announced that Rey Fenix will be unable to compete on January 5 at Roseland due to an injury. Fenix was scheduled to face Samuray Del Sol at the event. It was further revealed that Lio Rush will be replacing him.

Fenix has been dealing with a nagging injury for quite some time. He has been out of action for several months. He previously was part of the four-way tag team match at AEW WrestleDream in Seattle where the winning team earned a championship match against FTR.

The four teams in the match were The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson), Lucha Brothers (Penta & Rey Fenix), The Gunns (Austin & Colten Gunn), and Orange Cassidy & Hook. 

In the initial stage of the match. Fenix was thrown into the barricades a few times. The ringside doctors soon attended him and he was taken to the back. It was reported that it was this match in which he sustained the injury.

Fenix competed on the October 10 episode of AEW Dynamite when he lost the AEW International Championship to Orange Cassidy. In the final moments of the match, Cassidy hit an Orange Punch to score the pinfall and captured the title to become a two-time AEW International Champion. This ended Fenix’s reign as champion which lasted only 20 days and it marked his last match before getting sidelined.

It is to be seen when Rey Fenix manages to make his return to action.

We at SEScoops wish him a speedy recovery.

RVD Is Coy When Speaking About Possibly Losing WWE WrestleMania Booking After AEW Appearance

Aaron Varble
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Rob Van Dam has been associated with WWE for the past two decades, but his appearances might not be plentiful now. RVD made a surprising debut in AEW during the August 2nd episode of AEW Dynamite this year. That may have tainted his relationship with WWE.

During Marty Jannetty’s “Party with Marty” podcast, RVD hinted that his AEW debut might impact his chances of appearing at WrestleMania 40 in 2024. That is a shame, because the show of shows is going down in Philadelphia next year.

While RVD confirmed his presence at next year’s WrestleCon, he provided a somewhat elusive response regarding his WrestleMania 40 status, implying that there might not be a planned appearance. 

“Allegedly I got booked for an appearance, and then allegedly that appearance was canceled when I showed up on an alleged competitor’s TV program, and then allegedly I might be pre-booked — either way, I’m going to be there at WrestleCon!” 

WrestleMania 40 is set to take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the former stomping grounds of ECW, sparking fan speculation about The Whole F’N Show being a natural addition to the festivities. If anything, Philly fans would love to chant “R-V-D” once again.

RVD never inked a contract with Tony Khan, and he was on a per appearance deal. He still made some waves in the pro wrestling world with that debut, as another WWE Hall of Famer graced an AEW ring.

We can only hope that RVD is included in WrestleMania 40 in some way, because Philadelphia really would be a great place to see him re-appear under WWE’s bright lights. If that booking is going to happen, RVD isn’t saying anything about it at this point. At least fans know RVD will be at WrestleCon.

Tony Khan Validated After Proof Of Anti-AEW Bots On Social Media

Aaron Varble
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AEW President Tony Khan is deeply passionate about professional wrestling, and that is what brought him to create his own company in the first place. Khan has also faced scrutiny for some questionable actions over the years, especially on social media. Recently, he found a measure of vindication with evidence supporting the existence of anti-AEW bots.

Tony Khan’s Tweet About Anti-AEW Bot Army

Last year, Tony Khan made an assertion that online AEW critics were paid trolls, or a coordinated bot army. He hinted at WWE’s potential involvement. This claim garnered criticism for its audacity, and its conspiracy theory centered nature.

‘An independent study has confirmed that much of the staunch anti-AEW online community aren’t real individuals, it’s a staff running thousands of accounts + an army of bots to signal boost them. Look closely, these aren’t real people. Who’d pay for such a *wildly* expensive thing?

Tony Khan’s prolonged ‘independent study’ of bots targeting AEW eventually yielded results. Khan even enlisted IT experts to offer a sophisticated explanation for the existence of anti-AEW bots.

Proof of Anti-AEW Bot Army

A fan from a now-private X account shared photos revealing anti-AEW bots praising NXT, clearly fake Twitter users. Tony Khan responded to this evidence with a GIF of Tony Soprano expressing, his thoughts on the matter.

Well, I told you that.

AEW is wrapping up 2023 with as much momentum as they can get. They have also seen a few setbacks over the past 12 months. Either way, it’s hard to argue that there are many levels of social media engagement at work, all deigned to manipulate, persuade, and influence people with their own agenda.

Elon Musk said that he would put a stop to bots on X, but that may not be his #1 priority right now. If anything, Tony Khan is certainly appeased to see that his theory about anti-AEW bots has a bit more backup.

WWE Personality Jason Sensation Set To Undergo Double Bypass Heart Surgery

Aaron Varble
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WWE fans who remember the Attitude Era well may recall Jason Sensation for his various impression-related segments. Each of those segments contributed to his popularity during that time, as he famously portrayed Owen Hart in DX’s Nation of Domination parody, and so many more spot-on impressions. Sadly, Jason Sensation has seen better days, because he is facing quite an obstacle right before Christmas.

Jason Sensation is currently navigating a challenging period. On Tuesday morning, wrestling manager Kimberely Ford disclosed that Sensation would undergo double bypass heart surgery on the same day, urging fans to keep him in their thoughts. 

For those who grew up watching @JasonSensationX on Raw doing the best wrestling impressions. Please send some prayers and we’ll wishes his way. He is undergoing double bi-pass open heart surgery today.

Jason Sensation Speaks On His Health Situation

Shortly after that post from Kimberely Ford, Jason Sensation himself posted from a hospital bed, revealing that his surgery would be rescheduled until after Christmas. He seemed to be in good spirits, all things considered.

The former WWE personality dropped two videos to explain his current situation. The whole time, he told that story from his hospital bed.

https://twitter.com/JasonSensationX/status/1737204081167307154

Jason Sensation made significant appearances for WWE that are still remembered to this day. He might not have been involved in a ton of angles, but the fact that fans remember him from his few cameos speaks volumes about his talent. 

Now, long after gaining recognition for his impressions, Jason Sensation is making headlines again for a more challenging situation.  We’re hoping for the best, and sending our thoughts to Jason Sensation at this time. 

https://twitter.com/JasonSensationX/status/1737205584238125153

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:

j2dlrmtyic7c1 1

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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0

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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0

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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0

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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0

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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0

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.”

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