AEW President Tony Khan has addressed potentially expanding its pay-per-view calendar in the future, especially if a streaming deal comes to the promotion.
Khan was asked about this topic while doing an interview on the John Chuckery Show. For Khan, he feels the focus should remain on AEW’s big five events (Double or Nothing, All Out, Full Gear, Forbidden Door, and Revolution) as he sees those as the flagpole AEW events.
“Well, we’ve been able to really make the events keep that super special feel, where there is so much anticipation building up to Revolution, Double or Nothing, Forbidden Door now, and of course, All Out and Full Gear,” said Khan. “I think that with the current model we have, which is a la carte pay-per-view, true pay-per-view like so many of us grew up with, it makes a lot of sense. The price is about $49.99, and if somebody’s going to give us that $49.99, I would like them to feel like they’re getting a show they’ve really looked forward to for a long time and are getting maximum value.”
Expansion
Khan did state that should a streaming offer come along he would consider expanding the PPV calendar, but the events mentioned above would still be considered the big five.
“I think for us right now, the way we’re doing pay-per-view makes sense, but if the right offer came along on streaming to expand the calendar, that’s something we have the capacity to do. I would only want to do it if we can make sure that we keep Revolution, Double or Nothing, Forbidden Door, All Out, and Full Gear as premium, top-end events like they are right now.”
AEW holds its Revolution pay-per-view event on March 5, 2023. Transcribed by Fightful
Last year, Cody Rhodes shocked the wrestling world when he jumped ship from AEW to WWE. He made his return after 7 years at WrestleMania 38.
He famously wrestled with a torn pectoral at the 2022 Hell in A Cell before having surgery. Rhodes returned at this year’s Royal Rumble to enter the Rumble match at #30. He battled with Gunther to win the Rumble and become the #1 contender for Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39.
Matt Hardy’s Comments
(via AEW)
On the latest episode of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Hardy said he was “very proud of him.” He reflected on their time together during in Jacksonville during the Pandemic Era. Due to spending so much time at Daily’s Place and “filming Dark until 2 AM”, Hardy and Rhodes spent a lot of time together.
“It was cool, man. I thought Cody killed it when we first came into WWE. I think him leaving AEW and going to WWE — the first major jump from an AEW to WWE deal — I think it’s good for business. I think it’s good for interest, I think it’s good for wrestling fans, I think it’s good for the entire biz, just in general.”
“So I was very happy for him to come back and I was happy that he won the Royal Rumble. And I think he’s the guy that should have won the Royal Rumble. I like that direction. And I’m really interested to see what him and Roman are going to do at Mania.”
WrestleMania 39 takes place in Los Angeles on April 1 and 2.
Last Saturday, Dijak challenged Wes Lee for the NXT North American Championship at NXT Vengeance Day.
While he came up short in his quest to get the title and suffered a gruesome looking injury, he is doing something really cool. Dijak wore a custom entrance jacket that read “Reach for the Sky” in red font.
He tweeted “At Vengeance Day I was very proud to honor the legacy of my friend Jay Briscoe.” Dijak announced that he will be auctioning off the jacket with 100% of the funds going to the Pugh (Briscoe) family.
At Vengeance Day I was very proud to honor the legacy of my friend Jay Briscoe. I am auctioning my ring worn jacket to raise money for his family. Visit https://t.co/krSvzZ7ard for more details or submit a bid to [email protected]. Silent auction ends 2/14 @ 10pm EST. pic.twitter.com/v1vYBXxR7s
In addition to the entrance-worn ring jacket, the auction winner will also be followed by Dijak on a “social media platform.” The silent auction is open until 10 PM ET on February 14.
Dijak tweeted on February 15 that $3000 was donated directly to the Pugh family. He also thanked Triple H, Shawn Michaels, WWE, and NXT for allowing him to honor his friend.
And a special thanks to @ShawnMichaels, @TripleH, and everyone else involved in @WWE and @WWENXT for allowing me this platform to pay tribute to my friend. Also @MANIACLUBWWE for helping me to organize the fundraiser. Eternally grateful.
Randy Orton remains optimistic about a possible return to the ring, despite the injury that has cost him nearly a year of his career.
Orton hasn’t wrestled since May of 2022 due to a debilitating back injury and there have been questions as to whether he’ll ever wrestle again.
The Viper’s most recent match saw himself and Matt Riddle lose the Raw Tag Team Championships to SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos, who unified the two titles.
Taking Steps
This ongoing hiatus is the longest injury in Orton’s 20+ year career as part of the main roster.
Pro wrestling bootmaker Jose G Sanz posted an Instagram story where he stated that Orton recently contacted him about making boots for his return.
“I haven’t made them yet but Randy Orton contacted me via email for his return. Currently, Drew McIntyre and Bray Wyatt are some of the biggest superstars. Today I received an order for boots for Cody for Wrestlemania.”
Before knowing the severity of Orton’s condition, WWE had planned on the Viper challenging Roman Reigns at SummerSlam 2022.
Feud with Riddle
There’s still no confirmed date for Orton’s in-ring return (if it ever happens,) but WWE may already have a plan.
When RK-Bro formed in 2021, the initial plan was for Orton to betray Riddle and have a match at SummerSlam 2021.
Given the team’s popularity with fans, WWE held off on the turn, with the match postponed until WrestleMania 38, but the break up was again postponed.
Riddle hasn’t appeared for WWE since last December after suspending the promotion’s wellness policy.
Popular AEW star Eddie Kingston is officially out of DEFY Wrestling’s Year6 event tonight.
After almost 20 years as a stalwart of the US indies scene, Kingston found new life in the wrestling mainstream back in 2020 when he debuted on AEW Dynamite. His gritty, authentic promos and character work have made him a fan favorite in the years since.
Kingston remains a constant presence on the independent scene, and was expected to butt heads with Artemis Spencer at tonight’s DEFY show. In a recent tweet from the promotion’s official profile, it was revealed that the Yonkers-born brawler has had to pull out due to an unspecified injury.
“[ BREAKING ] DEFY has learned that due to injury EDDIE KINGSTON will no longer be able to compete at tonight’s YEAR6. EDDIE is super bummed and we wish him a speedy recovery. We’ll have him back for a future event! DON’T FEAR, Defyance- a stacked card remains, 6 YEARS LOUD!”
[ BREAKING ]
DEFY has learned that due to injury EDDIE KINGSTON will no longer be able to compete at tonight's YEAR6.
EDDIE is super bummed and we wish him a speedy recovery. We'll have him back for a future event!
Earlier this week, Kingston had some incendiary words regarding AEW World Champion MJF, Oritz, and The House of Black, before essentially dissing the whole roster. For now, it’s hard to tell whether or not the expletive-laden rant was in kayfabe or if ‘The Mad King’ has genuinely had enough of his peers.
Kingston has had a lot of choice words for MJF in particular on social media of late.
Warning: the tweet below contain explicit content.
In a more humorous jab at ‘The Salt of the Earth’, Kingston likened the Long Islander’s controversial promo on this week’s Dynamite to one of WWE’s worst-ever angles. Backstage, after his match with rising star Konosuke Takeshita, MJF cut a shocking promo. He claimed to have been in a car crash with his then-girlfriend prior to junior prom back in high school. The champ then claimed he’d switched seats with her so it looked like she crashed the car.
For Eddie Kingston, the promo, rather than effective heel work, was reminiscent of the infamous Triple H/Kane rivalry from ’02. The notoriously tasteless angle involved a deceased cheerleader named Katie Vick who Kane had a bizarre, highly improbable history with. One portion of the bizarre story involved a fatal car accident.
Whether these tweets are all part of an angle Kingston’s working remains to be seen. It’s worth noting that a Kingston vs. MJF feud has been rumored for later this year.
Would you like to see an Eddie Kingston vs. MJF feud this year?
The IWGP World Heavyweight Title will be up for grabs at NJPW’s upcoming Battle in the Valley PPV event.
In case you missed it, NJPW held a NJPW World special event in the form of ‘The New Beginning in Japan’ earlier this morning (2/11/23). During the show’s main event, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada successfully defended his title against Shingo Takagi.
Following Okada’s victory, Okada called out Hiroshi Tanahashi, who came down to the ring and accepted Okada’s challenge for a title match at the company’s upcoming United States-based Battle in the Valley PPV event. Earlier in the event, Tanahashi claimed victory over Kenta in singles action, which apparently caught the eye of the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
NJPW Battle in the Valley Updated Card
Kazuchika Okada (C) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi — IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
KAIRI (C) vs. Mercedes Monè — IWGP Women’s Championship
Fred Rosser (C) vs. Kentha — NJPW Strong Openweight Championship
Zack Sabre Jr. (C) vs. Clark Connors — NJPW World Television Championship
Motor City Machine Guns (C) vs. World Class Wrecking Crew — NJPW Strong Tag Team Championship
Josh Alexander, Mascara Dorado, Rocky Romero, and Adrian Quest vs. KUSHIDA, Kevin Knight, Volador Jr., and The DKC
Tom Lawlor vs. Homicide — ‘Filthy’ Rules Match
Eddie Kingston vs. Jay White
Bobby Fish vs. David Finlay *Pre-show Match*
Alex Coughlin vs. J.R. Kratos *Pre-show Match*
Battle in the Valley takes place on Saturday, February 18 from the San Jose Civic Center in San Jose, California. In addition to the newly announced IWGP World Heavyweight Title match between Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi, the show will be headlined by the NJPW in-ring debut of the former Sasha Banks, who challenges fellow-former WWE star KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s Championship.
SEScoops’ report on The New Beginning in Japan can be found by clicking here.
Oney Lorcan has officially retired from in-ring competition and transitioned into a coaching role within WWE.
Former WWE star and Performance Center Head Coach Matt Bloom broke some news during a recent media appearance. The former Intercontinental Champion was a guest on an episode of the Monsters In The Morning show and confirmed that now-former NXT talent Oney Lorcan has retired from active competition and is now a full-time coach at the company’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
“My position now as a head coach, I oversee my coaches. I have an amazing staff, so I gotta give props to those guys. Terry Taylor, Fit Finlay, Robbie Brookside, Norman Smiley, Steve Corino, Alexander Winkler. As well as ‘Oney Lorcan’ Chris Girard, who just recently retired from being in the ring. Johnny Moss, and we have a few UK coaches that are on the cusp of being full-time coaches as well.”
Oney Lorcan Recently Returned to WWE
Oney Lorcan. Photo Credit: WWE.com
Oney Lorcan signed with WWE in September 2015 where he’d make his in-ring debut during a Halloween battle royal during an NXT house show. Lorcan wouldn’t make his on-screen debut until January 2016, in a losing effort against Rich Swann. Oney Lorcan would become a mainstay of NXT programming throughout his WWE tenure. Lorcan won the NXT Tag Team Titles alongside Danny Burch on the October 21, 2020 episode of NXT. WWE NXT General Manager William Regal would strip Lorcan and Burch of their titles during the March 23, 2021 episode of NXT after Burch went down with a shoulder injury.
Oney Lorcan requested and was granted his release from WWE in November 2021. Lorcan spent about a year outside of the company where he returned to the ring under his Biff Busick moniker and last competed in June 2022. Lorcan would return to WWE in October 2022 where he began reporting to the WWE Performance Center in a coaching role.
SEScoops has live coverage of WWE NXT every Tuesday night beginning at 8:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. PDT.
New Japan Pro Wrestling held its event The New Beginning in Osaka, on Feb. 11 at the Edion Arena Osaka in Osaka, Japan.
The event had the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada defend his title against Shingo Takagi. Okada’s match also marks the first title defense of his current reign. Another match on the card will have Jay White against Hikuleo in a Loser Leaves Japan match. Both wrestlers are rumored to be leaving NJPW, with the possibility of entering free agency.
The New Beginning in Osaka aired live on NJPW World. Fans can watch the event on video on demand by subscribing to NJPW World for $9.99.
If you would like more results for this week’s events in wrestling, please check back on our results section.
It would be an understatement to say that the storyline with The Bloodline and Sami Zayn is one of the most encapsulating stories of today. The many layers of this feud are intriguing to all sections of the wrestling audience. There aren’t many people who haven’t praised this saga. Per Zayn himself, every character of this tale understands that it will be remembered for a long time to come.
The Honorary Uce recently joined The Sick Podcast to talk about his feud with Roman Reigns and the story surrounding it. When asked how he feels being part of such an epic story, Zayn explained that it doesn’t seem so crazy when you’re in it:
“When you’re in it, it doesn’t seem that crazy. I think it’s one of those things where, because I’m in the middle of it. I’m so close to it that [it doesn’t seem crazy]. I realize that people are enjoying it.” said Sami Zayn, “I even see the reaction of like, people that are mildly into wrestling seem to be more drawn into wrestling as of late because of this story. I think it’s that kind of story that it’s actually brought some people even back which is amazing.
I can hear fans say, ‘Oh, I checked out of wrestling for a few years but then your feud with Kevin Owens brought me back or this story with The Bloodline brought me back.’ That’s a really rewarding thing to hear. For sure, I do realize that this is a very special story. I think everybody who’s performing in it at this point realizes, ‘Oh, yeah, this one will be remembered.'”
‘It Will Be Remembered’: Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn went on to explain how there are a lot of good wrestlers today and everyone can put on a good match. What’s harder is to create something that people will remember for a long time:
“What’s harder than doing something good is doing something memorable. If you can do something memorable in 2023, and I don’t even care what it is like, if it’s a podcast, if it’s a song, if it’s a viral thing [it doesn’t matter].
A lot of that stuff just comes and goes with the wind. Every day there’s a new one, every week there’s a new one. If you can do something with some lasting impact that people will talk about in 10-15 years, that’s huge. That’s huge nowadays. I think we stumbled onto something with this one. I think it will be remembered.”
You can check out Sami Zayn’s full interview below:
WrestleMania is going Hollywood once again, and the WWE is bringing back one of its most popular promotional ideas from years gone by.
WrestleMania 39 will be the first event of its name hosted in Los Angeles since WrestleMania 21 in 2005, which leaned heavily into the fact that the show was airing from Hollywood.
In the lead-up to the 2005 event, WWE aired several parody trailers featuring WWE talent don roles from some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.
According to Wrestle Votes, WWE is in the process of filming similar parody trailers for this year’s event, with names like The Miz, Drew McIntyre, the Street Profits, and others attached.
I’m hearing WWE has begun filming brand new “movie parody” promos similar to those from WrestleMania 21. Miz, McIntyre, Sheamus, Brutes & Street Profits all expected to be included in the promotion for “WrestleMania Goes Hollywood.”
There’s no word on which movies WWE plans on parodying as part of their latest promotional campaign for WrestleMania 39.
WrestleMania 39
The card for WWE’s biggest two nights of the year is coming together, and will be headlined by Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns Vs. Cody Rhodes.
Rhodes earned the title match by winning the Men’s Royal Rumble match, while Women’s Rumble winner Rhea Ripley will challenge SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair.
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair will take on the winner of next week’s Women’s Elimination Chamber match.
Matches rumored for WrestleMania 39 include Logan Paul Vs. Seth Rollins and United States Champion Austin Theory Vs. John Cena.
WWE WrestleMania 39 will take place on April 1 and April 2, making the fourth WrestleMania in a row to take place over two nights.
You never know when you may suffer an injury in wrestling. This is true for two NXT stars who have recently confirmed health woes on Twitter.
JD McDonagh revealed on Twitter that he is dealing with a detached retina in his right eye and he won’t be able to make an appearance at NXT Live Events this weekend:
@WWENXT fans attending Live Events in Tampa/Citrus Springs this weekend – Unfortunately, after a sneak attack on Tuesday, I’ve got a detached retina in my right eye. Waiting on a treatment plan, but I estimate a 10-14 day recovery time.”
.@WWENXT fans attending Live Events in Tampa/Citrus Springs this weekend – Unfortunately, after a sneak attack on Tuesday, I've got a detached retina in my right eye.
Waiting on a treatment plan, but I estimate a 10-14 day recovery time.
McDonagh competed in a match against Carmelo Hayes on NXT this past Tuesday. A returning Ilja Dragunov not only cost him the bout but he also attacked the Irish star after the bell.
Amari Miller Reveals Torn ACL
Amari Miller also took on her Twitter to reveal that she has a torn ACL. Miller confirmed that she is set for a surgery next week:
“I have torn my ACL and getting surgery next week. Life happens in the CRAZIEST way. Everything happens for a reason and I totally think everything lately has been a blessing in disguise for a powerful future.”
I have torn my ACL and getting surgery next week
Life happens in the CRAZIEST way. Everything happens for a reason and I totally think everything lately has been a blessing in disguise for a powerful future.
I will keep u all updated, minor setback for major COMEBACK
This week’s episode of SmackDown featured not one but three different dark matches, including one with Bray Wyatt.
The very first dark match took place even before the show went on air. It saw Butch taking on Imperium’s Giovanni Vinci. The Brawling Brute won this bout.
The second dark match after the show was over featured the New Day. The duo of Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston shared a moment with Michael Cole and Wade Barrett before making their way to the ring.
Post-#SmackDown dark match: New Day beat Dominik Mysterio and Damian Priest. Dom’s mom Angie is ringside, but there was no interaction. pic.twitter.com/8CpOEVELZY
The former tag team champions faced Judgement Day’s Dominik Mysterio and Damian Priest. The team of Kingston and Woods won this bout.
Bray Wyatt Wrestles After SmackDown
The final dark match of the night saw Bray Wyatt going up against LA Knight. The two SmackDown stars competed in a No Disqualification match.
The match was won by the Fiend after he put Knight through a table. The ending was very similar to their dark match last week.
Second post-#SmackDown dark match: Bray Wyatt beats LA Knight in a No Disqualification match. Miles better than their Lights Out match. pic.twitter.com/6pZ4VJ55fm
Wyatt did not make an appearance on this week’s episode of the Blue Branded Show. LA Knight was part of a backstage segment.
Apart from this, the SmackDown episode featured a #1 contender’s match in the main event and more. You can check out the full results of the show here.
WWE’s latest edition of Friday Night SmackDown went down on (2/10/23) from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut! (winner) defeated (three losers) to earn an Intercontinental Championship match against champion Gunther!
Paul Heyman and Sami Zayn Promo
Paul Heyman kicks off the show with both the Undisputed WWE Universal Championships in his hands. Heyman notes that he only offers spoilers, never predictions. Heyman polled the Connecticut crowd if they believe Sami Zayn could actually defeat Roman Reigns at Elimination Chamber…and a massive pop ensued. Zayn snuck up behind Heyman and said it’s not a prediction…but a spoiler that he’s going to become the new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion after he defeats Roman Reigns at Elimination Chamber.
The Banger Bros picked up the quick win after McIntyre drilled Adonis with his patented Claymore Kick which was followed up by a thunderous Brogue Kick by Sheamus for the 1-2-3.
Video packages hyping up the Viking Raiders, Valhalla, Karrion Kross, and Scarlett were shown.
Jimmy Uso was shown backstage trying to get ahold of his brother Jey ahead of their scheduled defense of their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles later tonight. Jimmy kept calling Jey but to no avail.
Lacey Evans def. Carmen Harress
Evans picked up the quick win over the local talent Harress after getting the latter to tap out to the Cobra Clutch.
Jimmy Uso was shown once again trying to call Jey, but much like earlier, to no avail.
Sonya Deville was shown backstage arguing with Adam Pearce. Chelsea Green interrupted the conversation and asked to speak to the SmackDown General Manager. Pearce decided to team both Deville and Green together to face the team of Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan, later tonight.
The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) (C) def. Ricochet & Braun Strowman — Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
Jey made his long-awaited return following the proceedings at the Royal Rumble between The Bloodline. The Usos picked up the win after Jey made a self-tag on a winded Jimmy and nailed Ricochet with a top rope Frog Splash for the 1-2-3!
The Usos were shown backstage following their successful title defense. Jimmy asked Jey if he was ‘in’ but Jey said he doesn’t know if he is before exiting. Paul Heyman was lurking in the background during the conversation.
Natalya cut an in-ring promo. Shayna Baszler interrupted Natalya and Nattie called Shayna a knock-off Ronda Rousey…and the actual Ronda Rousey’s music hit and the ‘Baddest Woman on the Planet’ is back! Shayna and Ronda attacked Natalya before Shotzi came down to try and make the save but Shayna and Ronda proved to be too much and stood tall.
Sami Zayn caught up with Jey Uso as the latter was making his way through the parking lot. Sami told Jey that he acknowledges him. Jey told Sami that he isn’t going to be safe there and needs to leave. The pair fist bumped before parting ways.
Madcap Moss and Emma prepared for Moss’ upcoming fatal-four-way match to determine the number one contender for Gunther and the Intercontinental Championship.
Michael Cole sat down with SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair. Cole and Flair previewed Charlotte’s upcoming title defense against the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble Match winner Rhea Ripley, which will go down at WrestleMania 39.
Madcap Moss def. Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar, and Karrion Kross — Intercontinental Championship Number One Contender’s Match
Moss picked up the surprising victory after Scarlett distracted Mysterio, which allowed Kross to dispatch of the former WWE Champion. Escobar came in and took out Kross before Moss crushed Mysterio with a diving elbow drop from the top rope for the 1-2-3!
This Fatal 4-Way Match is complete and utter chaos! ?
We then see Paul Heyman and Jimmy Uso backstage. Heyman said he received a message from the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, who ordered that both Jimmy and Jey to stay home next week during both SmackDown on Friday and the Elimination Chamber premium live event on Saturday night. Heyman said Reigns told him that sometimes you can see more things on TV than you do in-person. Heyman looked nervous to deliver the message while Jimmy was enraged as the show went off-the-air.
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Jade Cargill has been protected and pushed as a top star in AEW since signing with the promotion in 2020, where she was used in a top angle right out of the gate.
She made her in-ring debut by teaming with NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal in a win over Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet on an episode of AEW Dynamite in March 2021.
Since that match, she has gone on a lengthy winning streak and booked strongly as the TBS Champion, the only champion in the history of the title after she beat Ruby Soho in 2022.
However, she has yet to face any top-tier AEW talent, something she is looking to change. Cargill expressed her interest in wrestling for the AEW Women’s Title while speaking with Liam Crowley of ComicBook.com.
Bigger Goals
“I’m just going to give these ladies some time before I want to go for the big belt. That’s something that I want to accomplish. I want to go for the main belt, I know that’s for sure.”
Jade also shared her desire to mix it up with stars such as Britt Baker, Saraya, and Toni Storm.
“I wouldn’t say so soon because right now I’m just focused on getting reps and getting better. Having longer matches, better feuds, and actual storylines. However, I believe it’s time for me to start having storylines with a Britt Baker, or Jamie Hayter, or a Saraya, or Toni Storm and working those storylines. I know I can do it. I have the charisma to do it. If you stand me next to any of these ladies, the work, the look and the aura of who I am speaks for itself.”
This week’s episode of WWE Raw featured a heavily praised segment between Cody Rhodes and Paul Heyman that saw them both get emotional.
The promo segment was done to promote further Cody Rhodes challenging Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39.
Fightful Select had details on the backstage reaction to the promo that was said to have benefitted from looser scripting under Triple H compared to what he had been under Vince McMahon.
Those close to Heyman stated that he was surprised by Rhodes mentioning Dusty Rhodes getting booked by ECW in 2000 and that the family needed those bookings. People close to Cody stated they weren’t sure whether Heyman had been told how important the ECW bookings were to the Rhodes family in general.
The Reaction
Heyman wrote his part of the promo, while Cody wrote his. Those involved with the segment were very pleased with it, and WWE officials were thrilled with the content and the reactions from fans.
One WWE higher-up source told Fightful: “Cody Rhodes is a star, and Paul Heyman is a starmaker. They were in a difficult position, and made something that seemed like a manufactured booking decision become a personal, WrestleMania main event if it ends up going that direction.”
This week on Top Rope Nation, the crew discusses a wild week in both WWE and AEW. Primary topics on the show include Cody Rhodes’ much-talked about promo from WWE Raw, a spectacular edition of AEW Dynamite (with one major flaw), and a mailbag segment to close things out.
Each week, the video version of Top Rope Nation streams live to the SEScoops YouTube channel. You can join the live streams by subscribing to the channel and turning on notifications so you never miss a live broadcast. This will include a regular weekly edition of Top Rope Nation (typically Thursday nights), as well as reviews of all major WWE and AEW PLE/PPV shows.
On episode 284 this week, Ryan and Justin get into talking about Cody Rhodes’ prospects as a possible long-term babyface champion following WrestleMania. Plus, a discussion on what worked and didn’t work on Dynamite, as well as the plans for AEW Revolution. The mailbag segment includes questions on the best wrestling stage designs in history, guilty pleasures as a wrestling fan, AEW house shows, and much more.
You can watch the show via the embedded YouTube video at the top of this page. Additionally, you can listen to the audio-only podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever podcasts are found. You will also find an embedded audio player below.
EJ Nduka has some options regarding what he wants to do with his wrestling career.
The former WWE star worked the AEW Dark tapings on January 28 in Orlando, Florida, where he made his debut for the promotion. His loss to Konosuke Takeshita aired this week on Dark.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Nduka was offered a full-time AEW contract after the match. As of this writing, there is no word yet on if Nduka has signed the contract.
MLW aired his match with World Heavyweight Champion Alexander Hammerstone in a Last Man Standing main event for the MLW Underground premiere on REELZ.
Free Agency
His contract expired last month, but he went forward with finishing up with the promotion at the February 4th tapings. He is still one-half of the MLW World Tag Team Champions with Calvin Tankman. Their match with Juicy Finau and Lance Anoa’i of The Samoan SWAT Team is slated to air soon.
According to multiple reports, Nduka also has interest from MLW, WWE, and those in Japan. MLW officials have praised EJ in the past, while the former WWE star previously credited the promotion for giving him a chance when he needed it.
The former NXT star was let go in May 2021 after having been with the company since 2019. He made his MLW debut the following month when his non-compete clause expired.
Impact Wrestling’s upcoming No Surrender event recently had another star added to its line-up.
Former IWGP US Champion KENTA has been confirmed for the show. The colorful heel will tag with fellow Bullet Clubbers Chris Bey and Ace Austin to take on KUSHIDA, Chris Sabin, and Alex Shelley.
Sabin and Shelley, the Motor City Machine Guns, have both teamed with KUSHIDA in NJPW in the past. As the Time Splitters, the former 6-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and Shelley were a major act in New Japan’s junior tag team division.
Since joining New Japan back in 2019, KENTA has found new life as a despicable but often funny heel act. Betraying longtime pal Katsuyori Shibata to join the Bullet Club, the former Pro Wrestling NOAH ace has found his niche in NJPW as an upper midcard villain in recent years.
KENTA Set For Grudge Match In NJPW
Before he makes his way over to Impact, KENTA will lock horns once again with his nemesis in New Japan: Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Tanahashi, the long-running ace of NJPW before Kazuchika Okada, has been butting heads with KENTA since the 2019 G1 Climax. Last year, the pair’s on-and-off feud hit a new peak with a hard-bumping, bloody no-disqualification bout at Wrestle Kingdom 16. There, Tanahashi seemingly vanquished the GTS creator once and for all for the IWGP US Championship.
KENTA as US Champion.
However, at last year’s G1, KENTA got another win over the longtime babyface favorite. Needless to say, regardless of who wins at The New Beginning in Osaka tomorrow, this rivalry is likely far from over.
Considering New Japan’s penchant for booking grudge matches to set up title challengers, the winner here could enter a singles championship race. Whether it’s the US, NEVER or World Heavyweight Championship remains to be seen.
Which show are you looking forward to more out of The New Beginning and No Surrender?
Seth Rollins has doubled down on his recent comments about All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star and ex-WWE Champion CM Punk.
Prior to the Royal Rumble, Rollins was asked in an interview about his thoughts on Punk potentially returning to WWE. Rollins was completely against the idea, calling Punk a “cancer” and telling him to stay away.
He also went as far as saying he flat out doesn’t like Punk, calling him a “jerk.” Recently, Rollins was a guest on Covino & Rich to discuss several professional wrestling topics. During the conversation, Rollins was asked about his comments on Punk.
Rollins explained that his dislike for Punk is similar to Logan Paul, labelling both as selfish in their intentions.
“Look, the bottom line is it’s the same thing as with Logan Paul. Punk and Logan Paul are two different personalities, but they’re both as selfish as it comes. If you’re not going to help, then I don’t want you to be part of our industry. I don’t want you to be part of our company, and that’s all that there is to that.”
(WWE)
“The Architect” did give Punk credit, however, for what he has done for the industry in the past. He explained that it pains him to speak ill of Punk, especially after how nice he was to him early on in his career. However, the past several years Punk has been in a different headspace.
“Here’s the thing, I will say one thing about Punk, I’ll end it on a positive note with him. That guy has given my career so much that it pains me to have to say bad things about him because he helped me out. He really did.
“He’s been a good guy to me for a lot of my career, but for whatever reason, the past maybe six, seven years, he’s in a different headspace, and we’re not on the same page and to see kind of what he’s done and taken and taken, it’s always been about him.
“I’m not a fan. I’m just not a fan of it. There’s a place for him, man. He’s got a lot to give. I just wish his head was in the right spot.”
Rollins is currently gearing up to challenge for the United States Championship inside the Elimination Chamber. The action goes down at the Elimination Chamber PLE on February 18 from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The trailer for Fast X, the tenth film in the Fast & Furious Saga, has been released.
The franchise regulars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang and Scott Eastwood are back for the film.
Returning cast members include Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw, John Cena’s Jakob Toretto, Helen Mirren’s Magdalene “Queenie” Ellmanson-Shaw, and Charlize Theron’s Cipher.
New cast members include Jason Momoa and Brie Larson. Momoa portrays a villain named Dante, while Larson plays a new character named Tess. Michael Rooker, Daniela Melchior, Alan Ritchson, and Rita Moreno have also joined the cast.
The film is directed by Louis Leterrier (Clash of the Titans and The Incredible Hulk) while it’s produced by Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Justin Lin, Jeff Kirschenbaum, and Samantha Vincent. The executive producers are Joseph M. Caracciolo, Jr., David Cain, Chris Morgan, Amanda Lewis and Mark Bomback.
The Synopsis
The synopsis of the film reads like, “Dante’s plot will scatter Dom’s family from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Portugal to Antarctica. New allies will be forged and old enemies will resurface. But everything changes when Dom discovers that his own 8-year-old son is the ultimate target of Dante’s vengeance.”
WWE announced the following on Friday, February 10:
UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW ADDS STOPS IN LAS VEGAS AND LOS ANGELES AHEAD OF WRESTLEMANIA 39
Tickets For Both Events Go On Sale Tuesday, February 14
STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 10, 2023 – WWE® (NYSE: WWE) today announced that the critically acclaimed UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW will add stops in Las Vegas and Los Angeles ahead of WrestleMania 39. The one-man show featuring WWE Legend The Undertaker will take center stage at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Friday, March 24 and The Novo at LA Live on Friday, March 31.
UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW will feature “The Phenom” in an intimate setting, sharing never-before-heard stories from his Hall of Fame career and taking questions from the WWE Universe in attendance. The show has sold out venues in Nashville, Philadelphia, Boston and San Antonio since debuting last summer.
Tickets for UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW go on sale this Tuesday, February 14 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets can be purchased via ticketmaster.com for the March 24 show in Las Vegas and via axs.com for the March 31 show in Los Angeles. A limited number of VIP tickets, which includes premier seating and a meet-and-greet with The Undertaker, will also be available for each show.
WrestleMania goes Hollywood during a special two-night Premium Live Event on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Limited tickets are still available for the biggest WWE event of the year via Ticketmaster.com and the two-day premium live event will stream live exclusively on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.
Kamille will be the first to tell you that she isn’t the same pro wrestler she was more than 600 days ago when she first won the NWA women’s championship. “The Brickhouse” has evolved and taken from every experience in the ring.
With every defense, confidence grows for the impressive athlete. Chelsea Green, KiLynn King, Taya Valkyrie, Max The Impaler, Jennacide, and the list goes on and on. Coming up is one of the former softball standout’s biggest tests to date in the form of veteran and multi-time women’s champion Angelina Love at Nuff Said on pay-per-view.
Despite a long travel day to Tampa a few days before the show, Kamille made the drive to WWE superstar couple Natalya and TJ Wilson’s training space for a last-minute session.
“It was great,” she said. “Me and Nattie, it’s one of those things where we have been friends on Instagram but never really gotten the chance to sit down and talk. Being able to get in the ring with someone like her. First off, her family lineage with the Hart family. To learn from her not only in the ring but hear what she thinks about the business side of things. I’m very grateful they let me join in.”
Kamille’s Road to Greatness
Kamille certainly came in with a tremendous look, but she knew early she’d have to put in the work to succeed. She really entered pro wrestling seven years ago. Cutting her teeth on the independent scene and joining the NWA at the end of 2018 as Nick Aldis’ insurance policy.
“I didn’t start wrestling matches until 2020 and then COVID. Then really getting into it at the beginning of 2021,” she contends.
It has been an on-the-job training experience for Kamille. NWA head Billy Corgan had given her the ball in the form of the women’s championship, and she has been running with it ever since. Momentum continues to build as Kamille continues to put in the work to be her very best.
“I went from having four squash matches in NWA to now having these championship-worthy matches,” she said. “I won [the championship] from Serena Deeb. Getting in there with someone who had been in the business for so long. Not only is she an amazing wrestler but an amazing person.
“I actually texted her to just say thank you for setting me up for my entire run. Every match I’m learning something new. I’m working with someone different. And different styles. It is on-the-job training. There are going to be hiccups but you learn from them and keep going. I definitely think now I can go in there with anyone in the world.”
She cites facing Leyla Hirsch at EmPowerrr and Taya Valkyrie at NWA 74 in the main event as benchmarks. The latter made her feel, “You can do this. You were meant for this.” Speaking of EmPowerrr, Kamille wants to see a sequel but also believes absence makes the heart grow fonder.
“I think the fact it didn’t happen last year will make the next one more special because people want it now,” she explained. “I can’t wait to see what sorts of talent are out there. You have talent from all different companies coming together. I hope we have that same dynamic of everyone working together and seeing matches you wouldn’t normally see.”
Kamille on Charlotte Flair being a Dream Opponent
And if that proverbial “forbidden door” opened, Kamille has one particular opponent in mind. A WWE queen.
“Businesswise and putting butts in seats and people wanting to see it, it would have to be Charlotte Flair,” she responded when asked who she would face if she had her way down the line. “She is the best in the world. I think we would have a good backstory and story that could lead into it. Getting in there with someone who is so talented could help me learn and grow. And it’s something people would want to see. I believe we are around the same size, so I think the dynamic of that would be very interesting.”
Angelina Love and NWA Nuff Said
Despite having that dream match in mind, Kamille remains focused on her next big defense against Angelina Love. Respect remains for the challenger.
“The fact is Angelina is a veteran. She has been doing this for a long time. When she was part of TNA, she was a needle mover. She got people watching,” she said. “I think she surprises a lot of people because not only is she beautiful but so talented as well and intense. Her as my opponent, I know I’m bigger and have the advantage in that way. But she has that veteran status. I’ve never been in a no-DQ match. I’m sure she has been in a few scuffles here and there. She might have that advantage over me. I think it will come down to who wants it more. It is going to be a fight.”
NWA Nuff Said is available exclusively through FITE TV. It is available for preorder now for $24.99.
Two cities in the United States are currently being eyed up by the WWE for blockbuster events in the near future.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the WWE are reportedly looking at both Atlanta, Georgia and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Interestingly, Atlanta was expected to host Day 1 last month but the event was ultimately cancelled, with Royal Rumble resuming its role as the first PLE of the year.
Minneapolis, meanwhile, has the US Bank Stadium. The home of the Minnesota Vikings was opened in 2016 and boasts a whopping 73,000 capacity. Nearer the time of its initial opening, WWE had reportedly considered it for a future WrestleMania. Considering today’s news, it’s not implausible that such an announcement might be made in the near future.
Why Did WWE Cancel This Year’s Day 1 Event?
Last year, the WWE kicked things off with a bang with a brand new PLE in Day 1. The main event saw Brock Lesnar get his hands on the WWE Championship in a five-way bout after he pinned then-defending champ Big E.
Brock Lesnar
The event was initially slated to host another instalment in WWE’s long-running Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns rivalry. Reigns was forced to pull out due to illness, leading to ‘The Beast’s WWE Title win and the title-for-title main event at last year’s WrestleMania between them.
This year’s Day 1 event was expected to happen at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. However, WWE’s streaming partner Peacock cancelled the event due to it coinciding with a Sunday night football game being televised by parent company NBC.
Initially promoted as having Brock Lesnar bout on the card, the cancellation of the show was considered disappointing by many fans. For now, WWE’s attempt at kicking off a year immediately with a PLE appears to be on hold.
Mercedes Moné may be one of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s highest-paid attractions, but she isn’t close to earning what was initially believed.
The former Sasha Banks debuted for the promotion at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in January of this year and confronted KAIRI.
Moné’s appearance at Wrestle Kingdom was the ex-Superstar’s first wrestling appearance after walking out of Monday Night Raw in May 2022.
Payment
As one of the biggest names of WWE’s women’s division, it should come as no surprise that Moné is being paid well by NJPW’s parent company Bushiroad.
Upon her arrival, it was reported that Moné was the highest-paid wrestler per appearance, earning more than Chris Jericho in 2018.
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that Moné is not making more than Jericho did, adding that “it’s not even close.”
Meltzer added that “the money is not at the level she could get with WWE or AEW.”
Instead of the money, Meltzer suggested that Moné opting to work with Bushiroad is a ‘bucket list’ item being fulfilled: to work with the top Japanese female wrestlers in her prime.
Meltzer added that Moné does have “far more freedom to explore acting or other businesses” than if she’d stayed with WWE.
The Future for Mercedes Moné
Moné’s first match for New Japan will come next week when she challenges KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s Championship at NJPW Battle in the Valley.
It has been reported that NJPW is already planning a second match between the two, one that is likely to take place at the famed Sumo Hall in Japan.
Some in WWE reportedly believe that Moné will be back in the company within a year or two, once she gets this run out of her system.
WWE’s next Hell in a Cell match may be a matter of weeks away according to the latest report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
In late 2022, it was reported that WWE was planning a Cell match between Edge and Finn Balor, that was scheduled to take place at the Royal Rumble PLE.
That match didn’t happen, and both men competed in the Men’s Royal Rumble match which was won by Cody Rhodes.
In the Observer, it is explained that WWE did plan on the Hell in a Cell match last month, but Edge’s acting commitments kept it from happening.
It is added that the match is a “possibility” for WWE WrestleMania 39 in April.
Edge and Balor will be on opposite teams for next week’s Elimination Chamber event, where they will team with Beth Phoenix and Rhea Ripley respectively.
Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania
While the Hell in a Cell match has been a WWE staple for over 25 years, the match has only happened three times at WrestleMania.
At WrestleMania 15, The Undertaker defeated the Big Boss Man, extending the Phenom’s WrestleMania winning streak to 8-0.
It wouldn’t be until WrestleMania 28 that the Cell returned to WWE’s biggest event, when The Undertaker defeated Triple H.
At WrestleMania 32 in 2016, The Undertaker once again emerged victorious inside the Cell, this time against Shane McMahon.
The Future of Hell in a Cell
The Hell in a Cell match is one of the more graphic stipulations WWE uses, though matches over the past decade have been somewhat lacking.
Fans have taken issue with the Hell in a Cell match having a PLE, believing it has lessened the significance of the structure.
Last year, it was reported that the Hell in a Cell PLE is “completely dead” in an edict by WWE’s Head of Creative Triple H.
A veteran of nine Cell matches, the Game believes that match should be used when it makes sense, rather than WWE forcing a Cell match “just because it’s October.”
