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Dreamwave Wrestling Uprising Results: Brittnie Brooks vs. Masha Slamovich, Miyu Yamashita vs. Shazza McKenzie

Tyriece Simon
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Independent wrestling promotion Dreamwave Wrestling had its first all-female show on December 8 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in LaSalle, Illinois. In the main event, Impact Wrestling star Masha Slamovich challenged Brittnie Brooks for the Dreamwave Women’s Championship. 

Brooks faced a difficult challenge in her first title defense as she took on one-half of the Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champions(alongside Killer Kelly). She won the Dreamwave Women’s Championship by defeating Zayda Steel at Dreamwave Follow Your Hart on October 14. 

Dreamwave Uprising Brittnie Brooks vs. Masha Slamovich

Since her title win, Brooks has stayed relatively inactive in her wrestling career. She’s had four matches in which she has been on the losing side. However, she turned it around with a big win over Slamovich to retain the Dreamwave Women’s Championship.

Another match on the card featured a matchup between Miyu Yamashita and Shazza McKenzie. Yamashita was coming into tonight’s contest with momentum after defeating Demi Exo at Major League Wrestling One Shot on December 7 for the Princess Of Princess Championship. While Yamashita went into the match with extra confidence, McKenzie was motivated to get the win. 

The match went back and forth, but Yamashita won. 

Fans must subscribe to Independent Wrestling TV for $10 to watch the event. 

Dreamwave Uprising Match Card Results

  1.  Maggie Lee def. J-Rod 
  2.  Sierra def. Zamaya via DQ
  3. Rebecca J Scott def. Heather Reckless
  4. Shelly Benson & Ivy Malibu def. The Hale Twins (Sage & Briar Hale)
  5. Zayda Steel def. Xia Brookside
  6. Emi Sakura def. Hyan
  7. Miyu Yamashita def. Shazza McKenzie
  8. (C) Brittnie Brooks def. Masha Slamovich to retain the Dreamwave Women’s Championship 

Possible Spoiler On WWE’s Plan For CM Punk During 12/8 WWE SmackDown

Aaron Varble
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CM Punk’s return to WWE sent shockwaves throughout the pro wrestling world. WWE fans were more than excited to welcome the Second City Savior back, and he will grace the SmackDown brand this week for their December 8th episode. Now we have a bit of a spoiler about what they are planning for this week.

WWE has a lot of plans in motion, and they are shifting some things after CM Punk’s arrival. A huge name like his will certainly carve out a substantial spot for himself on the WrestleMania 40 card.

Wrestle Votes noted that CM Punk is set to really amp up his WrestleMania direction on the December 8th episode of WWE SmackDown. It was noted that Punk will cut a promo, but it wasn’t spoiled who the target will be.

I’m told CM Punk’s in ring segment tonight on SmackDown will focus on his desire to “main event” WrestleMania 40. It’s clobbering time….

CM Punk never got that WrestleMania main event match during his last run in WWE. He may have returned during the perfect time to capture that WrestleMania moment for himself in 2024. 

CM Punk has garnered praise since his return to WWE. Even Jey Uso said that Punk is on “a Tribal Chief status” in his reaction to Punk’s comeback. Fans have stood behind Punk, and they have also bought a ton of merchandise. 

CM Punk is a free agent, so that gives WWE the freedom to have him float between main roster brands. All signs point to Punk mixing it up with Seth Rollins on RAW first, but fans may see some very important WrestleMania seeds planted on WWE SmackDown this week. 

What’s your take on CM Punk appearing on WWE SmackDown this week? Are you watching the show live? Let us know what you think by engaging with us on social media! 

Surprising Name Spotted Backstage At 12/8 WWE SmackDown

Aaron Varble
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WWE is on the long road to the Royal Rumble on January 27th, and you never know who may show up. Fans might see a familiar face on SmackDown this week, because a WWE Hall of Famer is around who has been known to mix things up.

A former WWE Champion is present backstage at today’s WWE Smackdown in Providence, Rhode Island. It was reported on Fightful Select that Corey Brennan has learned that former WWE Champion John Bradshaw Layfield is at the show. 

As of this writing, “It’s unclear as of now whether or not he’ll appear on-screen.” JBL hasn’t been around the WWE main roster in a while, but you never know if he could start a new run with the company. Even if he’s just around to visit, JBL is always welcome backstage in WWE. 

JBL was paired up with Baron Corbin earlier this year, and they had a nice run as a duo. As much as he tried, JBL wasn’t able to make a champion out of Corbin. That partnership ended, and JBL really rubbed salt in the wound upon his exit. 

JBL last appeared on WWE programming on November 21, announcing the qualifiers for the Iron Survivor Challenge for NXT Deadline. That was a nice treat to see JBL on NXT television. Lita, Mick Foley and Jerry Lawler also appeared in those segments to announce Iron Survivor Challenge qualifier matches.

We will have to see if JBL shows up on WWE SmackDown this week. We will have coverage of the show, here at SE Scoops. 

What’s your take on JBL showing up backstage at SmackDown this week? Do you want to see more from him on WWE programming? Let us know what you think in the comments section! 

Bryan Danielson Cracking Down on AEW Talent’s Social Media Behavior

Aaron Varble
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AEW has a lot of things going on, and Tony Khan has delegated responsibility to people he trusts to execute the job. It appears that Bryan Danielson has a huge role backstage in AEW, one that really matters for those who want to ruffle feathers.

We previously reported that Mike Santana dropped a snarky post on X about getting fined. This happened right after he posted and deleted something about his absence from AEW television. It seems that Bryan Danielson was behind that fine.

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that Bryan Danielson has taken on the role in AEW of monitoring talent’s social media activity. He is now responsible for handing out fines as well.

If someone poisons the social media water hole, Bryan Danielson is one of those responsible for laying down the law. Fightful Select reported last week that Danielson was effectively the face of the disciplinary committee in AEW, and that it extended to laying out fines when necessary.

Bryan Danielson is known for his limited presence on social media, but it is reported that he has played a role in imposing fines for social media behavior recently. The focus of these fines is on maintaining AEW’s professional image, which can include actions like retweets and likes. There is no information suggesting that fines are frequent.

The report also noted that Bryan Danielson has taken charge of various meetings, including discussions about CM Punk’s termination after AEW All In this year, addressing interview conduct earlier this year, and a talent meeting last year following the Brawl Out incident.

AEW officials are also reportedly enthusiastic about the Bryan Danielson vs. Daniel Garcia match. We will have to see how Bryan Danielson continues in the Continental Classic, as he continues wearing multiple hats for AEW.

What’s your take on AEW putting Bryan Danielson in a position where he can issue fines to talent? Let us know what you think by engaging with us on social media!

Update On Arrested WCW Wrestler Evan Karagias

Dominic DeAngelo
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A former WCW star has a court date upcoming following an arrest on November 1.

Evan Karagias was arrested on charges of simple assault and injury to personal property, but posted $25,000 bound.

Karagias, a North Carolina resident from Gastonia, now has a court date set for those charges on January 2, 2024, according to PWInsider.

The former WCW talent is best known for being the main focus of the heel “boy band” faction, 3 Count. While a member of the group, Karagias became the WCW Cruiserweight Champion alongside Shane Helms and Shannon Moore. 

Karagias last wrestled in 2010, but unlike his 3 Count partners, never had a match with WWE.

The Pro Wrestling Trajectory Of WCW’s 3 Count

Even though Karagias was the top of the 3 Count trio in WCW, he arguably had the least notable career in the squared circle. Both Shane Helms and Shannon Moore had runs with WWE and also happen to be childhood friends of Matt and Jeff Hardy.

Helms really caught fire with his Hurricane Helms persona, becoming a multi-time Crusierweight Champion, both in WCW and WWE. Helms now works as a producer behind the scenes for WWE.

To this day, Shannon Moore remains an active talent in pro wrestling, but is more selective with his appearances. Moore’s pro wrestling road got rocky as much like his Hardy Boy brothers, battled substance abuse issues in the past. Now completely sober, Moore serves as a recovery counselor for celebrities, notably former athletes. He most recently appeared on an episode of Road Dogg’s podcast, “Oh … You Didn’t Know?”

LA Knight Laughs Off Report He Got Married This Week

Dominic DeAngelo
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Don’t worry, ladies, LA Knight is still on the market.

Instead of “I do” many fans were led to believe that LA Knight said “YEAH” to tying the knot this week as photos surfaced of him in a golden tuxedo standing by his girlfriend, Michelle Yavulla.

The photo, which could just as easily be taken for any kind of formal event, was captioned that Knight got married and much like any rumor, caught on like wildfire on social media.

Knight himself was certainly amused by the notion of his supposed nuptuals and took to social media to laugh them off.

“If anybody finds pictures from the wedding I’m hearing I was part of this week, I’m excited to see them! I must have blacked out, because i don’t remember any of it. Please send.”

LA Knight Has A Big Night This Week On WWE SmackDown

LA Knight will have a much different kind of “partner” this Friday night on WWE SmackDown as he’ll be teaming up with Randy Orton to take on Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa of The Bloodline.

Knight has had his fair share of feuding with the faction, considering Roman Reigns’ cousins helped to cost him his chances at winning the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship at Crown Jewel.

Orton himself is no stranger to feuding with The Bloodline as he blames the faction for being the ones to put him on the shelf for over a year. Orton just made his return at WWE Survivor Series and now has Roman Reigns in his sights, a fight that could very well go down at Royal Rumble 2024.

WWE Loosens Up About Arenas Also Working With AEW

Aaron Varble
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WWE and AEW often run the same markets, but there was an issue with Tony Khan’s company booking a lot of the same venues at times. It appears that issue is in the past. 

In June, Dave Meltzer noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE was actively trying to prohibit their venues from booking AEW events. It was written:

“There is an interesting note that in arenas that do rent to both AEW and WWE, WWE has put clauses in its deals that AEW can’t run a certain number of weeks before or after the WWE show, and also that AEW and the arena can’t announce the show or sell tickets until after the WWE show has taken place.”

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that WWE is no longer blocking AEW from running certain venues. The Coca Cola Coliseum in Toronto was cited as an example, because AEW just announced a show at that venue, despite the fact that WWE is running the same building. Dave Meltzer reports:

It is notable that the new owners are not as vigilant, or maybe because of the lawsuit, regarding AEW having dates get out and tickets put on sale in buildings they are running shows in. AEW announced its return to Toronto even though WWE has a show in the same Coca Cola Coliseum

WWE’s current antitrust lawsuit with MLW may have also played into the company altering their tactics. They used to have a much different mindset toward the idea of AEW running the same venues that they do.

Tony Khan has previously expressed his appreciation for competition in professional wrestling, but he emphasized the importance of ethical practices. During the press conference following Double or Nothing, he noted that this hasn’t always been the case “from the other side.” 

A WWE-imposed clause once restricted AEW from booking events seems to be a thing of the past now. We will have to see how this situation pans out in the future. 

AEW has been having apparent issues packing their houses in recent memory as well. Either way, WWE will not stop Tony Khan’s company from running those venues, as they have apparently altered their philosophy on the matter.

What’s your take on WWE no longer restricting venues from booking AEW shows? Let us know what you think by engaging with us on social media! 

Athena Unfazed by Broken Nose, Still Set to Wrestle at ROH Final Battle

Aaron Varble
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Tony Khan’s roster has a few injuries on it already, and some of those wrestlers are able to complete through the pain. It appears there is a new name on that list, as Athena is now injured with a big title defense ahead of her.

ROH Women’s Champion Athena posted on Twitter that she had sustained a broken nose. That was cause for alarm, but she stated that she would still be participating in next week’s Ring of Honor Final Battle pay-per-view.

Later on, Athena removed the tweet, but PW Insider reported confirming the authenticity of the injury. The current ROH Women’s Champion is injured, but that won’t keep her from wrestling. 

It seems that Athena incurred the injury during last week’s Collision and Ring of Honor taping in Montreal. She will be featured on the upcoming ROH episode on their streaming platform. While engaged in a scuffle with Billie Starkz, it is believed that Athena suffered the broken nose, possibly from being thrown into a guardrail or a ring post.

Athena’s deleted tweet mentioned that she had just received X-ray results confirming the broken nose. It appears that she will still wrestle Billie Starkz at Final Battle despite that setback.

We’re hoping that Athena has a speedy recovery, and it doesn’t cause too many issues for her upcoming match. You can check out the card for ROH Final Battle below.

ROH Final Battle 2023 Card: 

The following matches are set for ROH Final Battle 2023, which takes place Friday, December 15 from Garland, TX at the Curtis Culwell Center:

ROH Women’s World Championship Match: Athena vs. Billie Starkz

ROH World Television Championship Survival Of The Fittest Match: Dalton Castle vs. Komander vs. Kyle Fletcher vs. Lee Johnson vs. Lee Moriarty vs. TBD* 

I Quit Match: Tony Nese vs. Ethan Page

Wheeler Yuta, Bryan Danielson & TBD vs. FTR & Mark Briscoe

Keith Lee vs. Shane Taylor

Vince McMahon In Rare Form During Surprising Appearance At WWE Headquarters

Aaron Varble
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Vince McMahon shocked the pro wrestling world when he retired from WWE, a company he led for decades, only to come back and usher in a WWE sale. That sale never happened, but a merger did take place with the UFC, as Endeavor facilitated that corporate joining into TKO Group Holdings. Now, we have a new update on Mr. McMahon.

We previously reported that Vince McMahon has zero plans to leave WWE, despite selling so much company stock. He made that quite apparent with his most recent move by attending the company’s Holiday party. 

PW Insider reports that Vince McMahon made a very rare appearance at WWE headquarters this week.

Vince McMahon, who has not been seen much at WWE Headquarters of late, was at the company’s annual holiday party, which was held at the new HQ for the first time this past Wednesday evening.

It was reported that Vince McMahon, who wouldn’t usually attend the holiday party in the past, was present and actively engaged in conversations with numerous company employees. Several attendees described him as “easy to talk to” and “cordial.”

It was also reported that, unlike previous years, there were no WWE Superstars present at the event. Typically, there would be around four to six WWE talents at the gathering to meet and interact with employees. Instead, they got Vince McMahon, and it seemed that he was in a mood to socialize.

Following the Endeavor acquisition, Vince McMahon’s involvement in the company has significantly decreased, and he has been rarely seen at the new Headquarters. This was a rare sighting for Mr. McMahon around WWE HQ, but it seemed to be a good one.

Endeavor gave Triple H their blessing, and he is off to the races in his booking direction. Vince McMahon has virtually zero input in WWE creative now, but he still has a reason to stop by headquarters.

What do you think about Vince McMahon’s most recent sighting at the WWE Headquarters? Let us know your opinion by engaging with us on social media! 

Sami Zayn Has Been Granted Time Off From WWE

Aaron Varble
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WWE is making plans for the remainder of 2023, but they might not write anything for Sami Zayn at this point. The Underdog from the Underground may be getting a little break from the company.

Sami Zayn’s ascent in WWE was notable, and he remains one of the top Superstars on the red brand. After the December 4th episode of WWE RAW, he might be missing from the red brand for a stretch of time.

In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer noted that Zayn recently asked management for time off and that request was granted.

“It looked like they were doing an injury angle with McIntyre and Zayn when McIntyre stomped on Zayn’s bad knee. I don’t have it confirmed Zayn will be off for a while due to that, but do know that he had asked for time off recently and was granted it, but wasn’t told when that would begin…

He was not scheduled for 12/28 show in Laval, Quebec that would normally be built around him, as that was during the scheduled break, although it is possible they could have him do that show.”

Sami Zayn may get a little break from WWE as they kick off a new year. That will also mean that WWE will have to go without him as well. Sami Zayn’s profile as a WWE Superstar was certainly elevated over the last year, so they will lose a considerable amount of star power with his hiatus.

WWE also used that beatdown angle during the December 4th episode of WWE RAW to further Drew McIntyre’s storyline as a heel. He has a real mean streak going now, and it appears that took Sami Zayn out of action. Drew McIntyre’s contract situation is also an interesting discussion point.

Sami Zayn could get a break from WWE and still make his return to WWE by January 27th’s Royal Rumble premium live event. As it stands right now, he may get a little break from the road.

What’s your take on Sami Zayn missing time with WWE? Has he seen the biggest rise out of any Superstar in recent memory? Let us know what you think by engaging with us on social media.

Impact/TNA Partners With Endeavor On Revamped Streaming Service

Thomas Lowson
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IMPACT Wrestling (soon to be TNA Wrestling) is set to team with Endeavor to deliver its TNA+ on-demand streaming service. 

IMPACT will make the move to TNA Wrestling official next month with their TNA Hard to Kill 2024 pay-per-view. The change was announced in the closing moments of Bound for Glory 2023 this past October. IMPACT World Champion Alex Shelley recently told SE Scoops in an exclusive interview that the reaction to the name change has exceeded the expectations of those in IMPACT/TNA. 

In a statement, IMPACT Wrestling announced that Endeavor Streaming will power the new TNA+ app which will deliver “an enhanced user experience to all fans across the top streaming platforms.” The TNA+ service will come into effect on Friday, January 5, just eight days before TNA Hard to Kill 2024. The TNA+ app will feature a new look, expanded options and “increased functionality.” 

The TNA+ app will feature TNA’s full archive of content, in addition to exclusive original content and wrestler-created series. Users will even have the chance to interact with some of TNA’s top stars.

The New TNA+

IMPACT/TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore gave the following statement: 

“This is truly an incredible opportunity for us as we forge into an exciting new chapter of the TNA legacy. We are proud to partner with Endeavor Streaming on this initiative, and we look forward to continuing to provide our fans with the absolute best in new, classic and exclusive professional wrestling content, available to them anywhere, anytime, on their favorite devices, when TNA+ launches on January 5.”

Pete Bellamy, Chief Commercial Officer at Endeavor Streaming, added: 

“Wrestling fans are some of the most passionate in the world of sports and entertainment and TNA+ is the perfect ‘always-on’ personalised OTT service to help TNA build a deeper relationship with its global audience. We’re looking forward to working with TNA to deliver the best streaming experience for wrestling fans.”

Further details and subscription information for the new service can be found at TNAwrestling.com.

Endeavor is no stranger to the world of professional wrestling. In April of this year, the company reached a deal with WWE to acquire the Sports Entertainment juggernaut for $9.3 billion. This acquisition was finalized in September with the launch of TKO Group Holdings. 

WWE Considering NXT’s Tyler Bate For A Main Roster Call-Up

Thomas Lowson
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NXT Superstar Tyler Bate could be a main roster Superstar soon enough as a call-up could be in the works. 

Bate has been with WWE for some time now, and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that he could soon be on the main roster. There has been ‘talk’ of calling up the British Superstar, and the report adds that his size isn’t considered as big a deal now with Vince McMahon no longer running WWE’s creative department. It is stated that WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque is far more open-minded as to who can be a top star. 

Based on recent programming, Bate could be a SmackDown Superstar if he is called up to the main roster, as that is the current home of Butch. The pair have been both allies and enemies in WWE, and Bate was made an honorary Brawling Brute not too long ago. Butch is certainly in need of an ally right now, as he was recently abandoned by Ridge Holland and was attacked by Pretty Deadly on last week’s SmackDown. 

Bate has accomplished plenty in WWE already despite not making it to the main roster. In 2017, Bate became the first WWE United Kingdom Champion (later rechristened the NXT UK Championship). Bate was also the final holder of the title when the title was unified with the WWE NXT Championship at Worlds Collide 2022. 

Bate was also the only triple-crown champion in WWE NXT UK, having held the main championship, the NXT UK Tag Team Championships and the NXT UK Heritage Cup. In WWE NXT, he is a former NXT Tag Team Champion. 

Plans For Christmas Day Edition of WWE Monday Night Raw (Report)

Thomas Lowson
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The Superstars of Monday Night Raw will be able to spend Christmas Day with their loved ones rather than compete on the three-hour show. 

With Christmas Day falling on a Monday this year, there have been questions as to what this means for the red brand. In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was pointed out that no show is being taped for the December 25, episode of the red brand. Instead, the plan is for a ‘Best Of 2023’ show to fill the three hours instead. While WWE hasn’t publicly confirmed this plan, one executive told the Observer that to the best of his knowledge, the reports of a ‘Best Of’ show are accurate. 

WWE & Christmas Day

This news will come as a relief to the Raw roster, who would much rather spend the special day with friends and family than at work. In 2017, WWE hosted a live Christmas Day episode of Raw, meaning the 25+ Superstars who appeared on the show, in addition to the numerous crew members, had to be away from their families on Christmas Day. The practice earned WWE considerable backlash from fans at the time. 

That show saw some of WWE’s top Superstars appear across the three hours. In the opener, John Cena defeated Elias, while later in the show, Samoa Joe defeated Roman Reigns by disqualification. In the main event, Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins captured the Raw Tag Team Championships from The Bar. 

Get into the festive spirit with these five epic Holiday-themed moments. Click here to see what made the list. 

Tony Khan Facing Blowback Over Recent High-Profile AEW Departure

Aaron Varble
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AEW is apparently going through some changes, and that called for a big firing this week, one that left many in shock. Kevin Sullivan was fired from his position with Tony Khan’s company, and some are critical of this decision.

We previously reported that Kevin Sullivan was fired from AEW. Not to be confused with the wrestler Kevin Sullivan, AEW’s Sullivan joined AEW in October 2019, making him one of the organization’s most seasoned backstage figures. Prior to his time at AEW, he had an extensive background in the wrestling industry, having served as Vice President of Production and an executive producer during his tenure with IMPACT Wrestling.

Kevin Sullivan Departs AEW

In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer noted that Kevin Sullivan, who has been with AEW since they started the company, was fired in a surprising fashion. Nobody saw it coming, as Michael Mansury simply told Sullivan that they’re going in a new direction for 2024. Meltzer wrote:

“The story going around was Mansury told Sullivan that morning that they were moving in another direction in 2024.

Sullivan had no idea it was coming and was given no real explanation as to why, just that it was a Mansury decision.
People in the division didn’t even know that Mansury was Sullivan’s boss, noting that among those who worked in production that was never made clear.

The story in production is that nobody else was expected to be cut, but it was a team created by Sullivan so they are his guys.”

Tony Khan reportedly faced criticism within AEW due to a recent firing that surprised many in the company. Kevin Sullivan held the position of Vice President of Post Production, and his termination left people within AEW feeling shocked by the decision. Some wondered why Tony Khan didn’t step in and stop this from happening as well.

Kevin Sullivan had been with AEW since its early days, earning respect behind the scenes. He also had played a pivotal role in building the post-production team, primarily based in Nashville.

It appears that AEW is going to go in a different direction production-wise in 2024. They no longer needed Kevin Sullivan around to fulfill his duties. At this time, Sullivan’s firing is the only one that is expected, but he did leave a team of his curated guys behind in AEW.

What’s your take on AEW going in a different direction with production in 2024? How will that change things for fans watching at home? Let us know what you think by engaging on social media! 

Giulia’s Future Remains Uncertain Amid WWE Talks

Aaron Varble
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WWE has their eyes on the entire pro wrestling world, and Giulia has been on their radar for a while.

In early November, the pro wrestling world started buzzing over word that WWE had interest in signing Giulia. That initial report led to some confusion over whether the STARDOM and New Japan Pro-Wrestling star was actually a free agent and when she may be available to sign with another company.

In the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer that WWE and Giulia have spoken on several occasions. Sadly, the part about her going to Orlando’s WWE Performance Center for a visit wasn’t true in the end. That being said, she still hasn’t told anyone in Japan which way she is going with things.

Regarding Giulia, the update is that she has not made her mind up and that she and WWE have spoken several times of late. They’ve talked enough that there is something to the story, although the story she was going to the Performance Center at this time ended up not being accurate. But she has not told those in Japan that she’s staying nor that she’s leaving.

There’s no guarantee that Giulia will end up making her way to North America. Bushiroad, the parent company of STARDOM and NJPW, is likely to work hard to keep her. There is a lot of fuss over the 29-year-old breakout star right now, whose could become a free agent in a matter of months. 

WWE has a lot of money to throw at contracts for talent that they feel will benefit their operation. Someone like Giulia could see a lot of success in WWE, but she is also having quite a time in STARDOM at the moment.

Do you think WWE will end up signing Giulia to a contract? Would Triple H make good use of her? Let us know what you think about this by engaging with us on social media! 

Cora Jade’s WWE NXT Return is on the Horizon

Aaron Varble
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Cora Jade broke out as a star worth paying attention to in NXT, but she hasn’t been around since August. That break for Cora Jade is likely going to end very soon.

Cora Jade has missed a lot during her time away from NXT. Becky Lynch had a reign as NXT Women’s Champion, and she also missed the Iron Survivor Challenge match. Cora Jade has been away from NXT television for long enough at this point.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that Cora Jade’s hiatus from WWE television is expected to end “imminently.” She is expected to be back this weekend, which is perfect timing for Deadline. 

“Cora Jade is scheduled to return imminently, expected to be this weekend.”

WWE NXT will take place on Saturday, December 9, at 7:30 PM in the Total Mortgage Arena located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. We will have coverage here at SEScoops, and Cora Jade’s return to NXT television may just go down during that event.

Cora Jade’s most recent match took place on July 25, 2023, as she faced off against Dana Brooke in a Kendo Stick match. Dana Brooke won that battle, and Jade walked out of the locker room a short time later. Dana Brooke was later released by WWE, so it looks like Cora Jade isn’t getting that win back. 

Cora Jade and Bron Breakker are still in a relationship, and she’s been very active on social media. Many fans may notice a change in Cora Jade’s appearance after her return, but odds are she will have even more determination to reach the top of WWE’s third brand.

Do you miss Cora Jade on NXT television? Should she come back and go right after the NXT Women’s Title? Let us know what you think by engaging on social media! 

Seth Rollins Explains His Beef With CM Punk

Bishal Roy
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WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins recently decided to spill the tea on his growing frustration with CM Punk.

CM Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames PLE and it sent shockwaves through the industry. The pro wrestling fraternity was left stunned and saw some wonderful reactions to his comeback as many had ruled out his return to the company. 

Fans were ecstatic to witness ‘The Best In The World’ return to Chicago except for Seth Rollins. ‘The Visionary’ was livid to see Punk and in a fan-recorded footage, Rollins was even spotted flipping off Punk and had to be held back. 

Soon, the fans speculated the reason behind Seth’s outrage towards ‘The Second City Savior.’ 

Speaking with Sports Illustrated Media, Seth Rollins explained the reason behind his reaction at the show. 

‘The Visionary’ claimed that Punk badmouthed him for years and made some harsh remarks that did not sit well with Rollins. He further said that he felt insulted by the way Punk treated him. Here is what he said:

“He (CM Punk) said some really bad things about me. Talked down about me for years, and the company (WWE), for years. I’m talking some really bad stuff. Called me a bootlicker and crap like that.
You don’t know me. You don’t know what I stand for. I’m a loyal person, and I felt pretty insulted by a lot of the ways he treated me, treated the place I work for, treated friends that I worked with.
I don’t need to get into any of the stuff with Colt Cabana if you want to look at that kind of stuff, that’s out there”

This week, Punk will appear on the Tribute to the Troops edition of WWE Smackdown. He will then appear on next week’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw and will receive a contract from Raw General Manager, Adam Pearce. This will put an end to his current free-agent status and officially join the red brand. 

It will interesting to see the development of the feud between Rollins and Punk.

As it stands, it’s just the beginning of their feud. If recent reports are to be believed, Punk could be in line for a feud with the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns as well.

Drew McIntyre Contemplating Break from WWE Instead of Signing New Deal

Aaron Varble
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Drew McIntyre’s recent heel turn provided a breath of fresh air for his character, but the real question is how much longer WWE will have him around. Despite his current run on top of the red brand, McIntyre’s future in WWE is uncertain. 

In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer stated that, much like Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre’s WWE contract was also frozen during his injury hiatus. This will ensure that the former WWE Champion will be with the company “through WrestleMania.” 

It was also noted that Drew McIntyre hasn’t signed a new deal with WWE yet. At this time, he is considering some time off, but there was also doubt that he would sit out any considerable amount of time due to his current momentum. 

“In the case of McIntyre, as of this week, there was nothing new as far as what he was looking at doing. He’s considered a number of things, including taking time off to be with his family that he’s seen little of for so long. But he’s also in his prime earning years with the chance to probably make the most money in his career”

Drew McIntyre has made a name for himself outside WWE before, so he might just do that again. Saying that you want some time off for your family is also a good way to let your contract expire, even if there are All Elite intentions.

Drew McIntyre got fans talking when he stormed off after WarGames at Survivor Series. He was working, so that reaction was not authentic. The fact that he got the internet talking in such a way only further drives home his influence. 

Tony Khan would almost certainly love to have the Scottish Psychopath on AEW television. Drew McIntyre has also worked with several members of the AEW locker room in the past, so it’s anyone’s guess what he will do next.

Drew McIntyre will be around WWE “through WrestleMania,” so fans can likely expect a program for him on the road to the show of shows in 2024. Then McIntyre will be at a very important crossroads for his career.

What’s your take on Drew McIntyre’s contract situation? Where do you think he will land next? Let us know what you think by engaging with us on social media! 

Undertaker’s ‘1 DeadMAN Show’ Headed to WWE Royal Rumble Weekend

Michael Reichlin
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WWE has announced The Undertaker is bringing his ‘1 deadMAN SHOW’ to Royal Rumble weekend.

The show will take place on Sunday, January 28 from Bilheimer Capitol Theatre in Clearwater, Florida, the day after the Royal Rumble at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

About The Show

The Undertaker’s 1 deadMAN Show

UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW features the WWE Hall of Famer in an intimate setting, sharing never-before-heard stories and answering questions from the audience.

The show has sold out venues in Nashville, Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Antonio and London since debuting.

Tickets

If you’re in town for the Royal Rumble, this could be a great way to cap off your weekend. Tickets will be available to purchase next Friday, December 15 at RutheckerdHall.com. 

An exclusive pre-sale will begin at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, December 14. A limited number of VIP tickets, which includes premier seating and a meet-and-greet with The Undertaker, will also be available.

Billy Gunn Will Walk Away the Moment He Feels He Can’t Perform

Thomas Lowson
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There’s no secret as to how Billy Gunn can compete at the level he currently displays, according to the AEW Trios Champion.

At 60 years old, Gunn is the oldest champion in AEW, and likely the oldest star on the roster. Despite this, the tag team specialist continues to wow fans with a performance you’d expect to see from talent decades younger than the former King of the Ring. Speaking to the A2TheK Wrestling show, Gunn was asked what his secret is. 

“I wish I had one, I wish I had a secret I can tell. It’s just, the last [year] I just focus more on me staying healthy. I’ve never, luckily for me, I’ve nd Dr done any sort of crazy stunts. Other than bumping a lot which, yeah it has it’s wear and tear, but I just really focus a lot on my training and my food and all that. I have great people around me so it’s just as long as I’m going to do this, I want to make sure I can perform at the level that makes me happy. Because if I don’t, then I just want to walk away. Though my kids and wife will say different, I’m walking away.”

When asked if he has a retirement date in mind, Gunn made it clear he doesn’t intend to plan that far in advance.

“I don’t really look at things like that. It’ll just be when it’s right. When it’s done, it’s done. There’s no time schedule, I can’t go ‘Hey, All In in London next year will be [my last match]. My brain doesn’t function like that. My brain and me tell my body I can wrestle until I want to. Which I know is not really a thing… But me not doing something doesn’t really enter my mind.”

Gunn’s most recent match took place on the November 4, episode of AEW Collision and saw the Acclaimed retain the AEW Trios Championships against Dalton Castle and his boys.

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

Braun Strowman Commends Bray Wyatt for Mastering the Art of Mic Work

Bishal Roy
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Braun Strowman has nothing but praise for the late WWE superstar Bray Wyatt.

Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda) passed away at the age of 36. His premature demise sent shockwaves through the pro wrestling fraternity. An episode of SmackDown also featured tributes to Wyatt, including a ten-bell salute.

Wyatt was considered one of the most creative minds in pro wrestling and had unparalleled mic skills. Over the years his gimmicks evolved. ‘The Eater of Worlds’ introduced the Firefly Funhouse in 2019 when he portrayed a character similar to Mr. Rogers and presented himself as a children’s television presenter. However, the character had a dark secret, later revealed as The Fiend.

‘The Monster of All Monsters’ was part of the Wyatt Family led by Bray Wyatt back in the day. Later on they went on to have epic battles as rivals as well. 

Speaking to Bill Apter for Sportskeeda, Braun Strowman stated why he believes Bray was one of the best on the mic. Here is what he said:

“Bray Wyatt was, in my opinion, the epitome of talking on a microphone with his character work, being able to go in and out of all these multiple characters, see his facial expressions change, hear his voice change. 

I don’t know anyone who’s done it, other than Paul Heyman, who’s just been timeless with what he does as a manager and stuff like that. But he still doesn’t have the range and abilities to go through these multiple different characters that Bray had inside of his head. So in my opinion, it’s Bray Wyatt.

Strowman has been on the shelf since the Summer after undergoing neck fusion surgery. He is hoping to return at next year’s Royal Rumble match. You can check out his comments below:

Ethan Page Praises Matt Hardy For His Unselfish Nature

Anutosh Bajpai
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Ethan Page is forever grateful to Matt Hardy for everything he has done.

The AEW star grew up watching The Hardy Boys do all sorts of crazy stunts. It was a dream come true for him when he got to work with the duo during his run with The Firm in late 2022 and early 2023.

The Canadian star recently appeared on Chris Van Vliet’s Insight podcast. Ethan Page first discussed how his outlook on The Hardy Boyz has changed over the years:

“Back to my convo with Matt last night. He recently put up this clip of…it’s like Broken Matt in his bed and he’s reacting to old things that happened to him in his career. It was all these wild falls and bumps and crashes and just insane things that he put his body through. I’m watching this at 34, almost 20 years into my wrestling career and the thoughts going through my mind compared to when I was a kid watching.

When I’m a kid watching I’m thinking, ‘This is amazing. I want to do that. This looks so fun. Do you see he jumped off the ladder?’ and all this stuff. Now I’m 34, all these years in and I’m like, ‘How is this man alive? How is he walking?'”

Ethan Page On Working With Matt Hardy

Ethan Page then talked about working with Matt Hardy on AEW Dark: Elevation among other shows. He mentioned that Matt always made sure that he benefited from those matches, and explained that both of these veterans deserve their flowers:

“The things that Matt and Jeff have put their bodies through physically. I’ll never comprehend just because of how I feel now and how I have done nothing as close to them and I never will. I promise you. I never will. Both of those guys deserve their flowers forever just for what they’ve done and the fact that they’re still willing to give.

I was just giving Matt praise to somebody in the car yesterday because I feel like there are people in wrestling that, they might be nice and they’re very friendly and cordial. But when it comes down to the business part of things most people are very selfish. Whereas I feel like with Matt, he cares more about delivering a good story, instead of benefiting himself.

I got to work with him for over a year. [We were] very heavily featured on Elevation which gave us a lot of creative freedom, which I’m obviously going to defer to the legend in professional wrestling and he would always look out for me. He would always make sure that I benefited in anything that we did. That’s kind of rare in wrestling. So I will appreciate that from Matt for the remainder of my career and I’ll love that dude forever.”

You can check out Ethan Page’s full interview below:

More originals from SEScoops:

If you use any quotes from the article please credit Insight With Chris Van Vliet with an H/t to SEScoops for transcription

Kazuchika Okada Set For His First TNA Wrestling Appearance Since 2011

Bishal Roy
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Kazuchika Okada will soon make his first appearance for TNA Wrestling since 2011.

Impact Wrestling will become TNA Wrestling once again next month. Various aspects of the company are already reverting to the TNA branding and the first pay-per-view of the new era is TNA Hard To Kill on Saturday, January 13 from The Palms in Las Vegas.

The following night, TNA is running another show from the same venue, Snake Eyes. Impact/TNA recently announced the blockbuster news that NJPW/AEW star Will Ospreay will get his wish and wrestle in a TNA ring at Snake Eyes.  It turns out, Ospreay won’t be coming alone. 

Okada in TNA

Okada wrestled for TNA a few times in 2010 and 2011. Associating with Samoa Joe, he played a character named Okato, who was similar to Green Hornet’s sidekick Kato. Years later, Okada shared strong negative feelings about the experience. The connection between NJPW and IMPACT was harmed by this role.  However, neither company, nor Okada himself, are the same as they were over a decade ago. 

Okada currently holds one-third of the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii. This marks his first time he has held the title.

Okada will be a free agent at the end of January and recent reports suggest that a new deal with NJPW “would typically be underway”, but the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion is “seriously entertaining the possibility of wrestling for a different promotion.”

Cena On His Debut, Orton On SmackDown, Women’s Rumble Favorite & More

Thomas Lowson
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John Cena on His SmackDown Debut

It’s been over two decades since the WWE Universe was introduced to John Cena on the June 27, 2002, episode of SmackDown. This week, Cena looked back at his debut match against Kurt Angle and poked fun at the unfortunate ring attire he wore for his first match on TV. 

Orton booked for SmackDown

Randy Orton is back in WWE and is ready to take out every member of the Bloodline. The Viper will have the chance to do just tonight on SmackDown when he teams with LA Knight to face Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa. 

New WWE NXT Names

Last week, WWE filed trademarks for a series of new names and now some have been appointed to NXT talent. PW Insider reports that Andrzej Hughes-Murray, a former LA Rams linebacker, will now compete as Dion Lennox. Kevin Robertson, a former Temple University defensive tackle will now be working as Kanu Carver.

Latest on WWE NXT Europe

WWE announced NXT Europe in 2022, but despite initial hopes for the brand to be up and running in 2023, that hasn’t been the case at all. Speaking on the pre-NXT Deadline media call, Shawn Michaels said that WWE remains committed to NXT Europe. WWE’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative pointed at upcoming shows in Europe such as Bash in Berlin and WWE Backlash: France as a sign WWE has big plans for the continent. 

A Women’s Royal Rumble Favorite

Next month, WWE will host its seventh-annual Women’s Royal Rumble match, with the winner earning a title shot at WrestleMania 40. In odds shared by Sky Bet, Bayley is the favorite to win next month’s match with 10/11 odds. Behind the Role Model is Jade Cargill (2/1), Becky Lynch (10/1), Raquel Rodriguez (10/1), and Charlotte Flair (12/1.) WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY and WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley share 16/1 odds. 

R-Truth: I’m So Close To Being Part Of The Judgment Day

Thomas Lowson
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It’s merely a matter of time before R-Truth becomes the newest member of The Judgment Day, at least according to Truth himself. 

At WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, Truth made his return to programming after spending the majority of 2023 out with a torn quadriceps injury. Since then, Truth has tried to win over the Judgment Day, though has so far only annoyed the group after making a mess in their locker room. 

R-Truth & The Judgment Day

While the Judgment Day have made it clear they’re not interested in Truth’s services, that’s not how the former 24/7 Champion sees things. Speaking on The Bump, Truth shared how he was able to get into the faction’s base. 

“Door was unlocked. They’re a very trusting group, and they’re more humble than you think. I’m trying to hook it up, you know what I’m saying? I’m that close from being in the group. I’m that close.”

As part of his application, Truth pointed out that he goes way back with reigning NXT North American Champion ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio. 

”I actually knew lil’ Dom when he was little, ‘Dirty Dom’ is what they call him — I’ve known him since he was little. [He and Lil Jimmy] they hung around each other all the time. It makes sense. And you know, JD [McDonagh], we’ve got to work with JD. His attitude, his temper, it’s not becoming.”

R-Truth isn’t the only wrestler interested in joining the Judgment Day. Click here to find out which WWE Hall of Famer sees himself as a future member. 

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

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