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Chris Jericho Scoffs at a Big Retirement Sendoff: My Ego Isn’t That Big

Michael Reichlin
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Chris Jericho Scoffs at a Big Retirement Sendoff: My Ego Isn’t That Big

Chris Jericho has never been one to follow the traditional path, and when it comes to retirement, he’s making it clear he won’t be taking a page out of John Cena’s playbook. During his recent conversation with Chris Van Vliet for Insight, Jericho took a subtle jab at Cena’s farewell tour, questioning the need for such a spectacle.

“I do not have the ego that would demand an official retirement tour or retirement match,” Jericho stated.

He compared it to rock bands that announce farewell tours, only to return later. “Why put that sort of stamp on it? This is the retirement tour, and then you decide to come back?”

Chris Jericho and John Cena

Jericho, 53, acknowledged that he doesn’t plan to wrestle forever, but he also isn’t setting a definitive end date. “I will not be wrestling at 81 years old… I might not want to wrestle tomorrow, but right now I enjoy it,” he explained. His decision-making process is simple: as long as he believes he’s putting on great matches and compelling storylines, he’ll keep going.

While Cena’s retirement tour has been a major WWE storyline, Jericho prefers a more low-key approach. He admires the unpredictability of simply wrestling one last match without making it a grand farewell. “I’ve always liked being the opposite of what people expect,” he said, referencing rock legends like the Sex Pistols and Axl Rose, who famously rejected their Hall of Fame inductions.

This philosophy extends to his stance on the WWE Hall of Fame. Unlike many legends who view induction as a crowning career achievement, Jericho remains indifferent. Instead, he joked about starting his own version.

“In my mind, I’m already in the Hall of Fame. What do I need the plaque for?” he mused. “Maybe I’ll have my own Chris Jericho Hall of Fame and put myself in it.”

While Cena’s farewell is being celebrated on WWE’s biggest stage, Jericho seems content defining his legacy on his own terms—without the pomp and circumstance.

Chris Jericho: Wrestling Today is More Profitable Than the Attitude Era—And Critics Don’t Get It

Michael Reichlin
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Chris Jericho: Wrestling Today is More Profitable Than the Attitude Era—And Critics Don’t Get It

Chris Jericho has seen it all in professional wrestling—from the peak of the Attitude Era to today’s modern landscape. And in his recent interview with Chris Van Vliet for Insight, the veteran wrestler made one thing clear: while the Attitude Era may have been more widely watched, today’s wrestling business is far more lucrative.

“Maybe from an overall popularity standpoint the Attitude Era was bigger, but you weren’t making the money that you are now—as both a wrestler and as a wrestling company,” Jericho stated.

“I know the difference in salaries of what a top guy made then versus now—because I was one then, and I am one now.”

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, wrestling’s biggest stars were drawing massive TV ratings, sometimes exceeding 8 million viewers per episode. But Jericho pointed out that viewing habits have drastically changed. Fans now consume wrestling differently, whether through streaming, social media, or highlights on YouTube—metrics that weren’t available during the industry’s previous boom period.

Chris Jericho Eras
Chris Jericho has been a top star in the business since the late 1990’s

Beyond financial growth, Jericho also addressed how modern fans and critics perceive wrestling. He believes that today’s audience places too much emphasis on match quality in a way that can be misleading.

“25 years ago, you could do a lot less and have people think it’s an amazing match. Now, you can do the exact same thing, have the crowd react the same way, but critics will say it was terrible.”

Chris Jericho Quits Twitter

That increased scrutiny, amplified by social media, is something Jericho has largely tuned out. He admitted that while he used to engage with online criticism, he now avoids platforms like Twitter altogether.

“I’m done with Twitter. It’s just so negative—why waste your time?”

Despite criticisms from online fans, Jericho remains one of AEW’s biggest draws, consistently appearing in high-rated segments. He also pushed back on claims that working with him “drags people down” in AEW, arguing that many wrestlers he’s feuded with—like MJF, Daniel Garcia, and Sammy Guevara—have only elevated their careers.

Jericho’s insight sheds light on the evolution of wrestling’s business model. While nostalgia may keep the Attitude Era on a pedestal, today’s industry is more financially successful than ever—whether fans and critics want to admit it or not.

Mark Calaway Says No To Bringing Back The Undertaker

Thomas Lowson
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Mark Calaway Says No To Bringing Back The Undertaker

For decades, The Undertaker wowed and terrified the WWE Universe with his character-work, though the WWE Hall of Famer has appeared as himself since retiring. On his Six Feet Under podcast, Mark Calaway, the man behind the character, explained why he’s not interested in bringing back The Undertaker.

“I’ve really pushed to kind of be more Mark Calaway now, because I want to honor that character and the work that I did, and all the kayfabing that I did for that character.”

Calaway did not rule out appearing as The Undertaker, but argued that the return of the Deadman would cost a lot, and would have to make sense. Using a line from his character’s playbook, Calaway is ready to let the Undertaker character go.

“Not being corny, but I do want to let The Undertaker kind of rest in peace and kind of everything now that you see, like the other night on the Netflix deal, was the American Badass.”

Calaway has appeared for WWE a handful of times since his retirement, including sharing a moment with Rhea Ripley during WWE Raw’s debut on Netflix. While his days of donning the iconic hat and trenchcoat may be over, the WWE Hall of Famer continues to command the respect of fans and talent alike.

The Undertaker Laughs At Hulk Hogan Getting Booed: “Things Come Back”

Rey Fenix On AEW Hiatus: ‘Nobody Stays In A Place Where They Are Not Wanted’

Thomas Lowson
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With Penta’s immediate success in WWE, fans are eager to see Rey Fenix join his brother, especially given that its been months since he appeared for AEW. Speaking with Lalo Elizarrarás, Fenix shared that he remains under contract with AEW and is waiting to be contacted.

“I’m still under contract with an additional extension. I am waiting to be used, to be called to work, or to have my situation clarified a little more”.

Fenix hasn’t competed for AEW since the July 20, 2024, edition of Collision, which saw the masked star defeat Tony Nese. Though his contract with AEW was set to expire in 2024, Tony Khan opted to tack time on to cover Fenix missing ring time due to various injuries. This act sparked debate among fans as while Khan has the right to do what he’s done, many believe that adding time to a talent that isn’t being used is a ‘petty’ move by the AEW President.

Fenix has alluded to growing issues in AEW, even saying that reports of a “huge injustice” within the promotion is accurate. Fenix has also alluded to receiving “inhumane treatment” and has claimed he was ignored when requiring medical help, though these posts have since been deleted.

With no sign of an AEW return, Fenix is keeping himself busy off of TV. In the interview, Fenix shared how he is seeking personal growth as he awaits an update on his in-ring future.

“I have more time to train. I have more time to perfect my skills. I have more time to create new things, to work on my injuries, to work on my body, and mainly, to work on my head.”

Fenix acknowledged that he could be seeking personal growth while working, but that “nobody stays in a place where they are not wanted.” With no sign of AEW or Fenix reaching an agreement, fans may be waiting a long time before they see the masked star compete in a ring on TV again.

Baron Corbin Becomes Unlikely Defender Of Tony Khan Over Rey Fenix Situation

Several AEW Stars Return During Collision

Thomas Lowson
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The February 8, 2025, edition of AEW Collision saw a trio of returns, adding some talented names back to the promotion’s active roster.

In the second match of the night, Bandido made his return to in-ring competion in AEW to defeat Bryan Keith. This match marked Bandido’s first showdown in an AEW ring since the June 14, 2023, edition of AEW Rampage, where he lost to Konosuke Takeshita.

In women’s division action, Mariah May decimated her opponent in a squash and dressed her victim up like Toni Storm to add insult to injury. May’s beatdown was cut short by the returning Luther, who provided the disctraction long enough for the real Storm to replace her in-ring doppelganger and surprise the Women’s World Champion with an attack.

Hologram also made his return during this week’s AEW Collision as he made the save for Komander, who was being attacked by RUSH, Dralistico, and The Beast Mortos. Hologram and Komander fought with Dralistico and Beast Mortos while Rush battled officials in the ring. This marked Hologram’s first appearance for AEW since WrestleDream, where he suffered an injury during his two-out-of-three falls match with Beast Mortos.

This week’s show saw AEW continue on the road ton Grand Slam: Australia, the company’s first event to take place in the country. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on these returning talents and what they do now they’re back on TV.

“Heartbroken” Released WWE Employee Opens Up About Life Behind the Scenes

Thomas Lowson
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“Heartbroken” Released WWE Employee Opens Up About Life Behind the Scenes

WWE recently released several names from its talent roster, with Sonya Deville, AOP, Giovanni Vinci and more being cut from the promotion. It turns out that these cuts haven’t just affected those on-screen, as at least one name working off-camera has also been let go.

On the subreddit r/SquaredCircle, a user going by ‘controllasummervibes’ shared that they have also been released. Their post was checked and marked as ‘verified,’ showing that they had proven to moderators that what they were saying was true. Controll shared a paycheck from WWE to the moderators to prove she was indeed a former employee:

“Up until Wednesday I was a video editor for their social medias. Out of no where they called me about some budget cuts and terminated my contract early. I’m heartbroken. I’ve been a huge fan and this was my dream job. My desk was decked out and I was so proud of my job. This is just me ranting and looking for support from a community I’ve been a part of I guess. Hopefully better things are coming.”

After being released, Controll was able to share some behind-the-scenes details about their time as a video editor for WWE’s social media platforms.

Working Life

Working for WWE was Controll’s first job after graduating college. She shared that she was working between 50-60 hours a week, and while this was “extremely stressful” the job was also rewarding.

Getting Paid

While WWE has been boasting record-profits for years, that fortune didn’t find its way to Contoll’s position. She shared that she was “lowkey making just over minimum wage” despite WWE’s social media and video content playing a key role in keeping fans invested in the product.

Content Created

Highlights of Controll’s work include the ‘Road to the Most Stacked Royal Rumble’ video below. She was also proud of compiling the ‘Top 10 Moments’ video for the January 13, episode of Raw, as well as a video capturing Rhea Ripley’s various highlights from 2024. She shared that she was editing ten to 15 videos a day. Her final videos centered around recapping the 2025 Royal Rumble PLE.

Response to Release

Controll is “heartbroken” over losing their job with WWE, but acknowledged that working with the company will look great on her resume. When a fan compared her to Drew McIntyre, saying she can hone her skills and come back to play a bigger role, Controll said that “I love this analogy.”

What’s to Come?

Conntroll’s next job is “def gonna be at a smaller company where my manager would fire me, not HR.” After the busy corporate life of WWE, Controll is ready for something smaller where she can feel more closely part of a team.

Seth Rollins Says AEW Talent Aren’t On WWE’s Level, MJF Responds

Thomas Lowson
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Seth Rollins Says AEW Talent Aren’t On WWE’s Level, MJF Responds

Seth Rollins is a bonafide WWE guy, and in the past, has defended the company from others, including those in AEW. While WWE and AEW no-longer go head-to-head in the Wednesday Night Wars, Rollins’ recent comments about the compeition has caught a lot of attention.

During Sirius XM Sports, Rollins was asked to imagine a blockbuster trade between WWE and AEW—similar to the shocking NBA deal that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis. Knowing his response would make “some headlines,” Rollins argued that WWE talent operate on a different level to those in AEW.

“You’ll make some headlines with this one. I don’t think there is anybody in AEW that’s on that level.”

Rollins later added that John Cena is the LeBron James of WWE, and if a trade had to be made, he’d switch John for AEW’s MJF. This caught the attention of the former AEW World Champion, who Rollins described as like Luka Doncic.

While MJF had teased joining WWE in the past, he re-signed with AEW in 2022, ensuring many more years as part of the Elite roster. Speaking to Fox 5 New York after news of his re-signing broke, MJF said the decision was ‘very easy’ and that he believes in Tony Khan’s company.

With John Cena set to retire from in-ring competition this year, it’s all but guaranteed that he will never be traded to AEW. Nevertheless, Rollins’ comment this week has certainly raised some eyebrows, with fans questioning if anyone in AEW is on WWE’s level.

Chelsea Green Wants to Host Saturday Night Live

Michael Reichlin
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Chelsea Green Wants to Host Saturday Night Live

Chelsea Green isn’t just making waves in WWE—she’s making fans laugh along the way. The inaugural WWE United States Women’s Champion has embraced a comedic approach to her in-ring persona, and now she’s eyeing a new goal: hosting Saturday Night Live.

In an interview with Scott Fishman for TVInsider, Green laid out her dream to host the iconic live sketch comedy series:

“That’s definitely on the bucket list—hosting SNL,” Green said in a recent interview. “I love it. I know I’m very self-deprecating, and that is where the humor comes from. It’s so fun to put that into verbiage and action in the ring to make people laugh on the biggest stage of them all.”

Green’s mix of quick wit, improv skills, and over-the-top antics have made her a fan favorite, despite her often underhanded tactics in the ring. Her ability to entertain has even caught the attention of Hollywood, with stars like Vanessa Hudgens sliding into her DMs.

“It’s crazy, like what is life? I’m here with you talking about being the first United States Women’s Champion. And I have Vanessa Hudgens in my DMs. What is life?”

Green’s charisma and comedic timing make her a natural fit for SNL. If WWE stars like The Rock and John Cena can seamlessly transition to hosting and acting, why not Green?

As her championship reign continues to elevate her profile, perhaps a late-night comedy gig is the next step in her ever-evolving career.

With SNL always looking for fresh, dynamic hosts, Chelsea Green might just be the perfect fit. So, Lorne Michaels—what are you waiting for?

WWE Releases Sonya Deville, AOP, Giovanni Vinci & More

Michael Reichlin
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WWE Releases Sonya Deville, AOP, Giovanni Vinci & More

WWE has reportedly released several talents over the past 48 hours, with most of the news coming from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select. The latest wave of departures includes wrestlers who have held championships in NXT and on the main roster.

  • Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows have been cut.
  • Sonya Deville, who has been out of action due to injury, is also among the names departing.

With WWE trimming its roster, we’ll be tracking where these talents land next in the wrestling landscape.

Isla Dawn Leaving WWE: “See You in 90”

Michael Reichlin
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Isla Dawn Leaving WWE: “See You in 90”

WWE Superstar Isla Dawn has announced her departure from the company in a cryptic Instagram story. The post features a photo of Dawn in her wrestling gear, accompanied by the caption, “Here for a good time, not a long time,” followed by another message stating, “See you in 90,” with a calendar emoji.

img 2038 1
Isla Dawn moving on from WWE

The mention of “90” strongly implies that WWE has informed Dawn of her release and that she will remain under contract and paid for the next 90 days before becoming a free agent. This is standard procedure for main roster talent, meaning she will not be able to sign elsewhere until that period expires.

Her departure adds to a growing list of WWE talent exits this week.

Isla Dawn in WWE

Isla Dawn first appeared in WWE as Stacy Coates back in 2017, when she competed against Asuka in a match on Monday Night Raw. She joined NXT UK in 2018 after competing in the Mae Young Classic.

She developed a “modern-day witch” character and transitioned to NXT in late 2022. Things came together when she formed The Unholy Union with Alba Fyre. The duo won the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship in April 2023, and after being drafted to SmackDown, they captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship at Clash at the Castle 2024 in Glasgow.

Gallows and Anderson Released from WWE

Michael Reichlin
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Gallows and Anderson Released from WWE

Gallows and Anderson has been released from WWE, according to Fightful Select.

Prior to this release, the duo had been relatively inactive, with Anderson sidelined due to shoulder surgery, while Gallows was relegated to dark matches. Their last notable in-ring appearance came at NXT Battleground, where they unsuccessfully challenged Nathan Frazier and Axiom for the NXT Tag Team Championships.

This marks their second WWE departure, following their previous release in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic budget cuts.

After that release, they had stints in TNA and NJPW before returning to WWE in October 2022, despite being offered significant contract raises by TNA at the time.

During their most recent WWE run, they primarily aligned with AJ Styles on SmackDown and made appearances on NXT, though they failed to capture any championships during this period.

Subscribe to Fightful Select for insider breaking wrestling news

Giovanni Vinci Released from WWE

Michael Reichlin
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Giovanni Vinci Released from WWE

Giovanni Vinci (Fabian Aichner) has been released from WWE, according to Fightful Select.

The Italian Superstar joined WWE in 2017 and initially found success in NXT, where he became a two-time NXT Tag Team Champion with Marcel Barthel (later known as Ludwig Kaiser).

He later joined the Imperium faction alongside Gunther and Kaiser, moving to the main roster where they dominated until April 2024, when Kaiser turned on Vinci and expelled him from the group..

Since being drafted to SmackDown in 2024, Vinci’s career has faced significant challenges. After returning with new character vignettes in August 2024, he suffered embarrassing losses to Apollo Crews, including a three-second defeat. His television appearances became limited to WWE Speed matches and dark matches, where he continued to lose to various opponents.

Subscribe to Fightful Select for insider breaking wrestling news

Ricochet & Swerve Strickland Take AEW Feud To DEFY Wrestling

Thomas Lowson
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Ricochet & Swerve Strickland Take AEW Feud To DEFY Wrestling

Swerve Strickland Vs. Ricochet has quickly become one of the most personal rivalries playing out in AEW, and now their issues have extended past Tony Khan’s promotion. At the latest DEFY Wrestling event, Swerve Strickland’s theme song played, only for Ricochet to emerge instead.

Ricochet was hit with a “You are bald” chant and when the fans chanted for Strickland, Ricochet claimed that Swerve wasn’t at the show. That claim proved premature as the lights would go out and when they came back on, Swerve was in the ring. The former AEW World Champion was met with a monstrous pop from the crowd and wasted no time in brawling with Ricochet.

Strickland attempted the House Call but a poke to the eye allowed Ricochet to escape. Prince Nana emerged to throw Ricochet back in the ring. There, Strickland hit the House Call and Ricochet would later leave after shoving Nana.

Ricochet In The Hurt Syndicate: Could It Happen?

Ricochet defeated Strickland on this week’s Dynamite, though its clear the issues between the pair are far from over. With high-profile events including Grand Slam: Australia and Revolution approaching, fans could soon be seeing the pair do battle on AEW programming again very soon.

Bianca Belair Talks Elimination Chamber Strategy After SmackDown Win

Thomas Lowson
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Bianca Belair Talks Elimination Chamber Strategy After SmackDown Win

On the February 7, edition of WWE SmackDown, Bianca Belair punched her ticket to Elimination Chamber by defeating Piper Niven in a Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match. In a WWE Digital Exclusive, the EST spoke about what winning her third chamber match will mean for her career.

“Its another opportunity to solidy your path to WrestleMania and go after a title. I love having this title [the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship] on my shoulder but I wouldn’t mind another one.”

Belair doesn’t just have experience inside the Elimination Chamber, but knows what it takes to win the brutal match. Despite having this experience, Belair explained why those yet to taste victory inside the Chamber may be at something of an advantage.

“I may be in the match with women who haven’t won before. There’s nothing more dangerous than someone who wants it who hasn’t had it before.”

Everybody will be “hungry” to win the Elimination Chamber match, and Belair knows that she may have to face Naomi, who will face Chelsea Green in a qualifier next week. When asked, Naomi said she’s taking this situation seriously and won’t underestimate the comedic Women’s U.S. Champion.

The winner of this match will earn a title match against whichever champion Charlotte Flair, the winner of the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match, opts not to face at WrestleMania 41. With Belair, Liv Morgan, and Alexa Bliss already qualified, this year’s Women’s Elimination Chamber is shaping up to be a star-studded affair on March 1, in Toronto.

Sonya Deville & Blair Davenport Leaving WWE (Report)

Thomas Lowson
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Sonya Deville & Blair Davenport Leaving WWE (Report)

WWE has a huge roster of talented names, but this week, that roster became noticeably smaller. After Cedric Alexander confirmed his exit from WWE, more names have reportedly been let go by the company.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp reports that Blair Davenport has been let go by WWE. Davenport joined WWE as Bea Priestly in 2021, and debuted with the promotion as part of NXT UK.

Davenport was later brought to WWE NXT before landing on the main roster. Her most recent match for WWE came in November 2024, and her most recent victory was over Naomi on the August 16, edition of the Blue brand.

Sonya Deville has been told that her contract will not be extended when it expires, Sapp adds. With Deville’s contract reportedly set to expire in a couple of weeks, it won’t be long before the former Women’s Tag Team Champion is a free agent.

Deville joined WWE in 2015 as part of WWE Tough Enough. During an iconic moment, Deville came out of the closet during the show. This came after she was asked by one of the judges if she had a boyfriend waiting for her back home, and shared that she had a girlfriend instead.

Deville’s sole title win in WWE came in 2021 when she and Chelsea Green captured the Women’s Tag Team titles, though an injury would cut short Deville’s time with the gold. Now, both she and Davenport will have to find new roles outside WWE.

AOP & Paul Ellering Released From WWE (Report)

Alexa Bliss Returns To SmackDown, Wins Elimination Chamber Qualifier

Thomas Lowson
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Alexa Bliss Returns To SmackDown, Wins Elimination Chamber Qualifier

Alexa Bliss made a huge impact with her return at the 2025 Royal Rumble in her first appearance for WWE in over two years. After reports that Bliss had been moved to SmackDown, the Goddess continued to make an impression on the latest edition of the blue brand.

During the show’s second hour, Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton came face-to-face, teasing their reported showdown at WrestleMania 41. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae interrupted to announced that Jax will get her rematch with Stratton during next week’s SmackDown.

Alexa Bliss then came out, teasing that the Goddess could find herself in the championship hunt down the line. Bliss took a huge step towards a future championship opportunity as in her first singles match in years, Bliss defeated Candice LeRae to earn a spot in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match.

Bliss sealed the deal with an Abigail DDT, a nod to the late Bray Wyatt. The former Women’s Champion joins Liv Morgan, who qualified on the latest Raw, and Bianca Belair, who qualified during SmackDown. The match on March 1 will mark Bliss’ third time entering the Elimination Chamber.

Alexa Bliss knows what it takes to win a Chamber match as she did exactly that in 2018. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Bliss and her quest to become a champion in WWE again after her two-year break.

Grant attorneys say Colker, Peak Wellness ‘admit’ to withholding medical records; Vince McMahon paid for doctor

BJ Bethel
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In a new filing in Connecticut Superior Court on Friday, attorneys for Janel Grant claimed counsel for Dr. Carlon Colker and Peak Wellness admitted Vince McMahon paid for Colker to be her doctor and Peak Wellness withheld her medical records.

The two claims were part of Grant’s complaint filed against McMahon, World Wrestling Entertainment and John Laurinaitis last year in federal civil court. Grant said McMahon forced her to see Colker, was medicated against her will and wasn’t given access to her medical records.

Grant’s filing was in response to a supplemental filing by Colker’s attorneys on Wednesday. Colker and Peak Wellness asked Connecticut Superior Court to dismiss Grant’s bill of discovery complaint stating it didn’t follow Connecticut state statute because Grant intended to use information from the state discovery to name Colker and Peak Wellness as defendants in her federal civil suit.

Colker and Peak Wellness said the bill of discovery should also be denied because some of the information gathered by Grant’s counsel was part of confidential settlement communications.

In Friday’s memorandum, Grant’s attorneys said the settlement communications were null and void once they were disclosed by attorneys for Colker and Peak Wellness on Wednesday. They also disagreed with Colker’s attorneys on discovery and state law, saying no state statute in Connecitcut keeps discovery in state court from being used in a federal case.

AOP & Paul Ellering Released From WWE (Report)

Thomas Lowson
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AOP & Paul Ellering Released From WWE (Report)

Paul Ellering and the AOP had been a part of the Final Testament since the faction came together, working alongside Karrion Kross and Scarlett. Now, the trio’s time with WWE is seemingly over with reports that they have been released.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider first reported the news that Ellering had been let go from WWE. Sources who spoke to Fightful Select later confirmed news of his exit. PWInsider were also the first to report that AOP have been released from WWE.

Ellering is known for his run with the Legion of Doom, which earned himself and the tag-team a Hall of Fame induction in 2011. In 2016, Ellering returned to WWE to align with AOP (Akam and Rezar) who debuted in NXT by attacking American Alpha. When AOP returned to WWE in 2023, Ellering returned with them.

Ellering’s exit from WWE raises questions as to what’s next for the WWE Hall of Famer. Ellering’s daughter Rachael is signed to AEW and also competes for Ring of Honor, so fans can’t count Paul being brought in to manage his daughter. Rachael is also a former Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champion, and previously worked in WWE as Rachael Evers.

The exit of AOP also brings an end to the Final Testament who had been regulars on TV during their feud with the Wyatt Sicks. It remains to be seen if the trio’s exit will be referenced on WWE TV.

Kevin Owens Will Never Forgive “Disgusting Human” Sami Zayn

Thomas Lowson
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Kevin Owens Will Never Forgive “Disgusting Human” Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are once again at odds over what Zayn did (or rather, didn’t do) at this year’s 2025 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event. In a video shared to X, Owens recounted some of the injuries he sustain during his WWE Championship ladder match with Cody Rhodes.

“The scars. The stitches. These scars—I’m always gonna have on my face. And the trauma? You can’t see that, but I can feel it. My neck, my spine, the pain I’ve been in all week… and I still am.”

Owens said that the pain he’s in will be pain he feels for the rest of his life. The Prizefighter then turned his attention to Zayn, who despite coming out during the match, did not help him defeat Rhodes.

“It’s all your fault. Because Sami, you just stood there and watched while Cody tried to end my career. Worse, I think he was actually trying to end my life in that Rumble.“

Owens pointed out that Zayn rushed to help Roman Reigns in late 2024, but refused to act at the Royal Rumble. Owens concluded by calling Zayn a “horrible friend” and “disgusting human being” beforestating that “I’ll never forgive you.”

Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens have a storied rivalry in WWE, facing each other multiple times across various events. Here is a list of notable matches between them:

  • NXT TakeOver: Rival (February 11, 2015): Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn to win the NXT Championship.
  • NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable (May 20, 2015): The match ended in a no-contest after Owens attacked Zayn, leading to the debut of Samoa Joe.
    Battleground (July 24, 2016): Sami Zayn defeated Kevin Owens in a critically acclaimed match.
  • WrestleMania 37 (April 10, 2021): Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn.
  • Hell in a Cell (June 20, 2021): Sami Zayn defeated Kevin Owens.
  • SmackDown (June 18, 2021): Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn by count-out.

Now, fans can expect another showdown between the two, potentially at WrestleMania 41. Whatever is to come, don’t expect the pair to ever be on the same page after Sami’s so-called betrayal of Kevin Owens.

Drew McIntyre Moves To WWE SmackDown, Royal Rumble References Made

Andrew Ravens
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Drew McIntyre Moves To WWE SmackDown, Royal Rumble References Made

Drew McIntyre is officially part of the WWE SmackDown roster.

On this week’s SmackDown, McIntyre appeared at the top of the second hour to cut a promo, calling Raw a toxic work environment and announcing his move to SmackDown to pursue the Undisputed WWE Championship, currently held by Cody Rhodes.

McIntyre also referenced his frustration over his elimination from the Men’s Royal Rumble. Jimmy Uso then interrupted, prompting McIntyre to take a jab at him, saying that Jimmy might have been in Jey Uso’s position had he just said “YEET” first.

LA Knight then entered, delivering a brief message about men’s mental health before turning his focus to McIntyre. Knight referenced their Royal Rumble issues, joking that he heard McIntyre had been called “Drew McIncyer.” This exchange led to a triple-threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match featuring all three men.

Reports have surfaced that McIntyre was frustrated with a fellow wrestler at the Royal Rumble, believing they prioritized their moves over the match’s storytelling. Missed time cues allegedly led to McIntyre’s irritation, particularly with Knight, whom he reportedly felt was more focused on fitting in his own spots rather than following the match’s narrative.

WWE Releases Cedric Alexander

Andrew Ravens
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Cedric Alexander is no longer with WWE.

After nearly a decade with the company, Alexander has been released—a move he confirmed in a tweet on Friday night.

“Thank you for the last 8 1/2 years! Being a professional wrestler has been a dream of mine since I could form memories, and I will continue to do so till the good Lord says otherwise. #SeeYouIn90,” Alexander wrote.

Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported that Alexander was indeed released, though the reason behind his departure remains unclear.

Alexander first gained recognition in WWE through the Cruiserweight Classic before moving to the 205 Live brand and later transitioning to Raw. In late 2019, it was reported that Paul Heyman, then Raw’s Executive Director, was high on Alexander, leading to a brief push and a feud with AJ Styles over the United States Championship.

In 2020, Alexander joined Bobby Lashley, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin in The Hurt Business, a fan-favorite faction that was eventually disbanded. During that time, he held the WWE Tag Team Championship. However, since then, WWE has done little with Alexander outside of house shows and Main Event matches. In 2024, he was sent to NXT.

Tony Khan Takes ’10-20%’ Of Booking Opinions For AEW

Dominic DeAngelo
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Tony Khan seems to have a lot of cooks in the kitchen, but he makes clear that he’s the head chef of it all.

Speaking with Kevin Walsh during Super Bowl week, the AEW President expressed his love for the creative process behind booking the shows. He didn’t disclose any names as to who joined him in booking ideas, but he did mention there was a good amount of people involved.

“I come up with a lot of ideas in wrestling and I also have a big team of people and a lot of wrestlers that are brilliant minds. I try to pick the best ideas and I put the matches and the shows together.”

Khan clarifies that he does receive a lot of input from so many names that he probably only utilizes “10 to 20%” of the feedback he gets. During the World’s End PPV media call last year, Khan mentioned to SEScoops that he remains the head booker of AEW and that won’t change in 2025.

Who Has Been Apart Of Tony Khan’s Creative Process?

When Tony Khan says he has a hefty creative team, he means it. In the past, Khan has confirmed that names like Bryan Danielson, Jimmy Jacobs, Mike Mansury, Dean Malenko, Will Washington and Jerry Lynn have all been involved in the process. That doesn’t include the hiring of Jennifer Pepperman, who is speculated to have a focus on working with Mercedes Mone. As it stands, Khan controls the creative on both AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision.

Tony Khan Rejects AEW IPO, Hopes to Work With His Kids

Michael Reichlin
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Tony Khan Rejects AEW IPO, Hopes to Work With His Kids

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) will remain a privately held company, as CEO and co-owner Tony Khan has no interest in taking the promotion public.

Speaking with Alex Sherman for CNBC Sport, Khan explained that he envisions AEW as a long-term family business that he hopes to pass down to his future children.

“I want to build,” Khan said. “I’m still a relatively young executive, and someday, I’d like to have a family. Hopefully, they can work in the business. It’s a family business.”

At 42, Khan has positioned AEW as WWE’s biggest competitor in the wrestling industry since its launch in 2019. Keeping AEW private allows the company to maintain creative and financial control without external shareholder influence.

Seth Rollins Lays Out a Path to Forgiveness for Hulk Hogan

Dominic DeAngelo
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Seth Rollins Lays Out a Path to Forgiveness for Hulk Hogan

Seth Rollins sees it just that Hulk Hogan got booed during the premiere of WWE Raw on Netflix. It’s Super Bowl week in America and Rollins, a notorious Chicago Bears fans, joined Kyle Brandt on Good Morning Football in build for the ‘Big Game.’

Brandt is an avid wrestling fan and it certainly hit his radar that The Hulkster got booed back on January 6 as the WWE Hall of Famer was in attendance to support his Real American Beer. The city of Los Angeles didn’t give him a warm reception at all and the boos resonated throughout much of mainstream news.

Brandt flat out asked Rollins what he thought of Hogan getting booed and ‘The Visionary’ kept it plain and simple.

“I’m all for people getting what they deserve. That’s how I feel about Hulk Hogan getting booed. If you are getting booed by the masses there is a reason for it, alright? I don’t know if Hulk fully understands the scope, but people get what they deserve.”

Rollins does give credit to Hogan for what he has meant overall for the pro wrestling industry, but he does think Terry Bollea needs to take some onus for his past.

“But I do think there’s some responsibility that he needs to own up to that he hasn’t yet and maybe when he finally figures that out might be able to move forward with our fans so we’ll see.”

Kevin Nash, RVD and The Undertaker weighed in on Hogan getting booed. Undertaker had some similar sentiments when it came to what Rollins had to say. Hogan cited himself getting booed because of his past ties with the NWO.

Tiffany Stratton Teases Stunning WrestleMania 41 Attire

Thomas Lowson
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Tiffany Stratton Teases Stunning WrestleMania 41 Attire

As WWE Women’s Champion, Tiffany Stratton will have a crucial role at WrestleMania 41, with a showdown with Charlotte Flair expected. Speaking to Grind City Media, Stratton shared plans to dress to impress this April in Las Vegas.

“Having WrestleMania in Vegas, I think it would only be fitting if I did a showgirl theme. I feel like that could be really cool—feathers and stuff like that.”

Stratton encouraged fans to “stay tuned” for more on her WrestleMania attire as she wants to make her debut at WWE’s biggest event one to remember. The reigning Women’s Champion also shared how her attire for the Showcase of the Immortals will fit in with her established look.

“I’m trying to find a goodtheme and consistency throughout all my years, so I try to go with like the girly girl—pink, blues, yellows, like bright colors.”

Stratton will be on tonight’s SmackDown where she’ll come face to face with Charlotte Flair, the winner of the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match. While Flair’s ornate robes often make her stand out, Stratton is ready to go toe-to-toe with Charlotte, both in the ring and in the fashion world.

Tiffany Stratton Spills on Nia Jax, Sabrina Carpenter, and Ludwig Kaiser Love

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