WWE is officially on the road to their next premium live event, Bash In Berlin, which will take place on August 31 in Berlin, Germany. Ahead of the PLE, the company stopped for a live house show at the Rudolf Weber Arena in Oberhausen, Germany, on August 27.
The card featured several matchups from the Friday Night Smackdown roster as WWE prepares for a live episode on August 30 at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany. The house show also had WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther, Ilja Dragunov, and Sheamus competing to represent the Monday Night RAW brand. In the main event, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes put his title on the line against AJ Styles.
WWE Results (8/27)
Here are the results(Provided by Cagematch) for the latest WWE house show:
WWE United States Championship Fatal Four Way Match: (C) LA Knight b. Ludwig Kaiser, Sheamus, and Shinsuke Nakamura
DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) b. Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson)
WWE Women’s Championship Match: Bayley b. (C) Nia Jax via DQ
Bayley & Naomi b. Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: (C) Gunther b. Ilja Dragunov
Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill b. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
WWE Tag Team Championship Match: (C) The Bloodline (Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa) with Jacob Fatu b. A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory & Grayson Waller) and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Undisputed WWE Championship Match: (C) Cody Rhodes b. AJ Styles
Reactions From WWE Road To Bash In Berlin Event
WWE fans who attended the show have expressed their enjoyment on social media by sharing photos and videos from the event. The company has also shared a post on X of Kaiser making his entrance in his home country, which received a huge reaction from the crowd.
WWE Continues To Build Momentum Ahead Of Bash In Berlin
The company will continue its road to Bash In Berlin with two more house shows before Smackdown. WWE will hold events at the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany, on August 28 and at the Festhalle Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany, on August 29. Tickets for both shows are still on sale on Ticketmaster.
The tour through Germany has given fans a taste of what to expect at the PLE this Saturday. Based on the reactions from those attending the house shows this week, Bash In Berlin should have a great crowd to witness some of WWE’s best superstars compete live.
The wrestling community is honoring the memory and mourning the loss of wrestling legend Sid Eudy (AKA Sycho Sid/Sid Vicious) at age 63. Eudy’s son, Gunnar, shared on Facebook Monday afternoon that his father passed away after several years of battling cancer.
After the unfortunate news broke, the wrestling community took to social media to express condolences to the Eudy family and share memories of “The Master and Ruler Of The World.”
A two-time WWE Champion. The Master and Ruler of the World. Few performers in the history of our business have had the look, intensity and ability to connect with the audience quite like Sid. My thoughts are with Sid's family, friends and fans. https://t.co/VuaBspqJFM
Without Sid Vicious, I don’t think my brother and I would have made it to WCW. His impact on this business was undeniable, and he paved the way for so many of us. My deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time. #RIPSidpic.twitter.com/3fYWTAkHzO
So sad to hear that friend and wrestling superstar Sid Eudy (Sid Vicious & Sid Justice) has passed away at 63 years young from cancer. He was one of the first wrestlers i wrestled when i was trying out for WCW. What a great guy. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to his… pic.twitter.com/5ei9yVczAA
So Sorry To Hear Of The Passing Of Sid Justice. For All Of You Out There That Have Known That We Hadn’t Gotten Along In Business- The Last Time I Saw Him, We Hugged, He Called Me Champ, And I Said Thank You! He Has A Beautiful Family, And His Family Should Know That He Was Much… pic.twitter.com/legtqE0yHH
I'll never forget being in Madison Square Garden for this – or being terrified as a kid watching him send all of his opponents away on stretchers with a "call 911" placard
Looking up Sid on old tweets & it must be said that as a kid in early 90s – Sid more often then not got top billing on my old wrasslin vhs tape collections. His squashes were of optimal importance. pic.twitter.com/yytQE4FVqk
Rest in Peace Sid Eudy, one of the most exciting performers of his generation. A killer look, awesome to watch in the ring, and a great, intense promo. And a reminder that anyone who said otherwise doesn’t know what the heck they’re talking about. #RIPSidViciouspic.twitter.com/tW30RcYo7O
I promise there will never be anything funnier than him going to pick up his car and discovering that it was destroyed by Goldberg?? pic.twitter.com/mYOU4r23kD
Eudy had a successful wrestling career from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. He first gained attention in WCW as a member of the Skyscrapers with Dan Spivey and later as a member of the Four Horsemen, but it was when he went to WWE (then WWF) in 1991 as Sid Justice that he caught many fans’ attention.
He famously eliminated Hulk Hogan from the highly revered 1992 Royal Rumble Match. This led to their matchup in the main event of WrestleMania 8 on April 5, 1992, which Eudy lost by disqualification. Although he lost, Eudy’s performance stood out as it was the rare time a superstar kicked out of Hogan’s iconic leg drop.
Eudy eventually left the company for a brief stint with WCW in 1993. He returned to WWE on February 20, 1995, during the episode of Monday Night Raw as Shawn Michaels’s bodyguard. He would be an essential part of the storyline between “HBK” and Diesel’s (AKA Kevin Nash) feud that culminated at WrestleMania 11 on April 2, 1995, and would betray Michaels that night after on Raw. The attack on his former helped Michaels go on his “Babyface” run, leading to his WWE Championship win against Bret Hart at WrestleMania 12.
Becoming The WWE Champion
After the split in 1995, Eudy struggled to find success as a “Heel.” However, the following year, he gained the fans’ support as Sycho Sid and became one of the company’s popular “Babyfaces.” The wrestling legend gained momentum with his new identity and earned an opportunity to challenge Michaels for the title at Survivor Series at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, on November 17, 1996.
Although WWE tried to position Eudy as a “Heel” during the match, the audience famously cheered for him as he defeated “HBK” to win his first WWE Championship. It marked a rare occurrence at the time as the crowd went against the status quo of wrestling to cheer for the “Heel” and was another sign that the wrestling business was changing.
Eudy held the title for two months before losing it to Michaels in a rematch at the Royal Rumble on January 19, 1997. However, his win at Survivor Series remains one of the moments in wrestling history that marked a cultural shift, as fans rebelled against what the company intended and are open to doing so more frequently today.
Final Years Of Sid Eudy’s Legendary Career
Eudy would reclaim the WWE Championship on the February 17, 1997, episode of Raw by defeating Bret Hart. He held the title for over a month before losing to The Undertaker at WrestleMania 13 on March 23, 1997. The loss would be the final time Eudy would be a champion in the company, and he would eventually find himself leaving WWE to work for different promotions, including a brief stint in ECW in 1999.
He would make another return to WCW as Sid Vicious at the Great American Bash on June 13, 1999, to attack Nash after he defeated “Macho Man” Randy Savage by disqualification. His comeback to the company would put him in the mix as one of the featured talents on the WCW roster, and he would win his first title by defeating Chris Benoit for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship at Fall Brawl on September 12, 1999. The win led to Eudy’s infamous feud with Goldberg, leading to the champion destroying his car on the September 27, 1999 episode of Monday Night Nitro. Eudy would yet again not have a long title reign as he dropped it to Goldberg at Halloween Havoc on October 24, 1999.
Eudy’s career in WCW continued to have highs and lows during his run from 1999 until the company closed its doors after WWE bought it. He would win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice, but both reigns lasted less than two months. His career sadly took a turn for the worse when he fractured his leg after jumping from the top rope in a Four-Way Dance match against Scott Steiner, Jeff Jarrett, and Road Warrior Animal at Sin on January 14, 2001. The injury would take him out of action for the rest of WCW’s operation before being sold.
Eudy would eventually return to wrestling in later years, but he wasn’t the same after the injury and began to slow down his career. He notably appeared on the 1000th episode of Monday Night Raw on June 25, 2012, in a win against Heath Slater.
Final Words On The Legacy Of Sid Eudy
Eudy leaves behind a tremendous legacy of moments for wrestling fans to appreciate. With his size and devasting power, he was a special wrestler in the ring. However, Eudy also could entertain viewers with his personality. In one instance, he could intimidate fans with his intensity in his promos, and in other moments, he could make you laugh, like when Goldberg demolished his car.
He didn’t have long reigns as a champion in WWE or WCW. That said, he was an essential figure for different storylines and moments that defined the times he competed in that will be remembered forever.
SEScoops extends our heartfelt condolences to Eudy’s family and friends during this difficult time.
WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi continues to express disappointment with the promotion over the booking of his son Jey Uso. The fan-favorite superstar has remained one of the top “Babyfaces” in the company but has yet to win a singles championship.
Rikishi has previously lashed out at the company for not allowing his son to win Money In The Bank. Uso responded to his father’s comments on the Ringer Wrestling Show podcastand jokingly shared that he told his dad to watch him work and enjoy the show. On his Off The Top podcast, Rikishi called out WWE again for not giving his son the opportunities he deserves.
“…I’m at this point where I just want to call my son, hey go ahead and just take a break because obviously them writers don’t know where to put you or where to write something that’s right for the character of Jey Uso.”
Rikishi thinks Uso should be a World Champion by now due to his fanbase, questions if WWE is paying him fairly, and suggests he should explore opportunities elsewhere.
“…WWE is making money off the Yeet Man (Uso). The Yeet Man is making money himself, but the only difference is the Yeet Man is working for his money.”
Rikishi Suggests Jey Uso Explore Working Elsewhere
Rikishi explained that his son has done well with merchandise, and the company is profiting from Uso’s success but not rewarding him. He also believes that Uso can succeed in All Elite Wrestling and get paid more than working for WWE.
“…The kid is so good. WWE ain’t the only spot. He can probably go to AEW, if he wanted, and write his own ticket. Maybe more than what WWE is making on him.
So you know, at the end of the day, man, this is a wrestler talking. I utilize my platform to each one teach one, but it just so happened that we talking about my boy, the Yeet Man. So hopefully, they turn it around and do the right thing behind the Yeet Man.”
– Rikishi
Jey Uso will compete in a #1 contender’s tournament to decide who will challenge Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker at WWE Bad Blood on October 5.
Prior to announcing his intentions to compete in the tournament, he was teasing being in a tag team with Sami Zayn. However, Zayn is currently out of action and undergoing stem cell therapy.
He has also been teased to be involved with Rhea Ripley as she feuds with Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan. Before the breakup between “Mamí” and “Dirty Dom,” Uso showed interest in Ripley, which caused Mysterio to be jealous. In addition, the former WWE Women’s World Champion has continued referencing on social media, as fans believe he will eventually come to her rescue to go against the new power couple. During the Judgement Day’s (Finn Balor, Carlito, JD McDonagh, Mysterio & Morgan) assault on Ripley and Damian Priest on the August 19 WWE Raw, the audience was chanting for Uso to make the save.
Despite the creative direction WWE seems to be taking Uso and being featured as a top “Babyface” superstar on Monday Night Raw, Rikishi is pushing hard for his son to get more opportunities. Like LaVar Ball did for his sons, the wrestling legend continues to be vocal about helping Uso succeed in his career.
WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan is currently riding high on her “Revenge Tour.” She kicked off her rise in the Monday Night Raw women’s roster by defeating Becky Lynch to win the title at King & Queen Of The Ring on May 25. Thus far, she has successfully defended her championship three times, including against bitter rival Rhea Ripley. The champion remains steadfast in continuing her reign and remaining on top of the women’s division.
In an interview with Sirius XM Busted Open’s Dave LeGreca, Morgan opened up about her career shift this year to being a “Heel.” She believes this is her time to shine in the company and is happy with her creative direction.
“…I feel like I’ve worked my whole for the success that I’ve had these four or five months, I’m just happy,” she said. “I really don’t know how else to put it. I’m happy. I feel like I put in the work. I feel like there is a difference between it’s your turn, and it’s your time, and I feel like this is my time.”
– Liv Morgan, Busted Open Radio
The champion noted that Grammy-nominated artist Jelly Roll told her it was her time at SummerSlam on August 3. Morgan’s latest action of stealing Ripley’s boyfriend, Dominik Mysterio, and aligning with the Judgement Day(Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, Carlito & Mysterio) has sparked interest from fans on how WWE plans to continue her storyline next.
Liv Morgan On Her Ongoing Revenge Tour Storyline
Morgan’s latest title defense came by defeating “The Eradicator” at SummerSlam, with assistance from Mysterio. To add to the insult, the champion and “Dirty Dom” made out after the match to further embarrass Ripley. WWE’s decision to align Morgan with her new boyfriend and the rest of the Judgement Day has further cemented her status as one of the biggest “Heels” on the roster.
When speaking on her current “Revenge Tour” storyline, she expressed that she is happy with the reception from fans about the feud.
“…I’m just enjoying everyone watching and tuning in. I’m enjoying people loving it. I’m enjoying people hating it. It seems like it’s quite polarizing, and so it’s just fun to see how everyone reacts to what we are doing.”
– Liv Morgan, Busted Open Radio
Feuding with Rhea Ripley
Elsewhere in the interview, Morgan also discussed how the storyline of getting revenge is intriguing to fans because it is relatable. She pointed out that her issues with Ripley are unique because her actions could deemed justifiable because of what “Mamí” did to the champion in the past.
“…I feel like it’s something that maybe people can relate to. You know, getting revenge. Getting their lick back. Getting back at someone that hurt them. That wronged them, or maybe they didn’t get back at that person, and they wished that they did. I’m just being as true to myself as I can in this moment, and I’m just happy that everything went exactly the way that I said that it would.”
– Liv Morgan, Busted Open Radio
The WWE Women’s World Champion’s “Revenge Tour” will next involve teaming up with “Dirty Dom” to take on Ripley and Damian Priest at Bash In Berlin on August 31. The mixed tag team match will put Morgan and Mysterio’s relationship to the test against the wrath of their opponents.
WWE superstar Rhea Ripley is ready for a rematch against her rival Charlotte Flair. In their last encounter, “The Eradicator” defeated Flair to win the Smackdown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 39 on April 1, 2023.
In an interview with veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter, Ripley warned the seven-time WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion ahead of her comeback.
“…Mamí is bigger and better than ever. I beat you at WrestleMania 39, so you best believe that I can do it again. I love you, princess. Get back and be safe because Mamí is going to put you back down.”
– Rhea Ripley, WrestleBinge
After Ripley won the title in 2023, she was moved to Monday Night Raw along with Judgement Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio). WWE’s creative decision made it so they were separated by different brands and has created intrigue from fans about a rematch.
Charlotte Flair Recovery Update
On July 30, Flair posted a video of herself training in the ring at the WWE Performance Center. She was noticeably wearing a knee brace but could do in-ring exercises with seemingly little discomfort.
WWE announced in December 2023 that Flair’s timeline for her full recovery could be nine months, which would be on track for a September return. She’s listed as a free agent on the WWE website, allowing the company some flexibility to place her on Raw or SmackDown when the time comes.
Ripley is currently focused on her feud with WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan and her former boyfriend, Mysterio. That said, the company could move to have Flair rekindle her rivalry with “Mamí” when she is ready to return.
Amazon’s newest film, Jackpot!, featuring Awkwafina and John Cena, is officially available on Prime Video. The action comedy marks the first time they have worked together on a movie and is Cena’s second project for the streaming service this year.
Jackpot! is set in the future in Los Angeles, California, where a special raffle called the “Grand Lottery” offers a multi-billion dollar prize with the rule that citizens can kill the winner to get the ticket. The winner is forced to survive until sundown to collect their earnings.
Awkwafina plays Katie Kim, a struggling actress who wins the lottery and gets protection from Cena’s character, Noel Cassidy, to survive the hunt.
The film is Cena’s second comedy after his performance in Ricky Stanickyearlier this year. Although the movie wasn’t well received by himself and other critics, it scored 72% on Rotten Tomatoes. Jackpot! has garnered less universal enthusiasm so far.
I watched the film after its release to share my review of it. After sharing my thoughts on different aspects of Jackpot!, I’ll give an overall rating between 1 and 10.
A Promising Concept With Poor Results
The best way to describe Jackpot! is that it’s like if you were to combine the 2010 film Lottery Ticket and The Purge franchise. The plot of a woman forced into a situation where she wins a life-changing opportunity but must survive murderers looking to take it away is interesting. That can make for a good horror movie or a fascinating dark comedy. Unfortunately, Jackpot! is an action comedy with jokes that fall flat and action that is just okay.
The first 25 minutes of the movie set the tone for how illogical the plot will be for viewers intrigued by the premise. As Jackpot! continues, it completely unravels into a ridiculous and forgettable film. For example, why the “Grand Lottery” was created in the first place makes no sense and isn’t explained. At one point in the movie, Cena’s character calls for help to launch a “Phone Strike” that blows up all the cell phones of himself and his partner’s pursuers. These are just some moments that made me scratch my head in confusion.
The action scenes are okay but could be more memorable. The humor is painfully bad, as Awkwafina and Cena try desperately to make you crack a smile, which fails more often than not. The lack of delivered jokes and the action that isn’t eye-catching enough leads to a tough movie to sit through over an hour and 30 minutes.
John Cena & Awkwafina Performance
The WWE superstar has become a good actor who can be goofy and charming to make fans endeared to him. Jackpot! features Cena mainly in a more subdued role than in past films and has Awkwafina play more of an over-the-top character. The creative decision resulted in the most lackluster performance from the 13-time WWE Champion in recent memory.
It doesn’t help the film that the dialogue is poor. Awkwafina tries to find jokes by reacting to the zany situations that she is involved in throughout Jackpot! This leads to a lot of shrieking and so many jokes that can make a viewer roll their eyes.
While the comedy doesn’t work, Cena and Awkwafina have moments that show what they could’ve done with a better script. Both have serious parts in the movie that are good. For instance, there is a scene between them where the leading actress talks about her troubles as a childhood actress and how her father stole from her. Cena has a moment where he gets to show his acting chops with a more dramatic scene as he shares his character’s motivation for helping Awkwafina in the film. It’s points in the movie like this that show how talented they both are but have the challenge of a bad script.
Show-Stealing Supporting Characters
Although I didn’t get many laughs from Cena or Awkwafina, I did enjoy three characters in the movie. One of them is Simu Liu, who plays Louis Lewis. He acts as a rival to the WWE superstar’s character and the main villain. Liu showcases his charisma and is charming as the bad guy trying to take the lottery ticket from the protagonist.
The other two supporting characters who wowed me were actor Donald Elise Watkins as DJ Donald and actress Ayden Mayeri as Shadi. They are a couple in the movie, and their chemistry is better than Cena’s and Awkwafina’s. Watkins and Mayeri played off each other well and made me chuckle at some of their scenes with the leading actress. The three supporting characters made the Jackpot! more enjoyable than it should’ve been.
Overall Thoughts On Jackpot!
I think Jackpot! results from a film with an interesting plot but lousy execution. The concept may truly be better in another genre than what was intended. In comparison to Ricky Stanicky, Cena in Jackpot! is a waste of his abilities as a comedic actor, and I think the WWE superstar should consider attempting more different roles, including a thriller or a rom-com, for his next film.
Jackpot! isn’t a completely terrible project. However, it remains a forgettable film, making you wish it could’ve been better.
Paul Heyman believes it was meant to be for CM Punk to return to WWE. Punk made his comeback to the company after a disastrous exit from All Elite Wrestling on September 2, 2023, following a backstage altercation with Jake Perry. “The Straight Edge Superstar” would make his shocking return to WWE at Survivor Series on November 25, 2023.
In an interview with Sam Roberts, Heyman said he believed it was destiny for Punk to overcome the issues he had in his wrestling career and return to the WWE.
“It’s destiny, really. CM Punk is back where he belongs, and that’s on top in WWE,” said Heyman. “It’s the old song, you had to go to hell to get to Heaven and CM Punk, the struggle is real, and he is a rebel. To this day, he is a rebel, but the rebel would never reach the top. The rebel will never get his due on his own merit if he doesn’t go through pure, blatant bloody hell, and that hell could not only be in WWE. He had to go through hell elsewhere as well, and everybody had to see it and hear about it and know about it and sit there and go, ‘My god, will somebody please one time give this talented man the platform that he deserves.'”
As a longtime friend of Punk, Heyman continued to speak on the former WWE Champion’s journey back to the company and how he is still dealing with struggles after recovering from an injury at the Royal Rumble on January 27.
Paul Heyman On CM Punk Being At His WWE Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
Punk’s return to the WWE occurred just at the right time for Heyman’s induction into the Hall of Fame on April 5. The self-proclaimed “Best In the World” wrestler sat in the front row with his former manager’s children to witness the event. Heyman admitted it was important that Punk was in attendance for his induction.
“To see him in the front row with my children, was it surreal? No. Actually, it was very, very, very real, and the Hall of Fame would have not been the same to me if that wasn’t the case.”
– Paul Heyman
Thus far, Punk is fighting back against the stigma that he is challenging to work with based on his past. WWE fans are enjoying his return, and Punk seems ready to stay in the company for the rest of his career.
In an interview with the BBC’s Paul Frank, Danielson spoke openly about putting his career on the line and shared that he has accepted the possibility of retiring at All In.
“…I’m very much at peace with it(Retirement). If I wasn’t at peace with it, we wouldn’t have done that, right,” said Danielson. He continued, “… I’ve been wrestling for 25 years now at this point, and to me, it’s now or nothing. You know what I mean as far as winning the AEW World Championship. I came in and said I was going to kick people’s heads in, and I was going to win the AEW World Championship, and I’ve kicked a lot of people’s heads in but haven’t won a single title.”
Danielson noted that AEW Backstage Interviewer Alex Marvez shared the number of title matches he’s failed to win. In fact, “The American Dragon” hasn’t held a championship since he was the WWE SmackDown Tag Team with Erick Rowan in 2019. All In presents one final chance to win gold before his career ends. However, he is also at content with retiring with a defeat to Strickland.
Bryan Danielson On Family Helping His Decision To Potentially Retire
Danielson admits in the interview that one of the reasons that he has accepted potentially retiring is being with his family. He noted that as his daughter gets older, she notices when he gets hurt and doesn’t like it. The AEW superstar feels he is in a different stage of his life compared to his retirement from WWE in 2016, which is to walk away from in-ring competition finally.
“… My life is just different now. When I was forced to retire, I wasn’t ready. 2015 was kind of my last match, but you know, I was forced to retire in 2016, but at that point, I’m 35 years old and I’m just like this doesn’t feel right. I also didn’t have anything else to like, really put my focus and my attention towards, and now I do. Now I have a wonderful family that I really excited about spending time with and that sort of nothing. So yeah, it’s a very different place when it’s by choice rather than you’re forced.”
Despite being open to retirement, fans should expect Danielson to compete with everything he has to win the AEW World Championship. He has shown throughout his career that he can rise to the occasion when the odds are stacked against him.
Several WWE superstars (and one former talent) are the next contestants on Celebrity Family Feud. The latest WWE installment of the show airs this Tuesday, August 20, on ABC at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT and will also stream on Hulu. The episode features men vs. women, with Bobby Lashley, The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford), Austin Theory, and LA Knight taking on Mia Yim, Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, Zelina Vega, and Sonya Deville.
The episode was taped back on April 13. At the time, Lashley was in a faction with The Street Profits as The Pride and was coming off a win over The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Akam & Rezar) at WrestleMania 40 on April 7. His last televised match was a loss alongside Santos Escobar to LA Knight in a triple-threat match on the April 12 episode of Friday Night Smackdown.
Another notable example of the episode being taped is that Theory is pictured with the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship. He and his partner Grayson Waller would lose the titles to DIY(Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) during Friday Night Smackdown on July 12.
The upcoming Celebrity Family Feud will give fans a different look at the WWE superstars outside the ring as they compete to answer the right questions. However, Lashley’s appearance in the episode will remind wrestling viewers that he is no longer with the company and put a spotlight on him as he enters free agency.
Bobby Lashley’s Next Moves
Lashley’s contract with WWE expired on August 16. He and his former Hurt Business ally, MVP, were moved to the company’s alumni section. In an Instagram post on the day of his WWE departure, Lashley shared a video of him working out with the caption,
“Every day is a new opportunity to push the limits and show the world what you are made of. I’ve got so much fight left in me, and I’m just getting started.”
Both are currently available to sign with any promotion with the expectation by fans that they will work together. It was also revealed that a company linked to MVP named Totally Harmless Concept, LLC, recently registered the trademark The Hurt Syndicate. Lashley is dealing with an arm injury but has openly shared that he wants to continue his wrestling career.
Time will tell who Lashley will compete for next. However, his appearance on Celebrity Family Feud gives him more exposure as he navigates free agency.
Heels, the wrestling-themed drama series from Starz, moves to Netflix on September 25, 2023 two years after the second season finale. Show-runner Mike O’Malley is optimistic the show be ‘rebooted’ for Season 3 once a wider audience discovers the show.
The series follows Stephen Amell as Jack Spade and Alexander Ludwig as Ace Spade, playing brothers from Georgia competing against each other to be the top star of their late father’s promotion, Duffy Wrestling League.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, O’Malley shared his thoughts on Heels going to Netflix and urged fans to support it to create demand for a third season. He also notes that Amell’s upcoming role in Suits: LA could bring new viewers to the wrestling drama.
EW’s Kristen Baldwin transcribed the following quotes.
“To a person, every single person involved in this show wants to make more Heels,” said O’Malley. “The success of Suits: LA will just drive more people to watching Stephen’s work on Netflix. It doesn’t take that long to make a season of Heels. It’s very labor intensive, but there are windows of time during hiatuses to make more.”
Since its cancellation, fans have hoped it would be picked up by another network or streaming service. Netflix has a bigger audience than Starz, which can allow new viewers to watch the show for the first time.
Wrestling On Netflix
The timing of Netflix launching Heels on their platform is interesting, as WWE is set to have a Monday Night Raw stream exclusively next year. The popular streaming service is starting to enter the wrestling genre with the addition of Monday Night Raw, which will air live weekly in January 2025. The $5 billion deal is expected to add a refreshing change for the Raw brand.
Netflix also aims to attract new customers and retain those who already subscribe to the service, which, as the Associated Press reported in April, has nearly 270 million subscribers.
Heels‘ streaming on Netflix has the potential to interest wrestling fans who have yet to watch the series but are subscribing to Monday Night Raw. Regardless, fans of the series should show their support by watching it next month on the service. Netflix’s investment in wrestling and Heels viewership could push for season three, which O’Malley is hopeful for.
John Cena’s newest movie, Jackpot!, has been released and is now streaming on Prime Video. This marks the second project Cena has been involved in this year regarding the streaming service.
Here is a quick summary of the film provided by Amazon Prime Video.
“In the near future, a ‘Grand Lottery’ has been newly established in California – the catch: kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion dollar jackpot. When Katie Kim (Awkwafina) moves to Los Angeles, she mistakenly finds herself with the winning ticket,” said the streaming service.
The unfortunate hunt of Awkwafina’s character leads to Cena as Noel Cassidy coming to her aid to protect her. Both must work together to survive until sundown to take home her prize. In addition, Marvel’s Shang Chi actor Simu Liu plays Louis Lewis, a rival to Cassidy who wants to murder Kim to take her earnings.
Jackpot! is directed by Paul Feig and written by Rob Yescombe. Feig is known for his directorial work on Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters (a 2016 film), and A Simple Favor.
Cena has been making the media rounds to get fans excited about his new Amazon project. He’s also getting the wrestling community anxious about his return to WWE for his retirement tour next year.
Despite the final year of his wrestling career approaching, the wrestler-turned-actor is having a successful transition to Hollywood and will be a WWE Ambassador in 2026. The future for Cena is very bright as he closes a chapter in his life.
I’ll react to Cena’s latest film in the coming days, so check back to SEScoops for an exclusive review.
WWE icon and Hollywood box office heavyweight John Cena has plans for his career after he officially retires from WWE active competition in December 2025. Cena has wrestled for WWE since his debut in 2002 in a match against Kurt Angle. While he still looks in great shape and has competed sporadically for the company in recent years, he does not want fans thinking he’ll come out of retirement after his final match. Cena appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live this week (August 13) and said:
“I know sometimes retirement in wrestling are liquid. They happen, and they renege on that. I am 100% done. December 2025 is the last time I will perform in a ring, said Cena.
– John Cena on Jimmy Kimmel Live
John Cena: WWE Ambassador
Cena plans to be part of the WWE family for years to come, and feels that he can continue contributing by serving as a Brand Ambassador for the world’s premiere sports entertainment company.
“I’ll still be part of the WWE family as an Ambassador, but the time has come to close the physical performing chapter of my life, and I’m at peace with it, which is why 2025 is going to be awesome. It’s going to be fun. It’s not going to be sad, but that’s it.”
– John Cena on Jimmy Kimmel Live
When Cena becomes a WWE Ambassador, he’ll join the likes of other legends like The Undertaker and Lex Luger, who represent the promotion outside the ring. The company would have the accomplished film superstar make special appearances for various promotional events. Cena’s new role will continue to allow him to take on acting roles while being a representative for WWE when needed.
The former 13-time WWE Champion has already shown he can be a great ambassador from his involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and media appearances throughout his career. Another example of his dedication to being a great spokesperson is how much he cares for the WWE fanbase. An old video has resurfaced online regarding Cena’s signing 3,000 photos in the lead-up to WrestleMania 26 in 2010, showing his commitment.
Cena’s new role in WWE would be an excellent way for him to stay connected with the company and continue his journey of becoming a successful box-office attraction in his acting career. Next year will mark the end of Cena’s accomplished wrestling career, but his comments on the Jimmy Kimmel Show show that he still wants to be involved with WWE’s future.
Tonight’s All Elite Wrestling Dynamite episode will take place at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. It will be the last Dynamite in the United States before the company heads overseas on the road to All In on August 25.
AEW Dynamite Tonight
Here is what has been announced to occur on tonight’s show
Jay Lethal vs. Adam Page
Three-Way Match for the Number One Spot In Casino Gauntlet At All In: Roderick Strong vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Swerve Strickland vs. Wheeler Yuta
AEW TBS Championship Match: (C) Mercedes Moné vs. Hikaru Shida
AEW World Tag Team Championship: (C) The Young Bucks vs. The Acclaimed
Plus, Dynamite will also feature:
Hook to appear
A Flim By Mariah May segment
Kazuchika Okada & Claudio Castagnoli Face to Face
The Acclaimed Finally Get Their Title Opportunity
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) are set to challenge The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson) for the tag titles. The fan-favorite duo earned the opportunity after defeating the champions in an eliminator match on the June 19 episode of AEW Dynamite. After nearly two months of building to their rematch, both teams will try to settle their differences and end the episode with the AEW World Tag Team Championships.
(AEW)
Mercedes Moné Puts Title On The Line Ahead of All In
In preparation for her match against Dr. Britt Baker, DMD, at All In, Moné puts her title on the line against Shida. The matchup will be the “CEO” fifth time defending the AEW TBS Championship since winning it at Double or Nothing on May 26.
(AEW)
Swerve Strickland Faces Wheeler Yuta In Non-Title Match
Elsewhere in the episode, Strickland takes on Yuta in a non-title match to get ready for his title defense at All In. Bryan Danielson will be in the corner of his Blackpool Combat Club ally and get a preview of what to expect from the champion at the upcoming pay-per-view.
(AEW)
Number One Spot In Casino Gauntlet Will Be Determined
Another important match on tonight’s episode is the three-way match to determine who will have the number one spot in the Casino Gauntlet. Strong, Cassidy, and O’Reilly will push each other to their limit to gain an advantage in the featured All In match.
What Happened On Last Week’s AEW Dynamite Episode
Before tonight’s episode, here is a recap of what happened last week.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for our continued coverage of Dynamite and the upcoming AEW All In 2024 PPV on Sunday, August 25.
LA Knight will stay in WWE for the long term, according to a new report that says the newly-crowned WWE United States Champion has reached a new contract with the company. WWE is currently going through an interesting period as several talents’ contracts are expiring. The company has re-signed talent like Finn Balor and Seth Rollins to new deals, while Becky Lynch and Ricochet are available to test free agency. WWE has shown interest in signing new talent, with one recent interest being to hire the All Elite Wrestling tag team, The Lucha Brothers (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo).
Fightful Select has reported that WWE has locked in LA Knight to a new deal to keep him in the company. The WWE United States Champion was set to have his contract expire in 2025, and both sides have been working towards a new agreement since last year. The report notes that Knight was given a restructuring and an extension on his expiring contract to keep him around longer and increase his salary.
What’s Next For LA Knight?
Knight is coming off the biggest win of his WWE career as he finally won a title on the main roster. The charismatic superstar defeated Logan Paul in a back-and-forth matchup at SummerSlam on August 3 to become the WWE United States Champion. The victory comes after months of the company building him as one of the top “Babyfaces” on the main roster.
As champion, Knight will have plenty of challengers ready to end his reign. One potential opponent could be a rematch against Paul.
The YouTuber turned wrestler shared a legal letter on X regarding the champion’s theft of his Prime Truck. The incident occurred on the August 2 episode of Friday Night Smackdown, where the “Babyface” took his truck during the show.
Although the lawsuit could be Paul’s attempt to troll the champion on X, WWE can utilize the X post to further the rivalry between the two superstars. The social media influencer has also expressed how much he misses being a champion, so he’ll likely want a rematch.
Regardless, WWE fans will continue to see what challenges await Knight as he continues his career in the company.
Posted August 9th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: LA Knight.
Former TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore is set to relaunch Maple Leaf Wrestling as Mapple Leaf Pro (MLP) this October. D’Amore has kept a low profile since his abrupt termination from TNA Wrestling on February 7. He reportedly attempted to acquire the promotion from Anthem Sports and Entertainment, but was denied. This went down right after D’Amore had successfully led Impact Wrestling’s rebrand back to TNA.
After months of suspense, D’Amore returns to wrestling to run Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling. They will host a two-night Forged By Excellence event on October 19 and 20 at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Tickets will go on sale on August 26, these Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling events will stream live on Triller TV on pay-per-view.
Former WWE Champion Raj Dheshi (Jinder Mahal) has been announced for the first shows, along with TNA stars Josh Alexander, Gisele Shaw, and KUSHIDA.
— MAPLE LEAF PRO Wrestling (@MapleLeafPW) August 8, 2024
History of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling
The company originated in Toronto, Canada, and started as Queensbury Athletic Club in the 1930s. It would rebrand to Maple Leaf Wrestling in the 1940s and feature several legendary wrestlers, including Andre the Giant, Bruno Sammartino, and Ric Flair. By 1984, WWE(FKA WWF) acquired Major Leaf Wrestling, and the promotion ceased operation.
The move to relaunch Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling may help restore the brand’s legacy and attract a new audience that was unaware of its existence. It was also announced that the library of old matches from the promotion will be uploaded to YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms, which will allow fans to watch their history at a later date.
D’Amore decision to resurrect Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling is intriguing and could be an exciting promotion in the independent wrestling market. From his work at TNA, he has shown what he can contribute to a company. Hopefully, this will open more opportunities for Canadian and other indie wrestlers who have yet to be given a spotlight.
Independent wrestling star Michael Oku shared a cryptic tweet teasing an appearance at the All Elite Wrestling All In event on August 25.
AEW’s upcoming pay-per-view is starting to take shape as they prepare for their second All In show at Wembley Stadium in London, England, later this month. Five matches have been announced, and the company is expected to reveal more in the coming weeks. The main event will feature AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defending his title against Owen Hart Cup winner Bryan Danielson.
Although the matchups will be the main focus of the PPV, fans are also interested in what surprises AEW President Tony Khan has planned. The company had several newsworthy appearances last year, including Mercedes Moné, who was a free agent at the time.
Khan has yet to hint at a new talent or any surprise at All In. That said, Oku has fans talking with his tweet showing a compilation of wrestling interviewers asking if he will take part in the PPV.
The tease is intriguing as the talented independent wrestler is from London, England, and it would surprise fans at Wembley Stadium. He is one of Revolution Pro Wrestling’s biggest stars and the reigning British heavyweight champion.
It’s also worth noting that Oku has a history with Will Ospreay. In their last match, Oku defeated the AEW superstar to retain his title at Revpro’s High Stakes event on February 18. Ospreay is already set to challenge MJF for the AEW American Championship at All In, so a potential rematch is ruled out.
Regardless, Oku’s tweet has created anticipation on whether he’ll finally get his moment at Wembley Stadium.
AEW All In Current Match Card
(Match Card Is Subject To Change)
AEW TNT Championship: (C) Jack Perry vs. Darby Allin
AEW TBS Championship: (C) Mercedes Moné vs. Dr. Britt Baker DMD
AEW American Championship: (C) MJF vs. Will Ospreay
AEW Women’s World Championship: (C) Toni Storm vs. Mariah May
AEW World Championship: (C) Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson
Game Changer Wrestling will host their live event, Dream On, at the American Dream Mall this fall. The mall is the second-biggest mall in the United States and will be the promotion’s debut at the location.
The popular indie wrestling company has begun revealing some live events scheduled for later this year. GCW is coming off their latest sold-out live show, Can I Trust You?, on August 4 at the House Of Independents in Asbury, New Jersey.
ICYMI
GCW returned to a SOLD OUT House of Independents in Asbury Park on Sunday for #GCWTrust and it didn't take long to make up for lost time.
Blake got poisoned, Tremont & Manders brawled and The Maharajah got a taste of his own medicine.
After the show’s success, GCW shared on X a list of dates and locations for their upcoming events until November 15. Shortly after the post, the promotion announced on X they would host Dream On at the American Dream Mall on November 23. The location is inside the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tickets for Dream On aren’t on sale, but GCW has assured us that information will be provided soon.
GCW Following In WCW Footsteps
The ambitious show at American Dream Mall isn’t the first time a company has held an event in that style of venue. WCW famously had their first Monday Night Nitro episode at The Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 4, 1995. It remains the largest shopping center in America.
WCW put a ring inside the venue as onlookers watched their favorite superstars compete or continue shopping. The episode featured Hulk Hogan successfully defending the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Big Bubba Rogers. However, it’s most notable for the episode where Lex Luger returned to the company and the official start of the Monday Night Wars with WWE.
GCW follows the legacy of producing a wrestling show inside a large mall. While they may not have the same ambition of making Dream On as impactful as the first Monday Night Nitro episode, fans should expect the promotion to create a fantastic event for the New Jersey crowd.
Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz of The Rascalz share their thoughts on Wes Lee’s shocking betrayal on the latest episode of WWE NXT.
WWE fans are still stunned after Lee turned on Miguel and Wentz on the August 6 episode of NXT. The shocking moment happened after MSK (Lee & Wentz) finally had an opportunity to reclaim the WWE NXT Tag Team Championships with Miguel at ringside from Axiom and Nathan Frazer in the main event.
Both teams gave their all in an exciting matchup to end the show. MSK came close to winning the match, but the champions proved too much to handle. The finish came when Axiom landed the Golden Ratio to get the pin on Lee. After the match, MSK and Miguel shook hands with the winners out of respect. The champions would head backstage while The Rascalz exchanged hugs in the middle ring.
Fans in attendance thought that would end the show as they began to leave the performance center. However, Lee decided to turn on his friends by landing a superkick on Miguel and a low blow on Wentz. The former WWE NXT North American Champion continued the assault on both TNA Wrestling superstars outside the ring to end the episode.
After coming to terms with what happened, the Rascalz members finally shared their thoughts on what occurred on social media. Both expressed that they are heartbroken over what happened, with Wentz admitting that he still loves Lee.
I don’t even know what to say right now. Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to describe it. I still love you brother.? pic.twitter.com/9olTlaf7jk
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Lee has any regrets about what he did.
Wes Lee’s Response To Betraying The Rascalz?
Since the shocking conclusion, Lee hasn’t given fans a logical reason for his betrayal. The only response he has shared was in response to a tweet from NXT General Manager Ava.
After the episode ended, Ava asked Lee on X why he attacked his friends, and “The Kardiac Kid” sent a GIF with the caption, “Because I felt like it.”
Lee may address his actions in next week’s NXT episode, but the company has yet to advertise him for the show. Whatever the reasoning, fans should expect that the Rascalz will want to confront him about it.
A new film based on the legal case of WWE Hall of Famer Terry Bollea(AKA Hulk Hogan) vs. Gawker is officially in active development. Artists Equity, Ben Affleck’s and Matt Damon’s production company, will produce the movie, which is currently titled Killing Gawker.
“Hulkamania” will be running wild on the big screen, but not what fans have anticipated. The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit reported in 2019 that a biopic on the rise of Hogan’s fame in wrestling was in the works. Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth is expected to play the WWE Hall of Famer, with Academy Award-nominated director Todd Philips also attached to the development. However, in a recent interview with Screenrant on May 15, Hemsworth shared that nothing is official yet.
Although the biopic is in limbo, the film based on Hogan’s legal drama is starting to take shape. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson revealed on August 2 that Killing Gawker was being developed and could have Affleck playing the role of Hogan. In addition, it’s reported that the project may launch in January 2025.
Variety’s Katcy Stephan confirmed on August 5 that the film was being developed and added that Gus Van Sant is set to direct it. Van Sant has famously worked with Affleck and Damon as a director on the Academy Award-nominated movie Good Will Hunting.
Stephan reported that no casting has been made yet but acknowledged that there is an ongoing rumor that Affleck will play the WWE Hall of Famer.
What is Bollea vs. Gawker?
The infamous legal battle came after the wrestling legend filed a lawsuit in 2012 and took the media company to trial in 2016 regarding publishing portions of a sex tape involving Hogan and his former friend Bubba The Love Sponge’s wife at the time. It was alleged that Sponge filmed the intimate moment, which Hogan claimed he didn’t know about and didn’t consent to. The incident occurred in 2006, but Gawker obtained footage of Hogan having sex and published an article about it on October 12, 2012.
All Elite Wrestling’s popular tag team, The Lucha Brothers (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo), are reportedly expected to leave the company when their contracts expire. While it’s unclear what promotion they plan to sign with, some within AEW expect them to join WWE.
Wrestling free agency has been interesting this year, as several stars from different promotions are seeing their contracts expire. Both WWE and AEW have tried to re-sign some of their performers. However, wrestlers from both companies have either chosen to test free agency or weren’t able to reach a new agreement. One of the notable moves in the industry in recent months was “All Ego” Ethan Page, signing with WWE after spending three years in AEW.
A new report has revealed that the Lucha Bros. will also leave AEW when their deal expires later this year. Ibou, from WrestlePurists (AKA @BackupHangman on X), has shared during WrestlePurists Worldwide review for SummerSlam that his sources within AEW believe they plan to leave, and some expect WWE to sign them. He also noted that the tag team was initially considered to have a title match at All In on August 25, but that has changed.
“…The Lucha Brothers are expected to go to WWE,” said Ibou. He continued, “…So the Lucha Brothers were originally going to be wrestling at Wembley Stadium with PAC. At one point, they were pegged to wrestle the Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Killswitch & Nick Wayne) for the trios’ championships. This match is not happening.”
He added that he isn’t sure at this time if Death Triangle (Fenix, Penta & PAC) will be featured at the upcoming pay-per-view.
More On Lucha Bros. Potentially Testing Free Agency
While the former AEW World Tag Team Champions are expected to leave AEW, Ibou shared that it’s not completely set in stone that they will go to WWE.
“…Multiple sources within AEW towards me basically made it clear to me that the Lucha Brothers are expected to depart AEW at the end of their contract. Some of them speculated that WWE was the destination, others outright said that it was a formality,” said Ibou.
Time will tell what decision Fenix and Penta will make when their current deal expires later this year. However, the move to test free agency makes them a desirable tag team for other promotions to sign.
Jade Cargill tells SEScoops that her tag team with longtime friend Bianca Belair was like peanut butter and jelly, but at the end of the day, they’re both elite athletes and even they are competitive with one another.
Cargill has quickly found success in WWE after making her debut at the Royal Rumble on January 27. After a dominant run in All Elite Wrestling as a singles talent, wrestling fans believed she would immediately follow the same career path in WWE. However, WWE Chief Content Officier Paul “Triple H” Levesque decided to pair her with Bianca Belair, which has led to the two powerhouse superstars becoming a fan-favorite tag team and great friends.
Cargill and Belair became the Women’s Tag Team Champions by defeating The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) at Backlash on May 4. Although their reign didn’t last long, the “Babyface” duo have continued to be featured prominently on TV. In addition to their successful partnership, they developed a strong bond outside the ring.
In an interview with SEScoops correspondent Ella Jay over SummerSlam 2024 weekend, Cargill discussed her friendship with the “EST” and how their chemistry came together.
“It’s just natural. I mean, I feel like we’ve known each other for a long time. It’s like peanut butter and jelly,” said Cargill.
“…It’s like we have similar experiences in different ways. The chemistry just came off naturally. It wasn’t anything that was forced.”
While they have become great friends on and offscreen, Cargill and Belair have also engaged in friendly competition in the ring. Fans have seen both superstars showcase their athleticism in matches over the last few months. In the interview, Cargill commented on their competitiveness and how they push each other in the ring.
“At the core, we’re athletes, so we always want to one-up one another, right?”
“That’s what makes our tag team one of one, and while we’re out there and doing things that we’re doing and doing nothing but wanting to elevate the women’s division.”
WWE’s decision to pair them has worked in Cargill’s favor, as she continues to show growth in the ring and has silenced some of her critics. The experience of working as a tag team could lead to the former AEW superstar standing out more on her own in the future. For now, Cargill and Belair are focused on reclaiming the tag titles from The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn)and dominating the women’s division.
WWE 2K24 has released the latest downloadable content from their season pass on the Mircosoft Store, PlayStation Store, and Steam on July 31. The Pat McAfee Show Pack features the WWE 2K debut of the beloved former NFL Punter and his talk show co-hosts Ty Schmit, Boston Connor, AJ Hawk, and Darius Butler as playable characters.
The DLC is the third installment of the ongoing WWE 2K24 season pass, which launched on May 15. Fans can purchase select packs as standalone for $9.99 or the season pass for $39.99.
New MyFaction Locker Code
In addition to the Pat McAfee Show Pack release, the popular video game also added a new locker code for MyFaction mode. After starting WWE 2K24 and accepting the latest update, the main menu will show a code that says PATSMMERGIFT24.
It will also prompt fans to take them to MyFaction to help input the special update. The code unlocks 2Deluxe Punches & Promo Packs, 3 Faction Wars Tickets, and an Amethyst Extreme Series Drew McIntyre card, which WWE 2K24 players can use in the game mode.
The characters that fans can get from the Deluxe Punches & Promo Pack may vary, but gamers who love MyFaction are guaranteed to acquire McIntyre with an 85 overall. It’s worth noting that fans must use the locker code by August 7, or it will expire.
Although McAfee and his co-host have expressed joy about being involved in WWE 2K24, fans have not shared that sentiment. WWE 2K developers’ decision to add the popular sports talks show crew sparked an ongoing issue about whether more resources should have gone to adding more WWE talent to the game.
One example is that popular NXT superstars like Oba Femi, Sol Ruca, and Lola Vice aren’t currently featured in WWE 2K24. Instead of adding them as free updates or a part of a DLC, it’s expected that they may not be playable until the next installment of the WWE 2K series. McAfee and his co-host have also fed into the negative feedback by lashing out at the critics. Schmit also had harsh words towards the NXT talent that weren’t added to the game and called them losers. The disrespectful comments sparked a reaction from Shawn Michaels, who defended the NXT roster.
While the Pat McAfee Show Pack hasn’t been well-received, the new locker code could be a nice addition for loyal WWE 2K fans.
Cedric Alexander is back in the win column after securing a victory on the July 30 episode of NXT. The developmental brand held week one of their Great American Bash TV special. One of the featured matchups had Alexander taking on Brook Jensen.
It marks the WWE veteran’s first singles win on TV since he defeated Reggie for the WWE 24/7 Championship on the November 22, 2021, episode of Monday Night Raw.
The matchup came together after Shawn Spears confronted Alexander while he was advising other NXT talent backstage. “The Chairman” downplayed the usefulness of the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion’s knowledge and shared that he was mentoring Jensen. Alexander responded that Spears can only influence weak-minded talent, leading to Jensen challenging him to a match in the episode.
Alexander and Jensen had their moments in the match, with the troubled NXT talent coming close to being victorious. However, Jensen would hurt himself on a missed leg drop attempt from the ring apron onto his opponent on the announce table. Alexander used his experience to capitalize on the moment and land his Lumbar Check finisher to get the win.
Cedric Alexander Comments On Current NXT Run
Alexander reflected on his victory in a backstage interview and teased Spears that his teaching methods didn’t seem to have much impact on Jensen. He was also asked how he felt about being on the NXT roster, and the former main roster superstar expressed that he is enjoying it and plans to stick around for a while.
“…It’s been an experience. It’s like going back to high school again,” said Alexander. He explained, “You see a bunch of new friends. You see a bunch of old friends you haven’t seen in a long time, and it’s good to mix it up with the people every once in a while. But yeah, I’m enjoying my time here, and I think I might be here for a long time.”
Although he was successful against Jensen, it seems Alexander will have to deal with Spears soon. The former All Elite Wrestling superstar showed displeasure with his Protégé taking the loss. Spears will likely want to prove a point and show that he is a better influence over the NXT locker room than Alexander. Hopefully, the “Babyface” can continue his momentum with his fresh start on the developmental brand.
Triple H tells Daily Mail that Brock Lesnar is enjoying life up in Canada with his family and the ball is in his court.
“…Brock does his own things, so he’s up in Canada, I’m sure, watching his kids play hockey and enjoying life. If and when he decides to do something we’d be open to the conversation, but we’ll see.”
– Paul Levesque on Brock Lesnar’s future with WWE
While he was not named in the lawsuit, Grant shared that McMahon made her send personalized sexual content to “a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and WWE talent” in March 2020. She claims that McMahon wanted her to get involved with Lesnar to negotiate for Lesnar to reach a new deal with WWE.
Grant also alleged that the former WWE Chairman wanted Lesnar to have a sexual encounter with her as a way to reach an agreement, but it didn’t end up happening. The implication of Lesnar’s involvement in the lawsuit quickly led to many believing that he was the WWE talent she was referencing, and he has been off TV since.
The lawsuit is currently on hold as the Department of Justice launched a federal investigation on McMahon on May 30.
During the WrestleMania 40 post-media conference on April 6, Levesque shared that Lesnar was still in the company but was at home. Since then, the former WWE Champion has been mentioned on TV but hasn’t shown signs of a comeback.
Triple H and Brock Lesnar’s History
Brock Lesnar and Triple H are both legendary WWE Superstars, but Lesnar has a dominant 3-1 record over Triple H in their head-to-head matches, which have mostly been high-stakes and extreme stipulation encounters.?
June 2022: Brock Lesnar successfully defended the WWE Heavyweight Title against Triple H in a non-televised match at the WWE RAW House Show in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
August 2012: Brock Lesnar defeated Triple H in a No Disqualification match at WWE SummerSlam.
April 2013: Triple H defeated Brock Lesnar in a No Holds Barred match where his career was on the line at WrestleMania XXIX.
May 2013: Brock Lesnar beat Triple H in a Steel Cage match at Extreme Rules 2013.
Full Match: Watch the Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar No Holds Barred Match from WrestleMania XXIX from April 2013:
AEW President Tony Khan has officially announced that AEW TBS Championship Mercedes Moné will defend Dr. Britt Baker, DMD, at All In on August 25. The event will occur at Wembley Stadium in London, England. While the card is still being finalized, adding Moné vs. Baker has created more anticipation for the upcoming pay-per-view.
The matchup was made after the champion and Kamille confronted Baker during an AEW panel at the San Diego Comic-Con on July 25. Baker talked about the champion and how her issues with Moné had become personal, which led to the “CEO” coming on stage to talk down to her. The “Heel” mentioned that she was surprised Baker was there because of how Kamille attacked her on the July 24 episode of Dynamite.
Baker had enough after a few more disrespectful comments and got into a shoving match with her rival. Will Ospreay and Orange Cassidy would pull them apart, and Khan announced to the fans that they would compete at the PPV.
History Of Mercedes Moné vs. Dr. Britt Baker, DMD
Since she signed with the company, AEW fans have wanted to see a dream match between Moné and Baker. The match was first teased when Baker returned to AEWxNew Japan Pro Wrestling Forbidden Door on June 30 to confront the champion. The former AEW women’s champion would have a segment on the July 3 episode of Dynamite where she would challenge the “CEO” to a title match, which Moné declined.
Moné would continue to decline a title opportunity to Baker for the next two weeks while still disrespecting her. Their feud would take a turn when Kamille debuted to attack the “Doctor” on the champion’s behalf on the July 24 episode. Khan’s decision to make the title match official finally puts the two superstars on a collision course to settle their differences at AEW’s biggest event of the year.
Updated AEW All In Card
AEW World Heavyweight Championship: (C) Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson
AEW International Championship: (C) MJF vs. Will Ospreay
AEW Women’s World Championship: (C) Toni Storm vs. Mariah May
AEW TNT Championship: (C) Jack Perry vs. Darby Allin
AEW TBS Championship: (C) Mercedes Moné vs. Dr. Britt Baker, DMD
