AEW has yet to establish its own Hall of Fame, but Tony Khan has a clear image of who he’d like to see be the first two inductees. 

While WWE’s Hall of Fame opened its (hypothetical) doors in 1993 with the induction of Andre the Giant, AEW hasn’t created its own way of acknowledging talent of the past. It’s not hard to see why as, at five years old, the promotion is still relatively young. 

AEW’s Hall of Fame

Tony Khan addressed the possibility of  a recent interview with Comic Book, Tony Khan discussed a possible AEW Hall of Fame. While Khan didn’t confirm that any plans were in place, he did know who he’d like to see inducted. 

“Certainly the first two people that come to mind that we would have to honor would be Sting and Mr. Brodie Lee. Two of the greatest champions and two of the greatest people we’ve ever had in AEW, and in very different circumstances.”

Khan added that he’d like to see somebody inducted who never got the chance to compete in an AEW ring, that being Jay Briscoe.

“He was my friend and was friends with a lot of people in the locker room. He was one of the greatest wrestlers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Potential Hall of Famers

• Brodie Lee tragically passed away in December 2020 at the age of 41. He was AEW’s second-ever TNT Champion. 

• Jay Briscoe died in a car accident in January 2023 at the age of 38. He was inducted into the ROH Hall of Fame in 2022. 

• Sting retired from competition at AEW Revolution 2024. He ended his run undefeated and as an AEW World Tag Team Champion. 

WWE’s Hall of Fame

We don’t know when (if ever) AEW will set up a Hall of Fame, but WWE will induct it’s 2024 class in just over two weeks. Paul Heyman, the US Express, Bull Nakano, Thunderbolt Patterson, and Muhammad Ali have been announced for this year’s class. 

Sonya Deville wants to make a return back to the ring ASAP. She is working hard, but the struggle is real.

While repairing herself from a devastating ACL injury, Sonya Deville must be careful. She recently disclosed to fans that she still doesn’t have 100% trust in her injury recovery progress just yet. So, she’s taking it easy, but still putting in the work.

Deville Gives Injury Update

Sonya Deville suffered an ACL tear on the July 28th episode of SmackDown, and that was terrible timing. She was 1/2 of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions at the time.

She is currently rehabilitating her injury. Despite her ongoing recovery efforts, she admitted to still lacking trust in her ACL, which has posed challenges for her workouts and agility drills.

During a post on Instagram, the former Fire & Desire member let fans know how her progress is coming along at this point.

“Today we did a lot of jumping which I’m not going to lie, was pretty daunting at first. Because my ACL is still recovering, and I don’t trust it that much. But once I did a couple of reps I got the hang of it and was getting a lot more confident. Actually, feeling pretty good about it. Then we did some agility footwork drills, which again were pretty awkward at first because my leg is not used to moving that fast. It felt pretty good once I got started.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C4wfwn6Nt-o

Sonya Deville’s Busy WWE Hiatus

Deville married her long-time fiancé Toni Cassano over her WWE break. That was certainly a happy day.

Sonya Deville has kept herself busy during her WWE hiatus. She got a role in a movie where she plays a police officer, and she is still making progress on her WWE return. She also had that pesky trouble with a gun possession charge dropped.

We will have to see when Sonya Deville makes her way back to WWE. She obviously wants that day to come sooner than later, and her fans will certainly be waiting for that day to come.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more, in the pro wrestling world. Please keep checking back for constant updates.

AEW brought in Mercedes Mone, and the pro wrestling world paid attention. Now, it appears that some are trying to find trouble when it’s not there.

Britt Baker has been out of action for a while, and she went all of 2023 (and 2024 so far) without cutting a single promo on live television. She also saw something churning in the rumor mill about how she feels about AEW’s latest blockbuster signing, and she had to dismiss it.

Baker Clears the Air

Mercedes Mone debuted in AEW at Big Business, unveiling a ‘CEO’ persona and expressing her desire to impact the women’s division. On this week’s episode of Dynamite, Mone reiterated her goal to expand the company’s reach globally.

However, rumors surfaced regarding discontent among some wrestlers in AEW regarding Mone’s contract and pay. After all, Mone is supposedly making the most out of any female in the business right now.

In response to a fan’s speculation, Britt Baker clarified on social media, where she outright denied any real-life tension with Mone and dismissing the report as fake.

Baker asserted in her comment that the Facebook post is fake. She also picked a few choice words to make her point.

“This is a fake Facebook post you dumb f*ck. Excuse my language, Trips. You can all post your apologies in the comments below.”

This is a fake Facebook post you dumb fuck. Excuse my language, Trips.

You can all post your apologies in the comments below.
?????? https://t.co/QZERLkMwaM

— Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. (@RealBrittBaker) March 21, 2024

Mone is All Elite

Mercedes Mone is just getting started in AEW, but she hasn’t mixed it up with Britt Baker yet. At this point, AEW fans are still waiting to see the company’s resident dentist in the ring again. At this point, they are still waiting.

Mone looks like she is going to go for Julia Hart’s TBS Title first, but this may be a swerve. There are a lot of options for Mone, including settling her unfinished business with Willow Nightingale.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more from the pro wrestling world. You never know what will break next, but we will be here with all the headlines you need.

Vince McMahon no longer has any defenders in any form within WWE, close to two months after his resignation from the promotion. 

Janel Grant’s daming lawsuit against WWE and itsformer chairman alleges that she was a sexual slave during her time and was trafficked by McMahon to various men in the company. McMahon has denied all wrongdoing and has claimed that the lawsuit is rife with fabrications.

Throwing in the Towel

During the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed a shift in attitude regarding the former Chairman. Meltzer said that those who have previously defended McMahon have stopped, seemingly believing there’s no viable defense for him anymore. 

“People who were even in a situation where they’d been defending other people in the company, nobody bothers to try and defend Vince. 

“It’s almost like they’ve thrown in the towel on him. It’s like, ‘He’s gone and we can’t even try to defend him’.”

Ronda Rousey’s Strong Words

One name who certainly won’t be defending McMahon is Ronda Rousey. In her new memoir Our Story, the ex-Superstar says that McMahon is akin to Emperor Palpatine, the chief antagonist of the Star Wars movies. Rousey adds that it’s hard to know where the evil McMahon character ends and the actual person begins. 

What Have WWE Superstars Said? 

Rousey isn’t the only notable name to weigh in on McMahon. After McMahon’s resignation, Triple H said he had not read Janel Grant’s lawsuit. 

At the same Royal Rumble 2024 press conference, Cody Rhodes called the McMahon situation a dark cloud over WWE. 

Seth Rollins was disgusted with what was claimed in the lawsuit. The World Heavyweight Champion has said if the claims are true, he hopes everyone gets what they deserve. 

John Cena has taken a different approach. Cena has made clear he still loves McMahon, despite what has happened. While Cena did speak of the importance of accountability, his comments did spark controversy for how glowing he was of the ex-chairman. 

Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Thursday, March 21. 

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 16

Last night’s episode of AEW Dynamite was a three-hour show, which included Rampage. The Dynamite show saw two title changes, as Kazuchika Okada won the Continental Title and Adam Copeland finally won the TNT Title from Christian Cage in an I Quit match.

Now, let’s get into it…

WWE:

– TKO Stock Boom: The TKO stock saw a surge in price over the last day. Many analysts are contributing that boom to the upcoming Netflix deal. There is a lot of optimism. 

– WWE Shop Is Also Booming: Have you checked out the WWE Shop on the Road to WrestleMania 40? We highly suggest it, so don’t miss out and click here to see what they have to offer!

– GM Surgery: SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis needs surgery. We will have to see how long that keeps him out of action.

– Former Voice Going Elsewhere: There is a new report saying that MLW may be interested in Mauro Ranallo. His voice could add a lot to that company’s television product.

– WWE Exec Exit: John Porco left WWE last month. He had been with WWE since June 1999, initially serving as a Public Relations Coordinator before transitioning to the role of Senior Vice President of Live Events Marketing.

– WrestleMania Card Size: We ran a report yesterday saying that WWE is trying to keep each night of Mania to around 7 matches.

– WWE NXT Rating: The latest episode of NXT on 3/19 recorded its lowest viewership since July 4 last year, attracting only 569,000 viewers, marking a 3% decline from the previous week. However, there was a notable increase in the 18-49 demographic, which saw a 12% rise to 0.18.

AEW:

– Kenny Omega x John Cena: The 16x World Champion made it clear to Kenny Omega that he can see him. This came after Omega complimented Cena in a huge way last week.

– Copeland on Blank Canvas: Adam Copeland said that he and Mercedes Mone were essentially given blank canvases in AEW.

– Toronto Tribute: Adam Copeland’s gear for AEW Dynamite this week was a direct tribute to the attire he wore during his last WWE match in Toronto against Sheamus. 

– Tony Speaks on Scapegoat: Tony Khan made it clear that he’s watching Jack Perry’s work in NJPW. He also said that he is doing good things, so we’ll have to see when he makes an AEW return.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

Looking ahead, here are some of the major upcoming shows on the horizon:

April 6: NXT Stand & Deliver and WrestleMania XL Saturday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 7: WrestleMania XL Sunday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 21: All Elite Wrestling presents AEW Dynasty live on pay-per-view from St. Louis, Missouri at the Chaifetz Arena.

May 4: WWE Backlash France from Décines-Charpieu, France at the LDLC Arena.

Fans of Major League Wrestling will soon get to see Unagi Sayaka in action as the popular Japanese star is set to make her debut soon. 

On Twitter, MLW shared a promo highlighting Sayaka’s impending arrival. Given the young star’s colorful costumes and personality, it’s fitting that the promo video was a bright, colorful affair. 

pic.twitter.com/opIMpxbXMV

— MLW (@MLW) March 20, 2024

MLW War Chamber

Sayaka will make her in-ring debut at the upcoming MLW War Chamber event. Not only will she be competing, but she’ll be in action for the MLW World Women’s Featherweight Championship. The card for the show is as follows: 

• Janai Kai (c) (with Promociones Dorado (Salina de la Renta and Jesús Rodriguez)) vs. Unagi Sayaka: MLW World Women’s Featherweight Championship

• Timothy Thatcher vs. Matt Riddle

• Alex Kane (with Mr. Thomas) vs. A. J. Franci$

• Team MLW (CozyMax (Satoshi Kojima and Shigeo Okumura) and The Second Gear Crew (Matthew Justice and 1 Called Manders)) vs. World Titan Federation (Tom Lawlor, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Richard Holliday, and Josh Bishop) (with Mister Saint Laurent): War Chamber Match

Matches for Star Jr. Mads Krügger, Kosei Fujita have also been announced but their opponents have not been named. MLW War Chamber 2024 will take place on Friday, March 29, from The Coliseum in St. Petersburg, Florida.  

Who is Unagi Sayaka?

The 34-year-old Sayaka is currently working as a freelancer but is known for her time in STARDOM. She Is a former Artist of STARDOM champion and has also competed in Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling and All-Japan Pro Wrestling. 

Currently, Sayaka is the DDT-Pro Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship, a title she has held on five occasions. The unorthodox title allows champions of any gender and multiple people can hold the title at once. 

The gold goes even further than WWE’s Hardcore or 24/7 Championships as Animals and inanimate objects, including a pint of beer, a steel ladder, and Vince McMahon’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star have all been champions. Stefan the Dinosaur, a stuffed dino Sayaka often carries with her, is a former champion. 

The ‘evolved’ Drew McIntyre is focused on taking the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40 thanks to the return of his “killer instinct.”

The Scottish Warrior will challenge champion Seth Rollins on April 7 as part of WrestleMania 40: Sunday. McIntyre earned the title match by winning the Men’s Elimination Chamber match last month in Perth, Australia. The upcoming title match will be the third World Championship match for both Rollins and McIntyre. 

Drew McIntyre Has Evolved

McIntyre has undergone a character shift as of late with the Scottish Warrior once again embracing a heel role in WWE. McIntyre has taken credit for CM Punk’s injury and has claimed that he ‘saved’ WrestleMania by keeping Punk off the show. Sitting down with Evan T. Mack, McIntyre spoke about his evolution and how it differs from Seth Rollins. 

“I’ve found myself at the right time because we need a savior of the industry. We have the savior of WrestleMania, the savior of Raw, and the savior of WWE and it’s Drew McIntyre, with my new evolved personality.

“Evolved, not like Seth Rollins, where he changes his personality every eight months or something because he doesn’t know who he is. I’m the same guy. I’ve been for years. I’ve just evolved.”

Seth Rollins’ Changes

While McIntyre may be the heel, it’s hard to ignore the often dramatic changes in Rollins’ character. The Architect has changed drastically from his days in the Shield and his currently colorful persona is in stark contrast to his ‘Monday Night Messiah’ character from just a few years ago. 

Drew McIntyre’s Killer Instinct

Drew McIntyre, according to himself, hasn’t changed like Rollins, but he has shown a more vicious side on TV. In the interview, Drew was pleased that his ‘killer instinct’ is back. 

“I was a little naive and a little too nice about [things.] The killer instinct I used to have… And it cost me for a couple of years. If you look at my past few years, very successful on television, but we came to those big matches and I think I lost about 12 in a row or something.

“What it came down to, was I was making silly, silly mistakes relating to not having that killer instinct I used to have. Now it’s back.”

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

The Undertaker has had one of the most illustrious careers in the history of wrestling that spanned across multiple decades. The former World Champion reached a larger-than-life status that very few performers have attained in the history of sports through his work over this time. This fame however also came at a cost.

During a recent Patreon Q&A, The Dead Man was asked which was the hardest move for him to perform during his career. Undertaker discussed the considerable damage he did to his body in the thousands of matches he wrestled. He then revealed that during the later stages of his career, performing his signature Guillotine Leg Drop sent a shock up through his spine:

“The one that really at the end, and nothing really bothered me as far as my move set until the end of my career. But that Guillotine Leg Drop on the apron, by the end of my career it was sending shivers right up my spine like I was getting like electrical, like somebody was hitting me with a cattle prod every time that I would drop that leg on the apron.

Because there’s no give at all to the apron. That’s where everything is tied in and it’s pretty solid there. I would get pretty good height on that thing. I think that’s probably what took out my right hip, is dropping that that Guillotine Leg Drop. It was probably the hardest thing.

And the tombstone just at the very end kind of started to bother me because my knees were getting kind of chewed up. But for the most part of my career, it was nothing really. It just kind of snuck up on me one day.”

That Was Pretty Stiff: The Undertaker

When asked if he ever thought about the wear and tear early in his career, The Undertaker discussed how you don’t think about these things in your youth. Looking back at it now, however, the former champion wonders if he should have restrained himself from using the more destructive moves as regularly:

“When you’re young and you’re healthy and you got that S on your chest. You’re like, you’ll live forever. Nothing’s ever gonna bother you. Then one day you wake up and you can barely walk.

It’s like, ‘Wow, maybe, I should have used that a little more judiciously. Maybe I should’ve used Hells Gate a little more. But yeah, that Guillotine Leg Drop, that was pretty stiff.”

The Undertaker also touched on the subject of Owen Hart’s death during the episode. He revealed his thoughts on having to perform at the 1999 PPV after the tragic incident. You can check out what he said here.

If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

A WWE 2K producer has shared what exactly goes into the often controversial, much-discussed rankings of playable characters. 

Earlier this month, WWE 2K24 was released and has proven to be another hit in the series. Once more, the game features rankings for the Superstars, which often appear on WWE programming. These rankings are often heavily-discussed and during an interview with the Squared Circle Pit, WWE 2K24 producer Bryan Williams spoke about what goes into an in-game ranking. 

“For us on the design side, we’re really big on character differentiation and making sure that when you select a character that they are of their appropriate hierarchy on the card. Not everybody can be a Roman Reigns. You have people that are at the tippety top of the card and then you have people that are not, but there’s no slight on anybody.”

Williams added that in contrast to previous years, WWE 2K24’s ratings were determined much more on what sort of year a Superstar has had since the previous game’s release. 

“We kind of take all that into account to see, did they hold championships? Were they winning more than they were losing? Are they consistently pushed?”

Controversial Ratings

During the February 26, episode of WWE Raw, Michael Cole spoke about WWE 2K24. The veteran broadcaster said the character ratings in WWE 2K games are “always controversial.”

Kurt Angle is in WWE 2K24 and many fans have been angered by his rating. The WWE Hall of Famer, Olympic Gold Medalist, King of the Ring, and World Champion has an 89 rating in the game. On social media, fans argued that this ranking was too low and pointed at Logan Paul’s 90 rating as proof Angle should be higher. 

A Very Real Controversy

Though fans often debate whether a Superstar should be ranked higher or lower than another, one Superstar this year sparked a controversy out of the confines of the ring. GUNTHER was given an 88 rating for WWE 2K24, which caused concerns among some fans. 

88 is known as a Nazi dog whistle which allows Nazis to signal their beliefs to others covertly. A simple numeric alphabet code (A=1, B=2, etc) sees 88 translated into HH (Heil Hitler.) While WWE 2K did not address this directly, GUNTHER’s rating was changed to an 89. 

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

Adam Copeland is excited about the fresh opportunities that AEW provides for both himself as well as the recently debuted Mercedes Mone. 

The former WWE Women’s Champion debuted for AEW at the Big Business episode of Dynamite. Mone had hardly been subtle in the run-up to the show, making clear to fans that she was in Boston, MA, her hometown and the host of Big Business, mere hours before the show.

A Blank Canvas

Copeland and Mone may have made their names (or rather their other names) in WWE, but now both ex-Superstars are seeking a fresh start under Tony Khan. Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Copeland spoke about the ‘CEO’ and what her arrival in the All-Elite promotion means. 

“For her, AEW is a blank canvas with a brand new palette of paint. For me, it was the same. I saw Swerve, The Young Bucks, Jon Moxley, Hangman Page, Kenny Omega, Claudio, FTR, all these names I’ve never crossed paths with.

“It’s the same with Mercedes–think of how much fun she’s going to have here. Think of all the new opponents.”

Mercedes Mone’s Possibilities

There’s no shortage of new opponents for Mercedes Mone to face now she’s in AEW. Right now, it appears that Mone’s path is leading her to the Julia Hart and the AEW TBS Championship. Britt Baker certainly wants a piece of Mone, as she said last year she was “hoping and praying” that the ex-Superstar joined AEW. 

Mone & Copeland on Dynamite

Both ex-Superstars had huge roles to play on the March 20, edition of AEW Dynamite. Mone opened the show by talking about her journey to AEW before being cut off by Skye Blue and Julia Hart. Willow Nightingale and Kris Statlander made the save for Mone, though Willow did have some issues with Mone. The pair faced off in May 2023 in the match that saw Mercedes suffer her career-threatening injury. 

AEW Dynamite was much kinder to Adam Copeland, who captured the TNT Championship in the show’s main event. Copeland’s second win of the TNT title saw him defeat former friend Christian Cage in an I-Quit match. 

Ronda Rousey had to hide years of concussions in order to be allowed to continue competing, the former WWE Superstar recently revealed. 

Rousey’s new memoir ‘Our Story’ is set to hit shelves next month and is expected to be a gripping read. In the book, the former WWE Superstar and UFC fighter doesn’t hold back and makes her views clear on Vince McMahon. 

Ronda’s Concussion History

Recently, Ronda Rousey appeared on the Never Before Told podcast to discuss her new book and her time in wrestling. When asked about a potential return to the ring, Rousey said that it’s not possible. The former Women’s Champion added that she had a history of concussions which she felt she had to keep a secret. 

“My concussion history, I had to keep secret for years so I would be able to continue to compete and perform. That’s basically why I had to retire.”

Ronda Rousey Post-WWE

Rousey’s WWE tenure ended at SummerSlam 2023 when she lost to Shayna Baszler in the first MMA Rules match. While Rousey said in October that she was retired, she’d make a surprise return to the ring outside WWE later that month. In November, Rousey made an appearance for Wrestling Revolver and shocked fans by appearing for the Tony Khan-owned ROH. 

What’s Next? 

Ronda Rousey’s days in the ring are seemingly up, but the former champion hasn’t left the business behind entirely. Rousey will be appearing at WrestleCon in Philadelphia next month where she will be meeting fans and signing copies of her book. 

More Reading Material

Rousey’s book isn’t the only hotly-anticipated wrestling memoir set to be released. Next week, Rousey’s nemesis Becky Lynch will release her ‘The Man’ and the reviews so far have been glowing. Lynch’s new book even found its way to the White House when Lynch attended as part of the recent St. Patrick’s Day celebration. 

Britt Baker and Mercedes Mone may both want to be the top woman in AEW, but that doesn’t mean there’s heat between the pair of former champions. 

Mone arrived in AEW during the Big Business episode of Dynamite, following weeks of speculation that she’d be joining. Mone had hardly been subtle in the run-up to the show, making clear to fans that she was in Boston, MA, her hometown and the host of Big Business, mere hours before the show.

Mone’s Recent Comment 

Mone is poised to do big things in AEW though a recent comment by the CEO has raised some eyebrows. Shortly before her debut, Mone spoke about her WWE run as Sasha Banks and said she is confident she will wrestle for WWE again one day. 

Britt Baker’s Response

Mone’s comment has reportedly led to some heat within AEW as many felt it was a poor move for her to speak about returning to WWE shortly before her All-Elite arrival. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer was the first to report of Mone’s comment not going down well with those in the company. 

When a Twitter account insinuated that Britt Baker had spoken with Meltzer and was his source, the former AEW Women’s World Champion made clear this was not the case. 

This is a fake Facebook post you dumb fuck. Excuse my language, Trips.

You can all post your apologies in the comments below.
?????? https://t.co/QZERLkMwaM

— Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. (@RealBrittBaker) March 21, 2024

The account in question doubled down on their claim that Baker had been the source for Meltzer. When they said this was an example of a woman fighting harder against the success of another woman, Baker responded yet again. 

Hey Trips! Since this is now your second tweet on this “scoop” can you link me where Dave said I said this? Thank you! Big fan. ??

— Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. (@RealBrittBaker) March 21, 2024

Britt Baker & Mercedes Mone

It’s ironic that this account is claiming that Baker spread news of the roster being unhappy, as the DMD has been wanting to see Mercedes join AEW for some time. Last August, Baker went as far as to say she was hoping and praying Mone would join AEW following her in-crowd appearance at All In. 

The death of Owen Hart at WWE Over The Edge 1999 remains the most tragic incident to ever have taken place during a wrestling show. The decision to continue the PPV even after the veteran’s fall will forever be a controversial topic.

The Undertaker who was one of the stars that had to go out there and perform after the incident was recently asked about it during a Patreon Q&A. The WWE Hall of Famer explained that mentally it was one of the toughest days of his life, and questioned the decision to keep the show going even after Owen’s passing:

“Wow. Man, [it was] such an interesting time period. We’re all grinding, just trying to do the best that we could but trying to process the information that somebody just passed away due to some, whatever, the rigging accident.

A guy that you spent tonnes of time with and seen every day for years and you just losing. One minute he’s there and then the next he’s not. Then you have to go out and put the pieces together and try and perform, it was probably one of the most difficult…definitely, mentally one of the toughest days I think I’ve ever had.

If you go back and you watch the footage of that, you can see it on everybody’s face. There’s just a huge element to the match and everything that’s going on. You can just tell that no one really wanted to be out there. Like I said, it’s still very raw and you’re processing this information, but you also are trying to entertain these people. You lived by that motto back then ‘the show must go on.’ I just don’t know that that was the right thing to do.”

• Also Read: Like Being Hit With A Cattle Prod: The Undertaker Reveals Effect Famous Move Had After Years Of Damage

We Were Hoping It Wasn’t True: The Undertaker

The Undertaker defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin to win the WWF Championship in the main event of the pay-per-view. He noted that nobody celebrated the title win and detailed the mindset of the locker room after the show had concluded:

“Although we’d already been told, it was kind of like you still didn’t believe it. When we came back we were hoping that something miraculous had happened and it wasn’t true. It was such a tough night. Hindsight being 20-20 [we should have stopped the show] but you also have an arena full of people too.

I don’t envy or didn’t envy Vince McMahon having to make that decision. It was a tough call in the heat of it. I just know it was extremely difficult to go out and do my job that night. It was tough man, we tried to do the best with what we had.”

If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

The identity of the masked man who aided Carmelo Hayes on the March 19, episode of WWE NXT isn’t a secret anymore. 

During the show, Trick Williams was ready to fight Hayes but was confronted by Melo’s henchman. A figure then appeared on stage, pretending to be Hayes, which allowed the former NXT Champion the distraction to jump his former ally. 

Masked Man Revealed

The figure who appeared on the stage was none other than head WWE NXT referee Darryl Sharma, aka Adrian Butler, Fightful Select reports. Sharma and the masked man could be seen wearing identical shoes during the show. 

Failure to protect yourself from repeated blows to the head will result in referee stoppage, and a loss via TKO. #WWENXT #wwe #UFC pic.twitter.com/T72oYDcvth

— Darryl Sharma (@AdrianButlerWWE) March 20, 2024

Carmelo Hayes se estaba haciendo pasar por uno de seguridad para engañar a Trick Williams. Genio. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/Nnydxgu30H

— LuigiWrestling (@LuigiWrestling) March 20, 2024

Sources within WWE NXT also confirmed to Fightful that Sharma was the man in question. 

Who is Darryl Sharma? 

Before donning the stripes as a WWE NXT official, Sharma wrestled under the name ‘Hornet’ around the world. He is a student of the Battle Arts Academy, owned by WWE alum and current TNA name Santino Marella. At the academy, he trained in both wrestling and MMA. He ranked #437 in the PWI 500 ranking in 2016 but joined WWE in November that same year to be a referee. 

Sneak Attacks

Carmelo Hayes is hardly the first Superstar to use subterfuge to get the upper hand. As seen in the video below, several wrestlers have used disguises and other tactics to take out their opponents. 

What’s Next? 

Melo and Trick will face off at NXT Stand & Deliver on April 6, mere hours before WWE WrestleMania 40. The show will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA, less than a mile away from the Lincoln Financial Field that’ll host WrestleMania. 

Adam Copeland puts a lot of thought into his ring gear during special matches. He had quite a contest against Christian Cage in Toronto this week. He also had gear made up, and some fans might recognize the theme.

Edge wore Maple Leaf themed gear in his final WWE match in Toronto, a homage to his Canadian roots. Now, returning to Toronto for an AEW Dynamite main event as Christian Cage, Adam Copeland continues to honor his heritage with similar attire, symbolizing his enduring connection to the city.

Adam Copeland Gear

In a meaningful nod to his Canadian roots, Edge covered his ring gear in Maple Leaf-themed attire during his final WWE match in Toronto, a gesture that resonated deeply with fans and symbolized his connection to the city. That was his final WWE match, but his pro wrestling journey was far from over.

This ends RIGHT NOW! Adam Copeland challenges “The Patriarch” Christian Cage for the #TNT Championship in an I QUIT MATCH!

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@RatedRCope | @Christian4Peeps pic.twitter.com/2966fWQmzd

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 21, 2024

Now, in a twist of fate, Adam Copeland was set to return to Toronto, this time under an AEW banner. As Copeland stepped into the main event spotlight of AEW Dynamite, he continued to honor his Canadian heritage by donning Maple Leaf-themed gear, bridging the past and present while paying homage to his wrestling legacy in the city where it all began.

In the end, Copeland was able to beat Christian Cage in an I Quit match to claim the victory. We’re not sure if it was the Maple Leaf design on the tights, but we’re guessing it didn’t hurt his chances.

Edge wore Maple Leaf themed gear in his last WWE match in Toronto.

Adam Copeland is wearing Maple Leaf themed gear in his return to Toronto in the main event of AEW Dynamite! pic.twitter.com/hlMwRmNKCr

— A Kenny For Your Thoughts (@_kennythoughts) March 21, 2024

What’s Next For Copeland in AEW

Adam Copeland chased the AEW TNT Title for a while. He briefly won that title before at Worlds End, but Christian Cage was able to quickly win the belt back. Now, it appears that Copeland will get a much longer run with the title than under five minutes.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more from all over the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for more updates as more headlines break from all over the pro wrestling world. 

Adam Copeland entered AEW as a WWE Hall of Famer already. Now, he as picked up a title in another company. Copeland’s big chase of Christian Cage and the TNT Title has come to an end once again.

On AEW Dynamite this week, Adam Copeland took on Christian Cage with the TNT Title on the line in an I Quit match. In the end, the Rated R Superstar was able to claim the gold after a bloody contest to become a two-time TNT Champion.

Christian vs Adam Copeland

The rivalry between Christian Cage and Adam Copeland has intensified since the former Edge joined AEW last year. Copeland’s return sparked a heated confrontation, leading to an ‘I Quit’ match for the TNT championship in their hometown of Toronto on AEW Dynamite.

What will Christian Cage have to do to keep his #TNT Championship in this I QUIT MATCH against Adam Copeland?

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@Christian4Peeps | @RatedRCope pic.twitter.com/0Hq0pF0R3b

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 21, 2024

The match included a few foreign objects, backstage brawls, and there was also blood. Both Cage and Copeland tore each other apart during the live show on TBS.

Adam Copeland took out Christian Cage's whole family with one dive.

THIS MATCH RULES, LOL. pic.twitter.com/TWi5PRMkcB

— Drainmaker ?? ? (@DrainBamager) March 21, 2024

Despite interference from The Patriarchy, Copeland received backup from Daddy Magic and Daniel Garcia. Finally, with Cage handcuffed and vulnerable, Copeland delivered a final blow, forcing Cage to submit as a new TNT champion was crowned.

ADAM COPELAND IS THE NEW TNT CHAMPION AFTER NEARLY TAKINH OFF CHRISTIAN CAGE'S BALLS #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/qFbMejcCfh

— CrispyWrestling (@CrispyWrestlin) March 21, 2024

What’s Next

We will have to see what is next for Adam Copeland in AEW. This was a big night for Title Changes for Tony Khan’s company. Kazuchika Okada opened up the show this week by winning the Continental Title from Eddie Kingston.

ADAM COPELAND IS THE NEW TNT CHAMPION ???#AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/6zcAW589Sv

— s e t h (@futurafreesky) March 21, 2024

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, as we continue down the road toward AEW Dynasty and beyond. Keep checking back throughout the day for constant updates.

Nick Aldis has indeed sustained an injury and was playfully shocked as to how the “dirt sheets” picked it up.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider first reported that Aldis injured his arm and that he’s heard it’s something that could require surgery. Sure enough, Aldis confirmed that news and he actually just got off the cutting room table and his SmackDown duties won’t change despite the repair.

“Yes, I just got out of surgery for a ruptured bicep tendon, and yes, the sheets had it within minutes. God bless ’em. Must be a slow news day…anyway it was a freak accident, I’m on the mend, and I will continue to fulfill my obligations.”

Yes, I just got out of surgery for a ruptured bicep tendon, and yes, the sheets had it within minutes. God bless 'em. Must be a slow news day…anyway it was a freak accident, I'm on the mend, and I will continue to fulfill my obligations. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/wawHrsW70H

— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) March 20, 2024

Aldis made his WWE television debut the very same night he was appointed by SmackDown GM Triple H. Aldis got his start in that role back in October 2023, but people greatly know him as the star who put the NWA Worlds Title back on the map. Aldis re-established the NWA brand by defending the “Ten Pounds Of Gold” all over the globe. Arguably, his best rival during that time was this year’s WrestleMania main-eventer Cody Rhodes.

Aldis and Rhodes squared off at the original All In back in 2018 and Rhodes defeated Aldis for the championship, holding the same gold that his late father did. Aldis ended up regaining the championshi[p back at NWA 70. The two stars have yet to have a rubber match, but if Cody happens to finish his story and win the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship, there could very well be gold on the line once more between “The American Nightmare” & “The National Treasure.”

The pro wrestling world was turned upside down when Kazuchika Okada ended up in AEW. He had a WWE offer on the table, but he decided to join Tony Khan’s roster instead, during AEW Dynamite this week, Okada made his single’s debut, and it was for a title.

Okada battled Eddie Kingston during the March 20th episode of AEW Dynamite. That Continental Title match was a banger, and it saw a new champion crowned.

Okada’s Title Win

Eddie Kingston put his Continental Title on the line against Okada during this week’s Dynamite. Since they operated on Continental Title rules, The Young Bucks were not allowed at ringside.

Tony Khan and the EVP Bucks backstage monitoring the match?! ?#AEWDynamite #AEW pic.twitter.com/HNQizydFZ7

— POP Wrestling (@rog3r_x) March 21, 2024

The Young Bucks were shown backstage, watching on headsets from the producer positions, sitting next to Tony Khan.

This match was stiff, and fans were on fire, chanting for both competitors at certain points. Both Okada and Kingston proved that they are not going to quit without a fight.

RAINMAKER!

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!#EddieKingston | @rainmakerXokada pic.twitter.com/2pXdkxyR6I

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 21, 2024

Finally, Okada nailed the Rainmaker, and he won the match. We can only assume that Okada will bring a lot of attention to the Continental Title and continue to elevate its stature.

After Okada's win, the Continental title has been split up from the ROH World/NJPW Strong titles according to the AEW roster page. pic.twitter.com/x9kPMbfSQA

— Drainmaker ?? ? (@DrainBamager) March 21, 2024

First Challenger

After his win, PAC came out to confront Okada. It appears that we know who will face Okada first for his new title. They certainly hyped an eventual match between Okada and The Bastard.

Looks like 'The Bastad' PAC has found the trouble he's been looking for!

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@BASTARDPAC | @rainmakerXokada pic.twitter.com/95EBmxp4tY

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 21, 2024

NJPW Departure & AEW Future

Okada was a treasure in NJPW for years, as his matches were proclaimed as some of the in any year. Then he decided to seek out his fortune in America, and he picked AEW.

After joining The Young Bucks, they fired Kenny Omega. It only seems reasonable to assume that an Okada vs Omega match is coming down the line. The Cleaner is currently out of action with diverticulitis, and there is currently no projected timetable for his return.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more from all over the pro wrestling world. You never know what can happen next, especially since Okada is now a champion in AEW.

Nic Nemeth continues to make moves since becoming a name free agent and his most recent might have put himself between a “Stone Pitbull” and a hard place.

The IWGP Global Champion took to social media to lay down a challenge New Japan makes its way to Chicago, IL on April 12,, but before he did, he made clear that he wants a piece of NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi when he’s healthy, and he’s willing to put his gold on the line against “The Ace.”

“I will take on anyone, any time, any place and I see New Japan has a show in Chicago, April 12, Windy City Riot! You better believe ‘The Wanted Man’ is gonna be there, and I’m calling you out cause I want the hardest hitters there are! Tomohiro Ishii! Ishii vs. ‘The Wanted Man’, Windy City Riot – you hit hard, but I hit harder. Chicago, April 12, let’s rock.”

CHICAGO. APRIL 12 #NJPW @njpw1972 @njpwworld pic.twitter.com/cYumiPLcHz

— Nic Nemeth (@NicTNemeth) March 20, 2024

Nic Nemeth Wrestling Career So Far After WWE

Nic Nemeth was released by WWE back in September of 2023, and once he officially became a free agent, the former Dolph Ziggler hit the ground running by making an appearance at January’s Wrestle Kingdom and later showing up at TNA Hard To Kill.

Nemeth later did become the IWGP Global Champion by defeating David Finlay at New Beginning. As for TNA, Nemeth just defeated former TNA World Champion Steve Maclin at Sacrifice and is set to face Moose for the World Title at Rebellion.

Nic isn’t just keeping his wrestling work inside the ring ropes, however. Just last week he made his debut as a new co-host on Busted Open Radio.

Jack Perry’s AEW absence continues, but his time in NJPW is still going strong. Now, Tony Khan has commented on things.

It was previously reported that Tony Khan is very upset at Jack Perry. He is the reason why CM Punk was fired from AEW, and Khan apparently has nothing for him. Now, Tony Khan is speaking on Jungle Boy in NJPW, and he sees the great things he’s doing.

Tony Khan Speaks on Jack Perry

Tony Khan expressed his views on Jack Perry’s recent endeavors in NJPW during a recent interview with Comic Book Nation. Perry’s absence from AEW dates back to his suspension following an altercation with CM Punk at All In last August. Then, the former Jurassic Express member made a surprise debut for NJPW at Battle in the Valley earlier this year, where he symbolically tore up his AEW contract.

In NJPW, Perry has adopted the moniker “Scapegoat” and participated in the New Japan Cup, progressing to the quarterfinals. It seems that fans are questioning whether this is a work or a shoot.

When questioned about the potential continuation of Perry’s current persona upon his return to AEW, Khan remained ambiguous, praising Perry’s achievements in NJPW and emphasizing his development within the promotion.

Well, I think you gotta stay tuned. Absolutely, Jack’s doing great things in New Japan. The New Japan Cup – he’s had a great run. He’s established himself over there. He feels he’s the ‘Scapegoat.’ But he’s doing great things, and he’s wrestling for a great promotion, and it’s been great tracking Jack’s progress in New Japan. And I think he’s done excellent work there.

Jack Perry’s AEW Suspension

CM Punk’s departure from AEW occurred following his altercation with Perry and subsequent return to WWE in November. It is interesting that Punk has returned to WWE, gotten injured, and he’s already making big headway on his return from injury; meanwhile, Jungle Boy Jack Perry is nowhere to be seen in AEW.

Jack Perry’s AEW suspension reportedly ended months ago, but he was never brought back to television. Although some thought he might have made a good Devil, that role went to Adam Cole.

Now, we will have to see how this road might take Jack Perry back to AEW, but Tony Khan seems happy with that he’s doing in NJPW.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more from all over the pro wrestling world. You never know what will happen next, but we will be here with all of the headlines! 

The pro wrestling scene can shift on a dime at this point. MLW has a lot of money to spend, and they may just invest in their commentary team.

MLW is exploring the possibility of bringing veteran commentator Mauro Ranallo back into the wrestling world, with talks underway for a potential collaboration. Ranallo, known for his work in WWE and other combat sports events, could make a wrestling comeback with MLW after being absent from the pro wrestling scene for some time.

MLW & Mauro Ranallo

Fightful Select reports that a longtime commentator known for both combat sports and pro wrestling has been absent from the wrestling scene for a considerable time, but that might soon change.

Reports suggest that MLW has been engaging in discussions with Ranallo regarding a potential role within the promotion. While no deal has been finalized, there appears to be genuine interest from MLW’s side, especially considering Ranallo’s prior collaborations with MLW owner Court Bauer on a Strikeforce project. 

Ranallo’s departure from WWE in 2020 led him to focus primarily on calling combat sports events, such as the main event of IMPACT Rebellion in 2021. 

Mauro Ranallo’s WWE Exit

Mauro Ranallo discussed his departure from WWE in the past, as he highlighted the mental strain of the environment without casting it negatively. Ranallo said the challenging nature of WWE made it difficult for his mental wellbeing. 

He also said that there was added stress working under Vince McMahon while expressing personal struggles within the system. He recounted his desire to work with WWE as a broadcaster and his evolving role, including shifts in commentary teams and formats, ultimately leading to his decision to prioritize his mental health.

Despite his exit from WWE, Ranallo remained engaged in combat sports announcing, notably calling the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. boxing match last month.

WWE & MLW’s Lawsuit

With MLW recently securing a $20 million settlement in an antitrust lawsuit against WWE, the promotion seems financially poised to pursue Ranallo, who has been absent from the pro wrestling landscape for some time.

In January 2022, MLW launched legal action against WWE, accusing the wrestling giant of using coercive tactics to deter third parties from collaborating with MLW, particularly citing interference in potential deals with media outlets like Vice TV and Tubi.

After nearly two years of legal wrangling, WWE and MLW finally reached a settlement in December 2023, bringing closure to the acrimonious dispute. Recent revelations from TKO Group Holding’s 2023 business report unveiled on Tuesday shed light on the terms of the settlement, disclosing WWE’s commitment to pay a substantial $20 million sum as part of the agreement, marking a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings and clarifying WWE’s financial obligations resulting from MLW’s antitrust lawsuit.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling world. You never know what story will break next, but we will be here with all the headlines you need!

WWE is celebrating a boom in popularity right now, and their parent company, TKO is raking in the cash. Some believe that RAW’s new Netflix deal has given a huge surge for the company’s stock price.

TKO Group Holdings experienced a significant surge of over 7% in mid-day trading, reaching around $86 per share. Bank of America raised TKO’s price target, attributing the optimism to the company’s recent partnership with Netflix.

TKO’s Stock Price Surge

On Monday, Citi reiterated its Buy rating on TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and raised the stock price target to $130 from $125. This adjustment came after TKO Group’s recent deal with Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX), which didn’t cause the expected increase in the company’s share price.

Citi’s analysis identifies three factors impeding the stock’s performance: the potential EDR transaction, the ongoing UFC lawsuit, and McMahon’s share sales. Despite these challenges, Citi sees a favorable risk-reward balance for TKO Group, with the current share price of around $80 offering significant upside potential to their $130 bull case scenario and limited downside to their $65 bear case.

Wednesday morning saw TKO trading up over 7%, reaching around $86 by mid-day. Bank of America has also raised its price target for TKO, attributing the increase to optimism surrounding the Netflix deal.

This is certainly a good sign for the company as they round the corner into the road to WrestleMania 40, a time when they historically see another surge in business.

Vince McMahon’s Resignation From WWE

Vince McMahon was removed from power after Janel Grant’s lawsuit exposed a number of heinous allegations, including sex trafficking and assault. He resigned from his position with the company after Slim Jim pulled their sponsorship prior to the 2024 Royal Rumble event.

Since McMahon’s departure, WWE has continued to grow, and their new Netflix deal is a sign of that. Only time will tell where RAW goes from November to December 2024, as USA Network and Netflix’s deal has a three-month gap. They will certainly cash in with a huge Netflix deal once 2025 starts.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more, as we continue down the road to WrestleMania 40. For more on this story, and so many more headlines, please keep checking back throughout the day.

Nick Aldis has reportedly been injured and the WrestleMania status for WWE’s heralded SmackDown GM is currently unknown.

Aldis is expected to soon undergo surgery on his arm, according to PWInsider. The exact nature of the injury is unclear, but multiple sources have confirmed that surgery is imminent.

Hopefully this situation doesn’t keep him off WWE programming for too long. WrestleMania 40 would be Aldis’ first appearance on the “grandest stage of them all,” a moment that has been a long time coming for the former NWA Champion.

The Added Impact Of Nick Aldis & Adam Pearce As GMs

Aldis first showed up on WWE television back in October 2023 where Triple H revealed him as the new general manager of SmackDown. The tendency for most on-air authorities in the past would be to have them act as a corrupted heel, but both Aldis and WWE Raw GM Adam Pearce have brought legitimacy and reason back to the roles.

Before becoming an on-air persona once again, Aldis worked months as a WWE producer backstage and fans were understandably curious as to when Aldis could put the boots back on and grapple up. This thought was especially prevailent in his initial debut, considering he has a strong rivalry with Cody Rhodes. However, with this reported injury, the former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion won’t be getting physical anytime soon. 

We at SEScoops all wish Nick Aldis a speedy recovery.

TNA may be making a significant change on how they ink deals with most talent. According to a new report from Fightful Select, TNA may me leaning more towards offering wrestlers per-date deals rather than full-time contracts. 

The impression has been that the offers have been quite different than what talent typically expected of a TNA deal. There is currently no confirmation whether this is a widespread movement for the company, but it would be a notable difference for TNA. The company notoriously parted ways with long-time TNA President Scott D’Amore earlier this year which caused the roster to write a petition on behalf of their former boss.

Update On The Contracts Of The Motor City Machine Guns

Could the Motor City Machine Guns be moving on from TNA already? According to recent reports, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin may have that option.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider intially got word that Shelley and Sabin’s contract could be up soon and Fightful followed up with their sources who believed that it could be in the within month of March. However, Sabin nor Shelley confirmed such news directly. The legendary TNA tag team actually signed with the company back on March 23, 2023.

It’s been a beneficial run for both Sabin in Shelley while Impact transitioned back to TNA as both became stalwart singles champions with the promotion. Sabin secured the X-Division Title during his tenure while Shelley had a very strong run as TNA World Champion before he dropped it to Moose at TNA’s first official PPV back at Hard To Kill. 

If you don’t think John Cena reads the dirt sheets, think again because the future WWE Hall Of Famer took notice of Kenny Omega’s recent remarks.

Kenny Omega had extremely high praise for Cena on his latest Twitch stream, noting that he has never met John, but realizes how much he’s done for the wrestling business in and outside the ring. Omega noted how Cena has reached heights wrestling stars hadn’t seen in years and the work he does for charity is unparalleled.

Cena has a wide range of personalities on social media as most times on Twitter/X he’ll write out thoughtful words of motivation while his Instagram is always a wordless vessel, simply pictures that either troll or indicate something on his mind. On Wednesday morning, Cena made clear he was thinking of The Cleaner.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C4vHbGyuci5

Omega is out indefinitely from in-ring action after being diagnosed with diverticulitis. He noted in a previous Twitch stream that he was actually very close to dying but did express a big desire to get back into the ring. 

In AEW storylines, Omega has been relieved of his duties as an Executive Vice President of All Elite Wrestling (and replaced in The Elite by his most hated rival). Despite the suspension, Omega did appear in promotional ads for AEW’s upcoming tour of Canada.

Catching Up with Cena

John Cena returned to WWE last year during the Hollywood strike:

After wrapping up that run, the 16-time World Champion has been keeping very busy. His HBO show The Peacemaker will film a second season this year. He also recently made his (unannounced) minor league baseball debut in February 2024:

Most recently, Cena made global headlines with his ‘nude’ appearance at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. Now, he appears to be aiming for a memorable appearance at WrestleMania 40. During a recent interview, Cena said he’s keeping his “fingers crossed” for a chance to be part of WWE’s biggest event of the year.

How much longer can he keep going, even if he wrestles just once or twice a year?