WrestleMania 40 is a week away, and fans haven’t seen the full card just yet. There was a report that the company will add more matches from the SmackDown side, and this week’s show included a lot of progress.

Rey Mysterio proposed a tag team challenge to Santos Escobar and Dominik Mysterio for WWE WrestleMania 40. This could set up another son vs father confrontation on the grandest stage of them all.

Rey Mysterio’s WrestleMania 40 Challenge

During Friday’s SmackDown, Rey Mysterio, accompanied by the LWO, announced his intention to face Escobar and Dominik with a mystery partner. Then, that mystery partner was revealed.

" I will do EVERYTHING in my power to make that DEADBEAT'S life a LIVING ???" @EscobarWWE's got a friend in @DomMysterio35… #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/x9cvNn2M1d

— WWE (@WWE) March 30, 2024

Rey later said that Dragon Lee is his chosen partner for the WrestleMania match, and a brawl ensued between the LWO and Escobar’s Legado Del Fantasma.

The ongoing storyline between the LWO and Legado Del Fantasma gained momentum on the 3/29 SmackDown when Dominik Mysterio appeared to align with Santos Escobar’s faction.

HERE WE GO! ?@reymysterio just challenged @DomMysterio35 and @EscobarWWE to a TAG TEAM MATCH at #WrestleMania!

His partner? The newest member of LWO: @dragonlee95 ???

WE NEED THIS TO HAPPEN!!! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/3rH9NNNjK4

— WWE (@WWE) March 30, 2024

Dominik, originally part of The Judgment Day on Raw, did not have a clear WrestleMania 40 direction. Now, it appears he may have a match. Despite this development, WWE has not yet confirmed the tag team match for WrestleMania.

In the aftermath of Friday’s segment, a match between Zelina Vega and Elektra Lopez is scheduled for next week’s SmackDown, serving as the go-home show for WrestleMania 40.

Rey Mysterio’s Recent Injury

The 48-year-old had been working through a torn meniscus for nearly three months. Then he needed to go out of action to get that corrected. He is now back in WWE, where he is more than ready to step up at the show of shows.

We will have to see how WWE books things for WrestleMania 40. You may find the updated lineup for the 4/5 episode of SmackDown in the space below.

WWE SmackDown Card (4/5):

• Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
• Jey Uso vs. Solo Sikoa
• The KO Show with Kevin Owens & Randy Orton
• New Catch Republic’s Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate vs. Grayson Waller & Austin Theory
• Zelina Vega vs. Elektra Lopez

Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Saturday, March 30. We are officially one week away from WrestleMania 40. Let’s get right into today’s Daily Drop!

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 7

WWE:

– WWE World: The full list of Superstar appearances at WWE World was announced. You can click here for that comprehensive article.

– The Man’s Book: We learned a lot from Becky Lynch’s new autobiography, ‘The Man: Not Your Average, Average Girl’, and you can find that article here.

– WrestleMania Mystery Slot: WWE has reportedly blocked off a segment during WrestleMania 40 for a mystery slot. We will have to see what they book.

– Martha Hart Reacts: Owen Hart’s widow, Martha Hart, unloaded on Vince McMahon’s allegations. Naturally, she had a lot to say.

– WrestleMania 40 Additions: WWE is still expected to add a few matches to the Mania card.

AEW:

– Jay White’s Absence: It turns out that Jay White hasn’t been around AEW in recent weeks due to visa issues.

– Matt Hardy Contract: AEW has offered Hardy a new contract with the company. That could keep him in the Land of All Elite for even longer.

–Moxley’s New Look: Jon Moxley has updated his look ahead of his CMLL appearance.

– Kenny Omega Update: It seems that Omega may need surgery for his diverticulitis battle after all. We’re sending him our best.

AEW Collision (3/30) Card:

• Thunder Rosa vs. Lady Frost
• AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal: The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean) vs. FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)
• AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal: Top Flight (Darius & Dante Martin) vs. Ricky Starks & Big Bill
• Adam Copeland’s TNT Championship Open Challenge: Adam Copeland (c) vs. TBA
• Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, and Katsuyori Shibata vs. The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent) & Lance Archer

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

Looking ahead, here are some of the major upcoming shows that we have in the pipeline:

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.

WrestleMania is coming up in 8 days at this point, but even before that, WWE World will open for fans. This will replace the company’s former Axxess event, and give fans an opportunity to meet their favorite Superstars.

The WWE World at WrestleMania is a five-day interactive fan event set to run from Thursday, April 4 through Monday, April 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Tickets are slated to become available this Thursday, February 22 at 10 a.m. ET, with prices ranging from $30 to $300.

WWE World has announced the complete schedule of superstar appearances for April 4th to April 8th. Those appearances include some top Superstars on WrestleMania 40 weekend.

WWE World Superstar Appearances

This year’s WWE World is Fanatics’ first-ever fan event for the company. WrestleMania weekend will be busy for fans, especially if they get in on the meet & greets. 

Operating hours vary each day: Thursday, April 4th will see the venue open from 12 pm to 8 pm, followed by Friday, April 5th from 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday, April 6th from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday, April 7th from 10 am to 5 pm, and Monday, April 8th from 10 am to 5 pm. The event will be hosted at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.

You can find the complete list of Superstar appearances at WWE World below. SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more, as additional updates are made available. 

WWE World: Full Schedule of Superstar Appearances

THURSDAY, A?PRIL 4: 12 PM – 8 PM

AJ Styles • Bobby Lashley • Carlito • Chelsea Green • Damian Priest

• Dragon Lee • Finn Bálor • Ivy Nile • Jade Cargill • JD McDonagh

• Jinder Mahal • Johnny Gargano • Kofi Kingston • Maxxine Dupri

• Pete Dunne • Shinsuke Nakamura • The Miz • Tommaso Ciampa • And More!

FRIDAY, A?PRIL 5: 10 AM – 7 PM

Apollo Crews • Austin Theory • Big E • Candice LeRae • Grayson Waller

• Gunther • Karrion Kross • Ilja Dragunov • JBL • MVP • Naomi • Natalya

• Nia Jax • Otis • Roxanne Perez • Sami Zayn • Scarlett • Tyler Bate

• Zelina Vega • And More!

SATURDAY, A?PRIL 6: 10 AM – 5 PM

Braun Strowman • Bronson Reed • Brutus Creed • B-Fab • Carmella • Chad Gable • Iyo Sky • Joe Gacy • Julius Creed • Karl Anderson • Katana Chance

• Kayden Carter • Michin • Omos • Piper Niven • Sonya Deville • Zoey Stark

• And More!

SUNDAY, A?PRIL 7: 10 AM – 5 PM

Andrade • Baron Corbin • Bron Breakker • Carmelo Hayes • DDP • Giovanni Vinci • Indi Hartwell • Ludwig Kaiser • Oba Femi • Odyssey Jones • R-Truth

• Raquel Rodriguez • Shotzi • Thea Hail • Tiffany Stratton • Tyler Breeze

• And More!

MONDAY, A?PRIL 8: 10 AM – 5 PM

Akam • Angelo Dawkins • Asuka • Cora Jade • Dakota Kai • Kairi Sane • Kevin Owens • Liv Morgan • Luke Gallows • Lyra Valkyria • Montez Ford • Noam Dar • Rezar • Ridge Holland • Tegan Nox • Trick Williams • Xavier Woods • And More!

AEW pulled in Jay White after he took over NJPW. As leader of Bullet Club Gold, things looked like they were taking an interesting turn as the Bang Bang Scissor Gang broke up in violent fashion. Then White disappeared, but there is a reason for that.

Switchblade Jay White has been absent from recent live appearances on AEW Dynamite or Collision. Visa issues prevent Jay White from working in Canada, but he’s anticipated to return to action once the company resumes U.S. shows.

Jay White’s Absence Explained

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that Jay White has been absent from live appearances on AEW Dynamite or Collision in recent weeks. They have featured him in pre-filmed videos alongside Bullet Club Gold. 

The ROH Six Man Tag Team Champions have not appeared live since parting ways with Bang Bang Scissor Gang and attacking Billy Gunn. This situation is blamed on Visa issues, a typical problem with foreign talent as they attempt to navigate red tape.

“Switchblade” Jay White is currently unable to work in Canada due to visa issues. He is expected to return to action once the company resumes running shows in the United States.

What’s Next For Jay White

They are still hyping the feud between Bullet Club Gold against The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn. AEW will likely take care of that rivalry once Jay White is able to make his return.

As of this writing, Jay White does not have a match booked for AEW Dynasty on April 21. They have plenty of time before the St. Louis show goes down, so we will have to see how they work him into things.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more, in the pro wrestling world. Please keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines!

The Rock and Cody Rhodes ended this week’s episode of RAW with a bloody angle that was full of swearing in Chicago. The profanity was bleeped, but the blood was very real. The violence kept going after the show was over.

The Rock has released unseen footage of what happened after RAW was over in the parking lot outside the Allstate Arena. This showed how real things got as he beat down Cody Rhodes, even after the camera stopped rolling for the live show.

The Beatdown Continued

The Rock is going all out with his heel character this time around. He is also not cutting the profanity out at all, if anything, he is amplifying it.

When the camera was off, he continued the beatdown on Cody Rhodes. After a member of the WWE crew said that they were “clear,” meaning that the show was over, The Rock didn’t like heading that. He continued swearing and smearing Cody’s blood on that weight belt.

After several more whacks with the weight belt, and a lot of profanity, The Rock left. He was spitting, and angry, while looking back to Rhodes and saying, “F*ck him!”

The Rock walked off, and his point was made. He was also still on after the show was over, which gave fans a great behind-the-scenes look at the WrestleMania build.

The Rock doesn’t give a f*ck. pic.twitter.com/WdjPekweb1

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) March 29, 2024

The Rock’s Road to WrestleMania 40

WWE fans saw The Rock re-insert himself into the fold during the Day 1 episode of RAW. He came out to surprise fans, but it wasn’t until later when his intentions were made very clear by confronting Roman Reigns.

The Rock and Roman Reigns were supposed to face off at WrestleMania 40, with Cody Rhodes getting written off with an injury angle. Then the “Cody crybabies” did their thing and it changed the main event once again.

After The Rock conceded that the match needed to be changed, then they changed gears to the booking we have today.

SEScoops will have more on the road to WrestleMania, no matter what happens next. Keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines!

The Rock has a new nickname, thanks to Brian Gewirtz, but it’s not necessarily a brand-new moniker. He is The Final Boss, but that is already a name that Samoa Joe has used in the past. AEW doesn’t want fans to forget about it, either.

AEW is going full-speed ahead in promoting Samoa Joe’s Final Boss t-shirt, despite The Rock using the name. Although nobody has the trademark locked down, there is now a bit of a battle over the nickname.

The Final Boss Battle

Dwayne Johnson has been calling himself The Final Boss for weeks now, and he’s having a great time getting heat in the process. The nickname is not locked down with any trademark within the pro wrestling bubble.

Who's the Final Boss? pic.twitter.com/3Y2oQvc1L3

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) March 29, 2024

There are a few active trademarks for The Final Boss, but none of them are connected to AEW, WWE or The Rock. A couple of them are related to beer or food products, and another is in the advertising realm. So, The Rock and Samoa Joe can both technically use The Final Boss, because neither of them own it, yet. 

AEW is actively promoting a “Final Boss” shirt for Samoa Joe, which was first released on January 17. They are embracing the term, and they are also making it very clear that Joe had the nickname first.

THE FINAL BOSS. Check out this @samoajoe shirt that’s available for purchase at https://t.co/9hHlXpcSbp!https://t.co/qRrDSBDpG5#shopaew #aew #aewdynamite #aewrampage #aewcollision pic.twitter.com/PM2JjFBfxu

— ShopAEW.com (@ShopAEW) March 29, 2024

What’s Next For The Rock

The Rock is set to team up with Roman Reigns to take on Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40. That feud got bloody on the March 25 episode of RAW, as Dwayne Johnson called himself “The Final Boss” the whole time.

The Final Boss name will likely stick around  in WWE until Mania. It will be interesting to see if anyone tries to lock that name down with a trademark, as intellectual property is a very important issue in pro wrestling.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more, as we go down the road to WrestleMania 40. Keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines! 

WWE released Matt Riddle in September 2023, and he had a lot going on in his life at the time. Now, as Riddle has transitioned to a life outside WWE, he can look back with a lot of introspection. 

Matt Riddle is able to look back at his WWE exit, and he had a lot going on, from divorce to losing his best friend on the road. At this point, he just wants to get control of things, and he’s ready to do that.

Riddle Wants Control of His Life

Matt Riddle has already stated that he has no hard feelings over his WWE release. He has already returned to MLW, and he’s working for NJPW as well. Only time will tell if he ever goes to AEW, but the King of Bros seems to have a concentrated direction.

While speaking to TV Insider, Riddle stated that he is at a point in his life where he wants to get control of things. 

I think I’m at a stage of my life where I want to get control of it. I want to be in control of it. That’s why when WWE let me go it was the best move for everyone at the time. WWE merged with UFC under TKO, not that it played a huge part but was probably the cherry on top. I do think at the end of the day the schedule was getting to me. I didn’t want to believe that. Having another kid is extremely stressful. I just bought a house. I’ve been taking care of a lot of things. When I was working for WWE, I never had a vacation. I never had one vacation day. The only time I took off was those two or three months when they sent me away to clean up. That was also on me. 

Riddle went on to say that he was, “dealing with a divorce and other things while working as much as I did. Not being able to see my three kids that I have with my ex-wife. There were a lot of variables that played a part.” 

RKBro Split Played A Part

Matt Riddle also spoke about Randy Orton, and how close they were. The Apex Predator went out of action for a 10-month hiatus due to needing back fusion surgery. This was also something that affected Riddle, because he lost a lot more than just a tag team partner.

“On top of that, Randy [Orton] was my best friend when we wrestled together and traveled together. He was helping me get through a lot of these things. We talked about him going through a divorce and things like that. When he got hurt, I felt on my own. I still had people in the locker room, but not with the same amount of life experience as Randy. He really opened up to me on a lot of things. Things happen for a reason. I think I had a great run with WWE. I got to team with Randy. RK-Bro was pretty sick. I got a great match with Roman [Reigns], been in Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, and Survivor Series. You name it.”

Riddle’s Drug Use & WWE Release

Matt Riddle already confirmed that it was cocaine that led to his failed drug tests. WWE doesn’t even fine Superstars for testing positive for THC anymore, so popping for weed is not an infraction of the WWE Wellness Policy anymore. 

Riddle’s release from WWE came after over two dozen infractions, some smaller than others, but he kept ruffling feathers. WWE higher ups could no longer make excuses for the Original Bro, or protect him. 

The last straw was his inebriated escapade at JFK airport. He was heading home from WWE’s India live event at the time. After weeks of absence from television after that, he was fired in September 2023. 

Riddle also stated that he is not surprised by the allegations against Vince McMahon in Janel Grant’s lawsuit. Other Superstars have returned in the past, so we will have to see if Riddle gets another chance with WWE after so much has changed.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, so please keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines.

The pro wrestling world was turned upside down when Janel Grant’s lawsuit revealed heinous allegations against Vince McMahon. Now, someone who also had an intense battle with Vince and WWE is speaking out.

Martha Hart addressed the allegations against Vince McMahon, expressing her lack of surprise over Janel Grant’s lawsuit. She highlighted the gravity of the allegations and criticized the actions as incomprehensible.

Martha Hart Speaks on Vince McMahon Allegations

While speaking to News Nation, Martha Hart was asked about the allegations against Vince McMahon. She was quite candid as she said that the content of Janel Grant’s lawsuit did not surprise her. 

“No, I was not surprised when I heard there was yet another lawsuit. Over the years, the WWE, they’ve had many lawsuits and they’ve had a lot of bad press. And I tell you, I read all of the 67 pages in that complaint – and it is absolutely horrific. And I have to say that the level of wickedness that’s described is beyond the pale in that complaint, and anyone with a shred of humanity would find the indignant acts just incomprehensible, frankly.”

“So it wasn’t a shock that there was another lawsuit, but the level of, I guess, depravity there certainly was. I’m a doctor in mental health and I’m also the founder and director of the Owen Hart Foundation, so no matter what hat I’m wearing, I always work with at-risk people. And I can tell you that – anyone that takes advantage of a vulnerable person is the most despicable type of person because these are people that need to be supported and protected, not exploited. And by Janel Grant’s own admission, she was a vulnerable person. She was unemployed, her parents had passed away, she was suffering with grief, and she was also just on the cusp of financial collapse. So these are all the makings of a very vulnerable person.”

Hart was also asked if she has any advice for Janel Grant. She suggested that Grant keep pressing this case, and not to back down.

I would say to just stay the course. And her claim is very credible, and I would be steadfast in my convictions, and don’t back down.

Martha Hart’s Legal Battle With WWE

Following Owen Hart’s tragic death in 1999, Martha Hart went to war with McMahon and WWE in court. A wrongful death lawsuit against WWE resulted in an alleged settlement of $18 million. Additionally, Hart pursued another lawsuit against WWE for unauthorized use of Owen Hart’s name and likeness, which was also resolved through a settlement.

Martha Hart recounted that her legal battles with WWE resembled a “David and Goliath” scenario. She explained the challenges she faced while confronting Vince McMahon and his company, describing it as a relentless struggle where they spared no effort to defend themselves. 

WWE used their vast resources and ability to hire top lawyers for the fight against Hart. Martha also had a lot of frustration due to the tactics used to delay proceedings and divert attention from the core issues. 

Owen Hart’s widow went on to note how wealth led to a sense of impunity for WWE, allowing individuals to believe they could act without constraints. Now, Vince McMahon is unable to escape this lawsuit against him that led to his resignation. 

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more, so keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines.

WWE has less than 10 days until WrestleMania 40 comes at fans. They may be getting close to the show of shows, but the company isn’t finished adding matches to the card.

WrestleMania 40 will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on April 6 and 7. SEScoops will have total coverage of the event, and the show may be even larger by the time the date comes around.

WWE is expected to announce three new matches from the SmackDown side for WrestleMania 40. Now, we have a better idea what the show of shows will look like when they are finished wrapping up the card.

More WrestleMania 40 Matches

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that a lineup for both nights of WrestleMania 40 exists, but it is confidential. They also have, at least, three matches to add to the show of shows this year.

Three new matches are reportedly from the Smackdown side, and it’s anticipated that angles for these matches will be hinted at, if not finalized, on the March 29 SmackDown. Official match announcements may be delayed until later in the week.

Possible WrestleMania 40 Additions

It was also noted that an LWO vs. Legado del Fantastma match might take place on the WrestleMania card in some form, either as a tag team or eight-man contest, but that is contingent on the status of Angel Garza & Humberto. Bobby Lashley & Street Profits vs. Authors of Pain & Karrion Kross is a potential match as well.

As of right now, there is no planned women’s tag team title match, but something involving Damage Control is anticipated.

Dominik Mysterio’s involvement in Rey Mysterio’s match on March 22 teased the beginning of a storyline, but it’s unknown when WWE might pull the trigger on that.

SEScoops will have more coverage of the road to WrestleMania as additional information is made known. Keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines. You may find the WrestleMania 40 card (so far) below.

WWE WrestleMania 40 Card (So Far):

• The Bloodline (The Rock and Roman Reigns) vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins: Tag team match – Night 1
• Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre: Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship – Night 2
• Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes: TBD match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship – Night 2
• Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley: Singles match for the WWE Women’s Championship
• Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch: Singles match for the Women’s World Championship
• Gunther (c) vs. Sami Zayn: Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
• The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) vs. The Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs. SmackDown tournament winners: Six-Pack Tag Team Ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
• LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
• Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso
• Logan Paul (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens: Triple threat match for the WWE United States Championship

AEW lost a top player when Kenny Omega went out of action. He was 1/2 of the #1 Contenders for the AEW World Tag Team Titles at the time, and a championship match was set. Suddenly, diverticulitis took one of the best pro wrestlers out of commission. 

Kenny Omega continues to experience significant discomfort due to diverticulitis, and there is a high likelihood that he will need surgery. Although nothing has been 100% confirmed yet, it appears that may need to happen for The Cleaner to return to the ring.

Omega’s Likely Surgery

Although Tony Khan recently said he is optimistic about Kenny Omega’s progress, it appears that the former AEW World Champion is on the verge of surgery.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that Kenny Omega is still in a lot of pain from his diverticulitis. That means that, although no decision has been made, surgery is a very likely option for him.

While no decision has been made, it looks more likely than not that Kenny Omega will be getting surgery on his intestines. He’s had his ups and downs but has largely been dealing with a good amount of pain for months now. He said surgery is becoming more and more likely as two different doctors have told him they think it’s the best option.

What’s Next For Kenny Omega

It’s uncertain whether Kenny Omega will undergo surgery, but it’s increasingly likely, especially if he intends to return to wrestling and resume his career. The potential surgery would involve removing the perforated sections of his intestine and colon to improve his condition.

Comparisons are drawn to Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Brock Lesnar, who returned to pro wrestling successfully after facing similar health challenges. It was also noted that Omega’s situation with diverticulitis was particularly severe and life-threatening.

Kenny Omega was “fired” from The Elite in an AEW angle. That was done to keep him off television, but it could also set up a match against Okada whenever the time comes. Hopefully, The Cleaner will make his return sooner than later.

WWE television used to featured blood a lot more often, but the PG era took that away. That is why fans were so surprised to see Cody Rhodes rock a crimson mask on RAW this week with The Rock’s beatdown.

WrestleMania 40 will see The Rock and Roman Reigns team up to face Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. Due to Dwayne Johnson’s involvement in the angle, they are getting a lot more leeway.

After Cody Rhodes’ bloody segment that concluded RAW this week, the company’s stance on bleeding on camera has been called into question. WWE still has a policy against blood, so don’t expect to see it on a regular basis.

WWE’s Stance On Blood

Cody Rhodes bled on television this week during RAW, but don’t expect to see that kind of angle every week. Rhodes bladed on WWE RAW this week, and the blood was planned.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that blood on WWE television is still going to be a very rare occurrence. They will not start featuring it all the time, and nowhere close to how often AEW lets their talent bleed on screen.

With blood, the key is that this is no longer Vince McMahon’s company. We were told that going forward it will be used very rarely. There are no plans to turn it into AEW where it’s used more liberally. But if Johnson wants it in his angle, he’s like Lesnar in the Vince administration, and has more power than Lesnar had then, and he’s going to be able to do what he wants in his angles and matches.

WWE’s No Blading Policy

The WWE shifted its approach to bleeding on screen in 2008 to reach more sponsors and clean up the image for younger viewers.

Cody Rhodes used a blade during his segment, a practice that in the past led to notable fines under Vince McMahon’s leadership. One instance was when Dave Bautista was fined $100,000. 

Brock Lesnar has featured blood in his matches in the past, but those were mostly spots where his opponent bled the hard way. He even made himself bleed by cracking his head off the ring post. Of course, that is not a safe alternative at all, but it was somehow looked at more favorably than blading.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more. Keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines.

Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Friday, March 29. It’s going to be a big day for pro wrestling, because fans have WWE SmackDown tonight, and we are one step closer to WrestleMania 40.

Before we get going, Vince McMahon is at it again with unloading TKO stock. He sold a ton more after their recent price surge, so he’s still cashing out.

Let’s get right into it and not waste any more time!

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 8

WWE:

– Donate Your Brain: Dijak has confirmed that his brain will go to CTE research when he passes away.

– Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 40 Weekend: WWE confirmed that Hulk Hogan will be at WWE World, the first-ever Fanatics fan event. He will do a meet & greet and sign autographs. As of this writing, we have not heard about any role for him during that actual Mania event.

Hulkamania is runnin’ wild at #WWEWorld! Tickets to meet @HulkHogan at WWE World are on sale now.

Tickets: https://t.co/AvBQhxMOEy pic.twitter.com/p5w5VHQueZ

— WWE (@WWE) March 28, 2024

– Represent The Bloodline: WWE dropped a new Roman Reigns Bloodline hoodie, and it’s very family oriented. You can click here to see what they have to offer.

Family Above All! Your Tribal Chief Roman Reigns has a NEW tee at #WWEShop! #WWE ?: https://t.co/AUY2zvoWJc pic.twitter.com/0inobnM5Go

— WWEShop.com (@WWEShop) March 22, 2024

– Meek Mill x WrestleMania 40: Triple H keeps teasing that Meek Mill will be at WrestleMania 40. We’ll have to see what he does in his city.

– Gimmick Infringement Claims: Tiffany Stratton was recently called out for stealing her gimmick and moves.

– Breaking The Streak: The Undertaker recently admitted that Bray Wyatt should have broken his undefeated WrestleMania streak.

– WWE NXT at UFC Apex: The NXT Deadline event is reportedly moving to the UFC Apex venue.

WWE SmackDown Match Card (3/29):

• WrestleMania XL Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match: The Street Profits vs. Austin Theory & Grayson Waller
• WrestleMania XL Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match: New Catch Republic vs. Legado Del Fantasma
• Jade Cargill First Official Appearance As A SmackDown Superstar
• Bianca Belair vs. Dakota Kai
• Kevin Owens & Randy Orton vs. Pretty Deadly

AEW:

– MJF Was Spotted: Although he didn’t appear on-screen, MJF was around at a recent Dynamite to meet with officials. He is still under contract with the company.

– AEW Viewership: The viewership for AEW Dynamite was very low this week. You can click here for a breakdown.

– Jericho x Hook: Chris Jericho finally made an offer to Hook that he may not be able to refuse.

– Scapegoat Update: Jack Perry has said that he doesn’t need AEW anymore. We will have to see if and when he ever returned to Tony Khan’s company.

– Bischoff vs Khan: Eric Bischoff wasn’t too pleased about how Tony Khan reacted when he found out the Strictly Business podcast is ending.

AEW Rampage Card (3/29):

• Dustin Rhodes vs. The Butcher
• Deonna Purrazzo vs. Rose
• Mariah May vs. Nikita
• Roderick Strong vs. Matt Menard
• The Best Friends attempt to save Menard from Undisputed Kingdom
• Young Bucks blindside The Best Friends

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

Looking ahead, here are some of the major upcoming shows that we have in the pipeline:

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.

WrestleMania events are famous for bringing celebrities to WWE, whether it be for a match, performance, or to just sit in the crowd as fans. This year’s grandest stage of them all in Philadelphia will be no different.

Meek Mill has already received an invitation from Triple H to attend WrestleMania 40. Now, it appears that they are teasing more than just Meek Mill sitting in the crowd for the showcase of the immortals.

Meek Mill x WrestleMania XL

During this week’s episode of WWE RAW, a commercial hinted at a possible WrestleMania performance from Grammy-nominated rapper Meek Mill. This would be appropriate, since he hails from the host city.

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C49VzcgJ0ka

Following the airing of the commercial, Triple H took to social media to urge Meek Mill to keep his schedule open for WrestleMania. In another indication of Meek Mill’s potential WrestleMania performance, Triple H shared another teaser video titled “Dreams and Nightmares” later that evening.

It appears that there is a real possibility of Meek Mill showing up at WrestleMania 40 for something other than just watching the show. 

A story of neon dreams… or faded nightmares. You ready for this, @MeekMill? #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/deR4sPI1zX

— Triple H (@TripleH) March 28, 2024

Celebrities at WrestleMania

WWE has booked matches with celebrities in the past to light up the WrestleMania stage. Johnny Knoxville will never forget his Anything Goes match against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 38, and there are so many celebrities who created everlasting moments in WWE history.

Pete Rose, known for his career as a player and manager for the Cincinnati Reds, made multiple WrestleMania appearances. Charlie Hustle belongs in the MLB Hall of Fame, but he is in the WWE HOF for a reason. At WrestleMania XIV, he served as a guest ring announcer and engaged in a physical altercation with Kane. Also, at WrestleMania XV, he donned the costume of the San Diego Chicken and encountered Kane once again for a punishing experience.

Floyd Mayweather Jr stepped into the WWE ring at WrestleMania XXIV for a No Disqualification match against the towering Big Show. Similarly, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal made waves at WrestleMania 32 by participating in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Lawrence Taylor, known for his career as a linebacker for the New York Giants, took center stage at WrestleMania XI against Bam Bam Bigelow. Meanwhile, Mike Tyson made a memorable appearance at WrestleMania XIV as the ringside enforcer for the main event.

Even figures from the music industry have graced the WrestleMania stage, such as Ozzy Osbourne, who is a heavyweight in heavy metal along with WWE Hall of Famer. At WrestleMania 2, Osbourne took on the role of manager for The British Bulldogs during their match against The Dream Team.

These celebrity appearances have become an integral part of WrestleMania’s legacy, and those names are just a drop in the bucket. There are many more that we could list, because there is also no shortage of celebrities who would love an experience under WrestleMania’s bright lights.

We will have to see if Meek Mill is able to block off his schedule for WrestleMania 40. By the look of things, they certainly have something planned.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more on the road to WrestleMania. You never know what will break next, but we will be here with all the headlines you need.

WWE has pulled in some big crossover stars over the years. Johnny Knoxville’s proclivity to participate in daring stunts made him perfect for a WrestleMania role, and he will never forget it.

Johnny Knoxville recalled a time when Brock Lesnar tried to put his fellow Jackass co-star Wee Man through a table at a crowded restaurant. He also shared a fantastic memory from WrestleMania 38, where he was featured in a marquee match.

Brock Lesnar & Wee Man

While speaking to SI, Johnny Knoxville took a walk down memory lane to the time when Brock Lesnar put Wee Man through a table in the middle of a Four Seasons restaurant.

Wee Man apparently had some liquid courage in him, and that only caused Lesnar to take action. What happened next made Knoxville so happy, as Wee Man took a trip into a table.

I can’t remember being so happy [laughs]. We were at a Four Seasons restaurant. Wee Man had a couple drinks. And when Wee Man has a couple drinks, he gets loud and rambunctious. And he started talking smack to Brock–and Brock just scooped Wee Man up, pointed to a table, and said, “That’s where you’re going.” Right in the middle of a Four Seasons restaurant, it was amazing.

Johnny Knoxville at WrestleMania 38

Night two of WrestleMania 38 showcased an Anything Goes match pitting Sami Zayn against Johnny Knoxville. The Jackass star still remembers that 2022 match, and what happened afterward, years later.

Knoxville beat Zayn in just under 15 minutes in AT&T Stadium. Two years later, he still doesn’t have anything nice to say about the Underdog from the Underground.

He then explained that their match received a standing ovation in Gorilla Position afterward.

Aside from having to actually look at Sami’s big, dumb face, I was thrilled with the match. Afterward, it felt like we did something special. To walk in backstage into [the] Gorilla [position, right behind the curtain], I think they call it, they stood up and clapped–and those guys and girls have seen it all. For them to clap, I took it as a big compliment. And I hate to say anything good about Sami Zayn, but he did an amazing job in that match–an amazing job losing, I should point out.

WWE was removed from WWE and the company is doing their best to wash him from their history. This all stems from Janel Grant’s lawsuit going public, and he resigned from his role in WWE shortly after that. Now, he is getting out of the TKO business even more by selling off more shares.

Vince McMahon is selling even more TKO Stock as he just unloaded 3,484,006 more shares. This sale adds to the 5,350,000 shares he sold in early March.

McMahon Sells More TKO Stock

Vince McMahon’s mass selloff of TKO Stock continues as he unloaded 3,484,006 shares, as revealed in an SEC filing released by TKO today.

The filing details McMahon’s sale agreement with an unaffiliated bank, obligating him to deliver up to 3,484,006 shares of TKO’s Class A common stock to settle the agreement.

McMahon and the bank amended the agreement on March 1, 2024. The physical settlement, divided into 15 parts, concluded between March 5, 2024, and March 25, 2024, resulting in McMahon receiving approximately $100 million.

How Much TKO Stock Vince McMahon Has Left

In early March, Vince McMahon also sold 5,350,000 TKO shares at $77 each, generating $411,950,000 from the transaction

Despite the recent sales, McMahon still retains ownership of roughly 11.5 million shares of TKO Group, indicating his continued interest in the company’s performance and future prospects.

He still does not have enough stock to be able to arrange any sort of takeover like he did after his first retirement. We will have to see if WWE continues avoiding any mention of Mr. McMahon on television.

For what it’s worth, TKO Group Holdings stock has shot up in recent memory. Many attribute that rise in value to their impending Netflix deal.

SEScoops will have more of this story, and so much more. Please keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines.

Pro wrestling fans are passionate about the sport, but some go above and beyond. A new wedding video has a lot of attention, and for good reason.

A fan recently acknowledged Roman Reigns on their own wedding day. The groom and his party made their way to the altar to The Bloodline’s iconic entrance music.

The Bloodline Meets Marriage

A fan named Bruins Hogan recently god married, and he used this day of celebration to let everyone know how much of a Bloodline fan he is. With Roman Reigns’ entrance music barring, his party came out, complete with a WWE Championship and an Ula Fala around the groom’s neck.

Wedding guests were encouraged to cheer, and then the groom’s party struck The Bloodline’s pose. They even got some pyrotechnics in the mix. It was quite a show.

You can check out the video below. We’re not sure how the bride’s entrance turned out, but the groom popped those wedding guests in a big way.

Cheap Heat listener @BruinsHogan really took his wedding entrance levels above ??

cc @StatGuyGreg @HeymanHustle @WWERomanReigns

pic.twitter.com/rFUz8T18DE

— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) March 28, 2024

Pro Wrestling Weddings

We’ve seen fans insert pro wrestling entrances in their wedding reception in the past. Putting The Bloodline’s entrance into the actual ceremony is upping the ante.

It would also be irresponsible of us not to mention the epic table spot that went down during a wedding reception a couple of years ago. That also included the bride laying in some kendo stick shots after coming out to Becky Lynch’s entrance.

Showing your passion for pro wrestling and your spouse on your big day is a theme that we can certainly get behind.

John Laurinaitis’ name was featured in mainstream stories as Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE also included his name as a defendant. Now, more are speaking out about his negative influence on the pro wrestling business.

Teddy Long openly criticized Johnny Ace in response to comments made by Rousey about him. Long expressed that he no longer restrains his opinions about Laurinaitis, calling him one of the worst individuals and accusing him of racial discrimination.

Teddy Long Blasts John Laurinaitis

We previously reported how John Laurinaitis was recently buried by Ronda Rousey, as she called him a dirt bag. WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long happens to agree with Rousey, and he would also throw racist on the accusations as well.

During Wrestle Binge, Teddy Long unloaded on Johnny Ace after Rousey’s comments about him came up in the conversation. Long said that he’s not holding his words back when it comes to Laurinaitis any longer.

I don’t hold my tongue back on John Laurinaitis. One of the worst pieces of sh*t on this planet, and you can do what you want to to me, you can sue me all you want to, ain’t nothing you’re gonna get except ‘holla, holla, holla.’ He is a man who is going to stop me from making a living because of the color of my skin — not because I’m not doing my job. So, you’re gonna tell me that I did my job, the face of that TV for nine years and you’re gonna … you know what I’m saying? Lemme stop.”

Laurinaitis and the Lawsuit

John Laurinaitis waved his right to be served Janel Grant’s lawsuit. He was very much aware of the filing, so he did not need that formality. He still asserts that he was a victim in the situation, as Vince McMahon was his boss as well.

In the lawsuit, McMahon is accused of instructing Grant to create “explicit content” for Laurinaitis, who was WWE head of talent relations at the time. Grant was later moved to the talent relations department, with both McMahon and Laurinaitis expecting her to engage with Laurinaitis sexually, both physically and through explicit content.

The suit also alleges that Grant was sexually assaulted by McMahon and Laurinaitis in June 2021 inside Laurinaitis’ office at WWE headquarters while colleagues were present. They allegedly cornered her, took turns restraining her, forced themselves on her, and ignored her pleas to stop.

SEScoops will continue covering this story, and so much more. Please keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines that you need.

It takes a special kind of talent to become a WWE Superstar, especially at a high level. Logan Paul has been able to prove a lot of his doubters wrong, on even the highest levels of WWE.

Logan Paul revealed that Triple H laughed when he heard about LP’s interest in WWE. Triple H’s opinion on Paul certainly changed after he saw his dedication to pro wrestling and his in-ring abilities.

Triple H Laughed at The Maverick

Logan Paul is on the road to WrestleMania once again, and he is enjoying some big deals with WWE. Not only has his hydration brand, Prime, inked the biggest sponsorship deal in WWE history, but The Maverick is also in the middle of his own performer contract.

While speaking to Graham Bensinger, Logan Paul was asked about Triple H laughing at the idea of him becoming a WWE Superstar. LP confirmed that story was true, because Triple H admitted it to his face after he earned his respect.

“Yeah, [I heard Triple H laughed when he heard I was interested in WWE], he told me to my face. I’m sure he thought ‘there’s no way this internet kid can hang with the toughness and complex nature of this sport.'”

Triple H later said about Logan Paul that, “once he got into it, and I saw not only what he’s able to do, but his dedication to doing it, you know that’s a game-changer for me. He earned my respect right out the shoot.”

Logan Paul’s entrance in WWE made several fans roll their eyes. Once they saw what he was able to do in the ring, and how much he gave to the business, that changed a lot of fan perception, as he was welcomed as a bona fide WWE Superstar by the locker room as well.

John Cena on Logan Paul

John Cena was also featured in the video from Graham Bensinger. The footage, which was filmed on April 1, 2023, the day of WrestleMania 39, features a brief interaction with the 16x World Champion.

Cena, who was shocked to discover that April 1 is also Logan Paul’s birthday, gave a glowing review to what LP is capable of, and what he has been able to bring to WWE. 

“I wish we had found him years ago and this would be his calling. I’m glad he’s found us, because he fits perfectly in what we do here.”

Logan Paul at WrestleMania 40

Logan Paul is walking into WrestleMania 40 as the WWE United States Champion. He will defend his title against Kevin Owens and Randy Orton during the event. He may not be happy about his situation, but he will give it all in Philadelphia at WrestleMania XL to retain his title.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more from the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back throughout the day for more of the headlines you need.

WWE fans have come to expect a great show from NXT’s premium live events. Now, they will have to wait a little bit longer for Battleground, but there is a good reason for it.

The NXT Battleground event is set to reportedly change dates from May 26th to June 9th. Furthermore, the location will also be shifted, with the event relocating from Savannah, GA to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

WWE NXT’s Battleground Plans Changing

SEScoops has learned that WWE is considering moving NXT Deadline to the UFC Apex venue. This will also push the event up a week.

WWE’s NXT brand has developed a reputation for putting on high-quality events, which is a tradition they’ve been developing for years. Now, it appears that fans in Las Vegas will get Battleground, but that won’t come without a change.

WrestleVotes noted that there is talk saying the NXT Battleground event will be rescheduled from May 26th to June 9th. Additionally, there will be a change in the location.

Hearing rumblings of a significant schedule change, I’m told the NXT Battleground event will be moving off May 26th to June 9th. With the location shifting as well as Savanna, GA will no longer host the show. NXT Battleground will take place live in Las Vegas at the UFC Apex.

WWE & UFC

The UFC Apex operates in Enterprise, Nevada. It’s owned by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is part of TKO Group Holdings, and so is WWE. This facility hosts live events and production activities for the UFC, and now it will apparently host Deadline.

TKO Group Holdings merged WWE and UFC under Endeavor’s umbrella. There has been talk of WWE and UFC running events in the same city to create a destination event, and it appears that they may be starting to creep toward this idea with NXT Deadline in the UFC Apex.

There have been other UFC crossovers, like Michael Chandler showing up on WWE RAW to call out Conor McGregor. Fans should probably expect more things like that in the future.

WWE NXT Stand & Deliver

NXT Stand & Deliver will go down on April 6, during the afternoon before WrestleMania 40’s first night. The event will air on Peacock, and the WWE Network for fans outside the United States.

SEScoops will also have coverage of the event, so keep checking back for more updates. You can check out the updated card below.

• Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tony D’Angelo: Singles match for the NXT Championship
• Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker (c) vs. Tournament Winners: Tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
• Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Roxanne Perez: Singles match for the NXT Women’s Championship
• Oba Femi (c) vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs: Triple threat match for the NXT North American Championship
• Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes 

TNA Wrestling has seen a substantial amount of changes over the last few months. Some notable names have left, but others are sticking around.

TNA Wrestling has confirmed the re-signing of multi-time champion Ace Austin. Austin expressed excitement about staying with TNA. He will be sticking around for even longer to extend his legacy with the former Impact Wrestling

Ace Austin Re-Signs With TNA

TNA Wrestling has confirmed via a press release that Ace Austin has re-signed with the company. This was first broken by Ace Austin with Denise Salcedo on Instinct Culture.

“I’m very excited to be staying with TNA. I have more goals to fulfill and championships to win,” Austin said of his re-signing.

BREAKING: @The_Ace_Austin has re-signed with TNA! pic.twitter.com/Ev9frsKESI

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2024

Ace Austin in TNA Wrestling

The 27-year-old Austin started his professional wrestling career in 2015 after completing training at the “Wild Samoan Pro-Wrestling Training Center.” He joined TNA Wrestling in early 2019 and has since secured championship victories in both singles and tag team competition.

Austin already has an impressive record with the company. He is a former X Division Champion three times over, and he has held the World Tag Team Championship twice alongside partner Chris Bey, collectively known as ABC.

Controversy In TNA

TNA Wrestling saw the departure of Scott D’Amore, and many members of the roster were not happy about his ousting. A letter was sent to Anthem Sports, detailing the reasons why they were not in favor of this decision.

Although there was discussion about the company being open to discuss talent releases if they aren’t happy about D’Amore’s firing, we haven’t seen a massive exodus from the company. Now, we know that Ace Austin will be around TNA for a long time to come.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines.

The world lost Bray Wyatt last year, and we are still in mourning. The Eater of Worlds racked up many accolades throughout his career, but The Undertaker believes he deserved one more.

The Undertaker expressed his belief that Bray Wyatt was the most suitable candidate to end his WrestleMania streak. He felt that it would have been more impactful for Wyatt’s career compared to Roman Reigns. The Undertaker highlighted the similarities between their characters and the dark themes, indicating that Wyatt breaking the streak would have been significant.

Bray Wyatt Should Have Broken The Streak

Brock Lesnar famously broke The Undertaker’s undefeated WrestleMania streak in New Orleans at Mania XXX. That was a devastating blow for some fans, but Taker believes that someone else should have broken it instead.

On his Patreon page, The Undertaker said that Bray Wyatt was the most suitable candidate to end his WrestleMania streak. He felt that it would have been more impactful for Wyatt’s career compared to Roman Reigns.

The most logical person to break it would have been Bray Wyatt. Probably of the three, it would have meant more to his career than even Roman’s. For Roman, it would have been very special but for Bray, there were so many comparisons between the two characters and the darkness and the different things.

For him to be able to have broke it would have been such a feather in his cap and in something that would have prob probably could have extended the, the character of the Undertaker in, in a different capacity.

You know, I mean, Bray would have been the, the in ring aspect of it, but I think that those characters would have somehow maybe merged together in some kind of higher power type deal. But I think of, of all the people that it would have helped, the most, I think Bray would have been the guy. He’s the only one.

The Undertaker says Bray Wyatt should've broken his WrestleMania streak. pic.twitter.com/YvIMkeOKOb

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) March 28, 2024

The Undertaker went on to say that he didn’t want to put himself over too much, nor put himself on a pedestal, but he believes the honor of breaking his streak should have gone to Bray Wyatt instead.

Bray Wyatt in the WWE Hall of Fame

While it was thought that Bray Wyatt would receive an induction in the WWE Hall of Fame this year, that is not happening. The company is honoring his legacy with a new documentary: Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal, which will debut on April 1.

Regarding Bray Wyatt’s future WWE Hall of Fame induction, Mike Rotunda commented that he feels it is too soon to induct his son at this time. This yea will still see the family honored, as the U.S. Express are receiving an induction.

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

WWE fans remember Mick Foley for his three faces, and so much more. He is not only the man behind Mankind, Dude Love, and Cactus Jack, but he is also a renowned author and stand-up comedian. Sadly, fans who were looking forward to seeing him this weekend have bad news.

Mick Foley announced that he is dealing with some issues, so he had to pull out of the Squared Circle convention in Indianapolis this weekend. He made this announcement via his Instagram stories.

Foley Cancels Appearance

Mick Foley, despite retiring from in-ring wrestling years ago, is still very active with various bookings. Sadly, Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy can’t make some of his appearances due to health reasons.

Recently, Foley took to Instagram to share that he had to cancel some of his bookings due to a health setback. He attributed this setback to the demanding nature of his travel schedule, indicating that it may have taken a toll on his well-being.

“I’m VERY SORRY TO CANCEL

I’m really sorry to give the news that I will not be able to make it to the Squared Circle convention in Indianapolis this weekend. I’ve been working through some dizziness the last couple of weeks – and my family and I feel like it would be best to cut back on my traveling until my symptoms are gone. I also will be unable to make my return to OVW Thursday as I had originally hoped. I think I may have just done way too much driving 90 hours in days – not enough sleeping, and just taken on too many bookings in the month of March. I really take pride in making all my dates, and I absolutely do not want to let anyone down, but in this case, we feel like it’s best for me to rest up.”

One More Death Match

While his last wrestling appearance was in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match in 2012, Foley has expressed interest in participating in one final death match. However, he has yet to make a final decision and plans to do so by early 2025.

We will have to see if Mick Foley books another match for his 60th birthday. Right now, he is probably not in any condition to step in the ring. We’re sending our best to Foley at this time and hope he is able to make a full recovery.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more in the pro wrestling world as additional updates are made available. Keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines.

Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Thursday, March 28. Fans had a packed episode of AEW Dynamite last night, and we’re less than 10 days from WrestleMania 40. It’s an exciting time to be a pro wrestling fan, so let’s get right into it!

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 9

WWE:

– Punk Goes Off-Script: I was able to confirm that CM Punk’s line where he referenced Vince McMahon naming Drew McIntyre “The Chosen One” was improvised.

As if this needed to be said, but I have been able to confirm that CM Punk's reference to Vince McMahon on RAW this week was 100% improvised. pic.twitter.com/1LgbP7A8QF

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) March 27, 2024

– The Man’s Contract: Becky Lynch confirmed to Ariel Helwani that her WWE contract is up in two months. She doesn’t seem too worried about the situation.

– Austin 3:16 at WM 40: WWE has been in talks with Steve Austin for some kind of WrestleMania 40 appearance.

– Sami Zayn Merch: WWE released a new t-shirt for Zayn ahead of WrestleMania 40. His new merchandise highlights how he is the #1 contender for GUNTHER’s IC Title. You can click here to see what they have to offer.

The Contender! Get ready for Sami Zayn’s WrestleMania matchup with this NEW Tee! Available now at #WWEShop! #WWE ?: https://t.co/3ooj8HJB9j pic.twitter.com/OnONs0u1iw

— WWEShop.com (@WWEShop) March 25, 2024

– New WWE Championship: Corey Graves confirmed that WWE Speed will introduce a new championship for the company’s new social media show.

– Drew McIntyre’s WWE Deal: McIntyre’s WWE contract is still running up sometime after WrestleMania 40.

– Hogan is Mania (Maybe): WWE is talking about bringing Hulk Hogan in for WrestleMania 40. It wasn’t noted what role they’re discussing for him.

AEW:

– Tony Hawk is All Elite: Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk appeared on AEW Dynamite this week alongside Darby Allin. They were there to plug a charity that he’s involved with that builds skate parks.

– Adding to Dynasty: AEW added Willow Nightingale vs Julia Hart for the TBS Title and Swerve Strickland vs Samoa Joe for the AEW Title to the Dynasty card on April 21.

– Proud n Powerful: Mike Santana went into even more detail about why he and Ortiz broke up.

– Double or Nothing 2024: AEW announced during Dynamite that on Sunday, May 26, they will host Double or Nothing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena once again.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

Looking ahead, here are some of the major upcoming shows that we have in the pipeline:

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.

AEW is planning even more pay-per-view events in 2024, and they will have a chance to introduce Dynasty to fans in April. The card is coming together, and they booked another title match this week.

AEW Dynasty will go down in St. Louis on April 21. It will be the first-ever event of its kind, as Tony Khan’s company adds another pay-per-view to their schedule of events.

During AEW Dynamite this week, Willow Nightingale won a four-way match to become the #1 contender for Julia Hart’s TBS Title. Also, in the main event, Swerve Strickland became the #1 contender for Samoa Joe’s AEW World Title. 

New AEW Dynasty Title Matches

Willow Nightingale emerged as the top contender for the TBS Championship after winning a four-way match on the March 27 episode of AEW Dynamite. She did so with Mercedes Mone on the commentary booth, where she provided insight during the contest.

Death Valley Driver on the Apron!

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@CallMeKrisStat | @SkyeByee | @AnnaJay___ | @WillowWrestles pic.twitter.com/ULT6s5xgfR

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 28, 2024

Competing against Anna Jay, Skye Blue, and Kris Statlander, Nightingale secured the victory by pinning Anna Jay with a Doctor Bomb. Following her win, it was revealed that Nightingale would face Julia Hart for the title at AEW’s upcoming Dynasty pay-per-view.

https://twitter.com/LopeDMCA/status/1773156266921091365

Swerve Strickland also beat Konosuke Takeshita in the main event of the night, earning a number one contender spot for Samoa Joe’s AEW World Championship. Following his win, it was promptly announced that Strickland’s title challenge against Samoa Joe will headline AEW Dynasty on April 21 in New Orleans.

AEW Dynasty Plans

As of this writing, Mercedes Mone does not have a match booked for AEW Dynasty. She certainly seemed interested in the conclusion of this #1 contender match for the TBS Title.

AEW Dynasty will be the first-ever event of its kind, and it will go down on April 21 in St Louis. SEScoops will have full coverage of the event as we get closer to the big date.

AEW Dynasty Card (So Far):

• Samoa Joe (c) vs. Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Title
• Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson
• TBD vs. TBD: Tournament final for the vacant AEW World Tag Team Championship
• Julia Hart (c) vs. Willow Nightingale: Singles match for the AEW TBS Championship

WWE has three working brands right now, but they are about to add another show to their weekly lineup. That new show will also come with another championship.

The new WWE Speed show will make its debut on Twitter/X on April 3. The new innovative show format will also come with a new championship.

WWE Speed’s New Title

WWE commentator Corey Graves provided a few new details about WWE Speed. The new show will exclusively premiere on Twitter/X on April 3.

WWE Speed will introduce three-minute matches, showcasing wrestlers in intense competition, aiming for a new prize. Graves seemed excited to explain the format of the new show, as each match will be like a finish, to further up the intensity. With only three minutes per match, each Superstar must enter every contest like they are looking to close things quickly.

Additionally, it was confirmed that WWE will introduce a new WWE Speed Championship. Fans will see the first-ever champion crowned through a unique tournament format on the upcoming show.

WWE did not reveal what their new Speed Championship will look like.

EVERY SECOND COUNTS ?@WWEGraves is here to introduce #WWESpeed! Your favorite Superstars will go head-to-head in 3 minute matches, where the WWE Speed Championship is the ultimate prize.#WWESpeed premieres April 3rd, exclusively on @X! pic.twitter.com/JTx2o9CNBi

— WWE (@WWE) March 27, 2024

WWE and Social Media Shows

Some fans are getting WWE Mixed Match Challenge vibes from the new WWE Speed show, and they have a reason to feel this way. Much like how the mixed tag team show was exclusively on Facebook, the new WWE Speed show is being produced through a deal with Twitter/X.

These are not the only digital programs that WWE has going. WWE The Bump still airs every Wednesday, with interviews and recaps from the week. Some older fans may also remember WWE’s original venture into the digital space with Byte This that streamed through their website from 1997 to 2006.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is available.