Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Monday, March 25. Monday Night RAW is tonight, and there are a lot of stories to get to, so let’s jump right into it!

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 12

WWE:

– WrestleMania 41 Location: Minneapolis is very confident that they are going to land the location for WrestleMania 41.

–Bayley Gets Love From WWE Shop: Bayley got a new t-shirt for the road to WrestleMania 40. She’s very excited about this new drop as well. You can click here to see what they have to offer in the WWE Shop.

Been a couple years, but we finally got one! Buy yours now before Mania so we can make more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Muahahahaahaha https://t.co/orxwpoUN8v

— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) March 22, 2024

– Baszler Wants Stinkfaced: Rhea Ripley’s stinkface activities got around the roster. Now, Shayna Baszler is begging to receive one from The Nightmare.

– Meek Mill x WrestleMania 40: Triple H sent rapper Meek Mill an invitation to attend WrestleMania 40 in Philly. We will have to see if he is spotted at the show with his sons.

– Asuka Is Cleared: Good news for Asuka and Damage CTRL, because she was cleared to compete again. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion took part in live events over the weekend.

WWE RAW (3/25) Advertised Card:

• C.M. Punk returns to Raw
• Ricochet vs. J.D. McDonagh
• Ivy Nile vs. Candice LeRae
• Andrade vs. Ivar
• Jey Uso vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
• Sami Zayn vs. Bronson Reed

AEW:

– The Snake is All Elite: While speaking to SEScoops, WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts confirmed he inked a new deal with AEW.

– AEW Avoiding WrestleMania Competition: AEW Collision’s April 6 episode will air at 11:30 PM EST. They are being bumped up due to college basketball on the schedule, but this change will also see them avoid direct competition with WWE’s WrestleMania 40 event.

– AEW Dynasty Ticket Sales: WrestleTix reports on their Patreon that AEW Dynasty in St. Louis on April 21st has sold 5,321 tickets, with 783 tickets left out of the current setup of 6,104. This turnout is significant, particularly when compared to AEW’s previous event, which drew 3,109 fans on January 20th for a Collision episode.

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.

WWE’s biggest show of the year is coming in less than 2 weeks, and celebrities are usually expected. Now, we can add Meek Mill to that list.

Triple H will book his first WrestleMania event this year. This will also be the first Mania after TKO Group Holdings took control of the company. The Game wants to make sure that the event is star-studded.

Meek Mill Receives WrestleMania Invitation

After Meek Mill expressed interest in WrestleMania 40 in Philly, Triple H replied. The WWE Hall of Famer said that Meek Mill should clear his schedule.

When Meek Mill sent out an Instagram post to hype WrestleMania, he tagged Triple H in the process. He also said that his sons want to come to the show of shows, and he’s thinking about bringing them.

Meek Mill is from South Philadelphia, so WrestleMania 40 coming to his city is a big deal. Fans are expected to pack Lincoln Financial Field for both nights on April 6 and 7.

It did not take Triple H very long at all to reply to the famous rapper. He said that WWE is coming to have some fun, and Meek Mill should clear his schedule to attend the show of shows.

I got you, Meek Mill. It’s your city, and WWE is just coming to have some fun. Clear your schedule…

Triple H invited Meek Mill to WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/5RZGfXxEU9

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) March 24, 2024

Sylvester Stallone & WrestleMania 40

Sylvester Stallone was in talks to make an appearance at WrestleMania 40, and that would have been great considering his Philly roots. They could not make that deal work out, but there will likely be plenty of famous faces at the showcase of the immortals this year.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of the road to WrestleMania. Please keep checking back for more on this story and so much more in the pro wrestling world.

WWE is on the road to WrestleMania 40, and they don’t need any top stars out of action. Now, there is one less situation to worry about when it comes to Asuka’s status.

There was some concern that Asuka was out of action with an injury. SEScoops has learned that Asuka is cleared to compete after missing last week’s events. She wrestled during last night’s WWE house show in Springfield, Illinois.

Asuka’s Return

The March 23 WWE event in Springfield, Illinois included a positive update concerning Asuka, as she made her return to the ring.

During the live event, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, and Naomi emerged victorious against Damage CTRL, consisting of Asuka, IYO SKY, and Kairi Sane. Although it was a six-woman tag team match, Asuka still saw action.

This comes following concerns about a potential injury sustained during her recent match on WWE RAW. As a precautionary measure, she was granted time off from last weekend’s live events.

The Kabuki Warriors

Asuka is not booked for a match at WrestleMania 40 yet. She will likely be on hand for IYO Sky’s WWE Women’s Title defense against Bayley.

The Kabuki Warriors reunited after Kairi Sane made her return. She was previously with STARDOM during the interim time between her WWE runs, but the Pirate Princess decided to leave her Japanese pro wrestling home after Rossy Ogawa’s ousting.

They won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions during a January 26th episode of WWE RAW, and the two have remained champions since, as Damage CTRL has been covered with gold on the road to WrestleMania 40.

Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Sunday, March 24. The weekend is never dull in the pro wrestling world, and with under 2 weeks until WrestleMania XL, things are always likely to heat up.

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 13

WWE:

– 2024 Slammy Awards: WWE announced the nominees for the 2024 Slammy Awards. Fans can vote on their favorites now.

– Johnny Ace is a Dirtbag: Ronda Rousey had a lot to say about John Laurinaitis. She called him a dirtbag, among other things.

– The Rock Surprise: The Rock surprised customers at a Target in Memphis. He was there to promote his Papatui brand of men’s healthcare products:

– Top WWE Prospect: Giulia announced that she is leaving STARDOM in a matter of days, presumably at the end of March. WWE has been watching her for a while, and it is widely thought that she is coming in.

– WWE Shop Arrival: Ahead of their WrestleMania 40 collision, WWE has dropped a two-pack Usos Funko Pop set. You can click here to see what they have to offer in the WWE Shop.

Pump the music. Pop! WWE Superstar Jey Uso™ & Pop! WWE Superstar Jimmy Uso™ are entering the ring as a Fanatics exclusive 2-pack! Commemorate an iconic WrestleMania® 39 moment today. What’s your favorite WWE WrestleMania moment? #FunkoPop #WWE ?: https://t.co/qIGBpFvlTd pic.twitter.com/cAMWzrMYu6

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

– Rhea Ripley Stinkface: The Nightmare paid tribute to WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi by pulling off his signature Stinkface move at a recent WWE live event on Nia Jax.

AEW:

– AEW Streaming Deal: While speaking to Comicbook Nation, Tony Khan said that AEW is still in talks for a streaming deal with MAX. “We’re actively negotiating right now. Something I would be really excited about would be bringing AEW to Max, and it’s something I think we’ve talked about, it just needs to make sense for everybody,” Khan stated.

– Bittersweet Debut: Bayley said that Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut was bittersweet. She was there to see the former Sasha Banks’ debut for Tony Khan’s company, along with Naomi and Tamina Snuka.

– Kota Ibushi Injury Update: Ibushi updated fans with a promising message on Instagram. He posted a clip of him training for a return, with a caption in Japanese that translates to: ”1 year in and out, my ankle is still sprained, but I was able to explode with lab practice since surgery. It doesn’t take a year to come back. It will surely heal in six months. CURE !!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C41Lpv5SyaB

– Kenny Omega’s Favorite Wrestler: Omega explained why Kurt Angle is his go-to wrestler to study, because he’s his favorite. He also gave him flowers for being able to embrace the silly side of pro wrestling.

– Not A Fraud: Eric Bischoff cleared the air about how he feels about Tony Khan. He doesn’t believe he is a fraud, but he just allegedly doesn’t know anything to do with producing television.

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.

Kurt Angle is one of the greatest to ever lace up his boots, and Kenny Omega would agree with that. The former AEW World Champion recently explained why Angle is his favorite.

Kenny Omega is a student of the game, but his go-to is Kurt Angle. The AEW EVP explained on his Twitch stream why he considers Kurt Angle his favorite. 

Kenny Omega Praises Kurt Angle

While speaking on his Twitch stream, Kenny Omega went into why Kurt Angle is the most complete wrestler in his book. He embodies, not only what a physical performer can do with any style, but also his ability to embrace the lighter side of things.

“I do think that Kurt Angle is the greatest, I can’t just say in-ring performer, to me he’s just the most complete wrestler of all time. He’s my favorite. He’s my go-to guy to study for me. Being an athletic guy who wants to mesh well and compliment every wrestling style, but also not, I’m also not, if anyone is familiar with me, I’m not above embarrassing myself and doing silly things, and that is a lot of what Kurt did on TV.”

Kurt Angle certainly took part in some memorable comedy segments. Kenny Omega can say the same, as he’s let loose on many occasions, whether it was on Being The Elite or AEW television.

Kenny Omega says that @RealKurtAngle is his favorite wrestler, his go to guy to study, and the most complete wrestler of all time.

Kenny also said that Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio from SummerSlam 2002 is one of the best opening matches ever. pic.twitter.com/LbnIhD3mLM

— AIR (@AIRGold_) March 23, 2024

Omega’s Current Recovery Progress

Kenny Omega is currently on an indefinite break from wrestling. Last December, he revealed he was dealing with diverticulitis, a serious condition affecting the large intestine, which requires time off for recovery.

Omega is not the only pro wrestler who has dealt with this illness. WWE wrestlers Brock Lesnar and Shane McMahon have also experienced diverticulitis, with Lesnar undergoing surgery in November 2009 before returning to UFC competition eight months later.

Tony Khan is optimistic about Kenny Omega’s return to the ring. That being said, there is no return timetable for The Cleaner just yet.

Pro wrestling has seen many celebrities step in to the ring for one reason or another. Those extra eyeballs on the pro wrestling world are always appreciated.

Matt Cardona knows what draws business, as the former Zack Ryder spent years in WWE. He is still going strong on the indies, and a recent run-in with Paul Walter Hauser also backed up his support of involving celebrities in the pro wrestling business. He even took a flaming table spot to prove his point.

Matt Cardona on Celebrities in Pro Wrestling

During a recent Pro Wrestling Revolver event, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray and actor Paul Walter Hauser (Cobra Kai, Cruella) joined forces against Matt Cardona to create a viral moment by sending him through a flaming table.

While speaking to Detroit News, Matt Cardona said of Paul Walter Hauser, “We were on better terms before he put me through a flaming table.”

Cardona also expressed his appreciation for mainstream personalities like Hauser joining the wrestling scene, citing the attention and spotlight they attract. Anything that brings that engagement is okay for the Broski.

“It brings more eyeballs to pro wrestling and it brings more eyeballs to me, and win, lose or draw, I’m all about the attention.”

Matt Cardona is set to appear in Detroit on 3/23 for Game Changer Wrestling’s Role Model event, where he is set to take on AEW star Danhausen. Cardona wants another match against Paul Walter Hauser, and he’s eyeing a showdown in July. 

? ? ? I WAS SET ON FIRE!!! ? ? ? @bullyray5150 & Paul Walter Houser put me through a flaming table tonight at @pwrevolver!

?: @Tussle_MANIA pic.twitter.com/aAtXgCzc67

— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) March 17, 2024

Paul Walter Hauser in Pro Wrestling

Hauser is a lifelong pro wrestling fan. He once said that it is his dream to star in a film based on the Four Horsemen, where he wants to play Arn Anderson. He’s not finished in the ring, either. His next match is set for April 4 in Philadelphia against Sami Callihan in a Philadelphia Street Fight.

Major Bendies is selling a new pro wrestling figure of Paul Walter Hauser, which is available for $28.95. The figure depicts Hauser wearing a singlet, reminiscent of his ring attire at the Wrestling Revolver event, the same one where he sent Matt Cardona through a flaming table. They will only make as many figures as they receive pre-orders, so this is a limited time deal.

The upcoming Paul Walter Hauser action figures are available for pre-order on March 31st, and you may find more information here.

WWE announced that the Slammy Awards will return on April 7, the same day as the second night of WrestleMania 40. The voting is now open for fans to pick this year’s winners.

The Slammy Awards are coming back this year, and fans can vote right now for their favorites. Now, we know who is in the running for each category.

2024 Slammy Award Nominees

WWE revealed the nominees for the 2024 Slammy Awards, and there are 11 entries this year. Fans can vote for their favorite female and male Superstar along with OMG moment, and so much more. 

The ceremony will be hosted by Big E and Cathy Kelley, and many other Superstars will take part in the festivities. 

You may find the nominees for this year’s Slammy Awards below. Each category is hyperlinked to the corresponding poll, which will allow you to vote for this year’s winners.

Female Superstar of the Year

• Rhea Ripley
• Bianca Belair
• Bayley
• IYO SKY
• Becky Lynch

Male Superstar of the Year

• Cody Rhodes
• Roman Reigns
• Seth “Freakin” Rollins
• Gunther
• Logan Paul

Best Entrance

• Cody Rhodes
• Roman Reigns
• Bianca Belair
• Seth “Freakin” Rollins
• Rhea Ripley
• Becky Lynch
• The Rock
• Dominik Mysterio (WrestleMania 39)

Return of the Year

• CM Punk
• The Rock
• Nia Jax
• Randy Orton
• Naomi

Faction of the Year

• The Judgment Day
• Alpha Academy
• Imperium
• The Bloodline
• Damage CTRL

Rivalry of the Year

• Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre
• “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio vs. Rey Mysterio
• Bianca Belair vs. Damage CTRL
• Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes
• R-Truth vs. The Judgment Day

NXT Superstar of the Year

• Ilja Dragunov
• Carmelo Hayes
• Lyra Valkyria
• Tiffany Stratton
• Bron Breakker

Match of the Year

• Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest – San Juan Street Fight (Backlash 2023)
• Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn (Elimination Chamber 2023)
• Gunther vs. Chad Gable (Raw 9/4/23)
• Asuka vs. Bianca Belair vs. Charlotte Flair (SummerSlam 2023)
• Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley (WrestleMania 39)

OMG Moment of the Year

• Rey Mysterio punches “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio (SmackDown 3/24/23)
• CM Punk returns to WWE (Survivor Series 2023)
• IYO SKY cashing in the Money in The Bank Contract (SummerSlam 2023)
• The Rock slaps Cody Rhodes (WrestleMania XL Press Conference)
• Damage CTRL turns on Bayley (SmackDown 2/2/24)
• Cody Rhodes slaps The Rock (SmackDown 3/8/24)

Social Star of the Year

• Grayson Waller
• Logan Paul
• Drew McIntyre
• Chelsea Green
• Liv Morgan

Breakout Superstar of the Year

• Jey Uso
• Tiffany Stratton
• Pretty Deadly
• Dragon Lee
• LA Knight

What Are The Slammy Awards

The Slammy Awards are like WWE’s version of the Academy Awards, but it’s more like People’s Choice at this point with the fan voting element.  

First introduced in 1986, these awards have seen 13 editions so far. They are usually a fun ceremony, but things can always get serious. The winners also receive a statuette portraying one wrestler lifting another for a slam, hence the Slammy name.

Following their discontinuation in 2015, the NXT brand launched its NXT Year-End Awards. Meanwhile, wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown received WWE Year-End Awards in 2018 and 2019. 

WWE announced the revival of the Slammy Awards in 2020, with winners revealed live on the WWE Network during a ceremony on December 23. That tradition will continue under Triple H’s leadership, and it will be a part of WrestleMania 40 weekend. 

AEW has received their fair share of criticism since opening their doors, especially in recent memory. Eric Bischoff has been vocal about his opinions as well, and that’s not stopping any time soon.

Tony Khan responded to a critical tweet about his booking skills by stating that the show was sold out, countering the fan’s claim. Eric Bischoff clarified that he never called Khan “a fraud” but criticized his understanding of television production and industry knowledge.

Tony Khan Responds To Booking Critique

Tony Khan has been known to engage with fans on social media, and that happened again. One fan posted a video of Mercedes Mone’s segment on AEW Dynamite with a critical caption that read, “I’ve seen enough. I can book better than Tony Khan. This guy is fckin terrible.”

I've seen enough. I can book better than Tony Khan. This guy is fckin terrible. pic.twitter.com/wnapoL3Oh2

— The Antimark of Pro Wrestling (@theantimarkofpw) March 21, 2024

Another fan chimed in to say, “Well, there are alot of spare chairs not being used in the arena.” That is when Tony Khan replied, “Actually there were not, because the show was sold out.” Khan used an animated gif asking if this fan is “f*cking stupid” as well.

Actually there were not, because the show was sold out. pic.twitter.com/Px4zEEtRPf

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) March 21, 2024

Eric Bischoff Clears The Air

This is when Eric Bischoff was brought into things as a fan replied to Tony Khan on Twitter/X, “You’re spending a lot of money, and you can’t crack 1 million viewers. You’re a fraud. Eric Bischoff is right about you.”

Bischoff saw that post, and he had to set the record straight. In his reply, the former WCW President said that he has never called Tony Khan a fraud. In fact, he believes that Khan is a good person who has no “freaking clue about producing television.”

For the record, I’ve never said Tony was a fraud. My impression is that he’s a good person. He doesn’t have a freaking clue about producing television, and his knowledge of the industry is limited to what impressed him when he was 12, but that doesn’t make him a fraud.

For the record, I've never said Tony was a fraud. My impression is that he's a good person. He doesn't have a freaking clue about producing television, and his knowledge of the industry is limited to what impressed him when he was 12, but that doesn't make him a fraud. https://t.co/521by8LFlG

— Eric Bischoff (@EBischoff) March 22, 2024

Bischoff and AEW

Eric Bischoff has made a couple appearances on AEW television in the past. His last appearance was during the May 28, 2021, episode when he returned to Dynamite to host a party for the Inner Circle.

He has been very critical about the way Tony Khan has operated AEW since then. Bischoff and Khan have also engaged in heated debates on social media. Tony Khan has since said that those spicy tweets help engagement.

Bischoff has gone on the record to say that he’s grateful for everyday he doesn’t have to work with Tony Khan. In response to his sentiment about AEW, Eric Bischoff has also been accused of just wanting a job with Tony Khan’s company. This is a narrative that Bischoff has refuted.

WWE has their eye on the entire pro wrestling world, and one big prospect may be finally able to join them. Giulia’s deal with STARDOM is running up very soon, and fans will see her next move soon enough.

Giulia, who WWE has eyed for a contract for a while, just made a big announcement about her pro wrestling future. She is leaving STARDOM in only a few days, but she did not mention WWE in her announcement.

Giulia’s Big Announcement

While taking to Twitter/X, Giulia addressed her current status in pro wrestling. In a post translated from Japanese, she announced that there are only a few days left on her STARDOM contract.

It has finally been officially released. I’m sorry for getting ahead of myself and confusing everyone. There are only a few days left in Stardom, but pro wrestler Giulia is still going strong!

stay tuned!

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

???????

— GIULIA ? ???? (@giulia0221g) March 22, 2024

Giulia’s STARDOM Exit

Rossy Ogawa, a founder of STARDOM, was fired from the company; and many top stars were thought to be leaving. Utami Hayashishita, MIRAI, Mai Sakurai, and Yuzuki all have contracts set to expire at the end of March. Giulia’s deal is also running up, and she has a big announcement for fans.

Giulia already told STARDOM officials that she is leaving in March. This is not a surprise for them, as there have been reports about her possible exit for months.

Stephanie Vaquer also won the NJPW Strong Women’s Title from Giulia as she wrapped up her time with the company.

In early February, it was reported that Giulia would postpone her WWE debut in order to fulfill her commitment to assist STARDOM founder Rossy Ogawa with his new promotion. The STARDOM standout has said in the past that she had unfinished business in Japan.

Giulia’s Talks With WWE

Giulia has been on WWE’s radar for quite a while. It has been the mindset for a while that she will be WWE-bound whenever free agency hits.

Due to WWE’s interest, it was reported that AEW stayed away from speaking to Giulia. She is wanted in WWE, as even Shayna Baszler has called her a dream match opponent. 

Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Saturday, March 23. Last night’s SmackDown was an eventual episode, and there’s a lot to get into.

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 14

WWE:

– Breakout Talents: Axiom and Nathan Frazer are impressing WWE NXT officials in a big way.

– WrestleMania Surprises: With only 2 weeks until WrestleMania 40, the company is talking about bringing in stars like The Undertaker, John Cena, and Steve Austin.

– WWE Shop Is Lighting It Up: They just released a new Roman Reigns “Family Above All” hoodie on the WWE Shop! So, click here to see what they have to offer on the road to WrestleMania!

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

– Jade Cargill is SmackDown: WWE ran a promo for Jade Cargill last night on SmackDown, where she proclaimed her allegiance to the blue brand. She will appear on next week’s show for the 3/29 episode.

? THIS IS HUGE!!! ? @Jade_Cargill will make her first official appearance as a #SmackDown Superstar NEXT WEEK! pic.twitter.com/JcNtvMuT0W

— WWE (@WWE) March 23, 2024

– Roman x Punk: Roman Reigns had a bit of a comment about CM Punk, and it drew some attention. He said, among other things, that “I’m not like CM Punk, where I got to the top of the mountain, it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s not what I expect, so I’m gonna bitch about it.'”

– Slammys Return: The Slammy Awards will continue this year. WWE announced the company will bring back their awards show this year on April 7, the same day as WrestleMania 40: Sunday. The ceremony will be hosted by Big E and Cathy Kelley.

– Vince McMahon Netflix Doc: The six-part Netflix docuseries is still happening, and that was confirmed. Bill Simmons and his team will need to edit some to change direction, but the project is still moving forward.

AEW:

– Mercedes’ Big Money: It was said by Swerve Strickland in a recent interview that Mercedes Mone deserves all the money she is getting from this AEW contract.

– Kenny Omega Update: Tony Khan stated he is optimistic about Omega’s return from diverticulitis, but there is no return timetable at this time.

– MJF Removed: Fans brought attention to the fact that MJF was removed from the official AEW shop, and their roster page. He was actually removed from the roster page on January 1.

– Cope Open Return: Adam Copeland confirmed that the Cope Open will return on the March 30 episode of AEW Collision. That will see him defend the AEW TNT Title in an open challenge.

EXCLUSIVE! After making Christian Cage utter the words, 'I QUIT', and capturing the TNT Title for the second time, we hear from the NEW TNT Champion Adam Copeland!@RatedRCope | #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/CUFyDk2GAj

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

– The CEO of Charity: Mercedes Mone bought a very lucky fan a brand-new television. She did this so he could watch AEW, and it was very appreciative of her generosity.

– Rampage High: AEW Rampage hit a high with their episode this week, which aired directly after AEW Dynamite’s 801k average viewership. This week’s AEW Rampage scored 541,000 viewers and a .27 in the 18 to 49 demographic. That was the highest number for the show since the April 22, 2022, episode of the show.

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.

Jade Cargill made her WWE on-screen debut at Fastlane last year. She didn’t make her in-ring debut until the 2024 Royal Rumble match, and this week she finally declared her brand.

During the March 22 episode of WWE SmackDown, they aired a hype video for Jade Cargill. At the conclusion of her video, Cargill declared that she’s joined the SmackDown roster and will debut next week, March 29.

Jade Cargill Declares Her WWE Brand

The video during WWE SmackDown this week included Jade Cargill saying that she “didn’t come to WWE to be the next … anyone.” She then described herself as a “once in a lifetime generational talent.”

After hyping herself in a big way, Cargill finally declared that she is on the SmackDown brand.

“They’re gonna build statues of me, and you don’t have to like it, but you damn sure can’t deny it. That’s why I’m taking my talents to SmackDown.”

? THIS IS HUGE!!! ? @Jade_Cargill will make her first official appearance as a #SmackDown Superstar NEXT WEEK! pic.twitter.com/JcNtvMuT0W

— WWE (@WWE) March 23, 2024

Jade Cargill’s Road To WWE

Cargill is a former TBS Champion in AEW, but she departed from Tony Khan’s company in 2023. It did not take long for her to sign with WWE, but the wait to see her get into the weekly action is reaching its end.

Jade Cargill made her WWE on-screen debut at Fastlane last year. She didn’t make her in-ring debut until the 2024 Royal Rumble match, and this week she finally declared her brand.

WWE’s Plan For Jade Cargill

SEScoops previously noted on March 20’s Daily Drop that WWE has big plans for Jade Cargill. She is in good hands, and she will start her journey on SmackDown next week.

Triple H has spoken highly of Cargill in the past, but he didn’t want to rush things. She has been working at the WWE Performance Center since her signing, fine-tuning her skills to better prepare for her WWE debut.

WWE is honoring Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham with a WWE Hall of Fame induction as the U.S. Express. Rotunda had quite a career in WWE, but he was okay with how things ended.

Mike Rotunda was placed on furlough, along with numerous other WWE personnel, on April 15, 2020, and subsequently received his official release on September 10, 2020. Rotunda says he was okay with this decision to release him, because he was considering pulling the plug on his career with WWE at that time.

Mike Rotunda Speaks On WWE Release

Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham spoke to Paul Rosenberg about his career in pro wrestling. Rosenberg asked the former I.R.S. about his final days as a producer in WWE, and Rotunda said that he was thinking about calling it quits prior to his release.

My last year as a producer in WWE, I think it was [2020], when COVID hit they furloughed a bunch of people, and I was one of them. Then I came back for a short time after that, but then they let quite a few producers go like myself and Arn Anderson and Dean Malenko — guys who had been there.”

“This was fine by me, because I was about ready to pull the plug myself. I had my hip operated on and replaced. So, I was out for a couple of months. I told my wife — and this was after a good 13 years of doing it — and I said, ‘after being home for a couple of months, I don’t know if I want to go back to work.’ So, it just kinda worked itself out like that, so it was okay with me.”

Rotunda After His WWE Release

Mike Rotunda made a couple WWE appearances even after his release. In January 2021, during Raw Legends Night, Rotunda, going under his I.R.S. character, returned for the first time after his WWE release, appearing backstage with Ric Flair. Then, on January 23, 2023, Rotunda, still as I.R.S., was seen backstage during Raw is XXX alongside Ted DiBiase.

Rotunda will also be featured in the upcoming documentary Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal, which is set to debut on April 1.

Rotunda’s Other Accolades

Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham will receive a WWE Hall of Fame honor as the U.S. Express, but this isn’t the only honor he’s received. Rotunda captured the WWF Tag Team Championship a total of five times. He won the titles twice alongside Barry Windham and three times with Ted DiBiase as his partner.

On September 3, 2021, the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame revealed that Rotunda would join its 2022 Class, alongside announcer Jim Ross and Trish Stratus. 

AEW signed Mercedes Mone months prior to her debut at Big Business on March 13th. She made it clear how thankful she is for her fans, and now the CEO has put her money to good use as a sign of appreciation for one fan.

Mercedes Mone recently gifted a fan a new television set. She did this so he could watch AEW in style, and he was over the moon in gratitude.

@MercedesVarnado Thank you to the lovely and super talented #CEO #MercedesMoné on sending me the NEW tv so I can watch @AEW #AEWDynamite in style. Elite Krew for life. "Look I'm top tier all the standards set." pic.twitter.com/MKye0xfx5F

— Doug (@sigmapoet1914) March 22, 2024

Mercedes Gifts Fan Brand-New Television

A fan named Doug took to Twitter/X to express gratitude after receiving a gift from Mercedes Moné. The fan thanked the CEO for providing a new TV, which allows him to watch AEW Dynamite in style, as he proudly declared allegiance to “the Elite Krew.”

@MercedesVarnado Thank you to the lovely and super talented #CEO #MercedesMoné on sending me the NEW tv so I can watch @AEW #AEWDynamite in style. Elite Krew for life. “Look I’m top tier all the standards set.”

Mercedes Mone saw this tweet, and she posted a reply to say, “now you can watch AEW better.” Dough then replied to Mercedes with an emotional response, “Mercedes, I am still in shock. You are changing the game in AEW.”

Enjoy now you can enjoy @aew better #ceo
?

— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) March 22, 2024

Mone’s AEW Money

Mercedes Mone is making a ton of money with her new AEW deal. After inking a deal with AEW, she is now apparently the highest-paid woman in pro wrestling.

WWE and Mercedes Mone were in talks, but they hit a financial roadblock. Now that Mercedes is in AEW, she obviously has extra money to spend. She is also likely selling a ton of her new AEW merchandise, which you may check out here.

The Rock’s return to WWE for the road to WrestleMania 40 is not the only iron he has in the fire. He is still part-owner of the UFL, and he’s open to have a conversation about the league’s innovative approach.

The XFL announced in September 2023 that it was merging with the USFL to form the United Football League. The UFL’s season is set to kick off on March 30. 

Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld) may tune in to see what the UFL has to offer, because he has some ideas for football. Those ideas got him a phone call one-on-on with The Great One.

Larry David Phone Call With The Rock

David has a lot of ideas, and one of them pertains to football. He wants to have the goalposts removed from the situation. It seems he believes that kicking the ball through the uprights has nothing to do with the game of football itself.

During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, Larry David explained how his quest to remove goal posts from the game of football got him a call from The Rock.

“I have a little update, because I’m still obsessed with it, and I heard about this UFL and I said, ‘let me talk to someone in the UFL.’ So, my agent got me on the phone with Dwayne Johnson.”

“I went straight up [the flag pole] and then he called me, and he had a conversation. He didn’t know [what I was calling about], but he was nice enough to call back. We had a conversation, and I pitched him my no goal post idea, and I thought it was gonna happen — he was completely into it.”

Larry David said there is a no reason for a goal post, and he argued that there should be no kick for an extra point. He had no idea that the XFL already had a rule like that.

Larry David, known goalposts hater, took his hatred to the top of the new #UFL food chain — he called @TheRock and made his pitch for change:@XFL2023 #NFL pic.twitter.com/71QvR38szn

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) March 21, 2024

The Rock Responds To Larry David

The Rock saw David’s appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, and he had to reply. While expressing his love for the Seinfeld creator, he also remarked about the innovative rules that they implemented into the XFL.

LOVE my guy Larry David. He hates goalposts and field goal kicks [LOL emoji] – we had a spirited and very productive conversation. At the end of the day, like me and all of us fans – he loves the game of football. We at the XFL had already implemented new innovative rules last season that we carry over to our new @XFL2023 league that starts this month. I’m considering creating THE LARRY BOWL in his honor

LOVE my guy Larry David.
He hates goalposts and field goal kicks ? – we had a spirited and very productive conversation. At the end of the day, like me and all of us fans – he loves the game of football. We at the XFL had already implemented new innovative rules last season that… https://t.co/eMKnfPeJpW

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) March 22, 2024

UFL’s Opening Day & League Details

The UFL’s first game on opening day is scheduled for Saturday, March 30, 2024, where the Arlington Renegades and Birmingham Stallions, both previous champions in other leagues, will battle it out on the gridiron.

Four teams originated from the XFL, while three teams originated from the USFL. In the USFL Conference, teams include the Birmingham Stallions, the Houston Roughnecks, the Memphis Showboats, and the Michigan Panthers.

Meanwhile, the XFL Conference consists of the Arlington Renegades, the DC Defenders, the San Antonio Brahmas, and the St. Louis Battlehawks.

For more information on the UFL and this season’s details, please click here to find their official webpage.

Vince McMahon’s resignation from WWE and the blockbuster lawsuit from former employee Janel Grant have shaken the company to its core. As the fallout continues to unfold, we’ve got an update on Netflix’s documentary on the controversial billionaire, which will surely need some updating after the events of the past year.

WWE signed a deal with Netflix to bring RAW to the streaming platform in January 2025. Every WWE premium live event for fans outside the USA will also air on Netflix as part of that deal. The whole time, Bill Simmons was working on a Netflix docuseries about Vince McMahon that will not pull any punches.

SEScoops has learned the Vince McMahon Netflix docuseries will not stop production, despite the Netflix committing billions of dollars to the company that was run for decades by the man they’re expected to provide an unbiased look at.

In this week’s Wrestling Observer newsletter, veteran journalist Dave Meltzer says this project is still full-speed ahead. 

“Regarding the Netflix documentary on Vince McMahon, which at last word was to be a six-part series, some thought with the Netflix $5.2 billion deal with TKO and the Janel Grant lawsuit that maybe Netflix would just scrap the thing.”

Meltzer acknowledged, “they obviously have to change the direction based on what happened.”

Bill Simmons had more-than-enough material from McMahon’s ‘storied’ career to produce a jaw-dropping project. The most recent round of allegations, which McMahon vehemently denies, will take things into far darker territory than what was originally planned. 

Interestingly, Simmons recently revealed that he invited Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld) to preview the show during development.

Janel Grant’s Lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon & More

Vince McMahon stepped down from WWE following a lawsuit filed by former employee Janel Grant, alleging sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and other heinous offenses.

On January 25, Grant filed a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and former executive John Laurinaitis. The lawsuit details Janel’s experiences of mistreatment in terms of sexual, physical, mental, and emotional harm.

Grant’s attorney also stated that there are others who want to come forward. Her attorney, Ann Callis, stated in a written interview, they are “frankly overwhelmed” as they begin the process of wading through the responses of people who have more allegations to share.

WWE has announced their Hall of Fame inductees for this year, and Bray Wyatt’s name isn’t on the list. 

This year’s WWE Hall of Fame will mark the first year after TKO’s takeover. It will also be the first class that is chosen without any input from Vince McMahon.

Wyatt’s absence from this year’s WWE Hall of Fame induction is related to WWE’s upcoming ‘Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal’ Peacock documentary, which  premieres on April 1.

Hall of Fame Absence

Bray Wyatt was once thought to be a lock for this year’s Hall of Fame class, but his father Mike will be the only Rotunda family member inducted in Philadelphia.

This week’s Wrestling Observer newsletter states WWE sources indicate the decision to pass on inducting the Eater of Worlds  may have influenced by the Peacock doc.

“[It] had something to do with the decision not to induct Wyatt into the Hall of Fame this year, that this year they were doing the big documentary for him and would induct him later.”

WWE reportedly has plans to induct him at a later date, but it was not noted when he will receive this honor.

Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal

The new Peacock project, a documentary titled “Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal,” set to premiere on April 1st, is receiving a big spotlight.

The Undertaker is slated to provide narration for the documentary. Interviews have been conducted with Wyatt’s family, as well as with such names like Hulk Hogan, John Cena, Becky Lynch, Triple H, Alexa Bliss, and Bo Dallas, along with archival footage from various points in his career.

WWE owns every moment of Bray Wyatt’s time in a pro wrestling ring. He did not appear for any other company during the time between his 2021 release and his Extreme Rules 2022 comeback. You can watch the trailer below.

2024 WWE Hall of Fame

Paul Heyman was the first to be revealed as part of the WWE Hall of Fame’s class of 2024. The US Express (Mike Rotunda & Barry Windham) and Bull Nakano were later confirmed. Thunderbolt Patterson then joined this year’s group along with Muhammad Ali in the celebrity wing.

The Rock will reportedly have a hand in having his grandmother, Lia Maivia, inducted this year as well. It was previously reported that Haku was a strong possibility, but his name has not been announced.

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will air on April 5th after SmackDown, one night before WrestleMania 40 kicks off.

WrestleMania XL weekend is just two weeks away and WWE’s biggest event of the year is shaping up to be memorable.

The card is nearly set for the first WrestleMania to be held under the new regime of TKO Group Holdings, the new entity comprised of both WWE and UFC, the world’s leading mixed martial arts promotion.

WrestleMania is the culmination of the year’s biggest feuds and storylines. It’s where the stars shine brightest and Superstars deliver performances they know will echo through time. In addition to crafting the strongest possible match card, WWE often brings in legends and celebrities to ensure this PLE stands out from the rest.

Stacking WrestleMania 40

According to this week’s Wrestling Observer newsletter, this year will be no exception. WWE sources say the company is looking to have John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker at WrestleMania 40.

“Cena is free but depending on what acting stuff he has and how quick after he’s filming would determine how much he can or can’t do for insurance reasons,” Dave Meltzer wrote. “Austin and Undertaker would be based on willingness that they have.”

In asking around with sources linked to WWE’s creative process, we have not heard anything for Cena or Austin planned for WrestleMania. However, this late on the Road to WrestleMania, any surprises involving stars of this magnitude would be a very closely guarded secret.

Keep it locked to SEScoops for our continued coverage of everything WWE on the road to WrestleMania 40. It’s going to be a crazy few weeks, but we’re going to be all-hands-on-deck to continue bringing our readers the best wrestling news coverage around.

NJPW made the announcement last week that David Finlay would not be participating in the Nagoya event due to sudden illness, leading to his evaluation at a local hospital. The news came unexpectedly, leaving fans anticipating Finlay’s presence at the event.

David Finlay is now speaking out about his injury status. He called NJPW out for keeping him from gold as well.

Finlay Speaks on his Injury Situation

In light of Finlay’s absence, NJPW declared Hirooki Goto as the recipient of the advancement to the semifinals, courtesy of Finlay’s forfeiture. No official prognosis was given as to why Finlay was pulled from the 2024 New Japan Cup tournament. Finlay released a cell phone video from his car to really let fans know what is going on.

David Finlay accused NJPW of knocking him off his mental game before his title match against Nic Nemeth. He also addressed his currently injury status, because he’s still beaten up from his cage match.

Finlay said he’s had no time to rest, so he’s had no time to heal. He went from a cage match to a title match to the New Japan Cup. That called for “damage on top of damage on top of damage, so they wouldn’t clear me for my quarterfinal match, which quite honestly is bullsh*t.”

David Finley called a foul on NJPW keeping gold away from him, because they pulled him from the tournament. He said that he would have left in a hearse if that meant he could hold gold in NJPW again. He said that a cage match took out one of his WarDogs, but it won’t take out the leader.

David Finlay’s Brutal NJPW Schedule

On February 23, 2024, David Finlay faced Nic Nemeth for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s The New Beginning In Sapporo event. Unfortunately, Finlay lost the title to Nemeth after a 23-minute match.

Prior to that, on February 11, 2024, at NJPW’s The New Beginning In Osaka event, Finlay showcased his skills in a Steel Cage match as part of the BULLET CLUB War Dogs team. Alongside his teammates, Finlay emerged victorious after a grueling 64-minute battle against the United Empire faction. He has wrestles 9 times since that loss to Nemeth, and his last match was on March 15.

We will have to see when David Finlay is able to come back to the ring. He is not happy at all about how things are going.

SEScoops is sending David Finlay our best as he gets the rest he needs to heal. Hopefully, he will be able to get back to business and reclaim gold in NJPW. 

Diverticulitis does not care who you are, because it can strike anyone. Brock Lesnar had a terribly nasty case of it years ago. Now, Kenny Omega is also out of action with the terrible disease, but there is hope that he will return.

Tony Khan addressed Omega’s status, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the fortunate timing of medical attention.

Tony Khan Speaks on Omega’s Recovery

Kenny Omega has been absent from the ring since December due to diverticulitis, a condition diagnosed after the December 13th Dynamite show when he exhibited signs of distress backstage. Following the diagnosis, Omega was informed of the gravity of his situation, emphasizing the fortunate timing of his medical attention to prevent potential catastrophic consequences.

The severity of Omega’s condition was underscored by the risk of a blood infection, which posed a significant threat with a roughly 50 percent chance of mortality had it not been promptly addressed. AEW President Tony Khan addressed inquiries about Omega’s condition during an interview with Comic Book.

“I don’t want to put pressure on it, He was really in a bad way. I don’t want to put a timetable or try to rush him back, but I’m optimistic we’ll see Kenny Omega again.” 

“Certainly, it’s something for all the fans to look forward to. I think everybody’s just going to go crazy when Kenny does come back, which I think we’re all very optimistic about.”

Kenny Omega’s Eventual AEW Return

We’re sending out our best to Kenny Omega as he continues recovering from diverticulitis. AEW certainly misses him, and there are even new opponents in Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada, both people he knows from NJPW, who are going to be there waiting for his return as well. 

It seems that, after the Young Bucks “fired” Omega from The Elite, a match with Okada is ready-made for The Cleaner. We will have to wait for his return to see it happen.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more around the pro wrestling word. You never know what will happen next, so please keep checking back throughout the day for more updates and headlines that you need.

Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Friday, March 22.

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 15

WWE:

Making History: GUNTHER just made history with 100 successful IC Title defenses.

Your Starting Lineup: Bayley got a great intro at the Milwaukee Bucks game before WWE SmackDown this week.

Tumor-Free: Maryse just let fans know the amazing news that she is now tumor-free after surgery.

WWE Shop Time: MLB Legacy Titles, and so much more, is now available at the WWE Shop. Check it out, and don’t miss out and click here to see what they have to offer at the WWE Shop!

MLB Legacy Titles are here! Kickoff the 2024 season with these NEW MLB Legacy Titles! Shop your favorite team today! #WWEShop #WWE #MLB ?: https://t.co/2HopoBUBOv pic.twitter.com/nHEg8r7VmN

— WWEShop.com (@WWEShop) March 19, 2024

Janel Grant Lawsuit Update: John Laurinaitis waved being served with the Janel Grant lawsuit. After all, he already knew about it, because it was impossible to ignore.

Foxxy Is Coming Back: The former Alicia Fox, now going as Vix Crow, will wrestle her first singles match since 2019. She will take on Mickie James in that bout.

WWE SmackDown Match Card (3/22):

• Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar
• WrestleMania XL Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match: The Street Profits vs. Authors of Pain
• WrestleMania XL Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match: The OC vs. Grayson Waller & Austin Theory
• Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns & ‘ The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes Face-To-Face

AEW:

AEW Dynamite Viewership: The March 20th episode of AEW Dynamite garnered 800,000 viewers and attained a 0.27 rating in the crucial 18-49 demographic. Those numbers show a slight decline from the previous week’s broadcast, which received 801,000 viewers and a demo rating of 0.27.

Sting Honored: The Cauliflower Alley Club is honoring Sting in a big way after his retirement.

AEW’s Reason: The company had a good reason for now including Jon Moxley and Claudio in their tag team tournament.

AEW Hall of Fame: Tony Khan revealed who he would want in the AEW Hall of Fame.

Mercedes Mone Drama: Britt Baker took on the subject of internal issues with Mone’s AEW debut.

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.

Maryse had quite a scary health situation. Now, she is sharing an update with fans, and she had great progress to let us know about. Now, she is tumor-free.

Maryse shared that she recently underwent a hysterectomy and announced she is now tumor-free, expressing gratitude for the successful surgery and early detection. She thanked her doctor and supporters, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy in women’s health.

Maryse Shares Amazing Health Update

Maryse recently shared a health update with her followers, detailing her journey after being diagnosed with a rare pre-cancerous condition. The 41-year-old disclosed the diagnosis, revealing that the condition affected her ovaries and required laparoscopy surgery.

During the surgery, medical professionals identified and removed 11 implants located around Maryse’s uterus, ovaries, and abdominal cavity. Taking to her Instagram stories, Maryse provided her followers with an update on her condition, stating that the surgery was successful. Now, there is a new update for fans.

Maryse recently underwent a hysterectomy and has shared that she is now free of tumors. She explained that the surgery involved the removal of her ovaries, uterus, tubes, cervix, and omentum, as well as staging of lymph nodes to check for spread of the disease.

In her update, Maryse expressed gratitude for the pathology results, which confirmed that the disease had not spread and that she is now tumor-free. She emphasized the rarity of her condition, highlighting that only seven cases per million women occur in the US annually, and credited the early detection with saving her life. Additionally, Maryse thanked her doctor and medical team for their care and support, and expressed appreciation for the overwhelming support she has received from family, friends, and fans worldwide. She encouraged women to advocate for their own health and trust their instincts.

What’s Next for Miz & Maryse

At this time, Maryse is not factored into any WWE stories. Her husband, The Miz, has linked up with R-Truth once again, and fans are all about the Awesome Truth reboot. The two even have a match at WrestleMania, where they may emerge as champions.

Things are going very good for the It Couple once again. Only time will tell if we get another season of Miz & Mrs to let us see everything that went down behind-the-scenes and in their personal lives once again.

SEScoops would like to send out our best congratulations to Maryse after her amazing health update. Hopefully, she doesn’t have to deal with any more scary situations like this again.

AEW has a roster loaded with stars, but it’s hard not to notice when someone like Jon Moxley isn’t around. He is also not scheduled for the big tag team title tournament, and this raised some eyebrows.

Jon Moxley’s recent absence from AEW TV has raised questions, particularly regarding his exclusion from the tag team title tournament despite a recent victory. However, it appears his absence was planned due to prior commitments in Mexico and Japan, preventing his participation in the tournament.

Planned Break

Jon Moxley’s recent absence from AEW television has stirred curiosity among fans, especially considering his recent victory alongside Claudio Castagnoli against FTR. While many have questioned their absence from the ongoing AEW Tag Team Championship tournament, Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp reports this is a scheduled break.

The former AEW World Champion has upcoming engagement scheduled in Mexico and Japan, rendering him unable to participate. The commitments were made over a month ago, solidifying his absence from the tournament.

Moxley as truly been a pillar of All Elite Wrestling since its inception and his presence will be missed. His level of intensity and the violence he brings are unmatched. Luckily, AEW has been stacking its roster with several high profile additions. Will Ospreay, Mercedes Mone, and Kazuchika Okada have changed the face of the company as we gear up for the months ahead.

SEScoops will monitor Jon Moxley’s return to AEW and we’ll provide an update when additional details become available. 

John Laurinaitis was put under a microscope when his name was involved in the blockbuster lawsuit that Janel Grant brought forward against himself, WWE and Vince McMahon. In response to this, Laurinaitis has claimed victim status, and now we have more from his side of the story.

In January, Janel Grant, a former WWE employee, initiated legal action against Vince McMahon, alleging charges including sex trafficking and rape. John Laurinaitis, also implicated in the lawsuit, recently submitted a waiver of service, indicating his awareness of the legal proceedings and his exemption from formal service. This paperwork was officially lodged with the United States District Court of Connecticut.

John Laurinaitis Doesn’t Need To Be Served

According to PW Insider, John Laurinaitis recently submitted a waiver of service, indicating his awareness of the legal proceedings and his exemption from formal service. This paperwork was officially lodged with the United States District Court of Connecticut.

Furthermore, Laurinaitis committed to providing a response within sixty days from March 15, marking the initial reaction from any of the defendants involved. This signifies a pivotal step in the legal process as the case continues to unfold within the court system.

Johnny Ace Claims To Be A Victim

John Laurinaitis found himself very much involved in a messy legal battle after being implicated in a lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon. Accusations of complicity in the alleged sexual abuse suffered by Janel Grant surfaced, casting a shadow over his reputation.

Amidst the turmoil, Vince McMahon took the dramatic step of resigning from his position within WWE, vehemently denying the allegations levied against him. However, Laurinaitis, through his attorney Edward Brennan, emerged with a different narrative, claiming victimhood in the unfolding situation.

Brennan emphasized Laurinaitis’s denial of the allegations and asserted his intent to vigorously defend against them in court rather than engage in media speculation. The attorney underscored the assertion that both Laurinaitis and McMahon were victims of McMahon’s perceived control, signaling a defensive stance against the accusations. As the legal proceedings unfold, the truth behind the allegations remains a matter of speculation, awaiting resolution through judicial processes or potential internal investigations by TKO Group Holdings.

SEScoops will keep a close eye on this story, and so much more going around the pro wrestling world. You never know what will break next, especially with so many big stories with real consequences going around.

The Rock has received quite a bit of attention thanks to the fact that he has cut some non-PG promos in recent memory, especially online. This came after WWE sent out a memo reminding talent that they need to keep it clean. The story traveled all over the pro wrestling business, especially into Eric Bischoff’s line of sight.

Eric Bischoff is never short on opinions, and this is certainly the case yet again. Regarding reports of WWE talent’s discontent with The Rock’s promos, Bischoff suggested they may be exaggerated and emphasized the need for transparency in wrestling journalism.

The Backstory

I exclusively reported that a recent memo highlighted the mandate for talent to follow PG guidelines on TV and social media. Despite this, The Rock’s use of profanity, like in a recent promo, has raised questions among talent about double standards. They wonder why he’s allowed to curse while others aren’t.

I was told that the thinking among some talent, not the entire locker room, but SOME talent, is that “even if he is the big movie star, shouldn’t everyone play by the same rules? So he can curse and use that to get over, but everyone else is handcuffed?”

Eric Bischoff Weighs In

On the latest episode of Strictly Business, Eric Bischoff discussed various aspects of the wrestling business and WWE talent’s reported issues with The Rock’s promos. Bischoff expressed optimism about the wrestling industry’s overall state, citing its growing revenue and global appeal, particularly with WWE’s expanding reach and the excitement surrounding events like WrestleMania.

Regarding the state of the wrestling business, Bischoff emphasized the importance of revenue as the ultimate metric of success, highlighting WWE’s efforts in securing sponsorships and hosting premium live events like WrestleMania. While television ratings may raise questions, Bischoff noted the industry’s revenue growth and highlighted AEW’s collaboration with Warner Brothers Discovery as a positive development. He also cautioned against excessive violence and reliance on shock value, suggesting it could deter potential partners and advertisers.

On the topic of scripted promos and The Rock’s use of explicit language, Bischoff cautioned against overreliance on that vulgar shock value. He suggested that occasional use of explicit language could enhance storytelling but warned against its excessive use. Bischoff then speculated that WWE might be aiming to strike a balance between creative freedom and maintaining control over the product.

“They have [been entertaining], and I agree with you. I would love to see us get away from them [scripted promos]. When I say us, I don’t mean content-wise as much. It’s not like — I mean, the kind of language that we’re talking about, the kind of stuff that Rock has been saying, particularly in social media. Occasionally, appropriately done, can enhance the story or the moment and make it more interesting and feel more real and honest. Because that is how people talk. It’s how politicians talk, it’s how teachers talk. It’s how business executives talk. Maybe not in public, not when they’re on camera, but it is the conversation of our life across the board for the most part.”

“Not everybody, but for the most part. And sometimes, done judiciously and appropriately, yeah it can make things feel more real. It can have that kind of — I don’t want to say shock value because nobody is shocked. But it definitely makes you take notice when you hear something in terms of, you know, F-bombs or whatever that you wouldn’t normally hear on television. It gets your attention, that’s the purpose of it. But when it’s done too frequently, it then becomes boring. It becomes a crutch. That’s the best way to say it, it becomes a crutch. Much like blood and extreme violence, and jumping off a f**king ladder that the referee’s holding for you onto a plate of glass when there’s nobody around, just so you can say you did it… if that’s as far as you’re going to have to appeal to your audience and you rely upon that too much, it hurts the product overall. Because you’re relying on that, as opposed to great character and great story.”

WWE & Profanities

Cody Rhodes’ promo on WWE RAW this week included some notable profanities, and The American Nightmare delivered his lines like a champ. He had to answer back to The Rock’s profanity-filled rant, and now we will have to see what happens next.

Profanities can be valuable, if used correctly. AEW certainly saw the negative effects of dropping double-digit number of S-bombs in one two-hour show, and they have since toned things down greatly. Only time will tell if WWE will open up their roster to allow a bit more of an edge to their promos, but it’s really all about keeping a balance.

SEScoops will keep our eye on this story, and so much more, as we continue down the road to WrestleMania. You never know what will happen next, but we will be here with the headlines that you need.

It’s very difficult to retire from pro wrestling forever, and many legends and WWE Hall of Famers can attest to that. Now, Alicia Fox is dusting off her wrestling boots, because Foxxy is making a return to the squared circle.

Alicia Fox, now wrestling as Vix Crow, is poised to return to the ring for her first singles match in five years, facing former WWE star Mickie James. The match, announced on “Gabby AF,” marks their first singles encounter since October 2009.

Vix Crow Making Pro Wrestling Return

A former WWE star is set to return to the wrestling ring after a hiatus of five years, marking her debut in a singles match. Alicia Fox has a new name now, but it seems that it’s the same Foxxy we knew for years.

Now wrestling under the name Vix Crow, she is set to make her comeback. She also has a legendary opponent to do it with.

Recently announced on “Gabby AF,” Fox is scheduled to face off against fellow former WWE star Mickie James in a singles match. This bout marks a significant reunion between the two, as they haven’t squared off in a singles match since October 2009.

???? https://t.co/nWqNUV6UQn
?@VIX_CROW vs ?@MickieJames #HER@opwlive @StarrcastEvents @FiteTV

?https://t.co/clcNQHFMhp https://t.co/5rHN78hGLr pic.twitter.com/srjyuaz1yI

— GAW TV: Mickie James, Lisa Marie Varon & $oCal Val (@TheGAWTV) March 20, 2024

Who is Alicia Fox/ Vix Crow

Alicia Fox joined WWE back in 2008 and soon became a featured figure on the main roster, notably on the ECW brand. In 2010, Fox clinched the Divas Championship title, triumphing in a Fatal 4-Way contest against Gail Kim, Eve Torres, and Maryse.

After her last WWE appearance in January 2022, where she made a surprise appearance in the Women’s Royal Rumble match, Fox’s return to in-ring action has garnered attention. In addition to her tenure in WWE, Fox also participated in a Reality of Wrestling event in 2023.

This match also signifies Fox’s inaugural singles bout since April 2019, where she was defeated by Becky Lynch on an episode of Raw.

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