Dwayne Johnson is one of the busiest men in Hollywood, but The Rock is back with WWE on a full-time basis through WrestleMania 40. The People’s champ has been heavily involved in the main event mix and will wrestle his first full match in a decade.

Although the match has not been finalized as of this writing, the challenge has been issued for The Rock and Roman Reigns to battle Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania XL: Saturday (night one). The match would have implications for the following night’s ultimate showdown: Rhodes vs. Reigns 2.

So, what happens with The Rock after WrestleMania? According to this week’ Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE fans should expect to see The Rock compete at least one more time in the coming months. 

WWE Wants The Rock to Wrestle in Saudi Arabia This Year

It’s been a rocky road to WrestleMania (pun indented). From the moment that Roman Reigns’ pinned Cody’s shoulders to the mat last April in Los Angeles, fans have expected the American Nightmare to rise from the ashes and ‘Finish The Story’ at this year’s big event. The Rock’s return changed everything and a lot of the chaos that we saw on television mirrored the changes and uncertainty going on behind the scenes.

The Rock got himself in shape for a WWE run, which is no easy task and there’s still blockbuster money in Rock vs. Reigns. According to the Observer, WWE is optimistic The Rock will wrestle again this year and there is “definitely a push” for this match to take place at one of the Saudi Arabia premium live events.

“When asking if Rock will be working that show, we’re told there are a lot of variables in play and a variety of factors, but obviously the company would like it if he would.

While nothing is set in stone, the belief as of right now is that Mania won’t be his only match in 2024 and there is definitely a push to get him to work at least one Saudi Arabia event this year.”

WWE is scheduled to run the first of this year’s two Saudi shows over Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 25, the day before AEW Double or Nothing 2024.

The Rock & WrestleMania 40

The Rock’s original WrestleMania 40 plans were derailed by a negative fan reaction, and he coined the term Cody Crybabies because of it.

In the end, The Rock decided to concede the main event of WrestleMania 40 to Cody Rhodes. That being said, the story is far from over between the two, especially since The Rock may still want that one-on-one match against Roman Reigns.

We will have to see what WWE can arrange with Dwayne Johnson’s incredibly busy schedule, but he seems to be able to block off time for WWE right now.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of the road to WrestleMania 40, and everything afterward. This could be an exciting time for pro wrestling fans, because The Rock might just get more than one match in this time around.

AEW laid down a suspension for Sammy Guevara when after his botches top rope move on Jeff Hardy went viral. Hardy was injured, and there is a lot to unpack now.

Guevara had plans in place for him in AEW, but that didn’t matter once this incident took place. Now, he is waiting on the sidelines, and that also leaves Chris Jericho without a partner.

The Spanish God’s Suspension 

Sammy Guevara’s suspension stemmed from an incident during a match on February 14, where Guevara accidentally broke Jeff Hardy’s nose with a knee strike. Despite Hardy not suffering a concussion, the match continued, contrary to proper protocol, leading to Guevara’s suspension. 

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed the intricacies surrounding a proposed tag team involving Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega, which ultimately didn’t materialize. Omega was taken out of action thanks to diverticulitis, and then Jericho went back to Sammy Guevara as his partner. 

Meltzer explained how the plan evolved to include Jericho teaming with Sammy Guevara for a tournament, only for it to be trashed by Guevara’s suspension. 

Meltzer noted the dissatisfaction regarding the handling of the situation, emphasizing that medical professionals should have intervened to stop the match rather than leaving it to Guevara. Consequently, the partnership between Jericho and Guevara was abandoned, leaving Jericho to potentially team up with Hook instead.

“In this situation, the doctors should’ve stopped the match, and it should not have been up to Sammy Guevara to take it home. And again, like what he was told, I mean, I guess whatever it was, the fact he did a GT H and nailed the guy with the knee after the concern of concussion was one of the reasons why it went the way it didn’t end up suspended. So anyway, yeah, so that was the deal with the Jericho and Guevara team is now out the window. So I guess it’s going to be Jericho and Hook.”

What’s Next

We will have to see how long Sammy Guevara’s suspension lasts. Since the length of Guevara’s time away from AEW is unclear, we will have to keep a close eye for his return.

Jeff Hardy is trying to get cleared for an in-ring return. His brother, Matt Hardy, commented to say that this will be a slow process. 

On another note, Matt’s AEW contract is set to expire soon. The Hardys were supposed to have contracts that ran out at the same time, but Jeff Hardy’s breaks from the company caused Tony Khan to pause his deal.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional details are made available. 

Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Friday, March 8. We have a lot of stories to get into, so let’s not waste any more time!

Days until WrestleMania 40: 29

WWE:

– Dominik Mysrterio married his long-time girlfriend. Interestingly enough, Dirty Dom was even booed during the reception.

Dominik Mysterio gets boo’d at his own wedding.

?: evelyyngtz_ (IG) pic.twitter.com/MO6FQBDavk

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) March 8, 2024

– Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes are both missing from the Money in the Bank poster. I was told that there is nothing to read into regarding Cody’s absence from the graphic.

I've been told that there is "nothing to read into" Cody Rhodes being absent from the MITB poster.

Also, they are still discussing the MITB winners, but nothing has been nailed down yet. As I said last week, they're just now getting to booking Backlash.

Side Note: We still have…

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) March 8, 2024

– Bianca Belair has received a ton of support after racist comments regarding her WWE 2K24 cover.

– The location for WrestleMania 41 may have been accidentally slipped out there already as Minneapolis Minnesota.

WWE SmackDown (3/8/24) Lineup so far:

• Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross.
• Logan Paul returns to Smackdown.
• Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins to respond to Rock regarding WrestleMania challenge.

AEW:

– There is no timetable for Kenny Omega’s return to the company.

– AEW is paying Okada $4.5 million per year on a three-year deal.

– Kevin Kelly was removed from the AEW roster, and then he wasn’t around for Collision’s taping this week. It was later confirmed that Kelly has been fired.

– Tony Khan has been planning Okada’s debut for some time now.

AEW Rampage (3/8/24) Card:

• Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta vs Kip Sabian & The Butcher
• TBS Championship Match: Julia Hart (c) vs Robyn Renegade
• Action Andretti vs Penta el Zero Miedo
• Komander & Bryan Keith vs Private Party vs Top Flight

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events:

• AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
• WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
• WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
• AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
• Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
• WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
• WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
• WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

WWE’s show of shows means an economic boom for any location that hosts the destination event. Next year’s location has not been officially announced yet, but we have a very good idea where they are going.

Thanks to our ability to read between the lines, it appears that WrestleMania 41 is going to Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium. This was nearly confirmed, but it’s not quite time to reveal the official news yet.

Possible WrestleMania 41 Location Revealed

Minnesota House Bill 3934 was introduced on February 19th, and although the meat of that piece of legislation might not matter for our readers, one important note should. During the process of speaking on this bill, it was said that another massive sporting event is coming to the state that they can’t speak about.

It was said that, “we have a third event, and I hoped that we could announce it today, but we can’t quite yet, but we will be sharing that in the next few weeks. This event will provide an economic impact second only to the Super Bowl.

Minneapolis was reportedly in strong consideration to host WrestleMania 41, with the U.S. Bank Stadium being the venue. Fightful Select was the first to report this news in July 2023.

https://twitter.com/robwilkins/status/1765561248706445605

Past WrestleMania Events

WrestleMania events historically bring a ton of money to any market that hosts the show of shows. For instance, WrestleMania 39 generated $215 million for the Los Angeles region, while WrestleMania 38 contributed approximately $24.8 million in federal, state, and local taxes to the Dallas region.

Only time will tell when WWE announces the venue for WrestleMania 41. This year’s event will be a massive extravaganza in Philadelphia, and SEScoops will be here with all the updates you need.

AEW’s quest to present the strongest roster possible took a big step forward on Wednesday in Atlanta when Kazuchika Okada made his debut. He is now a heel alongside The Young Bucks, and he’s making a ton of money for his services.

Tony Khan is known to throw out huge money for people he wants. According to a new report, Okada is making around $4.5 million per year under his new three-year AEW deal.

Okada’s AEW Deal

During the March 6th episode of AEW Dynamite, Kazuchika Okada made a significant appearance, joining a confrontation involving AEW Triple Crown champion Eddie Kingston and the Young Bucks, who also hold executive roles within AEW.

According to reports from Tokyo Sports, Kazuchika Okada has signed a three-year deal with AEW, estimated to be worth two billion yen over the contract’s duration, roughly equivalent to $4.5 million USD per year.

In an unexpected twist, Okada didn’t support Kingston as anticipated. Instead, he surprised the audience by betraying the Triple Crown champion and aligning himself with Nicholas and Matthew Jackson, becoming the latest member of The Elite faction.

What’s Next For Okada in AEW

Okada has been a heel before, and now it appears that he will have some fun with the Young Bucks. As we previously reported, Tony Khan has been planning this for months.

It is also reported that Okada is moving to the United States. He will also be with AEW full time from now on.

Kazuchika Okada will be on a full-time AEW deal and is planning to relocate to the United States, Fightful Select has learned.

Full story for subscribers pic.twitter.com/7X4pMfKEaj

— FightfulSelect.com! Exclusive Pro Wrestling News (@FightfulSelect) March 7, 2024

WWE was in the running for Okada, but he picked AEW instead. The money was better in the Land of All Elite. Only time will tell how Tony Khan goes about getting his money’s worth.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story, and many more in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for more updates.

AEW just had a successful season premiere for Dynamite. They are also bringing in some big names, but it seems that one notable member of the crew is no longer around. Kevin Kelly is no longer listed on the company’s roster.

All Elite Wrestling and one of its announcers seem to have parted ways. This comes not too long after Kevin Kelly went on an unhinged rant on Twitter/X about how he was being sabotaged in the company.

Kevin Kelly’s AEW Status

Fans noticed on Thursday that Kevin Kelly is absent from the AEW roster page. While this could potentially be an error on the promotion’s part, it suggests Kelly’s departure from the company.

It has not been 100% confirmed that he is gone from the company. That being said, being removed from their roster page was a pretty clear hint that this is the case.

Kevin Kelly has been removed from the AEW roster page. We're working to find out more

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) March 7, 2024

Kelly’s AEW Tenure

Kelly began his time with AEW last June as the lead play-by-play announcer for the Collision program on TNT, alongside Nigel McGuinness. He remained a fixture on the program until recently, although he was notably absent from last Sunday’s Revolution pay-per-view.

Before joining AEW, Kelly served as a backstage interviewer for WWE before transitioning to announcing roles for ROH and later NJPW.

Kevin Kelly has been associated with several wrestling promotions, including WWE, ROH, and NJPW. His recent replacement on AEW commentary has led to controversy, with Kelly expressing dissatisfaction and pointing fingers at a specific individual.

Kevin Kelly’s Recent Controversy

Just days ago, Kevin Kelly took to Twitter/X to vent his frustration about being sidelined yet again. In a series of intense posts, he made his displeasure clear.

In that rant, he shoveled a lot of shade on Ian Riccaboni as he said, “When you go out of your way to intentionally mischaracterize my raising awareness of the global horrors of child trafficking to a fringe conspiracy theory that everyone knows is bullsh*t in order to hurt my career and standing in the industry, that at the very least is libelous.”

Gamers will have a lot more to do with WWE 2K24. This year’s game is coming soon, and plenty of headlines are popping up for the game as additional details about the release are made available. SEScoops got a hold of a copy early, and you can check out our extensive review here.

The official roster for WWE 2K24 is expansive, and you can check out all the names at this link. This year’s edition of WWE 2K24 will also see a larger focus on certain fan-favorite features. Their Faction Wars mode is going to get a bit more love, and 2k was happy to make this announcement.

WWE 2K24 Faction Wars

Faction Wars return with updated features and a brand-new structure! Assemble your team of four Superstars for battles against A.I.-controlled teams, progressing through various matches and stages until the ultimate Boss showdown.

Better than ever. ?

Introducing, revamped Faction Wars! Take your Faction as far as you can in multiple matches. Each run requires a ticket to enter. Check it out in #WWE2K24! pic.twitter.com/SCqC1BrYb9

— #WWE2K25 (@WWEgames) March 7, 2024

The new drop from WWE Games’ Twitter/X account certainly gives gamers a lot of hope that this year’s game will give them a lot more to do. We will have to see what this adds to the game, but fans are excited for what they will find.

Late WWE 2K24 Edits

WWE 2K24 had to see some edits after Janel Grant’s lawsuit accused Vince McMahon of several heinous acts. Brock Lesnar, although he wasn’t named, was also brought into the situation. He was removed from the special Forty Years of WrestleMania edition of the game.

Brock Lesnar is included in the game files, but he is not a playable character. Likewise, Vince McMahon was censored from the game as they made attempts to remove Mr. McMahon after that damning lawsuit.

How To Order WWE 2K24

If you’d like to get your hands on the game, please click this link for more information on how to buy WWE 2K24!

SEScoops will have plenty more updates on WWE 2K24 as additional details are released.

The 2024 Money in the Bank event is scheduled for Saturday, July 6th, 2024, and will be held at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The event has morphed itself into one of the most important shows on WWE’s schedule, but they will likely be missing the Tribal Chief.

WWE dropped a new poster for the Money in the Bank event. That new image featured several Superstars on the graphic, but Roman Reigns was not included on the poster.

Roman Reigns is Missing

The company’s new Money in the Bank poster is a nice graphic, and there are a lot of faces on there. Ricochet, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, IYO Sky, The Miz, LA Knight, Bayley, Bianca Belair and AJ Styles made the poster. There are a couple big omissions, primarily Roman Reigns.

For what it’s worth, Cody Rhodes is also missing from the poster, which is interesting. WWE may not want to spoil any WrestleMania 40 main event outcome, so the American Nightmare didn’t make the graphic, either.

A better look at the early official WWE Money In The Bank 2024 poster: pic.twitter.com/9Cl1yveZcg

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) March 7, 2024

Roman Reigns’ Light WWE Schedule

Roman Reigns is scheduled to wrestle twice at WrestleMania 40. He will team with The Rock to take on Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes during Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. Then, on night two, he will defend the Undisputed Universal Title against Cody Rhodes. It appears that the Head of the Table may take a break after that, because he is not advertised to appear at any WWE premium live events, so far, after that. 

He barely wrestled into double digits in 2023, with only 11 recorded outings in the ring. He made other appearances, but the Tribal Chief’s segments on SmackDown were few and far between. It appears that trend is not going to change at all, if anything he may work even less in the next year.

Cody Rhodes missing from the MITB poster is very interesting. He’s been a workhorse for the company since his comeback, excluding injury breaks, and one would assume he’ll be on the show.

Other Possible MITB Additions

Trish Stratus recently dropped a very strong hint that she would like to come back for another match at Money in the Bank. The setting of her home city might be too great to pass up, as WWE could create a great moment for her. 

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional details are revealed. Keep checking back for consistent updates.

As Mercedes Mone gears up for the next chapter of her wrestling career, the former Sasha Banks is has a healthy outlook on her WWE run, which ended abruptly in May 2022.

During a recent appearance on the Kick Rocks Wrestling Podcast, Mone explained why the decision to leave her dream job with WWE was a pivotal moment in her life.  As hard as it was to leave that life behind, she’s grateful for that chapter in life and all the opportunities it’s afforded her as she continues her journey.

This candid look into how she was feeling should give fans a better idea about what went on behind the scenes. 

Mercedes Opens Up About WWE Departure

Mone expressed that she felt compelled to take this step and advocate for herself. Despite wrestling in WWE being a significant part of her life, she faced the toughest decision she’s ever encountered. Nevertheless, she considers it the proudest decision she’s made. 

“Something told me I needed to do this & stand up for myself. It was a very hard decision because wrestling in WWE has been my whole life, hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my whole life but it’s the most proudest, it’s crazy because I would not be sitting here, living the best version of my life, in getting to be everything I’ve ever dreamt of — & more

That moment changed my whole life for the better. I’m so thankful for that moment, so proud of myself, so proud of Trinity, so proud of how strong we were. I just know that everybody acted like they were in the room, or work there, or were backstage, or knew what happened, or knew what said…but all I know is that I handled it like a CEO, like the boss that I am, with my head held up high & I can’t say nothing but amazing things to WWE, so thankful for the career they gave me, the fans they gave me, the life they gave me, the dreams they gave me.” 

This is not the first time she’s had to set the record straight about why she left WWE and her beloved Sasha Banks persona behind.

It’s Almost Boss Time

Mercedes Mone is finally ready return to the ring after missing the second half of 2023 due to an ankle injury. She’s kept a relatively lowprofile in wrestling as of late, but that’s all about to change. Fans are eagerly waiting her return to national television, which is all-but-guaranteed to go down next week.

After the recent roster additions of Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada, Mone is expected to debut next Wednesday, March 13 at the AEW Dynamite: Big Business special from Boston’s TD Garden.

Mone engaged in serious negotiations with WWE and AEW before making a decision. It’s clear that she put a lot of thought in her selection and sees All Elite Wrestling as the place where she can solidify a legacy on the level of greats such as The Rock and John Cena:

WWE has pulled in a ton of incredible names from outside the pro wrestling bubble in the past. With WrestleMania 40 coming up, you never know who the company will be able to rope in to do something for the show of shows this year. After all, it is an important year for the company, with Triple H producing his first Mania event along with TKO.

Conor McGregor has a history of engaging in online disputes with WWE Superstars, notably clashing with Roman Reigns’ Special Counsel, Paul Heyman. He has also received invitations to take part in WWE television in the past. It appears that he’s not saying “no” to the idea of mixing it up in WWE.

Conor McGregor Speaks on possible WWE Debut

Adam’s Apple recently caught up with Conor McGregor, when the question about WWE came up. Obviously, Notorious’ ties to WWE just got a lost closer after the TKO move.

Although Conor gave a: “You never know, let’s see,” answer, that is a lot better than a straight-up no. To be fair, he also shrugged and made a little noise when he did so. In the past he has given much less promising answers when asked about jumping into WWE for any reason.

He said that a WWE jump isn’t happening this moment, but you never know what kind of deal can come along down the road. For what it’s worth, Becky Lynch has gone on the record to say that McGregor’s WWE debut is “very likely.”

WWE’s Past Attempts To Work With Conor

Stephanie McMahon tried to gain Conor McGregor’s interest for years. That obviously didn’t happen during her tenure with the company. Only time will tell if Notorious finds his way into a WWE ring eventually.

Michael Chandler brought Conor McGregor’s name up on WWE RAW a few weeks ago. That appearance was arranged by TKO, and Conor has not publicly answered that challenge just yet. It seems that the Irishman is still living his best life, and you never know where his incredible paychecks will take him next.

SEScoops will have more updates on this story if there are any additional updates. 

CNN’s era has reached its conclusion in their famous Atlanta building. That same building also housed significant pieces of pro wrestling history.

Significant media attention surrounded the removal of the CNN initials from the former CNN Center in Atlanta, GA this week. This building previously served as the heart of the Ted Turner empire, housing the headquarters of WCW during Turner Broadcasting’s ownership of the promotion.

End of an Era for CNN

Fox Atlanta reports that the recognizable red letters that adorned the media giant’s Downtown Atlanta headquarters have vanished.
Those letters marked the CNN Center since 1987.

Last year, the cable giant disclosed plans to relocate from the expansive complex to the Techwood Turner Broadcasting campus in Midtown. It seems that those plans are well underway now, because the building no longer carries CNN’s branding.

In 2021, CNN’s former parent company, AT&T, sold the CNN Center for almost $164 million to two Florida-based real estate firms, CP Group and Rialto Capital. The duration for which the Downtown building will retain the title of the CNN Center remains uncertain.

CNN’s New Home

While the channel’s weekday anchors have already transitioned to New York or Washington, CNN maintains digital and CNN International operations in Atlanta. This is a big transition, and one that took some time to coordinate.

A spokesperson from Turner informed AdWeek that the signage would undergo several weeks of refurbishment before finding its place at the Midtown campus in due time. We will have to see how the letters look outside the network’s new home.

It takes a lot of people working in the same mindset to produce successful television. Now, WWE is on the search for someone who can help things run smoothly, while contributing valuable experience to the product at the same time.

WWE has announced a job opening for the position of Coordinator – Creative Writing Office of Executive Director. It appears that this role will be responsible for maintaining the production of WWE’s weekly television shows.

WWE On The Job Search

In the new listing, it details that this role entails managing, coordinating, and administrating the Office of the Executive Director, responsible for overseeing the development and production of 52 weeks of original programming, including the long-running Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown.

Key responsibilities of the Coordinator include coordinating logistical elements such as travel and meetings for the Executive Director’s office, providing light assistance to the Executive Director’s direct reports, managing the Executive Director’s daily workflow and calendar, and establishing a system for prioritizing items for the Executive Director and the team.

Additionally, the Coordinator will provide strategic counsel to the Executive Director, serve as a chief messenger for communication within the team, manage travel and technology for the Executive Director, and liaise with other departments within WWE, including Creative Writing and Producers, on items requiring the Executive Director’s approval.

New Job Requirements

Requirements for the position include a minimum of three years of experience, with TV/Film experience being advantageous, administrative assistant experience, and a strong knowledge of WWE shows, talent, storylines, and audience demographics. A BA/BS in relevant fields such as Film, TV, Drama, Media Studies, Communications, or equivalent experience is preferred. Obviously, they are looking for someone who already has their foot well in the door, as this is not an entry-level position.

The ideal candidate should possess strong organizational skills, discretion in handling confidential information, and the ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment. We will have to see who WWE decides to bring in to fill this role, but as with any internal hiring, it’s very likely that the information will not become public.

SEScoops will have more updates on WWE, and everything else going on in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for constant updates.

AEW and WWE were both interested in Kazuchika Okada’s services, but it was Tony Khan who pulled down the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Now Okada is a heel in AEW alongside the Young Bucks, and they are off to the races.

Although AEW didn’t really hype Okada’s impending debut, they had time to do so. For whatever reason, they declined to tease this huge moment in company history, so fans didn’t know that this week’s episode, a week before Big Business, would be anything special.

Tony Khan’s Plan for Okada

Kazuchika Okada shocked the pro wrestling world when he finally debuted for AEW during the March 6th episode in Atlanta. This was a huge surprise, but it was also something they had in the pipeline for a while.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer remarked that Tony Khan had this plan in place for Okada months ago. It was still a secret, but the plan was certainly in place.

“The Young Bucks’ segment with Okada, that has been known for — not by me — but it has been known by the Young Bucks and Okada and Tony Khan for literally months. It was Tony Khan’s idea to do this a long time ago, like it was the show after Revolution.”

It was noted that they could have announced that the Young Bucks had a big surprise weeks ago. For some reason, they didn’t announce that the Bucks had any kind of surprise until the day of the show. That is when Okada rumors started really churning, but this was the plan for a long time.

What’s Next For Okada in AEW

We will have to see what Okada and The Young Bucks do together. This situation is seemingly setting up another Okada vs Kenny Omega match as well, whenever The Cleaner can get medical clearance.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story, and everything else going on in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for more details as additional updates are made available. 

Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Thursday, March 7. AEW Dynamite was last night and Okada debuted. There is a lot of news to get to, so let’s get to it.

Days until WrestleMania XL: 30

WWE:

– Bull Nakano was announced as the second inductee in the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame after Paul Heyman.

– The Rock and Cody Rhodes have dropped dueling t-shirt designs. They’re pretty great and worth checking out.

– Corey Graves detailed how much different Triple H is dealing with announcers than Vince McMahon was.

– Former Tough Enough competitor Daniel Rodimer has been arrested for murder.

– John Cena has said he’s free for WrestleMania 40 day. I previously reported that he was going to try to do something for Mania this year. 

– WWE 2K24 actually burred out Vince McMahon’s face to get him out of the game.

AEW:

– Kazuchika Okada’s debut for AEW brought a ton of reactions from all over.

– Sting was okay with the idea of losing to The Young Bucks at AEW Revolution. 

– Matt Hardy’s AEW contract is ticking down.

– In another piece of AEW contract news, Jim Ross has decided to ink a brand-new deal.

– AEW made a lot of money with Revolution. You can check out the numbers here.

– Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara’s team is not happening anymore after The Spanish God’s suspension. 

– Lufisto dropped a lengthy post on Twitter/X, where she claimed that companies have not booked her because they want to keep a good relationship with AEW.

MY USA VISA COMING TO AN END

(Long text, sorry)

On August 23, 2024, my O1A visa that allows me to work as a performer and producer in the field of professional wrestling will expire.

Since US immigration has all the documentation that proves that I’m eligible for such a… pic.twitter.com/p51Ft2fawv

— LuFisto (@LuFisto) March 6, 2024

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events:

• AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
• WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
• WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
• AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
• Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
• WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
• WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
• WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

The Young Bucks are living it up as heels, and this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite was no different. Coming off their loss to Sting and Darby Allin at AEW Revolution, they took credit for retiring Sting. Then they took care of some business on live television.

Hangman Page beat up some referees after he failed to win the AEW World Title at Revolution. Kenny Omega has not been on AEW television for a while due to suffering from a bout with diverticulitis. It seems that the Young Bucks don’t care about their excuses, because they still laid down punishments for their former stablemates.

The Young Bucks Speak

During this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, The Young Bucks seized the spotlight in the ring, stepping up to address the audience in their roles as EVPs. Their purpose was clear: to convey their stance on Hangman Page’s recent altercation with AEW officials during Revolution, and this resulted in his suspension. However, their message extended beyond this initial incident to another one of their old friends: Kenny Omega.

The Young Bucks redirected their attention to Kenny Omega. They raised concerns about his absence from scheduled appearances, attributing it to purportedly baseless reasons. It’s worth noting that Omega is currently in the process of recuperating from diverticulitis. Nevertheless, in a bold move, they proceeded to announce Omega’s termination from his position within The Elite.

pic.twitter.com/hU8XBRv9tp

— Cesaro Hot Tag (@CesaroHotTag) March 7, 2024

It should be noted that The Young Bucks said “The Elite” and not “AEW.” So, this wasn’t a termination from the actual company. Only time will tell how this plays out.

This is when Eddie Kingston came down to play the part of a babyface trying to take on the massive heel EVPs. That didn’t turn out too well for him, and he was jumped.

Then Kazuchika Okada made his way to the ring, swiftly turning heel in the process.

Kenny Omega and Hangman Page’s Situation

Kenny Omega won’t be around AEW for a while as he recovers. We are not sure what Hangman Page is going through, but he will get some time off as well.

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

AEW has their eye on several people who could really do numbers for the company. It was reported last month that Tony Khan beat out WWE’s offer for Kazuchika Okada, and this week finally saw The Rainmaker’s debut, and he has a very Elite role.

Kazuchika Okada made his big return to AEW television, and this time he was not under NJPW contract. Now, Okada is All Elite, and this was a big surprise.

AEW’s Big Debut

During AEW Dynamite this week, The Young Bucks took the microphone in the ring, and they cut a promo as EVPs. They had something to say about Hangman Page assaulting AEW officials at Revolution, and he was suspended. That was only the beginning.

The Young Bucks then turned their focus to Kenny Omega. They said that he has missed all of his dates recently for no reason. Of course, Omega is still recovering from diverticulitis. Then they fired Omega.

THE RAINMAKER, KAZUCHIKA OKADA IS HERE!

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@rainmakerXokada pic.twitter.com/lvVpjkW5mD

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 7, 2024

Eddie Kingston then came out and he started something with The Bucks. This was followed by Nicholas and Matthew Jackson ganging up on Kingston. Suddenly, Kazuchika Okada’s music hit.

This was a massive shock as The Rainmaker made his way to the ring. Suddenly, it was very clear that he was not a babyface. Okada turned his aggression toward Kingston, and then The Young Bucks announced that he is the newest member of The Elite.

Okada joins The Elite! #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/0W3ECcIXuv

— SEScoops (@sescoops) March 7, 2024

What’s Next

It turns out that Omega is out of The Elite, and Okada is in. The segment ended with a shocked crowd as the newest member of the AEW roster posed in the ring.

The Young Bucks and Okada got to be close friends while they were all being misused in TNA Wrestling years ago. Now, they have a chance to work with each other again.

WWE tried to get Okada, but AEW offered him a better deal. Now, he will get to do his thing in Tony Khan’s company. We will have to see what is next for him after linking up with The Young Bucks.

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

AEW has lost a few people in recent memory, and others are reportedly on their way to the company. Now, we know that Jim Ross is not leaving the Land of All Elite. 

Jim Ross is not leaving AEW. He signed a brand-new deal with the company. This was not a renewal, but a full new contract, and he seems very pleased with things.

Jim Ross’ New AEW Contract

During the latest episode of Grilling JR, Ross revealed that he has inked a new deal with AEW, as his previous contract was due to expire on February 14. He also commented on how smooth the whole process was.

“We wrote a new deal. We wrote a completely new deal. No extension. New contract. It was probably the quickest and easiest negotiation I have ever done in my career of 50 years. That’s all because of Tony Khan’s commitment to me as a broadcaster. He’s always been a fan of my work, which helps your cause when your boss is a fan of your work. We got a new deal.”

AEW may lose some people in the coming months, as Matt Hardy’s contract is up. We will have to see how everything pans out, but the landscape of Tony Khan’s company will not be losing JR. 

What’s Next

Jim Ross is a WWE Hall of Famer who gave decades of his life to the pro wrestling business. He’s held positions all over the business as well, and now he will continue with AEW as an announcer for a long time to come.

Although Ross is not used as much as he once was with AEW, he seems to be content with what he is given. We know that JR isn’t ready to hang up his hat just yet, and this new deal with AEW will make sure of that.

SEScoops will have additional information on this story if it is made available. 

AEW has lost a few people in recent memory, but they are also picking up a few stars as well. It seems that Matt Hardy’s time in AEW may be numbered at this point, as his deal is set to expire this month.

Matt Hardy recently made headlines when he showed his displeasure about how Sammy Guevara injured Jeff Hardy during their match on Rampage. Now, Matt’s contract is set to run out long before Jeff’s.

Matt Hardy’s Contract Situation

Sean Ross Sapp revealed on Fightful Select that Matt Hardy’s current contract with AEW is due to expire in March.

Initially signed in March 2020, Hardy’s deal was originally intended to align with his brother Jeff Hardy’s contract length. However, due to various factors such as injuries and inactivity, adjustments were made, resulting in an extension of Matt’s contract duration.

It was noted that there have been discussions between the two sides about a new deal. At this time, it is unclear how far along those talks are, and how likely it is that a deal will be arranged.

Matt Hardy’s Time in AEW

Despite his lengthy tenure in the wrestling industry, the 49-year-old Hardy has seen limited in-ring action in 2024, with only one match under his belt thus far. However, his involvement in 2023 was more consistent, with over 40 matches both in and out of AEW.

Hardy’s wrestling career spans three decades, dating back to his matches against notable opponents such as Undertaker, IRS, and Razor Ramon in 1994. We will have to see what he does next, but his days in the Land of All Elite may be numbered.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story, and so many more, as additional information is made available. 

Tony Khan has a lot of plans for AEW, and that includes bringing in even more talent. He could have plans to debut someone this week, and it might break the pro wrestling world wide open.

Kazuchika Okada is reportedly on his way to AEW, and that debut may happen tonight. A new report says that he is in the United States, and only time will tell if tonight’s AEW Dynamite is his landing pad.

Major Debut on the Horizon

A major name is expected to make their full-time debut with the company, although details remain undisclosed. Tony Khan has hinted at exciting plans for AEW fans in the coming weeks, suggesting significant developments on the horizon.

According to PW Insider, former IWGP Champion Kazuchika Okada recently traveled to Los Angeles and is currently in the United States. It is widely speculated that Okada will be present at tonight’s Dynamite episode in Atlanta, potentially signaling a significant moment for the promotion. 

Additionally, there are expectations for the debut of Mercedes Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks, in Boston next week for the company’s Big Business special. With these developments on the horizon, anticipation is high for tonight’s Dynamite episode and the future direction of AEW.

AEW Dynamite For 3/6

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite promises to be eventful, with several notable announcements and developments anticipated. Among the highlights are scheduled matches such as Riho vs. Kris Statlander and Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher. Moreover, The Young Bucks have teased a “Huge Announcement,” adding to the intrigue of the evening.

They also added Hook vs Brian Cage for the FTW Title to the show in the afternoon. More matches should be expected as we approach the two-hour program. 

SEScoops will have more coverage of AEW Dynamite, and everything else in the pro wrestling world. Check back often for more updates! 

WrestleMania 40 is scheduled as a two-night event on April 6 and 7, 2024, to be held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The show of shows usually brings out the biggest stars the company can get, and this year’s event is no different.

John Cena mentioned WrestleMania 40, and he said “fingers crossed” about appearing. He also made it clear that he will break out the classic jorts for that appearance if it can happen.

Will John Cena be at WrestleMania 40?

I exclusively reported on SEScoops that John Cena is trying to come back to do “something” at WrestleMania 40. Now, that report has been confirmed by the man himself.

I’ve been told that John Cena is “trying to make it in” for WrestleMania “to do something.”

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 23, 2024

While appearing on ESPN’s First Take, John Cena was asked about a potential WrestleMania 40 appearance. He did not squash the idea at all. In fact, he backed up the idea that he is going to try to make it to the show of shows.

When asked what attire he may go with, Cena said, “it depends, WrestleMania 40, and fingers crossed, it will be the jorts.”

Ryan Clark: 3 Piece or Jorts?

John Cena: It depends. If we’re talking #WrestleMania 40- Crossing my fingers I hope the jorts I don’t care. If we’re talking First Take I will do my best to put on a waistcoat.

??? What’s John got cooking for Mania??? pic.twitter.com/Tj5kjcqj3N

— Public Enemies Podcast (@PublicEnemiesHQ) March 6, 2024

We will have to see what John Cena is able to do on the grandest stage of them all. His current Hollywood obligations may prohibit him from doing a ton in the ring, but it will be nice to see him anyway.

John Cena’s Most Recent Match

At WWE Crown Jewel 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on April 11, 2023, John Cena faced Solo Sikoa in a match that lasted 16 minutes and 10 seconds. Cena lost that match, and then he needed surgery on both of his arms after that.

Now that Hollywood SAG-AFTRA Strike is over, John Cena returned to work. Only time will tell what he can do at WrestleMania 40, but he isn’t closing the door on that idea at all.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story as additional information is made available. 

WWE’s Women’s Division consistently earns a spotlight due to the amount of talent on their roster. John Cena has witnessed that division transform over the last decade as well, and he has a top 5 of women who capture his interest in the ring.

John Cena listed his top five women’s wrestlers, stressing that the order didn’t matter. He named Becky Lynch, Bayley, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, and Charlotte Flair, praising each for their unique contributions and skills in the ring.

Cena’s Female Top 5

During an interview on ESPN’s First Take, John Cena shared his admiration for women’s wrestling by listing his top five female wrestlers. He emphasized that his list was not in any particular order.

First on Cena’s list was Becky Lynch. Next, he mentioned Bayley. Both Lynch and Bayley are challengers as they walk into their own title matches at WrestleMania against Rhea Ripley and IYO Sky respectively.

Cena also acknowledges Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley on his list. The final name he came up with was Charlotte Flair.

John Cena names his Top 5 Women’s Wrestlers (not in order):

— Becky Lynch
— Bayley
— Bianca Belair
— Rhea Ripley
— Charlotte Flair

(Interview on First Take) pic.twitter.com/eukKfJPJ8l

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) March 6, 2024

WWE’s Rise In Women’s Wrestling

WWE’s Women’s Revolution saw interest in women’s wrestling total revived thanks to the #GiveDivasAChance movement. They are also no longer “Divas,” as they are now Superstars, and that butterly title is also a thing of the past.

There is already a new generation of women’s wrestling from NXT that will help carry the women’s division for years to come. Tiffany Stratton was just the most recent call-up with a ton of potential, because the NXT brand still has names like Fallon Henley, Roxanne Perez, Cora Jade and Blair Davenport who all have amazing potential.

Any Top 5 list is totally subjective, and John Cena certainly has his opinion on things. Keep checking back with SEScoops for more updates on this story, and so many others in the pro wrestling world. 

A new era of AEW Dynamite begins tonight on TBS. With Revolution 2024 in the history books, All Elite Wrestling rolls through Duluth, Georgia for two back-to-back nights of action at the Gas South Arena. After Dynamite goes off the air, they’ll take matches for Fridays Rampage. Thursday night, they’ll tape Saturday’s Collision.

The March 6, 2024 edition of Dynamite is being billed as a ‘Season Premiere’ and will feature a new logo, a new stage and new on-screen graphics.

New Logo and Graphics

AEW has been dropping hints about the new look for AEW Dynamite on television and on social media. First, it was the new logo:

At Revolution, they showed an on-screen graphic for tonight’s showdown between Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher, featuring the new Dynamite logo:

AEW Dynamite Preview (3/6):

• Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
• Kris Statlander vs. Riho

Plus, fallout from Sunday’s AEW Revolution 2024 pay-per-view.

New Stage and Theme Music

Dynamite got a new stage as well, including the return of the “tunnels” that fans loved so much about the original Dynamite set. If AEW is looking to recapture the “feeling” of the company’s best times, this fresh coat of paint is a great start.

Furthermore, we’ve heard talk that AEW composer Mikey Rukus has crafted a rock-based song that could be used as new theme music for the flagship show.

Keep it locked to for tons more news about AEW.

This year’s edition of the WWE Hall of Fame is a special year. Triple H will pick his first class of inductees, and now we know the second name on his list.

Paul Heyman was announced this week as the first entrant in the 2024 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame. This was a huge addition to the Philly festivities. Now, Bull Nakano’s name is joining this year’s list of inductees.

An unbelievable talent with an unforgettable look, and a mean streak a mile long.

Bull Nakano isn’t just one of the best Women’s wrestlers of all time – she’s one of the best of all time, period. #WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/ft8JmnUfIw

— Triple H (@TripleH) March 6, 2024

Bull Nakano’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction

ESPN broke the story today that Bull Nakano will be joining Paul Heyman as an inductee in the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame.

The 56-year-old Japanese pro wrestling legend spoke about this big honor. She has raked up a lot of championships throughout her career, but she was always missing a Hall of Fame induction.

“During my active years, I was able to get championship belts in Japan, America and Mexico. But just one thing was missing — I didn’t get inducted into the Hall of Fame. I wanted this. Finally, in 2024 in WrestleMania week, I am able to get this.”

Who is Bull Nakano

Nakano entered Japan’s women’s wrestling circuit, known as “joshi,” in the early 1980s. At that time, women’s wrestling experienced significant popularity in Japan, often attracting larger crowds and higher TV ratings than men’s wrestling.

As a formidable heel with face paint, Nakano emerged as a prominent figure in All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, becoming one of its top attractions. She claimed victories in the AJW championship and WWWA title matches, engaging in historic encounters alongside and against renowned names like Dump Matsumoto, Kyoko Inoue, Akira Hokuto, and Aja Kong.

In the 1990s, Nakano ventured beyond Japan, taking her talents to Mexico where she secured the CMLL World women’s championship in 1992. Among U.S. audiences, Nakano gained recognition for her feud with Alundra Blayze in WWE. She also beat Blayze for the WWF women’s title at the Tokyo Dome in 1994, an event that was seen by over 42,000 fans in attendance. While it was uncommon for a WWE title to be defended in Japan, Nakano won it there, and she defended it once before relinquishing it back to Blayze in 1995.

WWE Hall of Fame Date

The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame is an upcoming professional wrestling event created by WWE, marking the induction of the 25th class into the WWE Hall of Fame. The ceremony is scheduled for April 5, 2024, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, occurring the evening prior to WrestleMania 40.

AEW has a packed roster full of talent, but Tony Khan has never announced a hiring freeze. It’s anyone’s guess who TK may bring back next to insert some extra energy into the situation. Lio Rush seems open to the idea of having another run in the Land of All Elite.

Lio Rush, although his AEW exit was sudden and a bit controversial, will not say “no” to the idea of returning to Tony Khan’s company. Things just didn’t pan out the last time around.

Lio Rush in AEW

Lio Rush’s time with the promotion was brief, as he became a free agent following the expiration of his contract with AEW in February 2022. This took place shortly after he voiced his opposition to Tony Khan’s controversial tweet regarding Big Swole.

Rush garnered attention amid AEW’s controversy involving Big Swole. The latter criticized the company’s treatment of Black talent at the forefront and expressed disappointment in the lack of representation of individuals who resemble her among top executives behind the scenes.

He later made it very clear on Twitter/X that his contract was up on February 14, 2022, and he was off to his next venture.

Lio Rush Speaks On Possible AEW Return

While speaking to WrestlingNews.co, Lio Rush clarified that his tenure in AEW ended prematurely because it simply didn’t pan out. Regardless of the specific reasons, he acknowledged that sometimes in life, circumstances don’t align for various individuals and situations.

“It was cut short because it was cut short. I mean, it just didn’t work out. I say this quite often every time that it is brought up. Yeah, it just didn’t work out and it, but regardless of what those reasons are, things just don’t work out. You know, it’s like that in life for many things and for many people. If it was a different time period, if it was a different situation, if it was, yeah, all of these what ifs, but they weren’t what ifs. It was what was going on in the present time and in that time, things just didn’t work out.”

Lio Rush went on to say, “So you know, not to say that you’ll never see me there again or not to say that the relationship is bad or anything like that. I think it was just a period in time that it just didn’t work out for both parties, and we had to split ways.”

What’s Next For Lio Rush

Lio is still working on music, and he’s not retired from the ring either. He continues to impress whenever he’s booked. Hopefully, he can get back on a major television company again someday, because at 29-years-old, he still has plenty of time.

We will have to see if AEW brings Lio Rush back to the company. Tony Khan has a loaded locker room already at this point, but you never know what can happen in pro wrestling.

SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more, as additional updates are available. We also invite you to check out our Daily Drop for all the biggest headlines, tidbits, and other exclusive notes throughout the pro wrestling world!

Vince McMahon’s aggressive control of WWE programming was infamous during his time as Chairman of the Board. Now that he’s gone, things are very different.

Triple H is now in control of WWE’s programming. As Chief Content Officer, he has also decided not to berate his announcers with constant directions. Corey Graves can attest to this fact, because he lived through the transition and is very much enjoying The Game’s time in charge.

Corey Graves Speaks On Triple H

Corey Graves is a prominent figure in WWE, particularly as part of Friday Night SmackDown’s commentary team. He remembers the days when Vince McMahon was in his ear all night, commanding him to hit certain lines on commentary. That is not the case anymore.

With experience both as a wrestler and announcer in NXT, WWE’s developmental brand overseen by Triple H, Graves expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided by Paul “Triple H” Levesque. He sees the King of Kings are one of the primary reasons he was so successful in the company.

While speaking to Short and to the Point podcast, Graves highlighted Triple H’s supportive approach and acknowledged the creative freedom afforded to announcers under his leadership.

“Triple H is another guy I owe a great deal, if not everything in my career, to. He was the one that took a chance on me as a wrestler in NXT. If I need something, I’ve never hesitated to go to him and ask. He’s cool and refreshing in the sense that he gives us [announcers] space.”

Differences Between Triple H & Vince McMahon

Graves continued to explained that Triple H recognizes the importance of allowing announcers to express themselves authentically as fans.

“Instead of being directed to adhere to specific instructions or language, Triple H understands that we’re all fans. As the industry progresses, you have to loosen the reins a bit. I still have boundaries, but they feel more flexible now.”

In contrast to Vince McMahon’s notorious habit of shouting at announcers through their headsets, Triple H doesn’t take that tactic at all. Instead, The Game has a much more cerebral approach to things.

“I’ve been on TV for seven years between RAW and SmackDown. In the last few months, communication through my headset has been exceptionally quiet and clear. I only receive feedback if I’m making a significant mistake or if a joke lands. If I say something that resonates, he’ll build on it or enhance the joke in my headset.”

Vince McMahon’s WWE Exit

Vince McMahon initially retired from WWE in 2022, amid allegations of sexual misconduct. At the time, WWE announced a special committee would investigate McMahon. However, his retirement didn’t last long, and he returned to the company to help usher in a sale/merger era for the company.

McMahon made creative adjustments remotely for a long time during that period. The whole time Triple H was still acting COO of the company.

That misconduct for Mr. McMahon was later detailed in gruesome ways with Janel Grant’s earth-shattering lawsuit. After Slim Jim pulled their sponsorship right before the Royal Rumble, Vince had no choice but to totally resign from the company.

In more recent memory, Vince announced his intention to sell over $400 million in TKO stock, leaving him with around 8% of the company in his control, which is not enough to secure his place back in the company once again if he ever tried another return.