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Shawn Spears Reveals Why He’s Back In WWE Following Shocking Return On 2/27 NXT

WWE has teased a mysterious Superstar during NXT for the past few weeks. We’ve now learned the identity of the man behind the mystery is former AEW star Shawn Spears.

After weeks of mysterious vignettes, the mystery reached its conclusion when Ridge Holland was in the ring, having previously dismissed NXT Women’s champion Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley and addressing recent events in the black and gold brand.

The lights went out, one final cryptic message echoed throughout the arena and a hooded figure appeared. He then proceeded to knock out Holland with a chair, revealing himself, to the shock and surprise of the entire WWE Universe.

Spears Comments on His WWE Return

WWE cameras caught up with Spears backstage at NXT just moments after his shocking return.

Why did Shawn Spears return to NXT? Why has he been taunting the NXT roster with strange and unsettling messages? According to the man himself, he’s there to deliver the truth.

Reactions

‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes acknowledged his longtime friend’s WWE return with a simple tweet:

Spears’ wife and former WWE Superstar Cassie Lee also showed some love on social media:

Shawn Spears’ Road Back to WWE

Shawn Spears wrestled in WWE developmental (2006-2008) and then WWE’s version of ECW for the next year before getting released.

He re-signed in 2013 and wrestled in NXT until 2017, where he was on the SmackDown brand until 2019. The ‘Perfect Ten’ signed with AEW later that year and gave his notice at the end of 2023.

Spears is coming up on two decades in the wrestling business. His career has come full circle and he’s now back with WWE and working with up and coming talent. This time around, he brings a wealth of experience that will serve both himself and the rising stars he’ll be working with.

Posted February 28th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Daily Drop (2/28): WWE Loses Millions, Tony Khan Is Happy With AEW Viewership

Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling. February 28. It should be the last day of the month, but we have leap year this time, so the 29th is coming tomorrow. In the meantime, let’s get right into the news!

Days until WrestleMania XL: 38

WWE:

– SEScoops ran a comprehensive retrospective of WWE Superstar reactions to the allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon. It is worth a read to catch up on everything that has been said.

– Shawn Spears made his return to WWE NXT last night. This came a few months after he left AEW when his contract expired. Now, he is back in WWE, with a brand-new gimmick and momentum.

– It was revealed in the TKO earnings report that WWE gave MLW $20 million to settle their antitrust lawsuit. This would explain Major League Wrestling’s current spending trend.

– RVD heavily insinuated that Vince McMahon has ties to the Mafia.

– It was reported by several outlets that Tama Tonga is on his way to WWE.

AEW:

– AEW revealed a brand-new logo for Dynamite. Needless to say, fans have been quite vocal about their feelings regarding this new change. Most of it has been positive, but there are always going to be fans who resist change.

– Darby Allin had a great quote when he recalled the first time he met Sting. He said in the Player’s Tribune: “When I got paired with Sting, I didn’t know what to expect. It’s funny — for weeks they had me up in the rafters, and I wasn’t sure why. You’d think I would’ve put two and two together, but I didn’t. I was just like, ‘Sit in the rafters? OK cool.’ But then at some point someone said, ‘Yo….. you know why we’re doing this, right? Sting’s coming.’ And I just remember thinking how crazy that sounded. Like, I couldn’t process it. STING? And in his first show back…. he’s going to have a staredown with ME? Haha what the f***.”

– Hangman Page is set to address his Revolution status on Dynamite this week.

– Tony Khan spoke to GV Wire about AEW’s ratings situation. He is very happy with how things are going for his company. “I think our ratings are tremendous,” Khan said. “We’ve beaten the NBA on Wednesday nights three out of the last four weeks. That’s pretty good for a league that’s been around for less than five years. The NBA is a very established league and ESPN is a very established network, so to premier AEW, a league that’s been around for less than five years, and beat the NBA straight up several weeks in a row is pretty powerful.” 

– QT Marshall cleared up his in-ring situation with AEW as he posted on Twitter/X to say, “I’m not wrestling at AEW. The fans didn’t like me out there so I’m going to wrestle everywhere else. I’m a man of the people.” 

AEW Dynamite card for 2/28/24:

  • Sting’s Farewell Match Set for AEW Dynamite
  • Hangman Page Set to Reveal Revolution Plans
  • Blackpool Combat Club Collides with Eddie Kingston & FTR
  • Will Ospreay Joins All Elite Roster
  • Chris Jericho Faces Atlantis Jr. in AEW Bout
  • Kris Statlander Clashes with Skye Blue on Dynamite
  • Final Countdown to AEW Revolution Begins

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

  • AEW Revolution is planned for the following weekend, on Sunday, March 3.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Posted February 28th, 2024 in AEW, WWE.

WWE Settled MLW Antitrust Lawsuit For Massive $20 Million Price Tag

MLW and WWE were in a legal battle for a long time in an antitrust lawsuit. That ended last year, and then MLW seemed to have a lot more money to spend. Although details of the exact amount of that settlement were not disclosed, that all came to light thanks to TKO’s earnings report.

The financial aspects of the antitrust lawsuit settlement between WWE and MLW have finally come to light, shedding new insights into the resolution reached between the two wrestling promotions. In the end, WWE forked over $20 million.

WWE and MLW’s Legal Battle

The legal dispute originated in January 2022 when MLW initiated legal action against WWE, alleging that the wrestling giant engaged in coercive practices to dissuade third parties from establishing or maintaining partnerships with MLW. Specifically, MLW cited instances where WWE purportedly interfered with potential agreements involving media outlets like Vice TV and the streaming platform Tubi.

After nearly two years of legal proceedings, WWE and MLW reached a settlement agreement in December 2023, bringing an end to the contentious litigation. While the financial terms of the settlement were initially kept confidential, recent revelations have uncovered crucial details regarding WWE’s financial obligation to MLW.

According to TKO Group Holding’s 2023 business report, which was unveiled on Tuesday, WWE has committed to paying a substantial sum of $20 million as part of the settlement agreement. This disclosure marks a significant development in the legal saga, providing clarity on the financial repercussions for WWE resulting from the antitrust lawsuit filed by MLW.

For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s consolidated pre-tax results included $34.2 million in costs related to certain litigation matters at UFC and WWE, including the impact of a $20.0 million charge related to the settlement of an antitrust lawsuit at WWE. A reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 can be found in the supplemental schedule on page 14 of this release.

History of MLW

MLW was established by Court Bauer, who came from WWE roots. Bauer joined WWE in 1999, where he started as a writer for the Smackdown brand. Later on, he transitioned to the RAW brand and also worked on writing for various pay-per-views events. In 2002, Bauer went on to establish MLW.

Following MLW’s initial closure in 2004, Bauer evolved the brand into a radio and podcast network before making a comeback in 2017 as a pro wrestling company.

The promotion is now gearing up for its upcoming event, MLW Intimidation Games 2024, scheduled to take place in Queens, New York, this Thursday, February 29th.

SEScoops will have even more on this story as more news, if more news is available. 

Posted February 27th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Unmasking Real Identity of NYPD Officers That Attacked Cody Rhodes On Raw

Cody Rhodes had quite a match against Grayson Waller on WWE RAW this week, but then Paul Heyman came out with some reinforcements. While Heyman claimed that his backup was off-duty police, it seems that wasn’t the case at all.

The WWE extra who was brought in to take a brunt of Cody Rhodes’ abuse has now stepped forward. It was indie wrestler Nessy Skylark was the man behind the stunt.

Backstory of Unprotected Chair Shot

Amidst the aftermath of the match, Paul Heyman made an appearance, seeking to dissuade Rhodes from his pursuit of The Rock. Unfazed by Heyman’s attempts at persuasion, Rhodes stood firm, armed with a chair as a defensive measure against Heyman’s men.

Rhodes’ then said that one more step toward him would result in a lot of violence, and Heyman thought this didn’t apply to him at first, but he was mistaken. After Cody destroyed Heyman’s henchmen, that action forced Heyman to retreat, while calling up The Rock and Roman Reigns in the process.

During the melee, Rhodes delivered a devastating blow to one of Heyman’s associates, striking him squarely in the face with a chair before executing a punishing Cross Rhodes maneuver.

Cody Rhodes’ Victim Revealed

The repercussions of Rhodes’ assault were evident as the injured associate, later revealed to be professional wrestler Nessy Skylark, took to social media to showcase the aftermath, revealing a visibly swollen half of his face.

”Only slightly less handsome than before, but we good”

Some fans were a bit shocked that Cody Rhodes whacked this extra with a chair, because unprotected shots to the head are not allowed in today’s WWE. That being said, it seems that everything is okay in the situation.

On another note, right after RAW went off the air, Cody Rhodes also took part in a gender reveal for an expecting couple in the San Jose crowd. It’s a boy, and it was also quite a moment.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of WWE RAW, and Cody Rhodes’ journey as he tries to finish his story at WrestleMania 40.

Posted February 27th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , .

Drew McIntyre Dunks on Logan Paul For Trying To Cut Down His WWE RAW Promo

Drew McIntyre is never one to hold back his opinions, especially as his current WWE character is prone to let things loose on the mic, and that carries over onto social media as well.

Logan Paul recently tried to mock McIntyre with a video on TikTok, one where he dissected the Scottish Warrior’s promo on WWE RAW this week, but McIntyre knew how to handle things in a big way.

Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul’s Battle on Social Media

Logan Paul dropped a TikTok video where he roasted Drew McIntyre’s promo on RAW. He dismissed McIntyre’s claims that he was standing at the end of the Chamber match, because he ended the match while still selling a high-risk move from Logan.

It didn’t take very long for Drew McItnrye to see that post from Logan Paul. He responded to throw LP under the bus, while referring to Jake Paul as the smarter of the two brothers.

I see your brother got all the talent and the brains. Admittedly, it’s a very low bar.

Interestingly enough, Randy Orton also shaded Logan prior to the Elimination Chamber event by calling him by his brother’s name. In the end, Logan cost The Apex Predator the Chamber match, but they had a little social media battle before the event even started.

Logan Paul and Randy Orton are now set to throw down at WrestleMania 40 with the United States Title on the line.

Logan Paul and Nina Agdal

LP and Nina Adgal were engaged to be married last year, and that brought a storm of insults from Dillon Dannis to hype their fight in Manchester. That fight almost went the distance, and in the end, Paul won after chaos broke out at the end of the boxing match.

Although Logan avenged his fiancé’s pride in that Danis fight, things certainly got ugly online as Danis shared a ton of content to troll the Danish model. Agdal sought and obtained a temporary restraining order instructing Danis to cease posting “sexually explicit photographs” of her “on the internet without her consent.” In her complaint, she further claims that he shared a sexually explicit photograph that was not intended for public dissemination or was “acquired without consent.”

On a related note, Triple H also asked Logan Paul not to do the nasty in his WWE United States Title. It seems that the Maverick has respected this request, and he is still holding onto that title to this day.

Posted February 27th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , , .

Shake-Up in WWE NXT: Writer Parts Ways with Company

WWE just saw Jennifer Pepperman depart from the company, and now she is VP of Content for AEW. Now, NXT is losing a creative mind from their writers room,

Nick Bonanno, a member of the NXT creative team serving as a writer and producer, has departed WWE following the recent television tapings. It was not noted where he may go next.

WWE NXT Loses Writer

Mike Johnson of PW Insider broke the news of Bonanno’s exit from the company. He actually hadn’t been with the company for an entire 2 years. 

Bonnano joined WWE in April 2022, having previously worked as an executive producer and showrunner for Championship Wrestling from Hollywood. His departure marks a notable change within the NXT creative department.

While the specific reasons for Bonanno’s exit remain undisclosed, SEScoops will update you to provide additional information as it becomes available.

WWE NXT This Week

In other related news, you can check out the lineup for the upcoming episode of NXT scheduled for February 27th below:

  • NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Noam Dar (c) vs. A member of No Quarter Catch Crew (Drew Gulak, Charlie Dempsey, Damon Kemp, or Myles Borne)
  • Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov confront each other
  • Ridge Holland addresses the WWE NXT Universe
  • Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows vs. Edris Enofe and Malik Blade
  • Lexis King vs. Von Wagner
  • Dijak vs. Luca Crusifino
  • Kelani Jordan vs. Kiana James
  • Roxanne Perez vs. Jakara Jackson

Posted February 27th, 2024 in WWE.

WWE Signing Tama Tonga Out Of Free Agency After NJPW Exit

WWE has had their eye on Tama Tonga for a long time. Now, his time is finally coming to work in the biggest pro wrestling company in the world after taking over NJPW for so many years.

Dave Meltzer has confirmed on F4WOnline that Tama Tonga is on his way to WWE. This will mark a huge step in his pro wrestling journey.

WWE sources have confirmed that Aliopate Aloisio Leone, better known as Tama Tonga, is headed to the company.

Tama Tonga expressed a desire to prioritize family time after spending extended periods away from home on wrestling tours, much like his father did. Despite negotiations with WWE last year following the expiration of his New Japan contract, Tonga ultimately chose to extend his stay in Japan for another year.

More Confirmation

Fightful Select also reported to confirm that it appears WWE landed this big free agent. The report simply backed up Meltzer’s report to say that Tonga is WWE-bound.

Tuesday, Wrestling Observer reported that longtime NJPW wrestler Tama Tonga Is headed to WWE. Fightful was able to confirm that is the expected move, barring unforseen circumstances.

Who is Tama Tonga

Tonga, the nephew and adopted son of professional wrestler Haku, partnered with his cousin and adoptive brother Tanga Loa to create the tag team Guerrillas of Destiny. Their collaboration lasted until Tonga departed NJPW in 2024. He played a pivotal role as a founding member of Bullet Club and remained one of the stable’s longest-serving members until 2022.

Tonga is named after his father Haku, who initially competed under the name Tama Tonga before adopting the monikers King Tonga, Haku, and Meng.

Tonga, alongside his tag team partner Loa, achieved seven IWGP tag team championship reigns. Transitioning to singles competition, Tonga secured the Never Openweight title on four occasions. However, he recently lost the title to Evil on January 22 in Nagoya, coinciding with the expiration of his contract at the end of the month. He returned for a final farewell match on Saturday.

Posted February 27th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Drew McIntyre Suffered Legitimate Injury During WWE Elimination Chamber

Drew McIntyre gave his all in the 2024 Elimination Chamber match. In the end, he also suffered a bit of an injury. The current #1 contender for Seth Rollins’ title is now dealing with an eardrum injury.

McIntyre already mentioned an eardrum injury, but it wasn’t known if this was legit. Now, a new report has been able to confirm that he did suffer this injury in the chamber.

Drew McIntyre’s Injury Status

PW Insider has reported to confirm that Drew McIntyre’s eardrum injury is 100% legit. He really did suffer that injury during the Elimination Chamber.

The flight back from Australia was a very long one for WWE Superstars. We can only imagine how a busted eardrum made things worse for the Scottish Warrior.

It was all worth it, because McIntyre will battle Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40.

McIntyre Spoke About His Injury Already

We previously reported that Drew McIntyre talked about his possible eardrum injury during an interview after Elimination Chamber. While speaking to The Bump, McIntyre said:

“I can barely hear the words after getting hit in the ear so hard. It’s fine. I said I would do whatever it takes, not just for me but for everybody else. And every superplex, every dive off the cage, every power bomb in the back of my neck was worth it. I said I’d go through any obstacle. Push Cody to finish his story, that’s what the fans wanted. Push Seth to stop being selfish. Some people are like, it’s just so you can get Seth at WrestleMania.”

“Yeah, I just had to beat AJ Styles and I just had to put myself through hell while jet lagged, while this eardrum appears to be burst. Worth it. I did it for each and every one of you. We’re so close, so close. WrestleMania, we finish our own story and I finally get my moment.”

Drew McIntyre has not signed a new contract as of this writing. With his current booking trajectory, it stands to reason that he wouldn’t want to go anywhere, but only time will tell what he decides to do.

We’re hoping that Drew McIntyre will be 100% by WrestleMania. If anything, bot champion and challenger will be going into that match a bit banged, up, as Seth Rollins is overcoming an MCL injury as well.

SEScoops will have ongoing coverage of the road to WrestleMania. Keep checking back for more updates.

Posted February 27th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , .

WWE’s Rumored Plan For GUNTHER’s IC Title Loss Squashed

GUNTHER’s IC Title reign has been historic so far, and he recently beat Jey Uso to retain his belt. That match helped re-spark Jimmy vs Jey for their WrestleMania match, but there were never any real plans for things to go any other way.

It was noted on Twitter/X prior to the match that some were under the impression that Jey Uso would win the title. It was noted in some circles that talent were thinking that GUNTHER’s reign may end, but that’s not the case.

IC Title Plans Did Not Change

Fightful Select reported that there were never any real plans in place for Jey Uso to win the WWE IC Title from GUNTHER. There were a few rumors going around that he may win the title prior to the match.

Regarding rumors that Jey Uso was to win the IC Title last week, we’re told that info was relayed to a couple of people but it wasn’t actually planned.

I also asked around after the match and was told that there were never any plans for Jey Uso to win the title. The road to WrestleMania is underway, and that will include GUNTHER as IC Champion.

GUNTHER’s Historic IC Title Run

GUNTHER was already the longest-running WWE NXT UK Champion from 2019 to 2022, and he took that dominance to the main roster.

Gunther’s Intercontinental Championship reign reached a new milestone on February 20, as he broke the record for the most cumulative days as champion. This achievement surpasses the previous record-holder, Pedro Morales, who held the title for a total of 619 days across two reigns. Morales had held this record for an impressive 41 years.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of the road to WrestleMania 40. So, keep checking back for more updates.

Posted February 27th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , .

TNA Wrestling Interested In Changing To Live Television At Full Sail University

TNA Wrestling just re-branded themselves, and then Scott D’Amore was fired a short time later. Through all the changing, the company is also interested in switching up their television presentation.

Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida once hosted NXT every week. Now, TNA officials have their eye on the same venue for their weekly content. It’s not happening in the immediate future, but TNA has already been to Full Sail to check things out.

TNA Interested In Full Sail Arena

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that TNA officials are interested in a weekly live show, and they would like Full Sail to be that venue. Things are preliminary right now, but the interest is real.

“You know one of the things that they’ve been looking at, and this isn’t happening any time soon, but they wanna go live. The idea is to go live and have a location where they would go every Thursday, and Full Sail University is one of the places they’ve talked about.”

It was also noted that this might be tough, because Orlando already has NXT running every Tuesday. That being said, when Scott D’Amore was with the company, he, along with other TNA executives, went to Full Sail University to scout things out.

TNA apparently wanted to go to Full Sail, and for many reasons. Not only does the arena have a great look, but they can also save money on production, because students from Full Sail can work on the show for college credit.

WWE’s Full Sail Exit

The pandemic is really what pushed WWE NXT out of Full Sail University. There was nobody on campus, so student workers were no longer in the situation. It didn’t take WWE long to move their operation to the Performance Center, because they could also run the whole situation to their own liking.

Only time will tell if TNA Wrestling ends up in Full Sail, but the company is apparently very interested in the idea. SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is available. 

Posted February 27th, 2024 in News.

Daily Drop (2/27): John Cena Having Fun On OnlyFans During WWE Break, AEW Makes Another On-Screen Hire

Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling. February 27. WWE RAW was an eventful episode this week, with tons of Elimination Chamber fallout. Let’s get right into things!

Days until WrestleMania XL: 39

Before we get started, the pro wrestling world lost Ole Anderson yesterday at 81-years-old. The pro wrestling world also reacted in a big way, and you may check out some of those reactions here.

WWE:

– Cody Rhodes did a gender reveal after WWE RAW went off the air this week, but it wasn’t for himself. The American Nightmare was thrilled to announce the gender of a fan’s baby, and it’s a boy!

– CM Punk addressed his absence from WWE 2K24, but that didn’t stay relevant for long. 2K later announced that Punk, Jade Cargill, Lex Luger, Pat McAfee and so many more will be a part of this year’s DLC as part of the season pass.

– John Cena got pretty risqué with an OnlyFans post last night to promote his upcoming Ricky Stanicky movie on Amazon Prime.

– Former WWE announcer Kevin Patrick spoke about his release from the company, and he claimed it was amicable.

– Giulia is expected to leave STARDOM next month. Of course, WWE is a popular landing pad for her. Only time will tell where she decides to go next, but she’s leaving Japan at this point.

– Piper Niven is out of action with an injury, and we’re wishing her the best in her recovery.

The Rock announced the following upcoming WWE TV appearances on Instagram:

  • Friday, March 1: Glendale, AZ at the Desert Diamond Arena
  • Friday, March 8: Dallas, TX at the American Airlines Center
  • Friday, March 15: Memphis, TN at the FedExForum

NXT is planning another live episode this week, and they have a packed card ready for fans. You can check out the lineup below.

WWE NXT Card (2/27):

  • The O.C. vs. Malik Blade & Edris Enofe
  • Kiana James vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Lexis King vs. Von Wagner
  • Dijak vs. Luca Crusifino
  • NXT Heritage Cup: Noam Dar (c) vs. Member of No Quarter Catch Crew
  • Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes face-to-face
  • Ridge Holland addresses the WWE Universe

AEW:

– Adam “Hangman” Page’s situation for March 3’s AEW Revolution event is “touch-and-go” at this time.

– Ric Flair just celebrated his 75th birthday, and The Nature Boy isn’t slowing down by a long shot.

– QT Marshall clarified his status with AEW, as he posted on Twitter/X to say: ”I’m not wrestling at AEW. The fans didn’t like me out there so I’m going to wrestle everywhere else. I’m a man of the people.” 

– AEW hired a new backstage interviewer with Arkady Aura, and she will be joining the company’s television landscape very soon.

– AEW has also responded to the current plagiarism lawsuit that they’re dealing with.

– Sammy Guevara showed off the crazy amount of welts that he had on his back after his insane ladder stunt on AEW Collision last week. 

– Kevin Nash further explained why he won’t be at Sting’s Revolution retirement match during his Kliq This podcast, “I never said that (that I was on the WWE payroll),” Nash said. “What I said is I’m a WWE guy. I can’t have a picture of me in the crowd and underneath it says, ‘Is all Elite.’ I just can’t have that. It just doesn’t work. One of my closest fu**ing friends is Paul Levesque. As much as I love Steve and I know he will only have one last match, I will watch it. We will talk about it. I haven’t been to a WrestleMania, a RAW, a SmackDown, or any of the other pay-per-views. I haven’t been to any events. I don’t want to go to any place and be around a bunch of people, let alone wrestling people. I just don’t want to do it. I’m a hermit and that’s it.”

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

  • AEW Revolution is planned for the following weekend, on Sunday, March 3.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Posted February 27th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Paul Heyman Delivers Message To Cody Rhodes From Bloodline During 2/26 WWE RAW

Cody Rhodes shocked fans during Elimination Chamber when he called out The Rock to a match “any time, anywhere.” This week’s episode of RAW continued that story, as Paul Heyman showed up on RAW to deliver his own message.

Heyman advised that Cody Rhodes needs to take The Rock’s name out of his mouth.

Cody Rhodes Gets Message From Paul Heyman

After Cody Rhodes beat Grayson Waller in the main event of RAW this week, he had company. Paul Heyman made his way to the ring with security guards around him, who he claimed were off-duty police officers.

Heyman said that he knows how embarrassing it must have been for Cody to get “Will Smith’ed” by The Rock like he did during the WrestleMania kickoff conference in the T-Mobile Arena, but he said Cody “needs to take The Rock’s name out of your freaking mouth.“

After a back-and-forth, Cody delivered a message to The Rock through Heyman. He told The Rock to come get him, and that caused Heyman to get into the ring, but Cody wouldn’t let him.

Heyman’s security guards got in the ring instead, and they surrounded him. Then Cody made it clear that he will drop everyone in the ring if anyone takes a step closer to him. Paul said that doesn’t count if he’s the one person stepping toward him, and Rhodes said that was wrong before he took out all the security guards.

Cody made it clear that he is hunting The Bloodline, and it’s not the other way around.

After Paul Heyman got out of the ring, he pulled out two cell phones. He told one phone to call The Rock, as the other he ordered to phone up Roman Reigns. 

RAW ended this week after Cody Rhodes laid out another dish of punishment to Heyman’s security guards. The Rock will be on SmackDown this week, so we will have to see if he answers Rhodes’ challenge for a match. 

The Road to WrestleMania

WrestleMania 40 will be a huge two-night event, so we will have many more matches confirmed for the show as we make our way to the extravaganza. Keep checking back with SEScoops for more information, and you can check out the updated card, including these two reported matches, below.

WrestleMania 40 Card:

  • Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes: Singles match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
  • Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley: Singles match for the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch: Singles match for the Women’s World Championship
  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre: Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
  • Jimmy Uso vs Jey Uso (reported)
  • LA Knight vs AJ Styles (reported)
  • Logan Paul vs Randy Orton for the United States Title (reported)

Posted February 26th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , , , .

John Cena gets extra risqué teasing his latest OnlyFans drop

John Cena really let it loose with his latest OnlyFans post. Of course, the 16x World Champion doesn’t have a personal account, but it is in promotion for the upcoming Ricky Stanicky movie on Amazon Prime.

Cena recently posted a new video on his Ricky Stanicky OnlyFans. He promised double fisting, and that’s what he gave us. Although we can’t post the video here, Cena raised up both of his dukes like he was ready for a fight, which fulfilled the clickbait post’s promise to provide double fisting.

Cena on OnlyFans

John Cena shocked fans as he recently announced his entry onto the OnlyFans platform, using the alias Ricky Stanicky to promote his upcoming film. The account is free, and we can only imagine that there are a ton of subscribers on that account already.

After much anticipation, Cena has unveiled his first video on the platform, teasing content related to fisting.

New OF Video Drop More fisting than you may be ready for. R U BRAVE ENOUGH?

If you’re interested in John Cena’s OnlyFans account for Ricky Stanicky, you can find that link here.

Randy Orton also commented on John Cena’s leap onto OnlyFans. He proposed that they do a collab. This idea was warmly welcomed by Cena as well.

What is Ricky Stanicky

The upcoming movie Ricky Stanicky features John Cena, Zac Efron, Andrew Santino, and Anja Savcic. The plot centers on an imaginary friend named Ricky Stanicky who becomes real. Cena portrays Ricky Stanicky in the film.

Three childhood friends invented Ricky Stanicky twenty years ago and continue to blame him for their immature actions. When their partners want to meet Ricky, the friends hire washed-up actor Rod to impersonate him. However, Rod’s portrayal becomes problematic, leading the friends to regret creating Ricky.

Ricky Stanicky will be available for streaming on April 7th on Amazon Prime. They are making a point to advertise the film as an R-Rated comedy, so odds are they will not pull any punches. Parents may want to keep their children away from this one.

Posted February 26th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Pat McAfee & More Included In WWE 2K24 Season Pass DLC

WWE 2K24 is available for pre-order now, and fans have a new reason to buy the season pass, because that is how they can get a hold of CM Punk. The Second City Savior has been absent from WWE video games for nearly a decade, but that will change this year.

The DLC content for WWE 2K24 will include CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Pat McAfee, Post Malone, the Dudley Boyz, DDP, Carlito, Mr. Perfect and Lex Luger.

Pre-Order WWE 2K24 Now (Amazon)

CM Punk Is In WWE 2K24

CM Punk already addressed his absence from the WWE 2k24, and he said that fans really want him in the game. He didn’t have to look into the matter for very long, because the Second City Savior was confirmed for the upcoming game.

WWE 2K24 announced during RAW this week that CM Punk, Pat McAfee, Jade Cargill, Post Malone, and more will be a part of the downloadable content for the new game. This will be a part of the season pass feature.

CM Punk appeared in a little video in one of 2K’s hype posts about this big announcement. He said that fans were heard, and he will be a part of the game after all.

WWE 2K24 Special Features

WWE 2K24 will be full of special features, and aspects of the game that fans will love. They also included a playable version of a Cody Rhodes action figure in the game.

The Showcase of the Immortals mode will also give fans an immersive look at WrestleMania history. The 2K Showcase of the Immortals experience allows players to relive 21 matches across five decades of WrestleMania history.

WWE 2K24 Release Details

WWE 2K24 will offer three editions: Deluxe, Forty Years of WrestleMania, and Standard. These editions will roll out globally on March 8, 2024. Keep an eye out for updates on the game’s soundtrack, roster, Superstar ratings, and other details.

Stay tuned to SE Scoops for ongoing coverage of WWE 2K24 and all the latest in the world of professional wrestling.

Posted February 26th, 2024 in WWE 2K24. Tagged: .

The Miz Stuck In Dressing Room Before WWE RAW As People Struggled To Free Him

WWE Superstars put themselves at risk whenever they are in the ring. It turns out that there are certainly unexpected dangers outside the ring as well. The Miz knows this all too well after this week’s episode of RAW.

The Miz uploaded a social media video to reveal that he was stuck in his locker room. It’s unknown what caused this issue, but the door was jammed shut and would not open. This was despite several people trying hard to break him free.

The A-Lister Was Stuck

The Miz didn’t seem worried about being stuck in his locker room. That being said, he was still in that situation, although he took the scene in with a smile.

The former WWE Champion traveled all the way to San Jose, California for RAW this week, but he never expected for this to happen. He simply shut his locker room door behind him, and the room decided he wasn’t leaving.

The Miz explained that he was only in the room for about ten minutes prior to recording his video. Still, it was a bit of a concerning scenario if he couldn’t make it out.

As he heard people try to break him out of that room, The Miz remarked that he may or may not be on RAW this week. That all depends on whether he can get out of that room. He had a television and water, so at least he could watch the show if they were unsuccessful in their escape mission.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is known. We’re sending out our best to The Miz, and we’re very glad that he didn’t suffer from a sudden case of claustrophobia. 

Posted February 26th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Ric Flair, Dave Meltzer & More React to the Passing of Wrestling Great Ole Anderson

Ric Flair, Dave Meltzer and more have reacted to the passing of pro wrestling legend Ole Anderson. 

Ole Anderson, a significant figure in professional wrestling, has passed away at the age of 81. The news of Ole Anderson’s death was initially shared by Ricky Morton, who posted the announcement on Instagram. Our sympathies go out to his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time. As a member of the Four Horsemen, Ole will always be remembered for his impact on the sport.

The pro wrestling world is reacting after Ole Anderson’s passing broke. WWE sent out a tribute post for Ole during RAW this week.

AEW also sent out a tribute post for Ole Anderson on Twitter/X. Although he was never with the company, Ole still meant a ton to a lot of people within the company, and he helped shape pro wrestling history.

Kris Zellner posted a tribute to Twitter/X, as he gave Ole credit for his booking genius. 

Dave Meltzer from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter also tweeted out after Ole’s passing broke. He gave him credit for being such a great heel, and a fantastic talker on the microphone, as he drove heat for his programs for years. 

Ric Flair also sent out a tribute for his Four Horseman brother. The Nature Boy thanked Ole Anderson for everything he did for his career, including bringing him to Crockett Promotions in the first place. 

Tommy Dreamer sent out a tribute as well, as he had some words to remember Ole’s legend. The Innovator of Violence said he watched Ole wrestle thousands of times as well. 

One of the original members of the Four Horsemen, alongside Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, and JJ Dillon, Ole played a crucial role in shaping the industry. Throughout his career, spanning from 1967 to 1990, he held NWA titles in various promotions and territories.

This was a great loss for the pro wrestling world, and Ole Anderson’s legend certainly received a ton of respect today. You can check out a few more tributes in the space below. RIP Ole.

Posted February 26th, 2024 in WWE.

Four Horseman Member Ole Anderson Passes Away At 81-Years-Old

Ole Anderson, a pivotal figure in professional wrestling, has died at the age of 81. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans during this sad time. The Four Horsemen member will be forever remembered for his contributions to the business.

As one of the founding members of the Four Horsemen, alongside Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, and JJ Dillon, Ole left an indelible mark on the industry. Throughout his career, which spanned from 1967 to 1990, he held NWA titles in various promotions and territories.

In 2003, he authored “Inside Out: How Corporate America Destroyed Professional Wrestling,” shedding light on the inner workings of the industry. Ole was also never one to hold back on his opinions, and he also held positions outside the ring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pGDQ1EyVug

Beyond his achievements in the ring, Ole served as a booker for Georgia Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions, contributing significantly to the development of wrestling storylines and talent.

The news of Ole Anderson’s passing was first shared by Ricky Morton. He sent out an Instagram post to let everyone know this sad news.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C31FoQvJptD

Ole Anderson’s Career

Ole Anderson, who was born Alan Robert Rogowski on September 22, 1942, was best known for his time in the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling. Anderson started his wrestling career in the early 1960s and quickly rose to prominence as a tag team specialist. 

Alongside his brother Gene, he formed the tag team “The Minnesota Wrecking Crew,” which achieved considerable success in various territories. Anderson was known for his tough and no-nonsense in-ring style, often portraying a villainous persona. Throughout his career, he held numerous tag team championships and competed against some of the top stars in the industry. 

Arn Anderson was initially introduced as the brother of Gene, Lars, and Ole, though at times, he was also presented as a cousin or nephew. Later that year, Arn formed a tag team with Ole, following the release of his previous partner Osborne from GCW. The duo of Ole and Arn continued to team up until Ole’s retirement in 1987.

After retiring from in-ring competition, Anderson remained involved in the wrestling business as a promoter and behind-the-scenes figure. He played a significant role in shaping the wrestling landscape during the territorial era and beyond. Anderson’s contributions to the industry have left a lasting legacy, influencing future generations of wrestlers and promoters.

Posted February 26th, 2024 in News.

Becky Lynch: “I Think It’s Very Likely” Conor McGregor Shows Up In WWE

Conor McGregor is a showman who made millions in the UFC while using a WWE formula to hype himself and bring controversy. With UFC and WWE under the same TKO umbrella, this makes Notorious’ inclusion in an upcoming WWE angle even more likely.

Becky Lynch was recently asked about the chances of Notorious coming into WWE. She is a fellow Irish entertainer, and she won’t say “no” to a possible appearance by McGregor, since anything is possible in WWE.

During a recent interview with Submission Radio, The Man was asked about the chances of Conor McGregor showing up on WWE television. After all, TKO arranged for Michael Chandler to appear on RAW to call out his longtime rival.

The 2024 Elimination Chamber match winner watched Chandler’s promo on Raw and could see Conor McGregor following suit.

“I believe he’s influenced by the WWE. I think it’s very likely, I think it’s very likely,” Lynch said of Conor McGregor appearing in WWE, via Submission Radio.

Before Lynch could finish her thought on McGregor’s possible WWE involvement, Kevin Owens interrupted and diverted the conversation, taking over the interview. 

We will have to see if Conor ever finds his way to WWE. Countless Superstars have spoken about this hypothetical scenario. Jey Uso  recently named Conor McGregor as the celeb he wants to see enter the WWE Universe.

The road to WrestleMania 40 is sure to include more surprises ahead. With WWE’s affiliation with UFC and the never-ending need to generate as much publicity as possible for the next big show, stay tuned for our continued coverage of this interesting situation.

Posted February 26th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

CM Punk Addresses His Absence From WWE 2K24 Roster

WWE 2K24 is not going to include CM Punk from the look of it. Of course, CM Punk appeared in AEW: Fight Forever, even after his firing. This is a very interesting issue, and Punk is going to look into things.

CM Punk certainly noticed that his name is not included in 2K’s plan to roll out this new game. His name is absent from the roster, and DLC plans have not featured him, either. The Second City Savior is never short on words, and an investigation is apparently underway.

Pre-Order WWE 2K24 Now (Amazon)

CM Punk Addresses WWE 2K24

WWE 2K24 is preparing for its upcoming release, introducing several new features to fans. Notable enhancements include the incorporation of real WWE referees and highly lifelike character models. However, to the surprise of many, CM Punk’s absence from the game, including any future DLC plans, has prompted him to launch an inquiry.

Acknowledging his absence from the game, CM Punk took to social media to address the situation. He admitted to being aware of his late return to WWE, which consequently led to his exclusion from the game’s initial roster.

CM Punk brought up that 2K had revealed the full roster for the upcoming WWE video game. He expressed his disappointment at not being included, recognizing that his return to WWE occurred after the game’s development. Despite this, he had hoped to see himself featured in the recently released DLC teaser. In response to fan demand for his inclusion, CM Punk stated that he would be conducting an investigation into the matter.

Punk also realizes that fans will go crazy because he’s not in the game, but that is the situation we’re in right now.

”And I know this because the fans are going crazy, they’re asking where I’m at and asking how come I’m not in the video game. So, I decided to make it my thing to try to get to the bottom of this, because the fans are demanding that I be put in this video game. Now I’m not a video game guy, so I don’t know how fast they can do this, but like I said, we’re gonna try to get to the bottom of this, and I’m gonna tag them here just to put some pressure on. Let’s put some feet to fire today, ladies and gentlemen.”

CM Punk’s Situation 

CM Punk didn’t return to WWE until Survivor Series 2024, and that was a massive surprise. 2K had no time to get his character design all ready, let alone the entrance on Punk’s level deserves in the game.

Hopefully, 2k will announce Punk as a DLC addition later on. Right now, it appears that fans will have to keep waiting, or they will have to make a CAW of Punk for one more year.

WWE 2K24 Release Details

WWE 2K24 will offer three editions: Deluxe, Forty Years of WrestleMania, and Standard. These editions will roll out globally on March 8, 2024. Keep an eye out for updates on the game’s soundtrack, roster, Superstar ratings, and other details.

Stay tuned to SE Scoops for ongoing coverage of WWE 2K24 and all the latest in the world of professional wrestling.

Update: CM Punk will be Included

It was announced during WWE RAW that CM Punk, Jade Cargill, Pat McAfee, and more will be included as DLC in the season pass of this year’s game. 

Posted February 26th, 2024 in WWE 2K24. Tagged: , .

WWE Star Piper Niven Forced Out Of Action With Injury Setback

WWE Superstars give their all in the ring, and injuries can pop up at any moment. Now, Piper Niven has suffered a big blow to her momentum. She is out of action with an injury, and this is never good on the road to WrestleMania. 

Piper Niven is currently out of action with a hand injury. There is a current fear that it is broken, and that explains her absence from WWE television.

Piper Niven’s Injury

According to a new report from Fightful Select, Piper Niven has been out of action with a hand injury, and the thought is that it is broken. 

Although she last competed alongside Chelsea Green on WWE Main Event in St. Louis, where they faced Natalya & Tegan Nox in a losing effort, Niven was notably absent from the Elimination Chamber Qualifying Last Chance Battle Royal. This absence has sparked speculation among fans. 

Although she has been active on social media, it appears that this would explain the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion’s absence. We’re Wishing Piper a speedy recovery.

Piper Niven’s Road in WWE

In 2017, WWE reached out to her for the Mae Young Classic tournament. She was granted permission by World of Sport Wrestling to compete and used the ring name Piper Niven. During the tournament, she defeated Santana Garrett and Serena Deeb before being eliminated by Toni Storm in the quarterfinals.

Niven made her debut in NXT UK in 2019, confronting Rhea Ripley. Her first televised match occurred on WWE Worlds Collide, where she defeated Zelina Vega. She later competed in a battle royal for a title opportunity but was eliminated by Xia Brookside. Niven contended for the NXT UK Women’s Championship but was unsuccessful in her attempts against Kay Lee Ray.

In June 2021, Niven transitioned to Raw as Doudrop, aligned with Eva Marie. She later turned against Marie at SummerSlam, beginning a feud between them. Despite a series of matches and appearances, including competing in the Queen’s Crown tournament, Doudrop’s tenure on Raw was marked by various challenges and opportunities.

In 2022, Doudrop challenged Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship but was unsuccessful. She also participated in the Elimination Chamber match for a title opportunity at WrestleMania 38. Following this, she pursued the WWE 24/7 Championship and formed a tag team with Nikki A.S.H. However, due to illness, Doudrop took a hiatus from competition.

Returning as Piper Niven in 2023, she competed in the Royal Rumble match and later partnered with Chelsea Green to capture the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Their reign saw successful defenses against various challengers until they were dethroned by Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. Now, Piper is ready to start her next chapter in WWE, but she will have to wait out this injury situation first.

What’s Next

Since Piper Niven’s injury, Chelsea Green has been active in singles competition, participating in the battle royal and securing a win on WWE Main Event against Tegan Nox. We extend our wishes for Piper Niven’s swift recovery.

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

Posted February 26th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Hangman Page’s AEW Revolution Spot in Jeopardy Due to ‘Touch-And-Go’ Situation

AEW Revolution will mark the fifth annual pay-per-view for Tony Khan’s company, and this could be the most historic yet. Sting is set to wrestle his last match during the March 3, 2024, show at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. That being said, Hangman Page may not make it.

Hangman Page May Miss AEW Revolution

We previously reported that AEW used an injury angle during Dynamite with Hangman Page. While many fans were afraid that he was actually hurt, it seems that this was all part of the show.

It was then noted that there could be another situation to keep Page from working the Revolution show. At this point, things are up in the air for his status.

During Fightful Select‘s Backstage Report podcast, Sean Ross Sapp stated that there is a “touch-and-go situation” surrounding Hangman Page right now. The thought is that they can use his injury angle to write him out of the event if they need to, but the hope is that he will be able to wrestle at the show.

“There is a sort of touch-and-go situation that may see him ending up not being able to work the Revolution show, and if that’s the case, then they can use this as a reason. The hope is that he’ll be good to go for it as well, but it was a carefully-crafted work, and well done. “

What’s Next

AEW has a lot of stories in the pipeline, especially with Revolution coming up in a matter of days. SEScoops will have complete coverage of the event, and you may check out the card below.

AEW Revolution 2024 Card: 

  • Sting & Darby Allin (c) vs. The Young Bucks – AEW World Tag Team Championships
  • Samoa Joe (c) vs. Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland – AEW World Championship
  • Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Bryan Danielson – AEW Continental Crown
  • Toni Storm (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo – AEW Women’s World Championship
  • Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita
  • Christian Cage (c) vs. Daniel Garcia – TNT Championship
  • Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Roderick Strong – AEW International Championship
  • FTR vs. Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli
  • Wardlow vs. Lance Archer vs. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. ??? – Meat Madness

Posted February 26th, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: , .

The Rock Confirms His Next WWE TV Appearances On The Road To WrestleMania 40

The Rock will be at several upcoming WWE television appearances on the road to WrestleMania 40. He’s now aligned with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline and is an integral part of Cody Rhodes’ journey to Finish The Story on April 7.

Just six weeks out from WWE’s biggest event of the year, we now have a better idea of which shows The Rock will be attending in the weeks ahead. 

We knew The Rock will return this week on Friday Night SmackDown from Glendale, Arizona. He’s now confirmed on Instagram that he’ll be at the March 8th SmackDown from Dallas, TX and the following week’s show (3/15) from Memphis, TN.

The Rock announced the following upcoming WWE TV appearances on Instagram:

  • Friday, March 1:  Glendale, AZ at the Desert Diamond Arena 
  • Friday, March 8: Dallas, TX at the American Airlines Center
  • Friday, March 15: Memphis, TN at the FedExForum

He included this caption, which shows show charged up he is about his current WWE run:

“You can feel the uptick, excitement, energy & disruption happening now in pro wrestling. It’s super fucking cool to see. Glendale, Arizona  SOLD OUT Your city will never be the same  Up next: DALLAS • March 8th MEMPHIS • March 15th”

WrestleMania 40 Plans Changed

Changes occurred on the WrestleMania 40 card due to various reasons, such as injuries or other factors. Of course, fan reaction played a huge part in it this year.

The Rock initially pushed for a match with Roman Reigns at the event, but faced backlash from fans, leading to a shift in plans. Then, The Rock conceded that Cody Rhodes should get that spot instead, so he can finish his story.

Fans will see Cody Rhodes challenge Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title at WrestleMania 40. WWE seems to be setting up a tag team match featuring Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins against Reigns and The Rock at the event.

You can click the link below for our extensive exclusive about what went down behind those WrestleMania plans changing for The Rock this year.

SEScoops will have many more updates on the road to WrestleMania. Please keep checking back for more information as it is made available. 

Posted February 26th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , .

WWE WrestleMania 40 Has Two More Matches Added To Final Card

WWE created a lot of momentum for Mania with their Elimination Chamber event. Now, we have two more reported matches coming out of the Australian show.

New WrestleMania 40 Matches

WWE already had four title matches confirmed for WrestleMania 40. With Mania being the next premium live even on the main roster, odds are fans will start seeing the card come together in rapid fashion.

Dave Meltzer reported on his Daily Update that WWE has added LA Knight vs AJ Styles to the Mania card. Also, Logan Paul will defend the US Title against Randy Orton. Both of those matches were set up before the Chamber.

“Coming off the Chamber show, those at WWE have confirmed both bouts, AJ Styles vs. LA Knight and Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton, that yesterday’s show appeared to set up. Both are right now listed for Mania.”

WrestleMania 40 will be a huge two-night event, so we will have many more matches confirmed for the show as we make our way to the extravaganza. Keep checking back with SEScoops for more information, and you can check out the updated card, including these two reported matches, below.

WrestleMania 40 Card:

  • Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes: Singles match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
  • Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley: Singles match for the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch: Singles match for the Women’s World Championship
  • Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre: Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
  • Jimmy Uso vs Jey Uso (reported)
  • LA Knight vs AJ Styles (reported)
  • Logan Paul vs Randy Orton for the United States Title (reported)

Posted February 26th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , , , , .

Daily Drop (2/26): WWE Superstars React To Vince McMahon Allegations, Jack Perry Set For Return Match

Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling. February 26. The Elimination Chamber is in the rearview mirror with RAW tonight. Now, we have a lot to unpack for the day.

Days until WrestleMania XL: 40

WWE

– SEScoops has a full preview of this week’s RAW available. You can click here to check that out.

– I was told that WWE determined that Rhea Ripley vs Nia Jax would main event Elimination Chamber several weeks before the event. 

– Bodyslam.net reported that WWE hired a new writer’s assistant from the indie wrestling world.

– Finn Balor is totally fine after his bloody injury during Elimination Chamber.

-It was a busy day for Vince McMahon allegation talk. Kevin Owens reacted to the allegations, where he condemned them. Also, Becky Lynch opened up a bit about her experience in WWE in response to a question about the allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit.

– Raquel Rodriguez competed at WWE Elimination Chamber, but she didn’t have a great time before the event. A flare-up of her MCAS almost caused her to miss the match.

-WWE has two matches announced for RAW this week. You can check out the two matches planned for Feb 26’s episode of RAW (so far) below.

  • Sami Zayn vs. Nakamura
  • Street Fight: New Day vs Imperium

AEW

– Although QT Marshall is not planned to wrestle for AEW, he was backstage at Collision on Saturday, and Fightful reports that they took photos of him in his ring gear. 

– Ric Flair turned 75-years-old, so happy birthday to The Nature Boy.

– Lex Luger was asked on his Lex Expressed podcast whether he will be at Sting’s last match at AEW Revolution on March 3rd. The former pro wrestling star replied to say, “You want me to answer that? Let me put it this way. I will go back to 35 years of friendship. Friendship sometimes transcends the kayfabe or workup the other and there may be ramifications or there may not. Sting was there for me at three in the morning when I had my motorcycle wreck and they wanted to cut my arm off and kind of stopped the doctors from cutting my arm off. So people could read into that what they want, on whether I might be at the building or not. I won’t confirm anything, but I’m just saying. I’ll leave it in that context. How’s that?”

– Matt Hardy had big props for AEW picking up Jennifer Pepperman from WWE as their new VP of Content.

– Speaking of Jennifer Pepperman, Fightful reported that she was at AEW television last week, but it’s unknown if she has officially started working in her new role, or what capacity she had her hands in anything yet.

– Jack Perry’s first match since AEW All In London is confirmed for March 6, 2024, where he will square off against Shota Umino for NJPW.

– Swerve Strickland admitted that he’s still a Paul Heyman Guy. On that note, you can check out a great list of next perspective Paul Heyman Guys/Girls below.

– It looks like AEW has Okada locked in. While speaking to Tokyo Sports, he said that he has no intention of returning to NJPW. “I’m already looking ahead to what’s next, and I’m going out with the intention of never coming back to New Japan,” Okada said. “I’m sorry about that, but I don’t think so. Of course, I want to treasure the feeling and the words I received.”

TNA

– Fightful reported that Steve Maclin only has a couple of months left on his TNA Wrestling contract.

-Josh Alexander also didn’t want TNA Wrestling to renew his contract for another year, but they did. 

– It was reported that one top star for the company wanted to leave, but the talent meeting they held changed their mind. Stay tuned for this still-developing story. 

– It has been revealed what TNA talent said to higher-ups after Scott D’Amore’s firing. There was also a special meeting. This story has a lot to unpack at the end of the day.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

  • AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
  • AEW Revolution is planned for the following weekend, on Sunday, March 3.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Posted February 26th, 2024 in AEW, WWE.

WWE Hires Retired Indie Wrestler For Latest Creative Team Addition

WWE has many hours of television to fill, and they are always open to good ideas. The company will also bring in fresh minds from time to time so liven things up. Now, we can confirm that they have hired an indie wrestler for that part of the company.

WWE Hires New Writer’s Assistant

WWE’s internal hirings don’t go public very often, unless it’s a newsworthy event. They have posted openings for their creative team in recent memory, and now they have hired Patrick Scott to join the company.

Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net reported that WWE has hired a new writer for their team. Patrick Scott, who is a retired indie wrestler, is now joining WWE’s creative team as a writer’s assistant for the SmackDown brand. His start date was not disclosed in the report.

Sources have confirmed to me that Independent Wrestler Patrick Scott has been hired by WWE has the new writer’s assistant for SmackDown, and is said to be starting this Monday.

Patrick Scott Speaks Out

Scott has previously posted on social media to indicate that a big career change is coming. He promised to have more updates soon as he posed a photo to illustrate this transition.

I’ll have a lot more to say in the coming days. For now, I will just say this… Thank you.

SEScoops would like to congratulate Patrick Scott for this great opportunity. He is joining WWE’s team as they embark on the road to WrestleMania, an event that will likely be an all-hands-on-deck kind of situation creatively.

Posted February 25th, 2024 in WWE.

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