WWE’s WrestleMania 40 event is preparing to take over Philadelphia on April 6th and 7th, and the company usually prepares memorable cards for the showcase of the immortals. Sadly, Sylvester Stallone won’t be able to make it.

Stallone and WrestleMania

There are a lot of rumors going around about WrestleMania this year, but one rumored megastar will not be on the show of shows. Sylvester Stallone has appeared for WWE before, but it’s not going to work out for Mania 40.

WrestleVotes reported that WWE has strong interest in Sylvester Stallone appearing at WrestleMania in Philadelphia. The extent of discussions or Stallone’s potential role remains uncertain at this point.

Sources within WWE indicate there is interest in collaborating with Sylvester Stallone for WrestleMania in some form. While any communication status is unclear, I’m told there’s hope for it. Whether it ultimately ends up happening or not is to be determined.Stallone, born in NYC, gained fame through the iconic Rocky films, deeply associated with Philadelphia.

Additionally, Stallone is no stranger to the WWE world, having inducted Hulk Hogan into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

I asked around about this, and I was told that, “They are months behind on the Stallone ‘scoop.’ Old news. As of last word, schedules couldn’t match up.”

I asked about the Sylvester Stallone story about showing up at WrestleMania.

I was told that, "They are months behind on the Stallone 'scoop.' Old news. As of last word, schedules couldn't match up."

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 23, 2024

Dave Meltzer also reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter to say that, “Those at WWE have confirmed the talk but said that as of earlier in the week Stallone had said there was a schedule conflict, so the deal hasn’t been done unless you can or wants to remove the conflict.”

We will have to see if WWE can get Sylvester Stallone to make an appearance at a future event. WrestleMania 40 in Philly seemed like the perfect location, but it just didn’t work out.

What’s Next

WWE has a lot of things planned for WrestleMania, and John Cena may just be in the mix. I exclusively reported that Cena is trying to do something for Mania this year.

As of this writing, Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns and Bayley vs IYO Sky are the only two confirmed matches. We will have even more after the Elimination Chamber event as well, because both Chamber matches will determine Rhea Ripley and Seth Rollins’ opponents on the grandest stage of them all.

The Elimination Chamber event is set for Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. With less than a day until the big event, the stage is already set.

The Elimination Chamber Stage

We previously reported the progress of the Elimination Chamber set, and now they are totally ready for the show. Optus Stadium will be packed full of fans the next time we see it.

A video of the completed set-up is now making the rounds, as it shows off all the work WWE’s crew has done in the stadium over the past week.

The full #WWEChamber stage has been revealed.

Less than 24 hours ? pic.twitter.com/8vjB0FT8oy

— EliteRockerz ? (@EliteClubS0B) February 23, 2024

What’s Next

WWE’s Elimination Chamber event will start at 5:00 AM EST on February 24th. The card is stacked with matches that will directly impact the road to WrestleMania, with both Chamber matches set to determine who will face Rhea Ripley and Seth Rollins at the show of shows.

2024 Elimination Chamber Card: 

• The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) (c) (with Iyo Sky) vs. Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell: Tag team match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
• The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate): Tag team match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
• Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. Raquel Rodriguez: Elimination Chamber match for a Women’s World Championship match at WrestleMania XL
• Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax: Singles match for the Women’s World Championship
• Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. Bobby Lashley vs. LA Knight vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul: Elimination Chamber match for a World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XL

John Cena recently shocked fans when he opened his first-ever OnlyFans page. That free account is in conjunction with the upcoming Ricky Stanicky movie, which will drop on Amazon Prime on March 7. Now, Randy Orton is commenting on this bold marketing strategy.

Randy Orton Reacts

Although John Cena’s OnlyFans page is a joke account for the Ricky Stanicky movie, it certainly got a lot of attention. When Orton saw that Cena is on OnlyFans now, he had a very clever reaction. 

…like you’ve never seen me before.
Subscribe at the link in bio. @onlyfans pic.twitter.com/QporD1YRm2

— John Cena (@JohnCena) February 22, 2024

Orton saw Cena’s post, and he had a hilarious answer. He also obviously knows some of the OnlyFans lingo, as he asked the 16x World Champion if he would like to “collab.”

Let’s collab

Let’s collab! https://t.co/oxXuPdUloz

— Randy Orton (@RandyOrton) February 23, 2024

John Cena also saw this tweet from Orton. He responded to say, “Excited to create some content together! DM for more!”

Excited to create some content together!
DM for more! ?

??? https://t.co/8me57F6jDl

— John Cena (@JohnCena) February 23, 2024

What’s Next

Randy Orton is on the road to WrestleMania 40, even though he doesn’t have a match yet. He may just take a pit stop in order to shoot some content with Cena, but it’s very likely that this was all in good fun, and they’re not serious at all.

In the meantime, John Cena’s WrestleMania hopes for this year are not over. I was able to exclusively report that the 16x World Champion is trying to do something on the grandest stage of them all this year, although nothing is locked in yet.

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

WrestleMania 40 is set to go down at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on April 6 and 7. With Royal Rumble winners Cody Rhodes and Bayley having already staked their claims for WrestleMania, the lineup is taking shape. John Cena might also grace the grandest stage of them all in Philly, if they can make things work.

John Cena and WrestleMania 40 (Exclusive)

John Cena and Charlotte Flair were both spotted at the WWE Performance Center on Feb 22nd. The Queen is still recovering from knee surgery, but Cena’s situation is a very different one.

Cena took off from WWE once again to make a return to work in Hollywood the moment he could after the SAG-AFTRA Strike ended. He has a couple of projects in the pipeline, and he’s doing promotion for Ricky Stanicky’s March 7th release. That promotion also saw Cena open his very first OnlyFans page.

The fact that Cena showed up at the WWE Performance Center was very interesting, especially since we’re on the road to WrestleMania. After all, Cena had to have surgeries on both arms after his Crown Jewel match against Solo Sikoa. As of this writing, Cena has not been advertised for the show of shows, but that could change.

After asking around, I was told by a tenured member of the creative team that John Cena is “trying to make it in” for WrestleMania XL “to do something.” Nothing is confirmed yet, but it is not out of the picture.

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

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 23, 2024

What’s Next For John Cena

While speaking on the Howard Stern Show, John Cena said a lot. He addressed the allegations on Vince McMahon from Janel Grant’s blockbuster lawsuit. Cena addressed the fact that he has remained clean from PEDs as well.

The 47-year-old shoo-in WWE Hall of Famer has also made it clear that he plans to retire from the ring by the time he’s 50. That only leaves a few years for Cena’s in-ring career if he sticks to that goal.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of WrestleMania 40’s build, and everything else that comes with it. Keep checking back for more updates as more information is available.

Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling. February 23 will see two pre-taped shows tonight for wrestling fans. AEW Rampage and WWE SmackDown were both filmed ahead of time. Of course, Rampage is usually taped, but SmackDown is in the can because the roster is in Australia for Elimination Chamber.

Coming up on February 24, Elimination Chamber kicks off bright and early at 5:00 am for fans on the East Coast, as the event takes place in Perth, Australia.

WWE

– Austin Theory got some attention for an interview he did in Australia. Theory got pretty angry and threatened a reporter because they disrespected pro wrestling.

– Hulk Hogan’s son, Nick, is not over his DUI case yet. He has a court date set now.

– John Cena and Charlotte Flair were spotted at the WWE Performance Center. Charlotte posted a photo of them together, while claiming that the photo was taken on Feb 22.

– Bobby Roode admitted that he will never wrestle full-time again. At this point, he is a WWE producer. I am told he is thriving in that position.

– A new report from WrestleVotes claims that WWE is eyeing a WrestleMania collaboration with Sylvester Stallone.

– It turns out that Brock Lesnar was not 100% removed from WWE 2K24. He won’t be a regular playable character, but he’s still in the game files.

– You can check out the full spoiler post for tonight’s SmackDown here, since it was pre-taped last week.

Full WWE SmackDown Card:

• Bron Breakker WWE SmackDown Debut
• The Street Profits vs. Authors of Pain
• Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne vs. ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh
• LA Knight vs. Drew McIntyre

AEW

– Apparently, AEW is kayfabing injuries now. Fightful Select reported that whole Hangman Page injury scare was a work.

– For the record, Jerry Lynn, who is a producer for the company, was not happy about Hangman’s kayfabe injury leaking.

– AEW had to change their plan for Sting on Dynamite this week due to his father’s passing.

– There was a bit of chaos backstage at AEW Dynamite this week, because they had to change several plans, including one for Jeff Hardy.

– AEW’s Forbidden Door event is coming to Arthur Ashe Stadium this year.

Full AEW Rampage Card:

• The Young Bucks vs two local talents
• Mariah May vs Anna Jay
• Roderick Strong vs Jake Hager
• Top Flight (Darius Martin & Dante Martin) & Action Andretti vs Penta El Zero Miedo, Komander & Bryan Keith and Matt Sydal & Private Party

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

• WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth is scheduled for next Saturday, February 24.
• 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.

It was a big day for John Cena. Not only did he open his first OnlyFans page, but he was apparently at the WWE Performance Center today. A selfie with Charlotte Flair, who is out of action with an injury, seems to have given that away.

John Cena Spotted At The WWE Performance Center

John Cena and Charlotte Flair were both spotted together at the WWE Performance Center. This takes place during a time when they are both on a hiatus from the company.

Cena left WWE after WWE Crown Jewel, because Hollywood’s SAG-AFTRA Strike ended. That left a door open for him to return to his real job, which is a movie star. He’s been working hard, making interview rounds, as he recently dropped by the Howard Stern show with an explosive interview.

Charlotte Flair has been out of action for a couple of months with a knee injury. She will be on the shelf for several more months, but The Queen apparently took a drive to the WWE Performance Center today.

Recently, Flair posted a photo on her Instagram alongside Cena, taken at ringside in the Capitol Wrestling Centre, and the NXT logo was visible in the background.

“Went for a drive today!?? @johncena.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C3qo7IFM0dq

What’s Next

Given that the CWC is housed within the WWE Performance Center, Flair’s visit could have been part of her rehabilitation from a knee injury or for other reasons. She is working hard on her comeback, and odds are she will be back as soon as possible.

Cena has previously expressed his interest in visiting the Performance Center to observe talent, and he’s a mentor as well. You also never know if he could be gearing up for some sort of huge surprise on the road to WrestleMania XL.

While Flair is sidelined from WrestleMania 40 due to her injury, Cena’s participation in the Mania event remains uncertain. Fans will have to wait to see if The Champ will appear in Philadelphia or not. SEScoops will have more information on this story as it is available. 

Adam Page has faced several injuries during his career, so fans were worried about his status this week after AEW Dynamite. While it seemed he sustained an injury on Dynamite this week, it was later disclosed to be all part of the show. 

Hangman Page’s Kayfabe Injury

During this week’s AEW Dynamite main event, AEW World Champion Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, and Brian Cage faced FTW Champion HOOK, “Hangman” Adam Page, and RVD. Fans were quick to notice a moment where Adam Page appeared to twist his ankle as he got out of Samoa Joe’s Muscle Buster. Post-show footage captured Page limping backstage, and Hangman said his foot was, “bad.”

Dave Meltzer initially reported Page’s ankle injury. Then, Fightful Select corrected this as it was stated that Adam Page was simply playing his part for the audience.

Jeremy Lynn expressed his frustration on Twitter regarding a report debunking Adam Page’s injury. Lynn emphasized his disappointment, suggesting it would have been better kept as a secret until next week.

”This shouldn’t even be announced. God forbid we have a cliff hanger for next week.”

This shouldn’t even be announced. God forbid we have a cliff hanger for next week. https://t.co/HKDlFvQed6

— Jerry Lynn (@itsjerrylynn) February 22, 2024

What’s Next

We will have to see how AEW uses this storyline. Since Jerry Lynn said that fans should have waited until next week, odds are Tony Khan has some kind of follow up in the pipeline. Only time will tell if this leak about Page will change AEW’s creative direction.

SEScoops will keep a close eye on this story for further updates.

John Cena has been seen on WWE stages all around the world, and he is a box office heavyweight at this point. Now, the 16x World Champion can be seen on OnlyFans, but it’s in a very interesting way.

Cena is on OnlyFans

Cena has been in many movies over the years with various promotional tactics. His upcoming film Ricky Stanicky looks like a great R-Rated comedy, and they are taking to OnlyFans to promote the movie.

John Cena took to Twitter/X, where he had a big announcement to make. He’s on OnlyFans now, and the link was in his bio.

…like you’ve never seen me before. Subscribe at the link in bio. @onlyfans

…like you’ve never seen me before.
Subscribe at the link in bio. @onlyfans pic.twitter.com/QporD1YRm2

— John Cena (@JohnCena) February 22, 2024

The OnlyFans page is not for Cena, but his character, Ricky Stanicky. It is also free to subscribe and currently features a short movie of Cena licking a dirty cardboard box on the ground. He’s also wearing a dress in the video. Yes, 2024 is a very interesting time to be alive.

What is Ricky Stanicky?

Ricky Stanicky is an upcoming movie featuring John Cena, Zac Efron, Andrew Santino, and Anja Savcic. The story revolves around an imaginary friend named Ricky Stanicky who comes to life. Cena plays Ricky Stanicky in the flick.

Three childhood friends created Ricky Stanicky twenty years ago and still use him as an excuse for their immature behavior. When their partners become suspicious and insist on meeting Ricky, the friends hire washed-up actor Rod to impersonate him. However, Rod’s portrayal goes too far, causing the friends to regret ever inventing Ricky in the first place.

We will have to see how this movie does, but it will be available on Amazon Prime on March 7th.

People love a good video game story, and this is certainly a controversial one. The allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE and John Laurinaitis spilled into the video game world, as 2k was forced to make a change. Despite the appearance that Brock Lesnar was removed from the game, he is still in the files.

Brock Lesnar is Not Totally Removed

WWE 2K24’s roster dropped this week, and Brock Lesnar was missing. This was a very interesting omission from the game, but it was also too late in the process to remove him completely.

According to Mike Straw at Insider Gaming, Brock Lesnar is still in the files of the game. He just won’t be a playable character.

Despite being unplayable, his character and game files are still within WWE 2K24. That means that there will be ways for those with the ability to get him to become playable, it’ll just take some work to make it happen.

Since Brock Lesnar is still in the files of the game, odds are it won’t take long for someone to break into the game and insert him into their regular gameplay. 

Reason For Brock Lesnar’s Removal

Janel Grant’s lawsuit alleges that in July 2021, Vince McMahon directed Janel Grant to create personalized sexual content for a WWE superstar he wanted to re-sign.
The lawsuit did not identify the wrestler but described them as both a UFC fighter and WWE talent. Given the timeline of 2021, it’s relatively straightforward to narrow down those options, although Brock Lesnar was not mentioned.

According to the lawsuit, McMahon shared explicit photos with the WWE Superstar, who expressed approval, stating, “he likes what he sees.”

In December of the same year, McMahon allegedly provided Grant’s personal cellphone number to the unnamed WWE Superstar. The lawsuit alleges that the wrestler requested a video of her urinating, and after she complied, he used derogatory language, referring to her as ‘b*tch.’ A meetup was planned, but they never followed through with it due to travel issues.

What’s Next For Brock Lesnar in WWE

Brock Lesnar was supposed to have a match against Dominik Mysterio at Elimination Chamber, and then he was going to face GUNTHER at WrestleMania. Neither of those matches are happening.

Lesnar was also pulled from the 2024 Royal Rumble match, and Bron Breakker took his spot as a last-minute replacement. That also marked Breakker’s official call-up, although he still has things to settle in NXT first. 

Brock Lesnar is not in any WWE creative plans. I asked around about his status, and I was told that the only people speaking his name are high up in the food chain, and it is not in any regard to bringing him back. At this point, the belief within WWE is that the Beast Incarnate may be done in WWE.

WrestleMania history is dotted with incredible appearances and celebrity guests. This years’ grandest stage of them all will be no exception, as the company is looking to bring Sylvester Stallone in for something.

WWE Targeting Sylvester Stallone

WWE has a lot of plans for WrestleMania, and they like to do things special to the location every year. Since they are going to be in the City of Brotherly Love, they are aiming for a massive name to come in.

According to WrestleVotes, WWE is very interested in having Sylvester Stallone in for WrestelMania in Philadelphia. It’s not clear how far along those discussions are at this time, or what kind of role the Rocky actor may have. 

Sources within WWE indicate there is interest in collaborating with Sylvester Stallone for WrestleMania in some form. While any communication status is unclear, I’m told there’s hope for it. Whether it ultimately ends up happening or not is to be determined.Stallone, born in NYC, gained fame through the iconic Rocky films, deeply associated with Philadelphia.

Additionally, Stallone is no stranger to the WWE world, having inducted Hulk Hogan into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

Sources within WWE indicate there is interest in collaborating with Sylvester Stallone for WrestleMania in some form. While any communication status is unclear, I’m told there's hope for it. Whether it ultimately ends up happening or not is to be determined. Stallone, born in…

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) February 22, 2024

WrestleMania 40 Date, Location, & Card

WrestleMania 40 is set to unfold at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on April 6 and 7. Following the declarations from Royal Rumble victors Cody Rhodes and Bayley regarding their WrestleMania aspirations, the event’s lineup is beginning to take shape.

More matches, such as Jimmy Uso vs Jey Uso, and many more, are expected for the show. So far, Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes and Bayley vs IYO Sky are the only matches confirmed for the show of shows.

AEW Dynamite was an interesting show this week. There was a bit of chaos surrounding changes that needed to be made to the show Then former AEW World Champion Adam “Hangman” Page suffered an injury during a multi-man tag team match later on. Now, we have some new information about that story.

https://twitter.com/AIRGold_/status/1760513335630422314

Hangman Page’s Current Situation

During the conclusion of the February 21 episode of AEW Dynamite, Hangman Page caused concern among fans when he appeared to be injured. He landed on his feet as he got out of a Muscle Buster from Samoa Joe.

Page did not return to the match, and he appeared to be in a lot of pain. RVD later took a choke and lost the match, as the AEW World Champion won the match for his team.

After holding his ankle and signaling for the cameras to refrain from filming him, Hangman was assisted backstage while visibly limping. 

However, Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that this was part of a scripted angle, and Hangman was uninjured once he reached the backstage area.

We’re told this could be worked into the show now, but upon returning to the backstage area, Page was completely fine. One talent used a phrase that has often been used in situations like this “yeah, he’s okay. He’s just good at his job.”

What’s Next

We will have to see how AEW uses this injury angle in their storyline. They just brought Jennifer Pepperman in as their new VP of Content, and she was with WWE as a Senior Writer for years. 

As of now, AEW has not released an official update regarding Hangman Page’s status. SEScoops will have ongoing coverage of this story.

https://twitter.com/AIRGold_/status/1760579959016345713

AEW put on a Dynamite in Oklahoma this week, and they delivered the best show they could. That being said, it also came with a fair amount of changes along the way.

AEW Changes Plan

AEW had to change their plan for Sting on Dynamite this week due to his father’s passing. That is not all, because Jeff Hardy also couldn’t be on the show.

Sammy Guevara faced Jeff Hardy in a singles match during the recent AEW Rampage tapings. Unfortunately, the match caused concern about Hardy possibly suffering a concussion, as Guevara’s knee collided with Hardy’s face during a Shooting Star Press that went wrong. In the end, Hardy suffered a broken nose, which was not a concussion, but it still wasn’t great news.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer mentioned that Jeff Hardy was expected to have a significant role on this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, but those plans were ultimately canceled.

”Jeff Hardy was actually supposed to be on the show, and in a key role. One of the reasons why so little was announced was because they didn’t know if Sting would be able to come. The Jeff Hardy and Trent Beretta was supposed to be a singles match against Orange Cassidy. I don’t know why, but it had been built it. Not announced, because they announced that Trent was injured, but they didn’t announce it.”

“They were waiting until, basically, today, and that’s when they put Mike Bennett in that spot. I was told it was very chaotic backstage. I was told that the reason why they didn’t announce anything was because they didn’t know if they could do what they wanted to do, and they didn’t want to false advertise.”

More on AEW’s Changing Plan

AEW had to pivot in a big way this week, and there were a couple of things that didn’t go according to plan. Hangman Page also suffered an apparent injury, as he said his foot was badly hurt.

AEW has one more Dynamite after this before AEW Revolution on March 3rd. Only time will tell what AEW does 

Sting means a lot to pro wrestling fans, and they are all ready for the road for his big retirement match at AEW Revolution. Sadly, his father passed away this week, which took priority over his commitments to Tony Khan’s company this week.

Sting’s Plans Changed

During this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Sting and Darby Allin appeared via video to address The Young Bucks’ attack on Sting’s sons in a previous episode. The WWE Hall of Famer was not actually in the building this week, but there was a very good reason for his absence due to his father’s passing.

Ric Flair was spotted backstage with The Young Bucks, suggesting a potential betrayal of Sting at AEW Revolution. In the end, Sting was not on the show, but that was not the original plan.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed AEW’s intentions for Sting on Dynamite. There was a plan for The Icon to be on the show, but they had to change those plans when his father passed away. 

“Originally, Sting and Darby were going to be on the show doing something, whatever they were gonna do. That needed to be taken off, because they had shot all that at Sting’s house in the Dallas area, I think.”

Ric Flair shares his… disappointment in Sting's final match at #AEWRevolution?

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@RicFlairNatrBoy pic.twitter.com/2PdQc1vxZZ

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 22, 2024

Christian Cage Controversy

It was also noted that Christian Cage and Daniel Garcia’s segment right after that may have needed an alteration, but it carried on anyway. Christian went into one of his “dead dad” promos on Garcia, and he even dropped an address in the process that is a legit cemetery. Meltzer noted that this segment may have been in poor taste, considering the fact that they had just announced that Sting’s father passed away this week.

Many fans also chimed in on Twitter/X to share the sentiment that the Christian Cage segment could have been saved until next week.

https://twitter.com/EttenGregory/status/1760509179045769548

What’s Next

Sting has been a part of the AEW family for over three years and currently plays a significant role in one of AEW’s major storylines. His recent appearance on Dynamite, however, didn’t go as planned. They were able to figure out how to progress his storyline despite his absence. 

AEW Revolution will still see Darby Allin and Sting team up against The Young Bucks in Sting’s final match. We will have to see how the company continues to build toward that match.

Our thoughts go out to Sting’s family during this time as they go through this terrible loss. 

WWE is concentrated on the Australian market right now, as Elimination Chamber is going down in Perth on February 24th. That comes with a fair amount of media for those Superstars, and it seems that one interview did not go well at all.

Austin Theory Puts His Foot Down

During an interview with The West Australian in anticipation of the upcoming premium live event in Australia, Austin Theory found himself in a heated exchange. The conversation was initially casual, but things took a serious turn when the editor-in-chief of The West Australian, Anthony De Ceglie, made some disrespectful remarks about wrestling.

De Ceglie went as far as to assert that wrestling lacked the toughness found in Australian Rules football or Rugby League. This remark deeply offended Theory, prompting him to abandon his on-screen persona and react angrily to defend the pro wrestling business.

“You brought me here and you’re going to talk to me like this? Just cause you’re in charge of some sh*t doesn’t mean you can talk to me like this. You’re saying what I do is easy and you’re in front of all of your people talking about my job is easy … you couldn’t walk a damn day in my shoes. Are you kidding me man? I will smack the sh*t outta you right now. I’m not playing around. Y’all bring me all the way out here for some media and this guy is talking his f*cking head off. What’s his problem?”

Security intervened to defuse the escalating tension between Theory and the journalist, ensuring the situation did not get out of hand. Things certainly escalated quickly.

Repeated History

This is interesting, because just a month ago, Theory’s partner, Grayson Waller, had a confrontation with a production assistant on an Australian morning talk show for disrespecting him.

The hosts of the show requested that Waller, who was with LA Knight for the interview, perform his finishing move on someone. He didn’t appreciate the sentiment. Now, a similar incident has surfaced just before Elimination Chamber 2024.

Welcome to a new feature we’re running here at SEScoops, the Daily Drop – a rundown of the top news and rumors in wrestling. TNA Wrestling has their February 22 show tonight, but AEW and WWE fans have the night off from shows. That doesn’t mean there is any lack of news.

Elimination Chamber starts at 5:00 am for fans in the East Coast on Feb 24, as the event goes down in Perth, Australia. Here is a rundown of the start times.

• WrestleMania Countdown: 46 days away

WWE

– I was told that there was actually never a creative plan for Jey Uso to win the IC Title from GUNTHER. They way it went down with GUNTHER retaining on the road to WrestleMania is always what was supposed to happen. Also, WWE has settled on an opponent for GUNTHER at WrestleMania. I specially asked if Sami Zayn is taking on the Ring General, and was told, “no spoilers” in response.

– WWE announced a new event for WrestleMania week. “Evening with a Legend” will feature Booker T and tickets are available for sale now.

– It was confirmed that Ken Shamrock is coming back to a WWE 2K game. He will be a playable legend for the new release. 

– Randy Orton was asked about Vince McMahon’s allegations while speaking to SI. He was quite candid about how heartbreaking the whole thing is. 

– John Cena also had something to say about Vince’s allegations. He also made it clear that he will always love McMahon.

– Also, while appearing on the Howard Stern Show, John Cena addressed any accusations about steroid use throughout his career. He stands by the story that he is clean.

– Scott Hall’s daughter dropped a pretty epic unseen video. This included Triple H and Kevin Nash, and at the time company lines separated them. During that period, Hall & Nash were with WCW, while Triple H remained with WWE.

AEW

– Wardlow fired off a pretty good shot at CM Punk this week on Dynamite. He took credit for physically breaking Punk down, and we all know he’s currently out of action with an injury.

– Tony Khan clapped back at O’Shea Jackson Jr’s comments about AEW. 

– AEW’s Ric Flair has a biopic coming out. The Rock’s Seven Bucks Productions is going to produce it as well, so that could be a must-see project.

– AEW picked up recently departed WWE Senior Writer Jennifer Pepperman as their new VP of Content Development. It was a surprise when she left WWE. Her background in soap operas also saw her win Emmy Awards. I previously reported that the internal feeling within WWE was that Pepperman already had a job waiting for her when she departed from WWE.

I was told that Jennifer Pepperman's departure from WWE was "totally unexpected" to those backstage. She will be missed too.

There is a belief that she already has a job lined up elsewhere.

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 15, 2024

– Ric Flair showed up on AEW Dynamite this week as the company continues to build hype for Sting’s last match at Revolution. 

– AEW added to their Revolution pay-per-view, as Daniel Garcia stepped up to challenge Christian Cage for the TNT Title.

– Adam “Hangman”  Page hurt his foot during AEW Dynamite this week. He commented on it after the show. It is apparently a bad situation. 

TNA & NWA

– Billy Corgan announced an exclusive streaming deal with The CW, making NWA programs available for free on The CW app. This partnership aims to broaden NWA’s audience and showcase its authenticity. Additionally, a new unscripted series about Corgan’s life will debut on The CW. 

You can check out the updated lineup for Thursday’s episode of TNA Impact below:

• The System (Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards & Moose) vs. Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight
• Chris Sabin vs. Jason Hotch
• Steve Maclin vs. Trent Seven
• Simon Gotch in action
• Ash By Elegance in action

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

• WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth is scheduled for next Saturday, February 24.
• 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.

There are many controversial figures in pro wrestling, but few utilize their social media platform like Val Venis to spread his own message, albeit a very radical one. He is far from finished spouting his own version of the truth on Twitter/X, even though his account is certainly shadow-banned at this point. 

Val Venis’ Social Media History

Val Venis has not been quiet on his Twitter/X account when it comes to his beliefs. He made a bold statement that he isn’t returning to pro wrestling because of the “LGBTQ+++XYZ Nutjobs.” That is just scratching the surface, as his account is constantly pouring out political posts.

In the past, Venis has called out The Rock for selling his soul. Now, he’s adding John Cena and Cody Rhodes as his target.

Venis Takes Aim At Cody Rhodes, John Cena and The Rock

In recent memory, he has taken some serious shots at Cody Rhodes and his alliance with the LGBTQ+ community. The Big Valbowski previously said that, “HEY @CodyRhodes! Maybe think before you “affirm” would be a better idea. Promote Jesus. Not mental disorders.”

There were many posts directed at Cody Rhodes from Val Venis. One even lumped John Cena and The Rock with him, as the former IC Champion claimed that they sold their souls to the devil.

FACT: Both @JohnCena and @TheRock sold their souls to the same cartel of communist comrades that stole the brains out of the heads of @CodyRhodes fans.

FACT: Both @JohnCena and @TheRock sold their souls to the same cartel of communist comrades that stole the brains out of the heads of @CodyRhodes fans.#FactsMatter

— Val Venis™ (The Big Valbowski™) (@ValVenisEnt) February 21, 2024

For the record, Val also posted, “Ha! I am a retired free agent. I can say what I want, when I want and how I want. It would be prudent for leftist mental midgets to hit the unfollow button if they wish not to be triggered by truth.” So, it seems that he’s not going to sweat any negative backlash he receives.

Ha! I am a retired free agent. I can say what I want, when I want and how I want. It would be prudent for leftist mental midgets to hit the unfollow button if they wish not to be triggered by truth.

— Val Venis™ (The Big Valbowski™) (@ValVenisEnt) February 21, 2024

Val Venis Claims He’s Being Erased

Val Venis recently made headlines when he called out WWE 2k24 for erasing him from history. He’s not the only one who got the axe, because Brock Lesnar and Vince McMahon were also taken out of the game.

We will have to see if Venis re-appears in WWE any time soon, but it’s not likely at this point. He also doesn’t need pro wrestling to pay the bills. He made it very clear that he has a stable living in the cannabis industry. 

Michael Chandler stepped out of the UFC world to take part in WWE RAW this week. He was in the crowd, and he had a lot to say. Luckily for the UFC fighter, he was also handed a live microphone without a script.

Chandler Speaks On WWE RAW Appearance

Michael Chandler, who is usually recognized for his prowess on the microphone in the MMA realm, left a significant mark on RAW this week. Chandler delivered a speech on the show, shedding light on whether it was scripted.

In this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW, UFC Lightweight contender Michael Chandler issued a challenge to Conor McGregor for a fight inside the Octagon. Concluding his impassioned appeal with the phrase, “See you at the top!”

In an interview on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Michael Chandler dove deeper into his time on the mic during WWE RAW, revealing that he strained his voice during the promo.

“I actually strained my voice during Monday Night Raw,” he explained. “Before going on, a producer mentioned, ‘Hey, this microphone has a gate.’ I asked, ‘What does that mean?’ They replied, ‘It means you need to speak up.’ I didn’t think it would be an issue. The moment seized me, and a star was born. While it was planned for me to be at Raw, it was the first time UFC and WWE were blending crowds, bringing in fighters. Placed in the front row, I took initiative.”

When questioned if he deviated from the script during the promo, Chandler disclosed that he improvised the entire speech without any scripted guidance.

“Two minutes before, they said they were going to put the camera on me. I said, ‘Why don’t you give me the microphone?’ ‘Hold on, let me run it up the flag pole.’ About a minute later, ‘You’re going on and you’ll get the microphone if you want it.’ Magic happened. There was nothing prepared. I was thrown into the fire. Smacked myself a couple of times, and we went.”

Who Was Behind Michael Chandler’s WWE RAW Appearance? (Exclusive)

After Michael Chandler appeared on RAW for his call-out of Conor McGregor, I asked around about who made these plans. I was told that he did not have any type of script, and the booking was done through TKO.

Since WWE and AEW have the same parent company, there is a very good chance that fans will see more crossover segments like this. Chandler certainly made the most of his time with a microphone on live television. 

Also, this goes without saying, but I asked whether Michael Chandler calling out Conor McGregor on WWE RAW this week was scripted. I was told that, "TKO handled that."

WWE fans may expect even more things like that in the future, because it certainly gained attention for UFC…

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 20, 2024

WWE 2K24 is on the way, and we just got the full roster reveal today. That being said, not everyone is happy about the upcoming game. Now, ECW legend Francine is threatening to take things to court.

Francine is Not Happy

A recent tweet has garnered the interest of a former WWE/ECW star. This all started when 2K dropped a sneak peek of Liv Morgan’s entrance on Twitter/X.

On Wednesday, 2K Games shared a tweet featuring a clip of Liv Morgan’s entrance in the WWE 2K24 video game, accompanied by the caption: “Queen of Extreme @YaOnlyLivvOnce #FirstLook #WWE2K24.”

You Only Liv Once @YaOnlyLivvOnce #FirstLook #WWE2K24 pic.twitter.com/yfCk4ULNzG

— #WWE2K25 (@WWEgames) February 21, 2024

This tweet caught the attention of Francine, renowned for her work as a valet, who holds the trademark rights to “Queen of Extreme.” Francine, who was associated with ECW from 1995 to 2001 and WWE from 2005 to 2006, issued a legal warning to 2K Games. She apparently didn’t appreciate the gimmick infringement on her intellectual property. 

“I have The Queen of Extreme trademarked. Do you need something sent to you guys again from my lawyer?”

Hey @WWEgames I have The Queen of Extreme trademarked. Do you need something sent to you guys again from my lawyer?

— Francine (@ECWDivaFrancine) February 21, 2024

As of this writing, 2K has taken down the tweet and replaced it. Liv Morgan has also refrained from speaking on the matter. Francine could be serious, but odds are she was just making it clear that there is only one true Queen of Extreme.

WWE 2K24 Release Date

The upcoming WWE 2K24 game is now available for pre-order on various platforms, including Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X on March 8th. It offers standard, deluxe, and cross-gen digital editions, along with a special WWE 2K24 Forty Years of WrestleMania edition.

Update: Liv Morgan Responds

Liv Morgan saw this situation, and how 2K had to delete that original tweet. Then she responded by mentioning her new self-appointed nickname that would not infringe on any trademark.

Queen of extremely absurd physical feats ?? https://t.co/d0gDM0okKr

— LIV Morgan (@YaOnlyLivvOnce) February 21, 2024

John Cena is a 16x World Champion, and he is known for his impressive physique as well. That has brought the question of whether Cena ever used steroids or other performance enhancing drugs, and this is an issue that still remains. Cena had the opportunity to address this subject today, and he didn’t waste that chance as he spoke to The King of All Media.

John Cena Addresses Steroids

John Cena, who is known for his ripped abs and chiseled muscles throughout his pro wrestling journey from OVW to WWE’s main roster, addressed inquiries about steroid use during an interview on the Howard Stern Show.

In response to questions about his drug regimen, Cena firmly stated, “The profession calls for it. Yeah, you gotta lift folks and throw them.” When pressed further by Stern about his natural status, Cena reiterated, “Still. Yeah, still.”

Regarding the potential benefits of performance-enhancing drugs, Stern speculated on the impact they might have had on Cena’s physique, prompting Cena to weigh in on the matter. He cautioned about the risks associated with such substances, stating, “There’s risk-reward there. You know, if you hit the gas pedal too early, you can get a lot of bad stuff happen long-term.” He went on to expand on his point, as he maintained the stance that he is 100% clean.

“Like you said, I know it’s important. I love it. It’s kind of like my meditation. It’s a place that I have to be present. Or else you’re gonna get hurt. So, in being present and exerting yourself physically, I just feel less stressed when I leave. Like, I don’t worry about anything while I’m in there except what I’m doing. And then I ended up leaving calmer and in a better place. And when I walked in.”

John Cena’s Workout Regiment 

While reflecting on his fitness routine, Cena likened working out to meditation, noting, “It’s a place that I have to be present. Or else you’re gonna get hurt.” He emphasized the mental benefits of exercise, saying, “I just feel less stressed when I leave. Like, I don’t worry about anything while I’m in there except what I’m doing.”

When asked about advice he received early in his career regarding steroid use, Cena revealed, “Not really. I’ve been 225 pounds since I was 17 years old.” He attributed his physique to years of dedicated weightlifting, stating, “I started lifting at 13. And I guess that’s why I never needed it.”

The shoo-in WWE Hall of Famer also stressed the importance of monitoring his health, Cena discussed his regular bloodwork and its significance in assessing his fitness. He elaborated on the role of testosterone levels, saying, “It’s an indicator of, like, how much my body can repair itself, how much I can build.”

Cena reaffirmed his commitment to natural fitness, stating, “I’ve gotten 46-47 years without it, and I have it in the bank like a fire escape thing to break open and hopefully give me another 20 years of fitness.”

The subject of performance enhancing drugs in sports will never go away. Perhaps, John Cena was able to silence some of his skeptics with his frank responses to Howard Stern’s questions.

WWE 2K24 will release in just a matter of weeks. On Wednesday, 2K revealed the complete WWE 2K24 roster, which includes over 200 playable characters.

2K has unveiled the highly anticipated playable roster for WWE 2K24, spanning a wide array of wrestling legends, current stars, and promising newcomers. The roster features an extensive lineup categorized into Legends/Alumni, Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Valhalla, and Managers.

With a diverse and expansive roster, WWE 2K24 promises to deliver an immersive and thrilling gaming experience for wrestling fans worldwide.

RAW & SmackDown

RAW’s roster showcases current stars like Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, and John Cena, alongside rising talents like Dexter Lumis and Damian Priest. 

SmackDown features familiar faces such as Roman Reigns, Charlotte Flair, and AJ Styles, along with promising newcomers like Ridge Holland and LA Knight.

• AJ Styles
• Akira Tozawa
• Alba Fyre
• Alexa Bliss
• Angelo Dawkins
• Ashante “Thee” Adonis
• Asuka
• Austin Theory
• Bayley
• Becky Lynch
• Bianca Belair
• Big E
• Bobby Lashley
• Braun Strowman
• Bronson Reed
• Butch
• Cameron Grimes
• Candice LeRae
• Carmella
• Cedric Alexander
• Chad Gable
• Charlotte Flair
• Chelsea Green
• Cody Rhodes
• Cruz Del Toro
• Dakota Kai
• Damian Priest
• Dexter Lumis
• Dominik Mysterio
• Elton Prince
• Erik
• Finn Balor
• Giovanni Vinci
• Grayson Waller
• Gunther
• Indi Hartwell
• Isla Dawn
• Ivar
• IYO SKY
• JD McDonagh
• Jey Uso
• Jimmy Uso
• Joaquin Wilde
• Johnny Gargano
• Karrion Kross
• Katana Chance
• Kayden Carter
• Kevin Owens
• Kit Wilson
• Kofi Kingston
• LA Knight
• Liv Morgan
• Logan Paul
• Ludwig Kaiser
• Luke Gallows
• Maxxine Dupri
• Michin Mia Yim
• Montez Ford
• MVP
• Natalya
• Nikki Cross
• Omos
• Otis
• Piper Niven
• R-Truth
• Randy Orton
• Raquel Rodriguez
• Rey Mysterio
• Rhea Ripley
• Ricochet
• Ridge Holland
• Robert Roode
• Roman Reigns
• Sami Zayn
• Santos Escobar
• Scarlett
• Seth “Freakin” Rollins
• Shayna Baszler
• Sheamus
• Shinsuke Nakamura
• Shotzi
• Solo Sikoa
• Sonya Deville
• Tamina
• Tegan Nox
• The Miz
• Tommaso Ciampa
• Valhalla
• Xavier Woods
• Xia Li
• Zelina Vega
• Zoey Stark

NXT

NXT’s roster boasts a mix of established names like Apollo Crews and Angel Garza, alongside rising stars like Bron Breakker and Blair Davenport. Valhalla introduces a fresh lineup of characters, including Valhalla and Xavier Woods.

• Andre Chase
• Angel Garza
• Apollo Crews
• Axiom
• Baron Corbin
• Blair Davenport
• Bron Breakker
• Brooks Jensen
• Brutus Creed
• Carmelo Hayes
• Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo
• Cora Jade
• Damon Kemp
• Dijak
• Drew Gulak
• Duke Hudson
• Fallon Henley
• Gigi Dolin
• Humberto
• Ilja Dragunov
• Ivy Nile
• Jacy Jayne
• Jinder Mahal
• Joe Coffey
• Joe Gacy
• Josh Briggs
• Julius Creed
• Nathan Frazer
• Nikkita Lyons
• Noam Dar
• Roxanne Perez
• Sanga
• SCRYPTS
• Thea Hail
• Tiffany Stratton
• Tony D’Angelo
• Trick Williams
• Tyler Bate
• Veer Mahaan
• Wendy Choo
• Wes Lee
• Wolfgang

Legends & Alumni

In the Legends/Alumni category, iconic figures such as “Macho Man” Randy Savage, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Andre The Giant, and Hollywood Hogan make their return. Notable additions include modern legends like Bray Wyatt, The Fiend, and Ronda Rousey, alongside fan favorites such as The Rock, Triple H, and The Undertaker.

• “Macho Man” Randy Savage
• “Ravishing” Rick Rude
• “Rowdy” Roddy Piper
• “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
• “Superstar” Billy Graham*
• Andre The Giant
• Bad Bunny
• Batista
• Beth Phoenix
• Big Boss Man
• Boogeyman
• Booker T
• Bray Wyatt
• Bret “Hitman” Hart
• British Bulldog
• Bruno Sammartino
• Cactus Jack
• Chyna
• Diesel
• Doink The Clown
• Dude Love
• Dusty Rhodes*
• Eddie Guerrero
• Eric Bischoff
• Eve Torres
• Faarooq
• Harley Race
• Hollywood Hogan
• Hulk Hogan
• Jake “The Snake” Roberts
• JBL
• Jerry “The King” Lawler
• Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart
• John Cena
• Kane
• Kevin Nash
• Lita
• Mankind
• Maryse
• Mighty Molly
• Molly Holly
• Muhammad Ali
• Rick Steiner
• Rikishi
• Rob Van Dam
• Ronda Rousey
• Scott Hall
• Scott Steiner
• Shane McMahon
• Shawn Michaels
• Stacy Keibler
• Stephanie McMahon
• Stardust*
• Syxx
• Ted DiBiase
• The Fiend
• The Hurricane
• The Rock
• The Undertaker
• Triple H
• Trish Stratus
• Tyler Breeze
• Ultimate Warrior
• Umaga
• Uncle Howdy
• Vader
• Wade Barrett
• William Regal
• X-Pac
• Yokozuna

Managers

The Managers category includes legendary figures like Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Paul Heyman, providing additional depth to the game’s experience.

• B-Fab
• Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
• Cathy Kelley
• Mick Foley
• Miss Elizabeth
• Paul Bearer
• Paul Heyman
• Theodore Long

DLC Packs & Season Pass

As if the WWE 2K24 Roster wasn’t big enough, 2K has confirmed 25 additional characters will be available across 5 separate DLC packs, or together as part of a Season Pass offering.

Ric Flair has two WWE Hall of Fame rings for a reason. His landmark career broke boundaries and records for years. Now, fans should prepare themselves for a cinematic retelling of his life story. 

Upcoming Ric Flair Movie

The Wrap reports that the project will be produced by The Rock, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia, partnering with Misher Films’ Kevin Misher. Misher and Seven Bucks Productions had previously worked together on “Fighting With My Family,” a movie based on the life of Saraya, also known as WWE’s Paige.

The yet-to-be-named Ric Flair biopic will see The Nature Boy’s story told in a new way on the silver screen. While hyping this upcoming project, Dwayne Johnson said, “As a kid who grew up in professional wrestling, I idolized, ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair. He was a hero to me.” He went on to really expand on The Nature Boy’s career

“He was a hero to me. And once I broke into the wrestling business and began to spill my own sweat and blood – my reverence for Ric turned to respect. Because I realized just how rare and impossible it is to disrupt the wrestling business, culture and truly change the game – and that’s exactly what Ric Flair did. This project is personal, and we can’t wait to tell his unbelievable story. As always, thank you for the house, Ric.”

What’s Next For Ric Flair

Ric Flair is known for his decades-long career, as he holds the record for being a 16-time World Champion. Now that he’s with AEW, Flair remains a captivating figure, no matter what he is doing on Tony Khan’s show.

Flair’s autobiography “To Be The Man…” is still a great read. He also co-wrote “Second Nature,” a second autobiography with his daughter, Charlotte Flair. Only time will tell what stories this new film picks to focus on, because Flair’s career could fill a docuseries by itself. 

AEW doesn’t have the same buzz that they did a few years ago, and that has resulted in a few heated discussions online. Tony Khan has often been known to throw fuel on the fire, which is an interesting look as company President. Now, he is replying to another recent controversy that was sparked by a Straight Outta Compton star.

O’Shea Jackson Jr on AEW fans and what’s missing

“If I’m watching someone on AEW and I ask who is this guy I don’t need you to tell me I’m not a real wrestling fan.”

(Chris Van Vliet interview)pic.twitter.com/Ekd9JaEJN4

— Vick (@Vick_8122) February 20, 2024

AEW Fans Get O’Shea Jackson Jr’s Attention

O’Shea Jackson Jr has been speaking his mind on Twitter/X, and fans have also responded with a lot of aggression. He also spoke to Chris Van Vliet about his opinion on pro wrestling, and that stirred up a bit of backlash.

While speaking to Chris Van Vliet, O’Shea Jackson Jr. expressed his frustration, noting that while he understands some fans may be deeply entrenched in certain wrestling companies, but he feels there’s a lack of inclusivity for those who may not be as familiar. He emphasized the importance of informative storytelling within wrestling programming, similar to how UFC provides background on fighters before matches. O’Shea then highlighted the need for wrestling shows to engage viewers with compelling narratives, rather than solely relying on commentators to provide information while wrestlers make their entrances.

Even when you think it’s been all hate I’ve been giving props too lmao but stay mad. https://t.co/JGthN6K9yx

— O’Shea Jackson Jr (@OsheaJacksonJr) February 21, 2024

Ice Cube’s son also suggested that without this level of engagement, it’s easy for newcomers to pro wrestling to feel alienated, especially when met with backlash for asking questions. Ultimately, he stressed the importance of captivating storytelling to draw in a broader audience.

Thank you all so much. Today has done wonders for my negotiations. I couldn’t have done it without my man @ChrisVanVliet. Anytime you need me brotha let’s make some waves.

I will see you all very very. Soon. Going to enjoy my dinner. Thinking of all of you. God bless. Talk soon pic.twitter.com/5rT7O4eXQA

— O’Shea Jackson Jr (@OsheaJacksonJr) February 21, 2024

Tony Khan Responds

Tony Khan saw what O’Shea Jackson Jr. had to say, and he responded in kind. While taking to Twitter/X, Khan said that hopes that Jackson will check out wrestling in “wider circles” soon.

@OsheaJacksonJr You might enjoy checking out new experiences + entire worlds of international graps out there, I think learning about them is fun. All wrestling is awesome; I hope you enjoy whatever you like, + maybe someday you’ll be interested in wider circles!

@OsheaJacksonJr You might enjoy checking out new experiences + entire worlds of international graps out there, I think learning about them is fun.
All wrestling is awesome; I hope you enjoy whatever you like, + maybe someday you'll be interested in wider circles!#AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/T5lTcPryji

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) February 21, 2024

What’s Next

Tony Khan received some negative feedback from fans after he posted that reply to O’Shea Jackson Jr. It will be interesting to see what is said next, but Jackson doesn’t seem willing to back down from his stance on the discussion.

Pro wrestling fans are very passionate about their favorite company, whether it is WWE, AEW, TNA, NJPW or anywhere else. It can also be a tough fandom to crack, because there is so much someone needs to know in order to really understand everything that is going on. Either way, the important part is that fans enjoy themselves and have fun.

WWE 2K24 is coming soon, and the roster reveals are ongoing. Thanks to a recent announcement, we know that fans won’t have to create Ken Shamrock in this year’s game, because he will be included as a playable legend.

Ken Shamrock is Coming to WWE 2K24

According to the SmackDown Hotel, this is the first main-line WWE video game that Ken Shamrock has appeared in since WWE 2K16 in 2015. He was a part of the legend’s roster for that game.

Shamrock has been on the company’s Supercard game, and he also made a non-WWE affiliated appearance in The Wrestling Code. Now, he is back in a main 2k game.

WWE Games’ posted on Twitter/X to ask fans who they are most excited to see in the game. Along with Shamrock, this post also included Undertaker, The Rock, Triple H, Lita, George “The Animal” Steele, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, and Mankind.

Ken Shamrock is a WWE legend, but he is not a Hall of Famer yet. He was inducted into the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame. Of course, he has touted for his induction in the past, so we will have to see if his inclusion in WWE 2K24 is a sign of that being more of a possibility.

Who are you most excited for in #WWE2K24?

?? Undertaker
? The Rock
? Triple H
? Lita
?George “The Animal” Steele
?Ken Shamrock
?Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat
? Mankind pic.twitter.com/0zHFSaoYXQ

— #WWE2K25 (@WWEgames) February 21, 2024

Showcase of the Immortals Mode

WWE 2K24 will present a Showcase of the Immortals mode, which allows players to replay 21 matches from five decades of WrestleMania history. Each match unlocks upon completing the previous one. The game features iconic battles like Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant, alongside modern clashes such as Becky Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair, providing a comprehensive journey through WrestleMania’s storied past.

With so many amazing moments in WrestleMania history getting a highlight in this game, we will have to see if Ken Shamrock makes an appearance in that feature.

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.

The allegations against Vince McMahon in Janel Grant’s blockbuster lawsuit sent shockwaves in the pro wrestling business that were so massive that mainstream news outlets picked up on the story. Plenty of people have commented on the matter, and now Randy Orton is speaking out as well.

Orton took a very long break from WWE as he had back fusion surgery. By the time he returned at November 2023’s Survivor Series event, things were very different.

Not only was Matt Riddle, his former partner, released from the company, but TKO was also overseeing the operation. The accusations against Vince McMahon were shocking, and Orton saw the news along with everyone else. It was also incredibly troubling news to read.

While speaking to SI, Randy Orton admitted that he wouldn’t be where he is today without Vince, but those allegations were heartbreaking to read. 

“I’ve got to say this–I wouldn’t be where I am without Vince McMahon taking a chance on me a handful of times. I would not be where I am today without Vince McMahon. But, f*ck, I’m reading this sh*t. What you’ve seen and read, I’ve seen and read. As far as commenting on that, it f*cking hurts my heart. It hurts my heart.” 

WWE’s New Era

Orton also commented on the new era of WWE, as he said that so much has happened, especially in the months that he was out of action with a back fusion surgery. In that time, WWE saw new ownership and Vince McMahon left, came back, and now he has departed once again.

“So much happened while I was out. When I left, the old guard was still doing its thing. Vince was still around. TV’s were getting rewritten over and over again. The writers were being held up until all hours in the morning. And all that changed.”

“I am excited to work for WWE. Nick Khan is amazing. Triple H being in charge of creative is amazing. I’ve had a relationship with him for over 20 years. I went to his wedding back in ‘03. We’ve been at odds before when I was a f*cked up when I was young, and I won him back. He’s seen me go from an adolescent assh*le prick who didn’t know what I was doing–I was an insecure punk, that’s what I was. I’m the oldest sibling in my family, but he’s like an older brother to me in many ways. He’s always been there and had the best of advice.”

What’s Next for WWE

Randy Orton is still going strong, as he hits another road to WrestleMania. Only time will tell what kind of match The Viper has on the card, but he will certainly give his all on the show of shows this year. 

Vince McMahon is gone from WWE, and the company is carrying on without him. Efforts are being made to erase as much of The Chairman from company history, and it’s anyone’s guess if that will ever change. 

Bill Simmons’ upcoming six-part docuseries about Vince McMahon will also likely become a breakout success on Netflix. Vince’s story is a troubling tale of success and cutthroat business. The docuseries promised to pull no punches, and it will be interesting to see how this helps WWE RAW’s upcoming Netflix deal.

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Pro wrestling history includes many stories that fans will never know about. Some of those moments were also captured on video, and now Scott Hall’s daughter is sharing one amazing moment that she’s had around all these years.

Unseen Video Of Scott Hall, Triple H, and Kevin Nash

Cassidy, the daughter of Scott Hall, posted TikTok videos showing Scott and the family alongside Triple H and Kevin Nash in 1997. This video was locked away in family video footage, but we are very glad she shared it with us.

At that time, Hall & Nash were part of WCW, while Triple H was still with WWE. This was after Triple H befriended Shawn Michaels and Sean Waltman, who were part of the Kliq, during their time in WWE prior to Hall & Nash’s departure the previous year. Needless to say, this was a very special time in pro wrestling, and this video captures a rare moment.

Along with a TikTok post with this unseen footage, Cassidy also included a shot caption to sum up her video drop.

little throwback to ‘97 with dad, kevin, and paul #scotthall

The KLIQ spanned two companies at that moment of pro wrestling history, as The Outsiders were doing their thing in WCW and Triple H was making a name for himself in WWE. Pro wrestling battle lines didn’t matter as they enjoyed that moment at home.

The Tragic Events Of Scott Hall’s Passing

Scott Hall’s health took a terrible turn in March 2022 when he fell and broke his hip, leading to hospitalization. For several days, he remained incapacitated on the floor until his friend Diamond Dallas Page discovered him during a wellness check. Following this event, Hall underwent hip replacement surgery, but complications arose when a blood clot became dislodged, resulting in three heart attacks on March 12, 2022. He was placed on life support at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia.

On March 14, 2022, with his family by his side at the hospital, the decision was made to remove the WWE Hall of Famer from life support. He passed away approximately 4 to 6 hours later at the age of 63. Later that day, during the WWE RAW episode, the company announced his death and paid tribute to him with a video. He will be forever missed, but his legend will also never fade.