Author Archive

WWE SmackDown Results (5/24): Spoilers From Saudi Arabia

WWE SmackDown is broadcasting from Saudi Arabia this week, leading up to the highly anticipated King & Queen of the Ring event in Jeddah. There is a lot to unpack as we head into this special edition of SmackDown.

Due to the show being aired from Saudi Arabia, there will be a time delay. With that in mind, we have some spoilers for this week’s episode of the blue brand.

This week’s SmackDown card features two semifinal matches in the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. Additionally, there are several other segments lined up to finalize the preparations for the big event.

Below, you can find a spoiler-free SmackDown card for this week’s show.

  • King of the Ring – SmackDown Bracket Semifinals: Tama Tonga vs. Randy Orton
  • Queen of the Ring – SmackDown Bracket Semifinals: Bianca Belair vs. Nia Jax
  • The Street Profits vs. Tonga Loa & Solo Sikoa
  • Bayley vs. Chelsea Green
  • AJ Styles Confronts SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis

  • WWE SmackDown (5/24) Spoilers:
    • Randy Orton, The House of Bloodline, Nia Jax, and Bianca Belair are shown arriving at the show.
    • Triple H announces King & Queen of the Ring winners will earn title opportunities at SummerSlam.
  • Queen of the Ring Semi-Finals: Bianca Belair vs. Nia Jax
    • Winner: Nia Jax
    • Post-Match: Nia boasts about defeating top competitors and aims to become Queen and Champion.
  • Grayson Waller Effect:
    • Carmelo Hayes interrupts, mocks veterans like Bobby Lashley and LA Knight. Then Knight interrupts him, leading to a brawl. Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford intervene.
  • Match: LA Knight, Montez Ford, and Angelo Dawkins vs. Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller, and Austin Theory
    • Winners: LA Knight, Angelo Dawkins, and Montez Ford
  • Cody Rhodes and Logan Paul Confrontation:
    • Cody Rhodes enters the ring but is interrupted by Logan Paul. The Maverick taunts Cody, claiming superiority and intentions to win both titles. Then Cody suggests Logan’s bravado hides insecurities, he said he suffers from Imposter Syndrome, and then he said he believed that he had brass knuckles on him. So, he challenged him to a security check. The brass knuckles were found on Logan as WWE official Ryan Tran checked him out. Logan then said that he was wearing his brother’s pants, because they are Prada. Cody then vowed to beat Logan, as the crowd was 100% behind him.
  • Match: Bayley vs. Chelsea Green (Non-Title)
    • Winner: Bayley with the Rose Plant.
    • Post-match, Piper Niven attacks Bayley with multiple sentons.
  • Bloodline Segment:
    • Paul Heyman informs Solo that Tanga Loa couldn’t cross the border. Solo asserts his authority in Roman’s absence; Tama Tonga declares his return to the Bloodline.
  • Match: Randy Orton vs. Tama Tonga (with Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa) in a King of the Ring Tournament Semifinal Match
    • Winner: Randy Orton
    • After the match, GUNTHER came out to have an intense stare-down with The Viper.

Posted May 24th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

AEW Talent Growing Frustrated Over Lack Of Creative Opportunities

AEW is preparing to celebrate its five-year anniversary, and there are numerous discussions within the company. The extensive roster has resulted in some talent not receiving the opportunities they believe they deserve.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that “AEW creative certainly has questions.” Significant financial investments have been made in certain talent who “has contributed very little.” This shift has led AEW from being “the fun place to work with the great backstage camaraderie when WWE talent for the most part were walking on eggshells.”

Now, the company has devolved into “a place with a lot of frustration from wrestlers making a nice and even great living but not getting anywhere near the ring time nor upward mobility hoped for.” This change reflects growing discontent among the talent.

AEW’s roster was already large, but the company has recently added even more wrestlers. This increase has only intensified the competition for television time. The limited hours of weekly programming cannot accommodate everyone, leading to dissatisfaction among those who are not featured as prominently.

Tony Khan has brought in some notable names over the past year, including Will Ospreay, Jay White, Mercedes Mone, and Kazuchika Okada. They only have so many hours of television every week, and this competition for screen time hasn’t gone over well.

AEW Double or Nothing will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26. SEScoops will have complete coverage of the event.

Posted May 24th, 2024 in AEW.

Report: Eddie Kingston Will Be Out For A Year With Injury

Eddie Kingston lost the NJPW Strong Openweight Title at Resurgence, the final of the triple crown. He also suffered an injury during that match, and the Mad King will be out for about a year.

AEW’s Eddie Kingston met with surgeons today and, due to the nature of his injuries, will likely not go under the knife to repair his ACL and meniscus tears until this July at the earliest.

Kingston relayed to PWInsider.com that he’s been advised that he’ll initially have to wait for his tibia fracture to heal and do some physical therapy before surgeons can then focus on his knee. After the surgery is completed, he’s been advised it will likely be ten months before he’ll be able to return to the ring. That would place his comeback, if there are no changes to the expected timeline, at May 2025.

Kingston told the outlet, “Not mad. I don’t give a f***. It’s what happens when you wrestle. Just gotta get f**king better.”

Kingston was scheduled to participate in the Anarchy In The Arena match at Double or Nothing this weekend in Las Vegas. He was set to join Bryan Danielson and FTR to face The Young Bucks, Okada, and Perry. Then plans changed, as Darby Allin was put in Eddie’s spot.

Allin has also been dealing with his own series of injuries. Following AEW Revolution, he broke his foot in a match against Jay White. Just a few weeks ago, he was hit by a bus in New York City.

We are hoping that Kingston can get back to 100% very soon. He is a huge force for AEW, and the company could certainly use him.

Posted May 23rd, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: , .

Disturbing Video For New Uncle Howdy Stable Interrupts WWE’s Twitch Stream

Something is stirring in the WWE Universe, and the cryptic clues keep coming. The company’s Twitch stream, already a target for mysterious messages, saw another ominous interruption today.

A new hint has emerged about the rumored Bo Dallas-led faction in WWE. This only adds to the growing intrigue surrounding their anticipated arrival.

During a live Twitch stream on WWE’s official channel, viewers saw a series of mysterious visuals and messages. This concluded the stream for the day, and the clip immediately went viral.

The strange portion of the broadcast started with two notes shown on screen. One said, “I can’t wait to meet you,” as the other read, “I will see you all soon.” Then, hands wearing fingerless gloves appeared, holding a note with the message “REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE” along with displayed coordinates. They left this note on a doorstep before running away.

The Upcoming Stable

Four other names are expected to be part of this new faction. Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Erick Rowan are all slated to join the new Wyatt Family fold.

Each of these Superstars has experience as faction members. Cross was part of Sanity, Gacy leads The Schism, Lumis was a member of The Way, and Rowan was an original member of The Wyatt Family.

Uncle Howdy hasn’t been seen on WWE television since he was involved in Bray Wyatt’s story with Bobby Lashley during the build toward their WrestleMania 39 match that never happened. WWE is obviously planning something, and fans will seemingly have an answer to all their questions soon.

Posted May 23rd, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , , , , , .

MJF’s AEW Return Could Happen Sooner Than Expected

Maxwell Jacob Friedman could be nearing a return. This comes during a time when the roster could certainly use his star power. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful discussions have taken place about MJF making an on-screen return to All Elite Wrestling. Even if he’s not yet medically cleared to wrestle, Friedman’s command of the microphone make him a must-see attraction anytime he’s on television. 

You can never have too much star power on television and MJF would be a welcome addition as AEW heads into the summer season. Some changes to MJF’s presentation were reportedly discussed  AEW sources expect him back by Forbidden Door from Long Island. 

MJF

MJF has been out of action since December 30, when his record-breaking AEW World Title reign ended at World’s End. MJF’s last match saw him lose the AEW World Title to Samoa Joe at the December 30, 2023 event. 

Prior to his hiatus, he had been working with many injuries but was determined to finish his reign. Changes were already made to his creative due to Adam Cole’s injury.

MJF is still under AEW contract, and he will be for quite some time. It’s unclear if Maxwell’s last contract extension replaced his former deal, which would have expired on December 31, 2023. Either way, MJF is among the highest earners in AEW.

Posted May 23rd, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: .

Jim Ross Visits The Emergency Room: “Shortness of the breath.”

Wrestling icon Jim Ross was hospitalized on Thursday morning in Norman, Oklahoma. The 72-year-old WWE Hall of Famer says he was taken to the emergency room after having trouble breathing. He provided the following information on social media, citing “shortness of the breath.”

We’ll be sure to follow this developing story and will provide an update here when additional details become available.

Jim Ross has been with All Elite Wrestling since it’s inception. Once the lead announcer doing commentary each week, his on-screen duties have been greatly scaled back in recent years. He’s kept fans apprised of his various health ailments, including several falls and a courageous battle with skin cancer.

Jim Ross, Sting, Tony Schiavone, Ric Flair and Darby Allin backstage at AEW Revolution 2024 

Jim also shared a photo of his daughters, who visited him in the hospital. He did not provide any health update, but his girls certainly love their father.

Following his most surgery in February 2024, JR returned to the commentary booth on March 3, 2024 to call Sting’s retirement match at AEW Revolution.

Jim Ross’ contributions to the wrestling are incalculable. He’s the embodiment of a “living legend” and his ongoing health issues have uncerstandably been met with concern.

SEScoops extends our best wishes to Jim Ross for full and speedy recovery. 

Boomer Sooner!

Posted May 23rd, 2024 in AEW, WWE.

Velveteen Dream Named For New ‘Nation Of Domination’ Over Trick Williams

The Nation of Domination was a controversial stable when it first appeared on WWE television in the 90s, and it would likely be just as provocative today. WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry, a former member of the original group, has now shared his picks for rebuilding the faction in modern-day WWE.

The group responsible in launching The Rock’s career hasn’t seen a new version, although other groups like The Hurt Business and The Pride have come close. There hasn’t been a new Nation of Domination yet, but the World’s Strongest Man has his eye on a few possible members.

Speaking to K & S WrestleFest, Henry discussed his picks for a new Nation of Domination stable and made a surprising choice by picking Velveteen Dream over Trick Williams. While he praised Trick Williams, he felt Williams was too well-liked for the group’s dynamic. Instead, Henry chose Velveteen Dream, also known as Patrick Clark, as his wildcard pick, believing it’s time for Clark to have a second chance in wrestling.

A New Nation of Domination

Nation of Domination alum Mark Henry would include Patrick Clark (Velveteen Dream) in a new Nation over Trick Williams

Henry acknowledged the significance of cancel culture and its role in accountability but stressed the importance of grace and forgiveness.

“Number one draft pick, (Powerhouse) Hobbs, and then number two, Omos, and then I would go Carmelo Hayes and as much as I love Trick Williams, I think that Trick is — he’s too liked. I want people that people don’t like. I want Bobby Lashley. I want people that you just don’t like ‘em. And there’s a lot of young guys that I think could hold up.”

“But, my wildcard would probably be Velveteen Dream, would be Patrick (Clark). I think it’s time for his second chance. A lot of people in the world of wrestling love the talent. We’re in a cancel culture that is justified as so. We need a cancel culture. But, at some point, you gotta have grace and forgiveness and you gotta see if that person is gonna bury themselves again because habitual line steppers, that’s exactly who they are. Once they get that second chance and they’re out, I ain’t cosigning for you no more. But, everybody needs their second chance.”

Mark Henry’s AEW contract is reportedly up very soon. It will be interesting to see what he does next in his pro wrestling career. Henry made his AEW debut on May 30, 2021, at Double or Nothing, where it was announced that he would join the commentary team for the new show AEW Rampage and also serve as a coach.

Patrick Clark’s Controversies

In April 2020, Patrick Clark faced allegations of sending indecent images to underage boys, which he denied. During the Speaking Out movement in June 2020, further accusations emerged that he had inappropriate communications with underage individuals. WWE investigated but found no evidence of wrongdoing. He couldn’t appear on NXT television without #FireVelveteenDream trending. Velveteen Dream was subsequently released from his WWE contract on May 20, 2021, after five months of inactivity.

Clark’s legal issues persisted in August 2022, with two arrests in Florida: one for first-degree battery and trespassing, and another for possessing drug paraphernalia, though these charges were later dropped. After more than three years out of the wrestling spotlight, he made a return on February 18, 2024, at The Dynasty promotion, debuting under the new ring name Velveteen Man. He is working to rehabilitate his image, but he obviously has a long road to redemption ahead of him.

Posted May 23rd, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , , , .

Watch Tony Schiavone Rib Taz At The AEW Commentary Table

Tony Schiavone and Taz have decades of experience in the wrestling business. Their chemistry is evident when they commentate for AEW, but a recent video offers a candid glimpse into their real-life relationship.

In the video recorded at Dynamite, Schiavone playfully mocks Taz by imitating the way he used to wear a towel back in his ECW days. The original FTW Champion was known for taking to the ring with a black towel over his head, and Schiavone couldn’t resist himself.

This lighthearted moment also showed off the genuine camaraderie between the two, a dynamic that fans wouldn’t have imagined prior to AEW. When Taz caught a glimpse of his commentary partner, he had to chuckle.

Taz is a two-time ECW World champion. He competed for the promotion from 1993-1999. His son Hook currently wrestles for AEW.

Learn more about Taz’s wrestling career:

Posted May 22nd, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: , .

Adam Copeland’s Brood-Style Bloodbath Stuns Malakai Black On 5/22 AEW Dynamite

Adam Copeland is widely known for his accomplishments under the Edge moniker in WWE. As a member of The Brood, the WWE Hall of Famer popularized bloodbaths, and he brought that to AEW for the May 22 Dynamite.

During this week’s Dynamite, Malakai Black faced Roderick Strong in a highly competitive match. In the end, Black emerged victorious, but his night took an unexpected turn.

Following his win, the lights in the arena shifted to an ominous red, and music reminiscent of The Brood began playing. Although it wasn’t the exact Brood theme, it sounded strikingly similar. Suddenly, the ceiling opened above Malakai Black, and the House of Black leader was drenched in a crimson bath. While the liquid wasn’t real blood, it was convincingly realistic, leaving Black in a state of shock and anger.

Then the screen revealed Adam Copeland, standing with a look of satisfaction. This dramatic moment set the stage for their upcoming clash at Double or Nothing. The AEW TNT Title will be on the line in a barbed wire steel cage match, with Copeland putting his title on the line.

You can find the card for AEW Double or Nothing below. We will have continued coverage at SEScoops.

  • Roderick Strong (c) vs. Will Ospreay – Singles match for the AEW International Championship
  • “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) (with Luther and Mariah May) vs. Serena Deeb – Singles match for the AEW Women’s World Championship
  • Adam Copeland (c) vs. Malakai Black – Barbed Wire Steel Cage match for the AEW TNT Championship
  • Jon Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Eliminator match
  • Trent Beretta vs. Orange Cassidy – Singles match
  • Chris Jericho (c) (with Big Bill) vs. HOOK vs Katsuyori Shibata – FTW Rules match for the FTW Championship
  • Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Mercedes Moné – Singles match for the AEW TBS Championship
  • The Elite (Kazuchika Okada, Jack Perry, Matthew Jackson, and Nicholas Jackson) vs. Team AEW (Bryan Danielson, Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood, and Darby Allin) – Anarchy in the Arena match
  • Swerve Strickland (c) (with Prince Nana) vs. Christian Cage (with Killswitch, Nick Wayne, and Mother Wayne) – Singles match for the AEW World Championship

Posted May 22nd, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: , , , .

Watch the Custom ‘Mad Max: Furiousa’ Opening Video For AEW Dynamite

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured a custom intro tied in with Warner Bros. Discovery’s new Mad Max movie, Furiosa. 

Tony Khan’s company is known for incorporating outside sponsorships, and this week was no exception. Throughout the broadcast, the new Mad Max film was prominently highlighted, creating a unique experience for viewers.

Commercials for Mad Max: Furiosa aired during every break, ensuring that the film stayed top of mind for fans. But the promotion didn’t stop there. Before Dynamite began, a special mash-up video combining elements of AEW Dynamite and Mad Max: Furiosa was released, further hyping the fans for both the show and the movie.

Mad Max: Furiosa is hitting theaters this Friday. Directed by George Miller, this new movie tells the story of young Furiosa who is taken from the Green Place of Many Mothers by a biker horde led by the warlord Dementus. 

The events of Furiosa serve as a prequel to those of Mad Max: Fury Road. Despite some timeline inconsistencies with the original Mad Max trilogy, Fury Road is considered a spiritual sequel or reboot of the earlier films. 

By integrating the Mad Max: Furiosa campaign into Dynamite, AEW can leverage its audience to create more buzz for the open. This strategic partnership not only entertained fans but also highlighted the synergy between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery,

Posted May 22nd, 2024 in AEW.

The Death Triangle Reunites On 5/22 AEW Dynamite To Set Up Double or Nothing Title Match

AEW has a few key members of their roster on the shelf for one reason or another. This week on AEW Dynamite, the Death Triangle reunited for the first time in months.

The Bang Bang Gang, Jay White and the Gunns, have been enjoying their time in AEW as a heel faction. They needed a wheelbarrow to carry all of their gold to the ring. During the May 22 episode of AEW Dynamite, the trio took the ring.

Their attention soon shifted to Pac, and they began berating the British star. Unexpectedly, Pac appeared on the entrance ramp, but he was not alone. Penta and Fenix were by his side, reuniting the Death Triangle. The faction has been absent as a trio for quite some time.

Fenix’s injury had kept him from competing alongside his brother and their partner, Pac. Now, they are back together. It didn’t take long for the Bang Bang Gang to make it clear that they didn’t want to fight that night.

They instead challenged a match for the AEW Unified Tag Team Titles. This set up a match for this Saturday at Double or Nothing.

The Death Triangle held the AEW Trios Championship for 126 days before losing to The Elite. Their defeat came in an Escalera de la Muerte, which was the seventh and final match in a Best of Seven Series for the championship in January 2023.

Las Vegas will once again host AEW Double or Nothing on Sunday, May 26, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. You can find the card below.

  • Roderick Strong (c) vs. Will Ospreay – Singles match for the AEW International Championship
  • “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) (with Luther and Mariah May) vs. Serena Deeb – Singles match for the AEW Women’s World Championship
  • Adam Copeland (c) vs. Malakai Black – Barbed Wire Steel Cage match for the AEW TNT Championship
  • Jon Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Eliminator match
  • Trent Beretta vs. Orange Cassidy – Singles match
  • Chris Jericho (c) (with Big Bill) vs. HOOK vs Katsuyori Shibata- FTW Rules match for the FTW Championship
  • Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Mercedes Moné – Singles match for the AEW TBS Championship
  • The Elite (Kazuchika Okada, Jack Perry, Matthew Jackson, and Nicholas Jackson) vs. Team AEW (Bryan Danielson, Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood, and Darby Allin) – Anarchy in the Arena match
  • Swerve Strickland (c) (with Prince Nana) vs. Christian Cage (with Killswitch, Nick Wayne, and Mother Wayne) – Singles match for the AEW World Championship

Posted May 22nd, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: , , , .

Several Updates To The NXT Battleground Card

This week’s episode of NXT built toward Battleground, with Fallon Henley defeating Thea Hale to secure a spot in the ladder match for the new Women’s North American Title at the PLE.

Joe Coffey replaced Ivar in the North American Title number one contender’s triple threat match. Both Coffey and Wes Lee emerged as the winners in a triple threat match, and that led General Manager Ava to make a big decision. A match featuring Coffey, Lee, and Oba Femi was officially set for NXT Battleground, but the champ wasn’t thrilled about it.

Jaida Parker and Brinley Reece also had a match to qualify for the Women’s North American Title match at Battleground. In the end, Parker pulled down the win to advance into the championship ladder match.

The night ended with Shayna Baszler and Lola Vice losing to Natalya and Karmen Petrovic. After the match was over, Lola and Baszler brawled, and they had to be separated. Ava then made the announcement that they two will throw down at Battleground, and the Queen of Spades made it an NXT Underground match.

NXT Battleground Card

NXT Battleground: Las Vegas – June 9: 2024 from the UFC Apex
  • Ladder Match for the Inaugural NXT Women’s North American Championship
    • Sol Ruca vs. Lash Legend vs. Jaida Parker vs. Fallon Henley vs. 2 TBD
  • Triple Threat Match for the NXT North American Championship
    • Oba Femi (c) vs. Joe Coffey vs. Wes Lee
  • NXT Underground Match
    • Shayna Baszler vs. Lola Vice

NXT Battleground is scheduled to take place on June 9, 2024 from Enterprise, Nevada at the UFC Apex. NXT at the UFC Apex is the latest example in WWE and UFC’s ongoing collaboration following their corporate ‘merger’ under Endeavor’s TKO Group Holdings.

Posted May 21st, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Sexyy Red Announced To Appear During 5/28 WWE NXT

Rapper Sexyy Red has made headlines across the entertainment world and will bring her star power to next week’s episode of NXT.Red has been tuning into NXT and recently expressed her displeasure over about Noam Dar’s attack on Trick Williams. Now, she’ll get the chance to be more than just a spectator when she visits NXT next Tuesda Sexyy for the May 28 episode of NXT.

https://twitter.com/wwenxt/status/1793087685747163155

As NXT moves closer to NXT Battleground on June 9, 2024, at the UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada, Sexyy Red’s appearance adds an extra layer of excitement. We will have to see what she gets into next week. 

Although Sexyy Red tweeted out to hype her NXT appearance, she didn’t reveal her intentions. She did, however, tease pulling off an RKO outta nowhere.

WWE has a long history of celebrity appearances, and the company’s recent success is attracting personalities from various fields, especially the music industry. NXT is no exception, and next week, a well-known face will grace the show.

The St. Louis rapper’s new EP, “In Sexyy We Trust,” is set to release on May 24, coinciding with the start of Memorial Day weekend.

Posted May 21st, 2024 in NXT, WWE. Tagged: .

Braun Strowman Plans to Add JD McDonagh to His Funko Pop Collection Next Week

WWE has seen some big returns over the past few months. Braun Strowman’s comeback is poised to be a massive one, as the Monster of All Monsters re-entered the fold during the 2024 WWE Draft.

The former WWE Universal Champion was assigned to the RAW brand, where he has been a persistent challenge to the Judgment Day. This conflict led to JD McDonagh challenging him to a match next week during the May 27 episode.

In a post-show interview, Braun Strowman accepted JD McDonagh’s challenge for next week’s WWE RAW. He stated that McDonagh will face the consequences of his actions. Strowman also promised to put the Judgment Day member in a box when he’s finished with him, so he can place him on a shelf with the rest of his Funk Pop collection.

The Judgment Day is experiencing a transitional phase, with Damian Priest holding the WWE World Heavyweight Title. Meanwhile, Finn Balor and JD McDonagh lost the Tag Team Titles, Dominik Mysterio is out with an elbow injury, and Rhea Ripley is sidelined with an AC joint injury. We will see what Braun Strowman does to JD McDonagh next week. JD has been running his mouth, but it’s nearly time for him to back it up in the ring.

Posted May 21st, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , .

WWE Returns To Japan This Summer After 5 Years

WWE returns to Japan this summer for the first time in five years. The WWE Super Show Summer Tour is a 3-show tour taking place over three consecutive nights, from July 25-27, 2024. Here is the schedule:

  • July 25: Osaka, Japan (Edion Arena)
  • July 26: Tokyo, Japan (Ryogoku Arena)
  • July 27: Tokyo, Japan (Ryogoku Arena)

? Tickets for WWE’s return to Japan go on sale next Saturday, June 1. Advance sales information is available at Eplus.jp/wwe.

Promotional materials for the WWE Supershow Summer Tour of Japan feature several prominent Japanese Superstars, including Asuka, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kairi Sane, and IYO Sky. Other top Superstars advertised include Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre (injured), Bobby Lashley and Rhea Ripley (injured).

WWE Japan Supershow Tour Announcement via WWE

The Last Time WWE Was In Japan

This summer’s Super Show Summer Tour will occur over five years since WWE ran shows in Japan. The most recent events took place from Tokyo on June 28 and 29, 2019. Attendance for the two shows averaged around 7,100. Top matches on the tour, gathered from results we reviewed from Cagematch.net, included:

  • Seth Rollins retaining the Universal title against Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Becky Lynch retaining the Raw Women’s title  against Alexa Bliss
  • Ricochet retained the United States title against against Cesaro
  • The Revival (FTR) retaining the Raw tag titles over Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows

Here’s a fun moment from when WWE visited Osaka, Japan during the 2018 tour:

Asuka’s Status

The inclusion of Asuka in the promotional material is particularly noteworthy, as she is currently sidelined due to a knee injury. About two months ago, Asuka tweaked her knee during a WWE SmackDown episode. Despite continuing to wrestle since then, the injury has persisted. Asuka is taking time off to fully recover. After participating in WrestleMania 40 and Backlash in Lyon, France, where she and Kairi Sane lost the Women’s Tag Team titles to Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill, Asuka is now focusing on getting back to 100%. 

Giulia’s Status

Additionally, some fans are buzzing about Giulia possibly attending the tour. Giulia, who recently concluded a notable stint in STARDOM and has been linked to Rossy Ogawa’s new promotion, is reportedly NXT bound. She was spotted in the crowd at NXT Stand & Deliver over WrestleMania XL weekend. However, her start date might be uncertain due to a wrist fracture sustained during her last match for Ogawa’s Marigold Pro Wrestling company.

Posted May 21st, 2024 in WWE.

WWE King & Queen of the Ring Semifinals Take Center Stage on 5/20 RAW

This week’s episode of WWE RAW was broadcast live from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. The May 20 episode featured quarterfinal matches in the King and Queen of the Ring tournament, determining the red brand’s representatives in the semifinals.

IYO Sky and Lyra Valkyria competed in a semifinal match. Before the match, Becky Lynch spoke to Lyra backstage, and Lyra expressed her readiness to prove herself. In the end, Lyra secured a roll-up pin to defeat the former Women’s Champion, earning her a spot in the tournament finals.

GUNTHER and Jey Uso faced off in a highly physical main event. The Ring General dominated most of the match, countering Jey’s every offensive move with powerful responses. Jey managed to hit a spear, but the referee was incapacitated and unable to make the count. In the end, GUNTHER applied a chokehold until Jey was out cold, forcing the referee to call for the bell.

The 2024 King & Queen of the Ring event is scheduled for May 25, 2024, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at the Jeddah Super Dome. For viewers in the USA, the event will start at 1:00 p.m., with a Countdown Show beginning at 12:00 p.m. EST.

Queen of the Ring Quarterfinals:

  • Iyo Sky defeated Shayna Baszler
  • Lyra Valkyria defeated Zoey Stark
  • Jade Cargill lost to Nia Jax via DQ
  • Bianca Belair defeated Tiffany Stratton

Queen of the Ring Semifinals:

Bianca Belair vs Nia Jax

Lyra Valkyria beat IYO Sky

Queen of the Ring Finals:

Lyra Valkyria vs winner of Nia Jax vs Bianca Belair

King of the Ring Quarterfinals:

  • Gunther defeated Kofi Kingston
  • Jey Uso defeated Ilja Dragunov
  • Tama Tonga defeated LA Knight
  • Randy Orton defeated Carmelo Hayes

King of the Ring Semifinals:

Tama Tonga vs Randy Orton

Gunther vs Jey Uso

King of the Ring Finals:

Gunther vs winner of Tama Tonga vs Randy Orton

WWE King & Queen of the Ring Card:

  • King of the Ring Tournament Final
    • GUNTHER vs. SmackDown bracket winner
  • Queen of the Ring Tournament Final
    • Lyra Valkyria vs. SmackDown bracket winner
  • Women’s World Championship Match
    • Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan (Singles match)
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
    • Sami Zayn (c) vs. Chad Gable vs. Bronson Reed (Triple threat match)
  • Undisputed WWE Championship Match
    • Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Logan Paul (Singles match)

Posted May 20th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , .

Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill’s Next Challengers For WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles Determined During 5/20 RAW

Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles from Damage CTRL at Backlash in France. Now, their next challengers have been determined, setting the stage for an exciting title defense.

The May 20 edition of WWE RAW featured a fatal four-way match to decide who would face Belair and Cargill for the titles. The match included Ivy Nile and Maxxine Dupri, Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark, Katana Chance and Kayden Carter, and Damage CTRL’s Dakota Kai and Kairi Sane. The competition was fierce as each team vied for the #1 contender spot.

In the end, Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark secured the win by hitting Dupri with an alley-oop into a high knee double team move. This victory earned them the #1 contender spot for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.

This is interesting, because Sonya Deville returned to WWE television earlier in the night after a nine-month hiatus. She had a backstage segment with the new #1 contenders, adding a layer of intrigue to the night’s events. Deville’s return was a notable moment, sparking curiosity about her future role.

 The date for the next WWE Women’s Tag Team Title defense has not been announced, but it was promoted as a “future title opportunity.” As of now, the match is not booked for the 2024 Queen and King of the Ring on May 25. Fans are eagerly awaiting more details about when and where Baszler and Stark will challenge for the titles.

While Jade Cargill is out of the tournament after a DQ loss to Nia Jax on SmackDown, Bianca Belair is still competing. Belair will face Jax this Friday for a spot in the finals, where the winner will take on Lyra Valkyria in Saudi Arabia. 

Posted May 20th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , , , , .

Sonya Deville Returns After 9-Month Injury Hiatus During 5/20 WWE RAW

Sonya Deville has been out of action since suffering an ACL tear on the July 28th episode of SmackDown. This injury came at a high point in her career, abruptly ending her title reign with Chelsea Green. After a long road to recovery, she is now ready to return to the ring.

During WWE RAW this week, a backstage segment featured Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark. As they talked, the camera panned over to reveal Sonya Deville standing with her arms crossed. Deville approached Baszler and Stark, indicating she wanted to talk to them.

Despite Deville’s attempt to engage, Baszler and Stark showed no interest and walked away. This brief interaction left viewers curious about Deville’s intentions and her role moving forward. Michael Cole provided little context, but he did clear up her status, noting Deville’s nine-month absence due to injury.

During her time off, Deville worked hard on her recovery and also took the opportunity to get married. Her dedication to returning to WWE has been evident, and her return marks an important moment in her career. Fans are eager to see how she will be reintegrated into the roster.

Posted May 20th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , , .

Bron Breakker Demolishes Opponent In Frustrated Outburst During 5/20 WWE RAW Debut

Bron Breakker made his in-ring debut during WWE RAW this week, and things escalated quickly.

The 2024 King and Queen of the Ring tournaments are ongoing, but Breakker was not chosen. This exclusion affected him significantly, leading to a strong reaction.

During his debut match on the May 20 episode of RAW, Breakker took a moment after the bell sounded to sulk in the corner about not getting in this year’s KOTR tournament. Then he turned around to quickly overpower his opponent Kale Dixon with a brutal spear, but the match did not end in a traditional manner. After spearing his opponent, Breakker threw him outside the ring and then ran around the ring to spear him again.

The official called off the match, refusing to let the violence continue. WWE officials intervened to stop Breakker from using the ring steps as a weapon, but he changed tactics. Breakker then used a chair on the steel steps to further attack his opponent.

After the commercial break, Breakker’s opponent was being loaded onto a stretcher. RAW General Manager Adam Pearce confronted Breakker, expressing his displeasure. Breakker responded simply, taking responsibility for the attack.

Bron Breakker’s assaults did not stop, as he spears Ricochet out of nowhere backstage. This came as a blindsided attack while the One And Only was talking to Ilja Dragunov. After Breakker’s attack on Ricochet, he stood above him while WWE officials rushed to take care of the fallen Superstar.

Despite not being in the 2024 King of the Ring tournament, Bron Breakker’s opportunities in WWE are set to continue. His RAW debut has certainly made a strong impression on the red brand.

Breakker actually received his official WWE main roster call-up when he replaced Brock Lesnar in the 2024 Royal Rumble match. He took all of Lesnar’s spots but didn’t secure a WrestleMania booking. 

Breakker had unfinished business in NXT, including a Tag Team Title run with Baron Corbin. He also wrestled a handful of matches for the SmackDown brand before getting drafted to RAW during the 2024 WWE Draft.

Posted May 20th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Update on Jacob Fatu to WWE, Plans for The Bloodline

The Bloodline saga remains one of the most compelling aspects of WWE television, despite Roman Reigns being cast into exile at WrestleMania. With Reigns off in Hollywood and legitimately calling his shots from afar, Solo Sikoa has emerged as The Bloodline’s on-screen figurehead. 

The latest incarnation of WWE’s most dominant faction is comprised of Sikoa, the recently-added Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa, and of course, the ‘Wise Man’ Paul Heyman. Our readers know there’s additional enforcements on the way. Over WrestleMania 40 weekend, we reported exclusively that ‘Bloodline’ family member Jacob Fatu was in Philadelphia amid reports that he was WWE bound. Multiple sources have confirmed to SEScoops that Fatu is signed and “big plans” are in place for the former MLW World Champion. However, the creative is being kept close to the vest by Triple H Bruce Prichard, Ryan Callahan, Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns. 

Jacob Fatu is coming

The Bloodline’s Next Chapter

Everything is not fine with The Bloodline and there’s no saying Jacob Fatu will align with Solo Sikoa and company. He very well could be brought in aligned with one of The Usos, who are bound to reunite eventually. Jacob Fatu would be a combustible element added to the showdown involving the Bloodlines rich lineage, including The Rock, Roman Reigns, The Usos, Solo Sikoa, Fatu, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa.

The fact Roman Reigns’ name was mentioned to us as one of the few people in the loop about Fatu’s creative direction indicates involvement with The Bloodline in some fashion. As for Heyman, he’s been caught in a few very uncomfortable positions over the past few months as the Bloodline’s leadership has undergone drastic changes. The Wise Man has been part of the group’s foundation since its inception, and has been the greatest influence on the rise of the Tribal Chief Once Fatu debuts, when Reigns and The Rock eventually return, and the Bloodline storyline reaches its ultimate conclusion, you can be sure Heyman will be there 

Posted May 20th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , .

“I’m Single”- Liv Morgan Confirms Relationship Status

Liv Morgan is preparing to face Becky Lynch at King & Queen of the Ring in Saudi Arabia this Saturday. She will walk into that match as a singles competitor, and that also applies to her love life.

“I’m single,” Liv Morgan admitted on Open Thoughts. She emphasized that her current priorities do not include dating, explaining that she is focused on being the best she can be and is consciously choosing to be somewhat selfish with her time. Morgan acknowledged that she doesn’t want to allocate time to others at the expense of her personal growth.

This is the first time she’s spoken openly about her relationship status in a while. The last we heard, she was with Bo Dallas. In 2021, it was reported that Dallas and Morgan had a farm together, which they managed jointly. They had also ventured into a family real estate business.

While Liv Morgan is currently working on her revenge tour in WWE, Bo Dallas is also preparing for another resurgence. WWE has dropped numerous cryptic clues suggesting that a new stable is on the way.

There are signs such as QR codes and trailers indicating that Bo Dallas will soon return to WWE television, possibly as himself or the mysterious Uncle Howdy. A new report includes a list of names rumored to join Bray Wyatt’s younger brother.

Currently, four other names are expected to be part of the new faction: Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Erick Rowan.

Posted May 20th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

WWE King & Queen of the Ring Tournament Semifinals Matches Locked In During 5/17 SmackDown

WWE SmackDown took place this week at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, focusing heavily on building anticipation for the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments.

Tiffany Stratton and Bianca Belair threw down in the opening match of SmackDown. This match went around twenty minutes, and saw Belair win after a ton of near-falls. Fans were also especially invested after Stratton stirred the pot online with a controversial post, one that she got no internal heat with.

Tama Tonga and LA Knight were the second quarterfinal of the night. This match went down with Solo Sikoa, Tanga Loa, and Paul Heyman standing at ringside as a constant presence. In the end, Tama won the match after a little distraction from Solo Sikoa.

Bianca Belair already clinched her spot in the semifinals, which meant we were one step closer to seeing the EST of WWE face Jade Cargill. The former TBS Champion took on Nia Jax during the second hour of the show, and Cargill lost to the Irresistible Force via DQ. This resulted in a brawl after the match and the Jacksonville fans chanting “bullsh*t.” It looks like we won’t see Cargill vs Belair in the tournament.

Randy Orton and Carmelo Hayes had burner of a main event. In the end, Orton won the match, and he promised to introduce Tama Tonga to an RKO in Saudi Arabia.

The King and Queen of the Ring tournaments will culminate on May 25 at the Jeddah Super Dome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where the finals for both tournaments will take place.

King of the Ring Quarterfinals:

  • Gunther vs. Kofi Kingston
  • Jey Uso vs. Ilja Dragunov
  • Tama Tonga defeated LA Knight
  • Carmelo Hayes vs Randy Orton

Queen of the Ring Quarterfinals:

  • Iyo Sky vs. Shayna Baszler
  • Lyra Valkyria vs. Zoey Stark
  • Jade Cargill lost to Nia Jax via DQ
  • Bianca Belair defeated Tiffany Stratton

Queen of the Ring Semifinals:

Bianca Belair vs Nia Jax

Winner of IYO Sky vs Shayna Baszler against winner of Lyra Valkyria vs Zoey Stark

King of the Ring Semifinals:

Tama Tonga vs Randy Orton

Winner of Gunther vs. Kofi Kingston and Jey Uso vs. Ilja Dragunov

WWE King & Queen of the Ring Card:

  • King of the Ring Tournament Final
    • Raw bracket winner vs. SmackDown bracket winner
  • Queen of the Ring Tournament Final
    • Raw bracket winner vs. SmackDown bracket winner
  • Women’s World Championship Match
    • Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan (Singles match)
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
    • Sami Zayn (c) vs. Chad Gable vs. Bronson Reed (Triple threat match)
  • Undisputed WWE Championship Match
    • Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Logan Paul (Singles match)

Posted May 17th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Tiffany Stratton’s Status Unaffected by Recent Controversial Post, WWE Sources Say

Tiffany Stratton became a breakout star on the WWE main roster after her official call-up during the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match. Earlier this week, the former NXT Women’s Champion stirred up controversy after posting a video on Instagram of her delivering an elbow to Jade Cargill. The footage was backed by an audio clip that included the phrase “black b*tch” as she was striking Cargill.

Wrestling fans were outraged and rightfully so. They trashed Stratton in the replies of that post and elsewhere, labeling her a racist and more. Many tagged Triple H and WWE’s corporate accounts, ensuring this would not be swept under the rug, despite the fact that she deleted the video quickly. Damage was done, but how much?

This week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter shed light on the story, calling it “pretty significant situation.” Dave Meltzer observed, “Basically if this was someone who wasn’t a star they’d be fired instantly.” Several of the popular ‘engagement’ accounts on social media speculated that Stratton had “backstage heat” and her impressive momentum since recently joining the main roster would come to a screeching halt.

We reached out to sources in WWE to clarify exactly where things stand. I was told this was reviewed at the highest levels and there is no “heat” on Stratton. Her ‘push’ won’t be affected and Jade Cargill (nor anybody else) made a big issue over it.

Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net corroborates what I was told, reporting that “there is no internal backlash against Tiffany Stratton” and the matter “has been resolved.” This was also reported by PW Insider.

WWE Superstar Tiffany Strattonand

Tiffany Stratton’s versatile skill set, bolstered by her gymnastics background and charismatic personality, make her a valuable asset to WWE. She’s poised to make a big impact on the main roster, especially with so many former champions sidelined. That list includes, but is not limited to, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, Carmella and Raquel Rodriguez.

Stratton is scheduled for tonight’s WWE SmackDown, where she’ll compete against Bianca Belair in the Quarterfinals of the Queen of the Ring tournament. 

Check out our interview with Tiffany Stratton from WrestleMania 40 weekend:

Posted May 17th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Update On Asuka’s Knee Injury

WWE Superstars put their bodies on the line for the entertainment of fans every time they step into the ring. Unfortunately, injuries are a regular part of the job and virtually nobody is exempt. Earlier this week, Asuka announced she’s been dealing with a knee injury and we’ve got an update that underscores the importance of this decision.

Approximately two months ago, we covered when Asuka ‘tweaked’ her knee on WWE SmackDown. She’s wrestled a lot since then, which gave us a sense of optimism that she might be able to avoid time off. Unfortunately, the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter confirms it’s the same injury that persists.

Now that she’s gotten through WrestleMania 40 and Backlash France, where she and Kairi Sane dropped the Women’s tag titles, Asuka will take some time to recuperate and get back to 100%.

More WWE Injuries

WWE Superstars regularly work through injuries, especially during WrestleMania season. Here are some additional wrestlers currently out of action for various reasons:

Charlotte Flair: Torn ACL, MCL, & Meniscus, out since December 8, 2023, return timeline 9 months.

Erik: Neck Fusion Surgery, injury date September 2023, recovery time unknown.

Sonya Deville: Torn ACL, injury date July 28, 2023, recovery time 6 – 12 months.

Seth Rollins: Suffered a Grade 2 MCL tear and a partially torn meniscus in his left knee in January. He underwent surgery to repair the torn meniscus on April 16.

Ivar: Storyline injury due to a backstage attack on NXT, to give the Viking Raider some time off.

CM Punk: Successfully underwent surgery to repair torn triceps, stopped using brace, mobility improving through recovery and physical therapy.

Alexa Bliss: Pregnancy, out since February 2023, return timeline unknown.

Big E: Broken neck (fractured C1 and C6 vertebrae) that did not require surgery, injury date March 11, 2022. The former WWE Champion has dropped hints that he may never wrestle again.

Carmella: Pregnancy, out since March 2023, currently dealing with drop foot syndrome.

Posted May 17th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , .

Uncle Howdy Hijacks WWE Twitch Stream

Something is happening on WWE television. The glitches and QR codes continue, hinting at a new force on the way. These interruptions have spread across RAW, SmackDown and NXT. Now, even WWE’s digital programming is being affected.

During a stream on WWE’s Twitch channel, glitches appeared as Lilian Garcia introduced Kane to the ring. The disturbances caused static, and Garcia’s voice was manipulated to say “Wyatt.” As Kane made his way to the ring, the screen glitched again. A serene setting with an ominous chair in a corner was shown. The stationary shot remained unchanged, with no one else visible in the frame. The screen then flashed back to the old WWE program in progress. In the end, the takeover lasted about thirty minutes, with interruptions like this throughout that period of time. 

At the end of the takeover, a woman was shown in the chair. She had a book and was asking the camera “what does this represent?” as she showed off something drawn on the page. The camera then flashed to a news article of a missing reporter.

WWE teased Bo Dallas’ return at the end of the “Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal” documentary, making it clear that something is coming. Fans have been analyzing the cryptic clues, waiting for what lies ahead.

Bo Dallas’ Upcoming Stable

Bo Dallas played Uncle Howdy during Bray Wyatt’s final run. Sadly, Windham Rotunda passed away, and we will never see what they had planned. Now a new chapter is beginning.

Four names are currently expected to be in the new faction. Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Erick Rowan are all slated to join the new Wyatt Family.

Each Superstar has previous experience in factions: Cross with Sanity, Gacy leading The Schism, Lumis as part of The Way, and Rowan as an original member of The Wyatt Family. It will be interesting to see how they fit into the picture once the new stable officially debuts on WWE television. 

Posted May 17th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , , .

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »